O Christmas Tree

I could not put Flynn off any longer.... I knew this weekend was going to be the one...
the one where we set aside a night to make daddy crawl into the attic & pull down the five boxes of Christmas decorations...
it's so fun to see the things we haven't seen for 11 mos... most we've forgotten about....

and it didn't take long at all with the "two monkeys helping" as daddy said...

here daddy & "the two monkeys" play out the nativity....

and the tree gets an admiring stare by one of the monkeys

Charles Schulz Might Not Approve

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But it's funny, nonetheless.

And we certainly mean no disrespect, as we ARE HIS BIGGEST FANS around here.

My kids aren't your typical kids... their likes are very unique. They aren't into the Disney stuff, the popular cartoons; and although I realize that a lot of that has to do w/ the fact that it's all rabbit ears here (no cable), I like to think it has a wee bit to do with how we're raising them.

Granted, I'm not abolishing Santa, I'm not denying them tv or electric; however, I try to avoid the commercialism & the hype of most things.

I hope it sticks.

For now, it's a love of things like the Peanuts gang, they were into The Chipmunks (before we saw the trailer of the movie with the guy from My Name is Earl), & they love simple things like Grammy's homemade pillowcases, & hand-painted nesters. They get a kick out of playing candyland. And altho we love us some good movie time, they're happy sitting at the table coloring.
Last night when Gabe was heading off to bed, he turned around & big adieu to the nativity, "bye bye baby Jeees".

Let's go back to the whole Peanuts fascination...
When Gabe was tiny, we got the Peanuts "triology" for Christmas. Flynn was freshly 2 & started calling the movie, "Brown". The following year, Gabe was one & almost old enough to join her in the appreciation. Last spring we borrowed "Snoopy Come Home" from Ms Renee (I promise, we will return it Renee) & it spawned an even deeper love for the dog.
Its usual spot is in the dvd player of our car, where it gets watched continuously. Part of me feels bad that they're held captive during travel & they spend most of that time watching the movie, but when I turn around & see their faces, I don't feel so bad anymore...

There's one particular scene "Fun-damental Friend-ependibility", where Snoopy is getting a bath by the little girl who found him. When the scene is approaching, they start to anticipate it. Flynn will look at Gabe, Gabe at her, & they start to laugh. And when the really funny scenes come on, they're sharing it in explosive laughter... and it's as if they're just feeding off each other. If one by some very rare chance, has lost attention, the other will call it back for the best parts..."Bubby Look!"

I know that this stage might not last. Soon they'll be 'big kids' & will have the interests of most kids.

But for now, we're able to enjoy movies together...

and do the Peanuts dance.

Murphy's Law & I hate Murphy

Wrestlemania at the Perrys

I hate Murphy, but he loves us... that Murphy & his bloody law.

The way Murphy's Law pertains to us:

1. Today, the first day Flynn had take a nap in several days, Gabe doesn't ... for the first time in probably a month.

2. The other day, Flynn slept past 7, for the first time in months. Gabe however, was up at 6:30.

3. Flynn was supposed to give preschool a "trial run" Tues. She was sick.

4. We pay for dancing school, whether or not they attend. The 2 sick spells Flynn's had have both fallen on a Monday.

5. After Jeff paying approx $400 in contributions to shower gifts (he added it up) to showers for people at work & me paying a smaller amount than that, we ended up giving birth while neither of us had full time jobs. Thus, being jipped out of work showers (counter-murphy= having good family who threw showers for us).

6. Jeff was convinced to lease with a mutual friend as the leasor, who said to him upon leasing, "Just drive it, don't worry about mileage, etc.". When the contract was up & the miles were exceeded, the friend was no longer there. Hence us purchasing the said car, for the same amount we could've bought it for 5 years prior. Leasing = paying for said car TWICE.

7. My mom might be able to retire in 2 years. Dang you Murphy, Flynn will be in kindergarten by then & I won't need her as a babysitter.

8. Flynn has a modeling offer, to make $300 in a couple of hours. The gig, while we were on vacay.

You might say that's how the cookie crumbles. I tell you that cookies are no good for you.

