New Year's Eve

We are staying in. Nothing new here. When you have young-ish children that is what you do, you know. If you have ever gone out with young children and either hoped they would fall asleep in a strange place (ummm... does that ever happen? Not with my kids) or kept them up way past their bedtime, you learn never to do that again! Gone for now are the going out days! But, since I haven't ever been a big fan of New Year's, I am happy to stay home. We've got some fun, yummy snack foods and maybe a movie to watch.

The thing I do like is the start of the year. Even though it is secular and I find religious holidays my very favorite, I like the feeling of starting fresh. The new-ness and the possibility. I hope you do, too. I wish you many blessings this year! Cheers and see you in 2009!

photo credit: dotw

Hockey Time

We were very fortunate to actually have both sets of grandparents at our house to celebrate Christmas this year. How special for the kids to have them all here when they both live over a thousand miles away!! We were busy both doing things and also just staying in and playing with new Christmas goodies!! I realized I didn't actually take many pictures or blog about too much either. So I just wanted to make a quick comment and also thank our parents for coming and making great memories for our children! And for the gifts too:)

One thing that we did do (and I have a picture of) was go to a minor league hockey game. Zoey has some experience with sporting events. She's gone to baseball games and hockey games quite a bit. She mostly loves to go for the fun music they play (she gets up and dances) and for the fun food she gets to eat! This night was no exception! She also prepped Max with what to expect, so as soon as we found our seats and sat down, he was asking me for a yummy snack!! As I mentioned, this was minor league, so the stadium was smaller and we were sitting pretty close to the ice. Close enough that the camera found us a few times!! You know when there is an intermission at a game and they play music and that put people's faces on the big screen? Well, it happened to Zoey!! It was so cute. And then later she stood in the aisle and danced and they got her again!!

Guitar Rockin'!!

Last Christmas, my nephew brought Guitar Hero to our house, and we all spent time during their visit playing. Zoey especially loved it, but it was a little hard for her. She would watch us play too and do all the moves of the people on the screen! Admittedly, I love it too. I never knew I had an inner desire to rock out on the guitar!! I tried to convince Ross to get it, but no dice (yet). As a perfect substitute for Zoey, now, we got her a Hannah Montana guitar for Christmas. It requires no actual game system and is a little easier, so it works well for her!! She picked it up easily and got busy rockin' and ordering Max, saying, "Max, I'll play, you dance!" He obliged...

Merry Christmas!

Well, technically it is still the Christmas season, and I recently learned also that the 12 days of Christmas actually start on Christmas Day, so I am not really late in wishing you a Merry Christmas, right??

Here is Zoey in her lovely Christmas dress before going to church on Christmas Eve:

Max got a nasty little stomach bug on the 23rd that lasted throughout Christmas Eve day, so he got to pass on dressing up and going to church!! Thankfully, it was short lived, and he was more himself by Christmas Day!

Locks of Love...

Our sweet Zoey learned about some people, like her grandma and other kids, who were growing out their hair to donate in order to make wigs for children with cancer. She immediately decided she wanted to do it too. I waited a little bit to see if she was serious and to make sure her hair was long enough. So today, she got to go to her first visit to a hair salon! She was so cute getting it washed and cut and styled! We both cut off 10+ inches of hair to donate to Locks of Love, and have new styles to show off!! Here are the before and after photos:

O Christmas Tree

We have been waiting for a mild night to go check out the huge Christmas tree at a local OUTDOOR mall! We saw it during the day right before the big tree lighting and then just never made it back because it was either too cold or raining! So after a super mild day, we decided to head out... but the wind was blowing so cold, it wasn't fun at all. We took some quick pictures and then headed indoors to the bookstore!

The tree was beautiful though. It has to be one of the bigger ones I have seen.

Here is one of Ross and the kids:



And me and the kids... they are so big now I rarely pick them up for photos! It is easier to just squat down!! Especially with both of them.


Here is one a little farther away to show how big the base of the tree was. I didn't think to actually get a picture of the whole tree!

I got a little joker on my hands...

an update to the Sock House post below...

