Also, a follow up on Christmas

Can’t believe if forgot the obligatory Christmas blog. :  )

We got to do a lot of fun things this season, despite our crazy hectic schedules. Seriously, 2 retail jobs, plus the holiday season equals nutso. But anyway- once we got the van (again, a BIG thank you to the Graham family and to Brent!) we took the kids out to the Festival of Lights here in town. I might be a little biased, but I think we have the best one around. It’s become a bit of a tradition for us to go at least once a year. It’s the same every year, but it’s still fun every time.

We also went to our ward Christmas party- Jake’s choice- and I’m sure glad we went! What a riot! Each auxiliary put on their own number for the entertainment, and I think the clear winner (if it were a contest) would be the Young Men. Holy cow. Those guys are funny. They did a series of lip synching/skits to Inside Out’s Snowman song. The newer, MUCH longer version. Everyone was just rolling in the aisles. My hat is off to them, and their leaders (who also performed). They made the night. Then the Young Women and their leaders lead us all in The Twelve Days Of Christmas. The fun part was that there were 12 tables (we had dinner before the show) and each table had to act out their assigned verse in the song. : ) We had “3 french hens”. It was too good. And the best part was watching the Bishopric act out “a partridge in a pear tree” 13 times.

The Saturday before Christmas we took Jake to the airport and then went to see the lights at Temple Square- which has also become a bit of a tradition. I think that this was the COLDEST visit to Temple Square we’ve EVER “enjoyed”. : ) Because of that, it was also the FASTEST visit ever. : ) I think it went something like this. “OOH, wow! Look at the candles on the reflection pool! And the nativity! Okay, moving on! See the lights! So pretty! Next! Okay, let’s stand here and try not to freeze for a minute while we listen to the Christmas story….. Wow! That was great! Who wants hot chocolate? Okay! Let’s get out of here.” It was COLD, COLD, COLD. Heather came with us, and I always wonder if she’s just a glutton for punishment every time she comes on our family outings. : ) As always, though, it’s great to spend time with her. After Temple Square we all went to Village Inn for some truly terrible hot chocolate and a bite to eat. Ah, memories. : )

Throughout the season we’ve taken a few opportunities to talk to the kids about why we celebrate Christmas and what it really means. These teaching moments apparently didn’t quite sink in, as evidenced by the conversation I had in the car with the kids on Christmas Eve day. It went something like this:

“So, guys, what’s tomorrow?”

(in unison) “CHRISTMAS!!!”

“Yes! It’s Christmas! Why do we have Christmas?”

*crickets*

“Whose birthday are we celebrating?”

Spencer: “Hannah’s!”

“No… not Hannah’s… whose birthday do we celebrate on Christmas?”

Hannah: “Aspen’s!!”

“No. Guys… look at this picture. Who is in it?” (Me holding up a picture of Jesus that Hannah received from her nursery leaders)

Aspen: “Jesus! It’s Jesus’ birthday!”

(huge sigh of relief) “Yes! That’s it. We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth. Isn’t that great?”

Spencer: “Mom… if it’s Jesus’ birthday, when is he coming over??”

I love that kid.

As for Christmas, we had a wonderful day! It was only Part One of Christmas, Part Deux coming when Jake gets home, but we had a kick. It was actually nice to have a quiet-ish Christmas. And I got a nap! Woohoo! Afterward, we all went over to my mom’s and had dinner and played on the Wii for a few hours.

The gifts this year seemed to have themes to them. Hannah got all princess/pretend stuff- the big hits being a tea set and a trunk of dress-up clothes. Spencer got cars, and Iron Man toys. The boy was in HEAVEN. J And Aspen got all art and learning stuff- her faves? A well stocked art tub and an indoor/outdoor microscope. That thing is pretty awesome, too. It’s magnified 40x and comes with a lanyard so she can take it out side. I have to thank the girls at Funfinity for that little gem. I love that place.

Also, I did in fact get fab pumps to go with my fab dress and I think I’m picking up a vacuum tomorrow. Yay!! Duke insisted on not getting any gifts this year, but I did pick up a sweet bowie knife that he’d been wanting.