Counter Murphy = God's blessings...There are more than 8 of them. *wink*

Daddy's Catnip

Gabe's first Thanksgiving, he & Daddy did some hardcore napping. I was on the mend from surgery, so Jeff had to be the attentive caretaker, as Gabe was only a couple of months old.

Their nap schedule went something like this:

Thanksgiving, 4 hour nap, together, on mom & dad's bed

Friday, 4 hour nap, together on couch

Saturday, 3hour nap, together on dad's bed

Sunday, 2 hour nap, together, can't remember where

We laughed & joked at how the nap length seemed to decrease & this was of course, based on how long Gabe would stay asleep.

Jeff said it was as if Gabe was weaning him off naps...so he could return to work that Monday.

This is Jeff & Gabe a few weeks ago. Since Gabe is a "big boy" now & naps in his own bed, he & Daddy can't officially lay down & nap together.

But they find their ways around it.

PS Check out Daddy's foot rest. He was upset when I took the matching ottomon/foot rocker & put it in the closet to make more "play room". Now he just grabs random objects....you know, like a soft fire truck.

Remember this from last year?

Now the whole family is elved!
(clicky-click, but warning, uncontrollable laughter is sure to follow!!)
And I think it's hilarious (& appropriate) that I'm the most seductive dancer of the bunch.

Some Princesses & A Couple of Princes

Once upon a time, a little girl was turning four. She believed she was a princess. So she asked her mom to throw her a princess party.

But she wanted to invite her friend & cousin who were very much not princesses... so they were princes.

So she did, and they all came to her royal party, and had a royal ball.

They played 'Kiss the Frog'.

They enjoyed White CASTLES (get it?!)...

They enjoyed dairy-free 2 bite brownies.

And made crowns, fabulous enough to be worn in a castle.

They had a time of dress up....

And found MAGIC dragon eggs....jewels in sand....and played Princess & The Pea.

The Queen & The Princess were very happy (& tired) after the wonderful party.

Deep Thoughts By Flynn

Trying to convince us to get out the 'Sit & Spin', she said,

"Please get out that thing that goes round & round...I like to feel dizzy."

Reasons I Should Not Supervise Children, Installment #2

We had to wake Flynn from her nap, which typically means damage control for about the next hour or baby prozac, one of the two.
I joined Jeff who was bedside, doing his darndest to make her smile.

I laid next to her & instantly my crazy took over. I started to cry like a baby (have I mentioned what a fabulous baby voice I have?) & she kinda laughed but asked what I was doing.

"How about I be the baby & you can be my momma?" I proposed.

She was happy to oblige & I started to cry for a cup. My legs went flailing up & so did my arms... I cried for a cup & cried for my momma.
She hopped up & started toward the kitchen & that's when I gave her the idea of pretending her bookshelf was a refrigerator & she could give me a "pretend cup." She did & I gulped that right down & started crying for another.
She was a quick & obedient mother; but was still not quite as amused as I thought (hoped) she'd be.

That's when my legs went up again & I'm almost ashamed to admit this, but I made a 'noise' (you know what I'm getting at here) & told her, "Waa, waa, change my diaper."

Her already-large eyes, got even bigger & she stood frozen in the middle of her room, very much deer in the headlights. I said it again, "Baby go poo-poo!! Waa, waa, change baby's diaper!!!!"

By this point, she was edging toward her doorway & had a look in her eyes that I possibly have never seen.

"I don't think I want to play this anymore."

And out the door she went.

Out of 13 Kids

Whose kid was not looking anywhere close to the camera?

THANKFUL

Thankful for...

him...

and her...

and him...

Don't Worry, My Kids Don't Read My Blog

It's Like Riding a Bike

Reasons I Probably Shouldn't Be in Charge of Children

FLynn got a utensil set for her bday. You know that cute line from Target, "Play Wonder."
Anywho, I got out a big giant (Halloween) bowl for her to "cook" in.
And what you do for one, you do for another...
I got out the matching bowl for Gabe, along with some of my safe utensils.
He was cooking too.

Before I knew it, the cooking had ended & Flynn had taken things up a notch...

She had taken the two large bowls & was hopping from one to another, like they were lily pads in a pond. She was even taking a frog stance, squatting down on one, prepping to hop to the next.

This is where a good mother would scold her child, remove them from the situation, put away said inappropriate toys, & redirect her child to a safe setting.