I just found a small pile of socks in the corner of our dining room!! That is so Zoey's personality by the way... She loves to be a little sneaky and funny that way!!!

Sock House

Zoey has a tendency to leave her socks everywhere. I find them all around the house, in every room! She is not a fan of clothing, basically. Since her California living, she wants to wear short sleeves and shorts or skirts only! No long sleeves, no pants, no socks... So although she does actually dress properly for the weather here, the second she gets in the house, she changes. And for some reason, the socks end up everywhere. Just today, I went into the office and found her socks under the desk. I remarked to Ross, "Zoey is so related to you!" (He also has a tendency to leave articles of clothing in random places) We got distracted right away, so later at dinner, he asked what I meant by that. I explained what happened and Zoey just said, "Ahh, I didn't do it, the house GROWS them!"

Lucky me, we live in a house that grows socks!! It isn't quite as good as the money on a tree, but you take what you can get, I suppose!

Chopper Progress

It is getting exciting around here... or at least in a certain part of the house named, "the chopper room" or "Mantown." I feel bad sometimes for Ross because he gets excited about the latest addition to his chopper, either a new part, or a successful customization to a stock piece and I am the one he gets to share it with! I mean, I appreciate his ingenuity and have seen enough pictures of motorcycles to have an aesthetic opinion... but admittedly, I don't quite share in the excitement. I am certainly proud and amazed at his ability to do this, but...

He does get to share with other males when they are at our house, but since I am usually the one around, well, some would just say I'm lucky! Anyway... the other day Ross was actually sitting on his creation, without a seat, no less! And I got to snap some pictures.

There are others in the house who share some of his enthusiasm, and equally enjoy climbing up onto a unfinished motorcycle to pretend to ride (vrooming sound is optional)

PJ Pic

Just a cute stripey pj picture:

It's beginning to look a lot like...

CHRISTMAS!!

I was having a hard time getting ready for Christmas... So with the snow falling, and temperatures dropping, I figured today was a good day to get out all of the decorations... The kids put their shoes out last night for St. Nicholas Day, and woke up to find tiny treats!! And this year was exciting for everyone to decorate because Max was really into it as well... They could hardly wait to put up ornaments while Ross and I were doing the lights.

Here they are eagerly waiting for Daddy to give them an ornament to put on the tree.










And Max decorating:

And Zoey:


TADAHHH!! The finished product!! Can you tell who picks out their own clothes? Can you even see camo Max? (he asks that when he wears camo!)

Furry Warmth

One bit of advice we got while living in Massachusetts was that the only way to survive a winter with kids is to pony up and buy good winter clothes and just keep getting them outside... So we are prepared. We bought the kids and me some nice, very warm, puffy coats. They are all the same brand (how snobby, right? Zoey and I even have matching ones... I couldn't resist) Ross also has the same brand of jacket, but his is not of the puffy variety. Anyway, Ross and Zoey have had theirs awhile because we were scouting sales and just bought them in preparation for winter, but mine and Max's came in the mail yesterday. So today we all had on our coats, and Ross made a comment about how nice everyone looked and how warm we all were, when Zoey says, "Hey Daddy, why don't you have a puffy coat too?" Ross says, "Oh, Daddy would sweat so much in a coat like that." Zoey replies, "Oh, yeah, because you have too much fur?"

Random Thoughts

Sometimes there are things I would like to share but just don't warrant a whole blog post to them, so I thought I would just do a "quick takes" version...

1. I mentioned to stay tuned for more interesting posts, well... there is a video that I have been trying to upload for a week, and for whatever reason, it is just not working! Very frustrating. It is a cute one of Max singing, that I thought the grandparents would particularly enjoy. Well, hopefully he will sing for you over Christmas.

2. I finally saw a success out my back window... I was sitting in the morning room, drinking some tea and looked up to see two brightly dressed orange figures shuffling along... dragging a deer behind them. I would have cried for that deer years ago, but this time I just said to myself, "finally, they have something to show for getting up before dark in the freezing cold and sitting still!"