When Jake gets back we’re going to have a family home evening about giving gifts to the Savior, since we’re celebrating His birthday. Our Home Teachers gave a great lesson about this a couple Sundays ago and I really loved it. We plan on following up on that in June or July to see how we’re doing and remind ourselves of the gifts we choose to give Him, like being nice to our brothers and sisters, or forgiving others, or reading our scriptures more often. I like this idea much more than just plain old New Years Resolutions. I think they mean more when they’re kind of consecrated like that. So, we’ll see how that goes, and we’ll let you all know. : )

I hope you all had great Christmases, and I wish you all very Happy New Years! (again…) : )

Catching Up

WHEW!! It’s crazy around here. I have decided NEVER to work the Christmas season again. LOL There is just SOOO much to catch up on now. Just since Saturday, I’ve cleaned the kids’ room ( a MAJOR undertaking on its own), rearranged all their furniture to make room for the Teepee Megamaze that Santa brought them, and I’m about a 3^rd of the way through what seems like 16 tons of laundry. I’m in a cleaning/organizing fervor. In fact, for the first time in my LIFE I want to put all the Christmas stuff away BEFORE mid-January. I mean, like, NOW. : ) And I haven’t even mentioned the sea of gift wrap that can’t go out to the dumpster, yet, because the darn thing is FULL to overflowing, nor the boxes of superfluous kids’ clothes that need to go to DI, nor the mountain of dishes in the kitchen that, despite running the dishwasher at a fever pitch, I can’t seem to get ahead of. I’m SWAMPED!! Between the dishwasher running and the washing machine running, I’m lucky to get 60 seconds of hot water in the shower to wash my hair with! And yet, in the midst of it all, I am so completely and blissfully happy to be HOME, HOME AT LAST! : ) When I started working again I thought it was going to be no big deal- two months. What’s two months, right? I’ve discovered that I was completely spoiled over those eight months I got to be a SAHM. I love being here with them every day. I have missed Spencer (yes, Spencer!) and Hannah and all the funny things they say and do. I’ve missed lunch time stories and snuggles. I’ve missed actually MAKING breakfast. I’ve missed getting to pick up Jake and Aspen from school and hearing about their days in class. Even though I was home when they were home I’ve had so much to DO that I’ve hardly been able to sit down and breathe, let alone connect with anyone.

So. I am happy to be back, and I have a lot to catch up on, but much, much more than just housework. : )

My (mostly impossible) Christmas List

In no particular order, I present to you, my Christmas wishes. : )

 

1)A new shower curtain. The cheap vinyl one I bought when we moved in has popped 4 of the “grommets” and is now basically useless. Modest is hottest and all.

2)A KitchenAid. Oh the cakes I could bake! Oh the cookies I would MAKE! : ) I’m supposed to be making 12 dozen cookies for a cookie exchange this weekend, but I’m putting it off. I keep thinking how much more excited I’d be about it if I had a mixer. I’ve only been wanting one for the last 8 years. At this rate, by the time I get one, I’ll have no kids around to tank up with warm cookies, and I’ll have to turn to fattening up my neighbors instead.

3)Fabulous black Sicily Boots by Duo. Le Sigh. Even when I’m “slim” I have calves that flout any attempt at wearing knee high boots- which are SO in vogue in my ward. Seriously, a cursory glance around the Relief Society room on Sundays reveals that a good 70% of female LDS feet are shod in beautiful, oh-so-vexing knee high boots. Duo Boots are made in the UK and come in custom calf widths, which means I could finally have a pair that fit over my very … muscular calves, but also means that they’re NOT cheap in any way. Well, a girl can dream.

4)If not Duo Boots, then fabulous black pumps to go with the fabulous black dress that I know Duke bought me for Christmas. The last pair I bought came from Wal-Mart, which probably explains why I haven’t worn heels in years. I’m actually quite excited about the idea of being glam-ish.

5)A new vacuum. Oi. Our vacuums last, on average, about 2 years. The latest one bit the dust-bunnies about 3 months ago, and it is SOOOO much fun to borrow my mom’s vacuum when sweeping the carpet has become completely ineffective.

6)A couple Love Sacs. I am so done with traditional furniture. : ) Perhaps, if I could get the kids to stop climbing over, jumping on, and sitting on the arm of the couch (and perhaps if we ever had new ones, rather than the trickle-down sets we end up with after my grandma and then my mom are done with them) couches my last longer around here. As grateful as I am for free furniture, we’re on the third couch of our married life, and I’m ready for it to be the last. At least until the kids are older. Plus, Love Sacs are much more mobile, which fits better with my obsessive need to move the furniture around every few weeks.