But not me.

I looked at what she was doing, knowing she probably shouldn't. I also thought how fun it looked & how I wish I could do it, except I'd turn the bowl into a saucer.

I looked at her socked feet & how when she'd take frog position, her feet would start to slide.

So I said what every bad mother would say,

"If you take off your socks, your feet will have better traction & won't slide."

Please don't call DFS.

Happy 4th Birthday Flynn

To my little girl,





You'll hear me saying this for years to come, because you got stuck with a mushy momma, but FOUR years ago today, you were about to be born. Daddy & I were scared, you were early & we didn't know what to expect. We'd never been through this before & I guess you never feel ready for parenthood.





I will never forget when they told us "it's a girl!". I was worried, would I be a good mommy to a girl? Would I teach you everything you needed to know?


I'm not so good at girly stuff & I joked that if I had a girl, she'd end up like Janet Reno.


Well, you didn't.


Look at you. You're the perfect balance of princess & tomboy. You play soccer but also play dress up. You know more about playing barbies than I do, but you love to get dirty.








You arrived too early when you were born & had to go through quite a lot. You taught me so much while you struggled to breathe at the hospital. You taught Daddy & I to really lean on each other, and more importantly on God.

You taught us how tough you are. You had tubes & needles everywhere. And today, I attribute your toughness to that. You are truly one tough cookie. And it makes my job easier that you don't cry over every boo boo.

Some things you learned your 3rd year of life:

Read some words, write several words, say butt, pump your legs while you swing, some of the positions of ballet, that Bubby really is your best friend...

You also learned to depend on God; and when we had such a scare over the summer & your airway was closing, we talked about trusting God during scary times. You reminded me that He never leaves us.
Those are the things I want you to learn...and always remember.

When you're laying in a hospital bed, with an iv in your arm, & you're scared, and a tear rolls back out of your eye, and you remind ME that God is with us.... that's when I know that Daddy & I, well, we haven't done so bad.

You are the one who made me a Mom. And I never knew life until that happened. It taught me a lot. You taught me a lot. And everyday I learn more. There's no job, no experience that could ever teach the things that parenting you has taught me. You literally made my life change. Some of it is scary, and some not so fun.

But I would do it all over again. And again.

You've been hearing me say it a lot lately... I don't want you to grow up. If I could freeze time I would. I never want to forget your sweet little girl smell, or how excited you are when Daddy gets home, or the admiration you have for your older cousins. Your innocence is priceless, and the zeal you have, oh that zeal, if it could be bottled, would be sold for millions.

I love you Flynn, so much. And my prayer for you this year is love, our love, God's love... and that you know a life without heartache & scariness (I think you know what I'm hinting at here). And if God decides that this is the year you don't deal with your allergy, then wonderful...that's what we hope for. But if He doesn't, then you're still the special little girl whose Mommy is afraid to let her out of her sight. Either way, we know God is with You & will never leave You...and you continue to be a testiment to God's provision.

Happy FOURTH Birthday to my baby girl.

Love,

Momma

Mama's Next Top Model

And YOU are the judge!

I need your opinion...

please give me your TWO choices for Flynn's photo

for me to submit with her application for the talent agency.

Before you go thinking I'll be a psycho stage mom on Dr. Phil,

let me excuse myself by telling you that Flynn went in for a casting call when I was 2 mos prego w/ G (F was 14 mos old). It was for formula & I don't think it helped our chances when I had to write on the interview application that she was allergic to that formula & would NOT be able to drink the "real" thing during the commercial.

I never gave it another though, until July, when we got a call from that agency, who resurrected her photo for a NestCafe commercial. Guess when it was scheduled?

When we were in FL for vacation.

She also let us know we needed to update their records (obviously, it had been two years)...

and I am *JUST* now doing it.

But need your help.

So, choose 2 of these photos that you think best represent Flynn's best qualities. Choose two that you think look "modelish". Look below each of your favorites & take note of the number.

Then, if you'll be so kind, leave your two choices in the comments.

1a

1b

1c

1d

2

3

4

5

6

Okay, now give us your opionions...and remember, each photo's number is the number BELOW the photo.

Flynn (& neurotic her stage mom) thank you.