3. And it is freezing, let me tell you! How quickly you, (maybe not you, but I) forget. I guess it is warmer than usually somewhere out west... but I can't make myself look... I just live in my own little weather world and think everyone else has the same view out their window. You gotta do whatever works, right?

4. With the move and a new house/neighborhood, I haven't gotten nearly the amount of Christmas mail/catalogues I normally do. It is good and bad... I didn't feel too bombarded by the commercialization of Christmas so early this year, which was nice! But, I usually find some present or idea for the kids this way, and this year I have nothing!! No ideas about what to get them.

5. We painted another room in our house (it is a slow process, with Ross in school and deciding on colors and stuff), but I am always amazed at how a little color on the wall really changes the feel of the house. We may have everything painted by the time we move again!!

6. Max has been saying our prayers before dinner each night and it has been so cute... He says two of the usuals, "Thank you for our food, thank you for the day" and then you see his eyes wander around the room for something new... So far we've heard, "Drinks, candles, spoons, preschool!" It is very cute.

I guess that is all. Hope your day and December are going well.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! Here is a toast to you!! I am certainly thankful to know you and blessed to have you in my life:) Max is thankful for Max, and Ohio!! And his mommy and daddy, but those were just side notes. Zoey is thankful for her family and friends and school... she is very PC in her answers!!

I heard somewhere in the past couple of days that this is a holiday about ATTITUDE and GRATITUDE! And it has been lingering in my thoughts... for me, there is certainly a lot to be thankful for, and if ever I doubt that, well... I just need to change my attitude!

Unfortunately we were not with any family this Thanksgiving, but we did get to spend it with good friends, and that is always good, too. I hope you had a nice day as well. I have been a little sick, which is kind of a bummer, so blogging has been light, but I have some things to post soon, so stay tuned...

Happy Turkey Day!!

Potty Talk Theme continues...

... what can I say? Life with kids brings this kind of stuff up.

I was helping Max get into his PJs tonight when he farted really loud. I just tried to ignore it, but he giggled and said, "Whoa... that was a growl from the backside!"

Easy to Please

It's good that the kids don't have too high of expectations for me right now... it makes it easy not to disappoint them!! Max needed help with the button on his jeans today, to go to the bathroom (I know, another potty story... life with kids, what can you say?) Anyway, he asked for help and we went running to the bathroom and he was fine. So after he finished up and was leaving, I told him I had to go and he stopped and turned around, waiting... "Ummm, Mommy, what are you putting in there?" he asks... "Just pee," I say. (There's no peace, I tell you.) So he waits a second and then gives me a BIG HUG, and says, "Oh, Mommy, I am SOOOO PROUD of you!"

I guess we told him that a couple hundred times in our potty training adventure!!

What can they get into now?

I needed to download some pictures onto the computer so I got out the camera and the cord, and set them next to the computer, and then I got distracted and forgot, and then I had to go to the bathroom... Well, when it is just me and Max in the house I usually still leave the bathroom door open (I know, too much info probably, but this isn't a potty story, so you can continue). So right away I hear the computer start up with playhouse disney. Max is quick to get on if no one else is, and quite clever and fast... But then I start to hear a noise I don't recognize... some beeps of some sort. I know I have heard it before, but just can't quite place it...

I must mention that we have a lot of beeps in our house, the coffee maker beeps at us when its finished, the refridgerator beeps when we leave the door open too long, the alarm beeps when we enter the door, the oven and microwave timers beep when they are done and they DO NOT STOP until you come and shut them off... You get the idea, JUST SO MANY BEEPS!

So I finish my business and go see Max. He is by the computer, and I realize I was about to download the pictures, so I get him off and get to work... And I then figure out the beeps! Some small hands got the camera (which is usually kept way out of reach) and had some fun... Here is Max's photography debut (with no alteration from me... upside down was upside down):

Happy Birthday Mom!!

This is for you Mom! Wishing you a very happy birthday!! We wish we could be closer!!