6)A tent. We are trying to focus on bulking up our emergency preparedness supplies this year. By “bulk up” I really mean “start from scratch”. : ) We’re truly pathetic, even the flashlights we DO own have dead batteries in them. So we’ve been buying bits and pieces here and there, but we are definitely lacking in the “emergency shelter” category.

7)Lastly, a Disneyland vacation with my funky monkeys. I have such wonderful kids, and they are so wonderfully crazy and fun and sweet and occasionally naughty. As much as I’ve been wanting to take an actual honeymoon with Duke, I desperately want to take the kids on a vacation. Jake and Aspen have been working really, really hard this year at school, and Spencer and Hannah have been so wonderful these last two months that I’ve been working. They all deserve a week of no chores, no homework and Mickey Mouse ears.

 

And that’s it. All my Christmas wishes. Even the impossible/unlikely ones. : ) And I’ll betcha every single thing I get under the tree will outshine every one of these. I’m expecting some awesome handmade gifts from Jake and Aspen. Those are my favorite. : )

 

Oh, wait, I forgot the Chia pet. I’ve been DYING for one of those.

 

A Day In The Life

*Time to get up!

 

*Get up, monkeys!

 

*If you’re not out of bed when I come in here again, I’m getting a cup of water.

 

*Well good morning, Mary Sunshine.

 

*I love you bunches.

 

*Did you sleep in your clothes?!

 

*Come here and let me brush your hair. No, right now.

 

*What do you mean you have nothing to wear? Look, there’s clothes IN your drawers. Amazing, huh?

 

*Darn it, let’s get your hair brushed. I haven’t even started, stop crying.

 

*Please change your shirt.

 

*Yes, we’re having oatmeal AGAIN. It’s good!

 

*No, honey, a CLEAN shirt.

 

*Hussle, hussle, monkeys!

 

*Go brush your teeth.

 

*Wow! Good job helping! (Now let’s clean it up…) J

 

*Five minutes!

 

*Oh for heaven’s sake. Give me that shirt! You can’t wear this for at least 7 more days.

 

*Did you brush your teeth? You’re paying for the dentist visit then.

 

*Ack! We’re late!

 

*WHERE are your shoes?

 

*Coats, coats, coats!

 

*Here we go! Is everyone buckled?

 

*Have a good day! I love you!

 

*Wait! Your backpack!

 

*Okay, you two. What are we going to do today?

 

*You’re my special guy/girl.

 

*Please, don’t touch the tree!

 

*Thank you for “helping”!

 

*Oh, for the love!

 

*Well, go potty then. The light is on, get in there.

 

*What shall we have for lunch today?

 

*Ew. No. Peanut butter and bologna do NOT go well together.

 

*See, I’m SHARING.

 

*What color/shape is this?

 

*Let’s empty the dishwasher. Who wants to help mommy?

 

*Thank you, sir!

 

*Hurry, hurry! Let’s go potty!

 

*Okay- you can’t both snuggle me on the SAME side.

 

*Stop pushing/hitting/kicking.

 

*No- stop it right NOW.

 

*That’s it. Everybody out.

 

*Time to get Jake and Aspen, buckle up!!

 

*Hey, gang!

 

*How was your day, today?

 

*Where’s your homework?

 

*What do you mean you don’t have any? I’m calling your teacher.

 

*Your chore for today is to straighten up your room. Again. Feel free to watch some tv/play outside when it’s done.

 

*These dishes aren’t going to wash themselves. See, I do chores too. You might as well get used to it. It never ends.

 

*Daddy’s home!! *smooch* I missed you.

 

*WHAT are you doing outside? Is your room clean?

 

*You’ve been in here for an hour. Have you done anything?

 

*I at least need your laundry.

 

*Duke! Please talk to Spencer. He’s making me crazy.

 

*Thank you. I love you, giggle-butt.

 

*You’re awesome.

 

*Duke Jones! Get out of the fridge. I’m making dinner right NOW!

 

*Everybody wash your hands! Dinner’s almost ready!

 

*So how was work?

 

*Who wants to set the table?

 

*I love you monkey-face.

 

*Shush. We’re saying the prayer.

 

*Yes, you have to eat the green beans/salad. Well, just TRY it.

 

*That’s enough potatoes. If you’re still hungry you can have seconds.

 

*So, what was the best part of your day?

 

*What did you learn at school today?

 

*What? No. You dished it yourself, you have to finish it.

 

*5 more bites, then you can be excused.