All I Want for Christmas

is a pet bee.

That's what Gabe's wishlist reads.
The boy is obsessed with bees.
How do you find out such a thing? (you ask)

When you go to the mall a month before the movie is released,
and he sees all the promotional poster & starts to SCREAM,
"BEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!! BEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
And doesn't stop for months.

Even as I write this post, he's pointing to the bee, "M'Bee! M'Bee!!"



So Gammy & Gampa are taking us to see the movie. What a treat!

Gabe can't wait.

(neither can I)

If This Doesn't Make Your Empty Uterus Ache

I don't know what will...



And it makes me want to kiss everyone of those little babies on the mouth, cold & flu season or not.

Or better yet, go into my kids' rooms where they're currently napping (speaking of Christmas miracles), & hold them & rock them & read "I'll Love You Forever" to them.

Con te Partiro

Watch this video, it's so cool to see a 'normal', completely humble person, getting the props he deserves.
AND, it's my favorite song.

Thank God He doesn't Take Offense to her Comments

Sunday mornings are always crazy around here. For my work, Sundays are like the show day... what I have been working all week to prepare for & I can usually count on some surprise waiting for me at church, someone not showing up, or some kind of snag. So while I am rushing everyone along, that's always in the back of my mind. I have a million things to get together & out the door.
It would be great if I had a leisurely morning to not hurry my kids or let them sleep in or lay on the couch & watch cartoons.... but it is what it is & that's that.

Flynn had a HORRIBLE night Saturday night. We were up 'til about 3 am with her night terrors. Since her allergies are bothering her, we have been doping her up with everything under the sun to try to keep her allergies from settling in her chest/asthma... to keep her out of the hospital... so that we can enjoy our holidays, medical emergency-free.
I don't care if it's not a side effect mentioned, I swear that Flynn's zyrtec makes her have horrible dreams. She was thrashing around in her bed & even had a fist fight with the wall. We took turns for a while, going in the comfort her. They say you shouldn't wake a child who is having night terrors, it only confuses them. And that they don't remember a thing when they wake up. But who likes to hear their child screaming NO as they roll around on their bed. It's awful. So, I would pick her up & even though she was punching me, I was singing to her & rocking her...and she would finally settle down. For about 30 minutes.
Long story short, she slept in our bed. And ultimately, I slept in HER bed.
So we all wake up Sunday, after about 4 hours on very LOW quality sleep.
We were rushed, getting gifts together, food, etc., for a party we'd go to later that day. I got snacks together for after church because I knew we'd be killing time driving around between church & the party. When you live in the sticks, you can't just run home between obligations.
On top of that, Flynn was still not feeling good. And sadly, I didn't have the time to just sit down & hold her.
On top of on top of that, the time change is still messing with these people around here. Example, it's 8:11 am & my early riser is still counting sheep. I wouldn't mind, except it just seals the deal that later she won't nap.
Okay, back to Sunday morning...
Excluding the fact that she was proud of her cute dress that she'd never worn & her hair, Flynn was not wanting to be anywhere but laying on the couch in front of the tv.
She does typically ask questions about where we're going, which always include a WHY. And even tho she knows & we've gone over it countless times in her young life, she asks again,
"Mom, why do we go to church?"
"Because Flynn, we love God & want to learn more about Him. Besides, us going to church is a way to worship Him... it's a way to show Him that we love Him."

She just shrugged me off, even though she did listen to what I said.

Fast forward to after church. We were sitting in the car, killing time, eating chips, & hoping the little nap Gabe was getting would get him through the day. She was still not being as pleasant as she should or could be & gets my attention,
"Mom?"
"Yes."
"I did not learn about God."