I was filming this a little earlier today to post for my moms birthday tomorrow (Nov 2). So Max just assumed her birthday was today. At dinner this evening we were saying prayers and the kids both have to say them. (that goes along with the whole "must be first" thing.) Anyway, when it was Max's turn he said, "thank you for Grandma's Birthday!" I thought that was so sweet.

Anyway, have a good day Mom! Love you!

Beggar's Night

Also known as Trick or Treating in pretty much the rest of the country... Last night was our towns scheduled trick-or-treating and the kids had lots of fun!! Max initially didn't want to dress up. (It is something weird with our kids... neither of them like it. This is the first year Zoey was excited about it and picked a costume.) Previously we had to bribe them, or make costumes that seem like just regular clothes!! Max is still in this phase so for him... he was an Ohio State Football Player (I know, I know, I have sold out... but I just came up with the idea, and there isn't anything else to get around here!)

Anyway, after getting over the whole costume issue, they become like most kids and LOVED trick-or-treating. Since we have all of 8 houses in our neighborhood, we went to a nearby neighborhood that has a lot of houses pretty close together, without long driveways to hit the maximum number (strategy... nice!!) We met up with some friends and they ran from house to house... Max was keeping up with the bigger kids, and said "trick or treat" and "thank you" and even as he ran away yelled, "Happy Halloween!" It was cute. And when they got to a house where the homeowner was dressed up, they both very carefully walked up. Looked at the person, not quite sure of it all, got the candy and then RAN away!! Max quickly learned to look for the houses with lights on, too. And he scored huge: Zoey and the two others we were with got to the door first and the guy ran out of candy before Max got there, so we saw him say, "Wait a minute" and ran back into the house... Max waited and waited patiently at the door, and the guy came back with a KING SIZE SNICKERS!! It was very nice of him to do that!! So enough with the talk about it... here are some photos:

Pretty Zoey dressed up as an angel... She was so excited about it. I even put a little blush and lip gloss on her and she just couldn't stop looking in the mirror...
Here is a full length shot to get the whole costume:


And a close up. She is looking so much older lately.



Here is the two of them.


And Max the football player!


The kids get brainwashed here. As soon as Zoey saw Max's jersey she said, "Go Bucks!"

Here is team Buckeye in action:


Oh, now the Angels got the ball...


And our future lineman getting in some practice on Dad:


And here is Max getting some treats:


Happy Halloween Everyone!

A Suburban Girls Random Thoughts on Hunting...

Subtitled: I just don't get it

First off, I realize that hunting and I just wouldn't go well together. For one, you have to go out in the early morning when it is really cold. Second, you have to be very still. I don't not work well with either of these. The only thing that might work is shooting clay pigeons, but I guess that isn't even hunting. So it is a little ironic that our backyard actually looks out along a public hunting area. Our property technically touches the land, however, the only thing that we see are the guys walking from the parking lot, along the path, where they go quite a ways away to get to the pond, or lookout area where supposedly the water fowl and deer are. So here is the view from inside of our house, looking out towards the path... you can see the grass and then a little path just beyond...


So from here you can see the guys (I haven't seen any females yet) walking from their cars into the wildlife preserve. Here is what I don't get... I see the guys go in... I see them come out... I see them go in... I see them come out... I have never, ever, not even once, seen someone return with a prize of any sort!! What baffles me even more is, if for some reason I wanted a goose, well, I could just go and get one. Here is a picture I took from the car the other day as I inched along waiting for them to get out of the way... I could have stepped on the gas and got fifteen of them, or even gotten out of the car and given one a big kick!! They let you get that close! And we know because they walk all around our neighborhood loop. They were in no hurry to get out of my way either. I even honked and it didn't even startle them.


Anyone want goose for Thanksgiving this year? Come on over, I'll get ya one!!