 

*Let’s clear off the table… anyone? Hello?

 

*Okay! Bath time! What? No- you shower.

 

*No- the SHAMPOO is for hair, the SOAP is for bodies.

 

*For goodness sakes.

 

*The couch is NOT for jumping on.

 

*Please stop banging on the piano, I’m TRYING to talk to daddy.

 

*Did you bring your laundry down so I can wash it?

 

*Time for family prayer; who’s being the MOST reverent?

 

*Snug as a bug.

 

*I love you more than peanut butter cups.

 

*Okay, ONE more story. No, not three.

 

*Goodnight, monkeys. Sleep tight.

 

*There’s plenty of light. Just relax.

 

*WHAT is due tomorrow?? Well, you’re just going to have to get up early then.

 

*Hannah, stop touching your sister!

 

*If I have to come in there, I’m NOT going to be happy.

 

*Go to SLEEP!

 

*Hey- it’s pretty quiet in there… do you think they’re sleeping, or causing trouble?

 

*ZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZzzzZZZzzz

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Testing Email Blogging

Just testing out this email blogging to see if it works. I've been having problems with my google sites for some reason, but if I can blog from email, all the better!!

 

I guess I can update while I try this out. Things have been crazy busy, but good. : ) Duke started his new job at Big 5 in October, and he really loves it. He's full time and training for management. The store he works in is losing both their assistant managers in the spring, so he has a really good shot at moving straight to 1^st assistant manager. This job has been a really good fit for him, being in sporting goods and all. : ) It's been great for me, too, being so close. Before it got all snowy, he was able to walk to work most days.

 

I've been working at Deseret Book again for the Christmas season. I LOVE it. It's always been nice to spend the day surrounded by inspirational and faith-building material. I didn't know how much I had missed the people and the atmosphere until I went back, and I'll be kinda sad to leave after Christmas. However, I'm excited to move on to other pursuits. It looks as though I'll be giving college the old college try (har har) in January. I'm really looking forward to working the old grey matter again, and, for now anyway, I can't wait for homework. That will change soon enough, I'm sure. : )

 

The kids are doing great, just growing like weeds. Jake's finally found a book that excites him and keeps him hooked- he practically sleeps with it these days. I was able to go with his class on a field trip to the Planetarium recently and it was so neat to see him get excited about learning. I'm so grateful to be able to go with him on field trips and take part in school activities. Aspen is excelling in all her studies. She's well ahead of her grade level in reading and math, and she LOVES all the supplemental things she gets to learn. The school recently wrapped up a semester long focus on the arts, during which they brought in several specialists that the kids could study from, including a master puppeteer, a professional story-teller and an acclaimed opera singer, among others. We were able to attend Arts Night at the school again, and had a blast. The first one we went to focused on dance alone, and it was a lot of fun. They involved the entire family in creating an interpretive dance number that we performed for the group. This most recent one brought in all the specialists from the semester (puppets, dance, storytelling, visual arts/bookmaking and opera) and we were allowed to pick 2 out of the 5 to see a presentation from. We ended up going to pupeteering and opera. It was a lot of fun. I got put on the spot to perform pupeteering, and I think I did a pretty good job.

 

Spencer and Hannah continue to crack me up on a daily basis. The other day, Spencer was having a disagreement with some neighborhood girls, and after trying to reason with him about it for a few minutes, I finally gave up with a sigh and said "Well, Spence, I guarantee you'll survive." As he ran out the door, Spencer yelled over his shoulder, "But mom, I don't want to survive! I want to LIVE!!" Classic. : ) Hannah has been showing her more creative side lately by giving herself one interesting haircut after another. I'll have to post a picture soon, but suffice it to say that we're going for a pixie look these days. : ) It has been considerably more convenient, to be sure. I think she was sad about it until she got to nursery and the wonderful teachers in there told her how pretty it looked. I love those guys! : )

 

The biggest news of ALL though, is that we finally have a van!!!! A family in our ward was so very generous to give us their old van when they bought a new one, and a friend of mine who is a wonderful mechanic was kind enough to work on it in his spare time. So, after several months of being in the shop, it's done! We've had it for a week now, and it's been so nice to be able to drive around as a family. Not to mention not having to take car seats and boosters in and out of the car all the time! I'm in vehicular heaven right now.  : ) It's been such a blessing.

 

And that's about it! : ) If this email blogging thing works, I'll probably start blogging more often again. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!