Ring Around the Rosie

A Great Article

which also doesn't make me all that happy. But it's info, nonetheless....
http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/conditions/11/12/milk.allergy/index.html#cnnSTCText

Day in the Life of a Crazed Mother

Remember the fun we had last January, picking out new books with our giftcards?
Well, Gabe's giftcard for books has been burning a hole in my wallet since he got it 2 months ago, also a gift from Nana.
I've been telling myself since then, the next time we're at Gravois Bluffs, we have got to plan a visit at Barnes & Noble to spend Gabe's giftcard.
So, today, we found ourselves across the street at the Little Gym, taking advantage of free bring a friend day (thanks to Alex, we were his guests).
So, we made it a point to head on over & bask in the book goodness.
Along with the fun it is, it is also a challenge to keep track of two very energetic kids, who love books as much as their momma....who see a book at the other end of the large children's area & who waste no time running to that book to see what it holds inside.
B & N also has an adorable children's stage, where the storytime takes place. Flynn had already made plans to read Gabe & I a book from there. And Gabe had big plans to spend the majority of his time at the train table (once again, it doesn't matter that we already have one at home).
To & fro they'd run. Pulling books off the shelves at warp speed. Leaving them wherever, only for me to run behind & try to quickly find where it came from, return it to its spot, & move onto the next castaway.
I may have been sweating at this point.
So, we settle on one or two books, or five. And after diligence & much deliberation, we settle on those few (five) & head to the check out.
Why in the world are there the most delectable and irresistable things at check out lines. Like delicate & very breakable pop up gift card holders. And Godiva chocolates wrapped like royal gifts? Why, oh why?
And why, must you spend five minutes asking me if I'd like to buy a gift for an orphan? And another 10 minutes explaining your reward club? And how if I join today, I'll save an extra $2 (forget the fact that I'd be spending $25 to join the hurting club). Must you continue to push the rewards club while I'm on the other side of the spinning display, removing stationery sets from my son's two year old grip; stationery sets that cost more than my outfit?
And while my credit card lays atop my open wallet, at your register, where you spend vast amounts of time talking about how I'll save 40% off of novels if I join this club... should I share with you that for the last 3.98 years, I've only had time to read an article in a parenting magazine, or a scripture here & there. And then, only if I'm able to lock the bathroom door.

When I finally convinced the employee that even if I had $25 to spare, I wouldn't have another second to spend there at the checkout, less my children knock over the Christmas display.

I give her a coupon, & she unhappily looks at it, tells me it might be too late to use it. I didn't want to tell her that while she was schpealing on & on about the reward's club, she could've been entering the coupon. I think she saw "that look" in my eye & made it work.

Then she gave me my total.

15.83.

I was pleased. Ahh, I thought, that's not much over the $10 gift card.

At that point I slid it across the counter to her.

And she told me,

"Oh dear - that's a gift card for Borders."

She Loves Me! (but only in our hometown)

Now that Jeff is home after work (can I tell you how wonderful that is?!), I'm getting to run errands WITHOUT kids in tow.

So, when he walked in the door, I planned to turn around & leave with several packages I needed to mail. Gabe was napping, which made for an easier departure. So I just yelled on my way out the door to Flynn, "Mommy's leaving, I love you."
She said, "I love you too!"
"Hey Mom, I like you!"
I played along,
"Hey Flynn, I adore you!"
Her response,
"Hey Mom, I love you in Festus!!"

Jeff & I laughed so hard.

We've decided to be more proactive about our date nights, with the kids. Flynn & I took in some culture Friday night for our date night, when we went to see Children of Eden. Sounds exotic & random, except there was reason for our destination, as Kaylee was a zebra in the play!
While "the girls" were out on their date, "the boys" went to the store for some goodies, stopped at the Caseys' for Spiderman 2, & headed home where Daddy passed on a very important tradition: dipping oreos in milk.
This is of course, something Daddy doesn't do around Flynn, so this was very special. Gabe's first oreo.

And one question:
"Why in the WORLD can't kids' sleeping schedules be in sync??"
Why is it that when Flynn finally sleeps past 7, Gabe is up in the 6 o'clock hour?!?!

I've Fallen for Fall

"i cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. so i spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air." n. hawthorne

I love you fall! And I love you 60+ temps!
We've been to the park THREE times already this week...and the week isn't over yet!

Having Her Cake & Eating it Too...

Flynn's bday is just 10 days away. Part of her celebration includes going out to eat with the family where she'll have her cake & blow out the candles. Since bakery cakes are out of the question with her allergy, Baker Momma gets to create her bday cake.

So, the other day I asked her, "What do you want on your cake?

"A flower."

Seems easy to me! I was very relieved. Then she added, "And polka dots. Lots of them."

Still seemed easy. And actually sounded pretty cute!

