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!