MUST BE FIRST

For the longest time, Zoey always wanted to first whenever we did something. She wanted to be first in the car, first to be buckled up, first in the door, first to get her food.... you get the idea. Well, it wasn't too big of a deal because Max didn't mind, and even if he also wanted to be first, his second place was still first to him, so it all worked out for everyone. UNTIL Max realized that being first actually means being the first one to reach a place or get somewhere! Now our life is a constant race. Sometimes it works to our advantage. Say for instance, when it is bathtime and they don't want to go... we suggest we race up the stairs to see who can get their first! Works like a charm, and the racing part apparently lets them forget their initial protest. It has gotten so bad that once the kids and I met up with Ross somewhere and then we drove home in separate cars. Ross was in front of us and the whole time the kids were yelling, "you need to get in front of Daddy! We need to be first!! Go around the other cars and get in front of him!!" Well, when you enter our neighborhood, it is a big loop, so Ross went one way, I went the other (I know I can't really complain, as my actions totally encourage this) and Ross realized what was going on, so he let us get in front of him!! We made it to the garage FIRST, whew!

From a different perspective...

When Zoey first started going to public bathrooms, she quickly distinguished between the mens and womens symbols. Ross rarely took her (due to the fact that male restrooms are just gross) so she always went with me and we went into the "girls" bathroom. Well, she can go in by herself now and clearly distinguishes between the two. Max has a different (and very cute) perspective that I just realized recently. He goes with both Ross and I pretty equally, so as we passed by the bathroom the other day he said, "that is to go with mothers, and that is to go with fathers!" How funny that he distinguishes them by which parent he goes with! This is a good thing, because I am not ready to have him complain about going into the girls room with me when he is not a girl and I am not ready to send him in to the mens room alone!!

Dairy Farm

We made it to a local dairy farm the other weekend. It was filled with pumpkins, kiddie train rides, hay bales and a very LARGE maze. The maze was so big (over 3 1/2 acres), the kids got tired and we couldn't find the four different stamps we were supposed to find to complete the mission!! It was interesting to get so close to the corn stalks though... Anyway here are the kids on a tractor...

and each of them taking a turn posing on a big tire!!


Zoey driving her train car...

And here is Max in his...

Big jumps over the hay bales...




yeehaw!

Pumpkins... Pumpkins

It is that time of year, so we headed to a dairy farm and pumpkin patch and of course took lots of pictures. I will just put pumpkin pictures for now. I have some from the dairy farm too, where the kids sat on tractors and jumped on hay bales...

The funny thing is that our house is now built on what used to be a big pumpkin patch...

This one is taken inside of a HUGE barn that was 115 years old!! It was put together with wooden pegs rather than nails. It was pretty cool.

Here are the kiddos in front of the house! Pumpkins are much cheaper here than in California!! Ha, Ha!!

Wordless Explanation

Well, not completely wordless... I have to write a little bit.

When we had our crazy 11 day power outage, we talked with a couple of you on the phone and tried to explain a few things... Like, why in the world was it taking SO LONG to get the power back. Well, a quick explanation was that the trees and power lines are just so intertwined and it was (from my new perspective) a lack of preventative maintenance with the trees and the power lines... I could have taken a hundred pictures from our house to the park a mile down the road showing this to be true, but I decided on just one picture... it doesn't show entanglement, but the other extreme... I guess we love our trees here way more than power!! (UM, I don't think I'm in the concrete jungle of LA anymore...)

Not to be outdone...

...by her brother, of course. Zoey had to do her own video. So here she is...

Max Dancing and Singing

Max was singing and dancing the other day and I tried to capture some of it on video. They always change a little when the camera gets out, but these are pretty good. Here he is giving initial instructions... jump left, jump right...



And here he is again. He is watching himself in the oven while he does it!

Zoey's Birthday

Here are just a couple more pictures of Zoey's Birthday. These are from her actually birthday. We went to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and she wore her crown! And then came home for presents and cake. Here is she is in the tiara...


Here she is opening just a couple of little presents from us:




And, admittedly this was probably more exciting for me than for her, but here is another cake!! There is a neat little cake shop in town, so I decided to get another one for her (we had a cute Littlest Pet Shop one for the party). Anyway, when I asked her what she wanted, she was so cute... "Butterflies, and flowers and just anything from a garden!" They did a nice job and it was oh so delicious!