But then she started going crazy. "I also want crosses. Like Jesus." (man, am I raising a bible thumper or what?! ;)

"And wings. Like for a butterfly. But not the butterfly."

And man, she's so into telling me all these things...she's rattling them off at warp speed. Her eyes were gleeming, and I think she was about to slobber.

"I also want stars. And balloons, not strings." And when she said 'not strings', her face took a serious tone, and her finger pointed at me in precision.

"And I want one more thing on my cake."

"Stripes."

"A yellow and a red and an orange. And white."

"That's it."

Then after a few more minutes, she concluded,
"Oh yah, and a duck."

You know, because ducks only make sense with stripes, stars, balloon (without strings!), butterfly wings (but not the butterflies!!), a cross, dots, & a flower.

Happy almost birthday Flynn... you sure you want to grow up?

Human Vid: LifeHouse "Everything"

Note to Self

Listen to songs, in their entirety, before posting them on your 'my player' on the blog.

Yipes, and sorry.

Do NOT Take Your Kids to See This Movie!

THE GOLDEN COMPASS, a new movie targeted at children, will be released December 7, 2007. This movie is based on the first book of a trilogy by atheist Philip Pullman. In the final book a boy and girl kill God so they can do as they please. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "My books are about killing God."

The movie is a watered down version of the first book and is designed to be very attractive in the hope unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the the movie and that the children will want thebooks for Christmas. The books are appearing in local stores in cheap paperback editions as well as in a beautiful trade paperback collection volume. The movie has a well known cast, including Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon,and Sam Elliott. It will probably be advertised extensively, so it is crucial that word gets out to warn parents to avoid this movie.

Don't take my word for it, here's snopes' take on it:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

Eerrrrrrrttt

That's what Flynn says a lot... like when she's crashing into something (she often 'ice skates' on the linoleum in the kitchen) - or when we look like we're going to crash into something in the car.

Lately I'm 'Erting' a lot. I've got my claws dug in & am holding onto time for dear life.

But I can't seem to stop it from slipping out of my hands.

You see, my baby girl turns 4 in two weeks.

4.

FOUR.

That's like way bigger than three. Or any other age.

I think her turning FOUR is harder on me than when I turned 30. Or when she turned 1.

It's like a coming of age. It's preschool. It's one year away from 5...which is traditionally the kindergarten age. It's saying an official goodbye to toddlerhood & a hello to independence.

It makes a giant lump in my throat & tears build up in my soggy mom eyes.

I mean, gees, how did we get here so fast??

Didn't they just wrap her in that pale yellow & pink blanket & hand her to me as they wheeled me to recovery?

I am going to try to squeeze every minute out of every day from now until November 19th. So it doesn't get here so fast.

Because I don't want my baby to get big.

It's Not Very Often

that you & your hubby get to spend the weekend together. It's even more rare for your hubby to not only say okay to a weekend of faux therapy, but be excited about it to boot.

I don't know how great of a portion of the content directly applied to us, as I think our marriage is pretty darn close to perfect... but just being together all weekend. Having the opportunity to actually finish a sentence without screaming toddlers interrupting us abruptly.
I haven't stared into Jeff's gorgeous hazel eyes for that long, in a long, long time. Too long. So if I recommend it, for no other reason, I'd say that's enough.

And spending a night in a hotel?....

BONUS.

A Wicked Trick or Treat Hangover

Today, after a very restful night of visions of twizzlers & candied apples, we are just plain ol' hyper. Sugar-induced misbehavior.
Lucky for these two kids, I completely understand & empathize with their inabilities to concentrate with so much going on.
That includes, but is not limited to:
"Get off your sister."
"Don't kick your brother in the face."
"Please put your pants on."
"Get off your brother."
"Don't kick your sister in the face."

We had a spooky time last night.
And here are some pictures to prove it...

Getting some nutrition. We had to get our strength up... to do some trick or treating.

Pre-T or T photos. Gammy said Jack was "udderly unhappy."

Mmm, pudding. What a cool thing to pass out!

Delish cookies that we made - safe for Sis!

A perfect fall night. Conner & Flynn were fast, while the frog was wheeled behind. Two year old's legs are slower & tire out more easily.

Halloween.... it's MOOcho Fun!!