Christmas Traditions

Now that i have my own little immediate family, i try to have traditions for the holidays. Some have stuck, some not-so-much. Before we had kids, Doug and I always got each other an ornament for the tree (and tried to have it have meaning, i.e. he gave me one of a bear ice skating since we met ice skating, but that isn't always possible!). We still exchange an ornament every year. Doug also made a tradition of giving me a children's Christmas book each year and now we get one for the kiddos. This year's choice just arrived in the mail and we thoroughly enjoyed its silliness as we read it for the first time today! I personally enjoy buying a new Christmas CD (or two!) each year and love the joy/spirit/peace Christmas music brings into my home. One tradition that i brought with me from my parents is that of reading the Christmas story in Luke each Christmas Eve. And, speaking of Christmas stories, we look forward to WATCHING A Christmas Story marathon on TNT every year, too!

More recently, we've started our traditional Christmas breakfast, but i can't decide what it should be. Growing up it was (and is, if i ever go home for Christmas again) eggs Benedict and hashbrowns. So we've done that. But last year we did gingerbread waffles. Yum! Hmm. Maybe the tradition should be trying a new breakfast each Christmas morning?

I guess decorating for Christmas could be considered a tradition. I grew up in this impeccable house with a mother/interior designer (NOT professional. SELF taught and completely amazing but currently burned out after 35 years of military moves). I would love to be able to decorate at the holidays like my mom did but 'ta'int gonna happen. Nothing she did was very easy and i'm pretty much an instant gratification kind of gal. I did throw some garland on my mantel and i do love the stockings i've stitched my children (and Doug's is at the finishers and should be getting back to me any day!). I guess stitching stockings is a tradition in our house, too. I'm trying to wrap some garland up my stairs but i bought this super-cheap stuff and i'm not sure i want it in my house! (What was i thinking?). (i had to laugh reading my sister's blog because she apparently has the same issue this year!). The Friday after Thanksgiving, I pull out the Little People nativity that the boys so far still enjoy. When i was a little girl i had an angel music box (no box though, just an angel that i'd wind up) that played Silent Night that i remember fondly. I'd like to get something for the boys' rooms that is theirs to look forward to having on their nightstand each year, too.

Our traditional cookies that we've given to friends and neighbors for the past 10 years will be nixed this year. We usually make literally hundreds of cookies but I just didn't enjoy it last year. So i think i'll be doing bread instead this year. Hopefully using the paper bread thingys from Kristen's giveaway. (pick me! pick me!!). ;)

OK. Enough rambling. What are some of your Christmas traditions or new things you're going to try on as a tradition this year?

Reality Bites

So much for that super-duper chipper potty post from yesterday. Today he had 4 pee accidents and one poop. Three of the wet ones were whilst he stood IN A BATHROOM stating he did not need to go and then two seconds later stating, "Mommy, I'm wet." He seems to think it's OK since it was "an accident." I informed him i have a problem with his "accidents" since calling it an accident would infer that he's actually making an effort. I am a horrible mom when it comes to potty training. I have no more patience for it.

News Flash (WARNING: Potty Post)

My sweet little boy recently informed me, when it came to my potty questions (i.e. "when are you going to start using the potty?") that he will do so "when i'm 4, Mama." What?! When you're 4? How did he come to this conclusion? So, I informed him that birthday #4 is right around the corner and that he needs some serious practice if he wants to be good and ready by then. Hmmm. Ya. Whatever Mom. Is basically what i got in return.

Well, yesterday, i told him (again. Lest we forget i spent the summer supposedly potty training him. He did fairly well. But never initiated the whole potty thing on his own and was still very resistant to it) that he was too big for diapers and that the time had come. I've read all the books that say make potty training fun. Make it a game. Reward them. Never get angry. Don't put them back in diapers once they've gone to big boy unders. Etc., etc. Folks. None of that worked. He didn't care about incentives or rewards. He was adamant that there would be no celebratory potty dances. M&M's made things worse. Peeing on a cheerio was fun the first time. No stickers. No charts. What does he want? Control. He does not want to be told what to do or when to do it. I can't tell you how many times i've backed off. But yesterday, THE TIME HAD COME.

Things went fairly well. I couldn't wrangle him into big boy underpants so we went the pull-up route. And really, he did OK. He placated us and went potty when we told him to with only (for him) mild resistance. But today? I asked him what he wanted--Pull-Up or unders. Surprisingly he chose unders. I went over with him (again) the fact that, unlike a Pull-Up, if he pees in them he will get wet. I told him he was big enough and smart enough and knew what to do and that he just had to choose to do it. "I know, Mom, I know..."

I needed to go to the store and told him he had to use the potty before we left. Major meltdown. Tears. Screaming. The works. And i, in truly Mommy Dearest form, yelled at him to "JUST PEE FOR PETE'S SAKE. YOU'RE MAKING IT SO MUCH WORSE THAN IT HAS TO BE!!!" (yes, that was the edited version). He lamented that it was taking too long and that the "pee wasn't coming." So i informed him we would try again as soon as we got to the store. Once at the store, he willingly gave it a try ("ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT YOU TRY!"). No Mama, no pee is coming.

We were at the store a good hour. "No Mama. I do not need to go potty before we drive home." OoooooK.

The child stayed dry. He got home and peed no problem. He gave me 5's and i gave him a hug and we were both happy.

On to quiet time. I took him to his room, showed him (again) his very own toilet and put the lid up for him and told him if he needed to go potty he could ask me for help or go on his own. After awhile the clattering of his quiet time toys stopped and i heard the sweet music of a toilet flushing. I bolted to his bathroom where he was in the process of pulling up his pants, gave him a huge hug (and he was pretty damn proud of himself too!) and went in private to do my own celebratory potty dance. TWO OTHER TIMES i heard the toilet seat slam and a very proud Bode come out to tell me he'd tried to pee again.

Later, when the Geeks on Call guy was here, Bode announced "Mommy! The pee is coming!" as he bolted for the potty. Could it be true? After months, yea, even a year, are we possibly seeing the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel?? He came running back out after a flush and proclaimed, "Mommy! I peed in the potty!" for which i let out a riotous WHOOP and cheer and Bode was beaming from ear to ear. Ah. That even rhymed.

Jammies were on at 6:30 and the child had the same unders he started with this morning and honest to goodness, they were dry. As Quincy in the Little Einsteins would say: "I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!" I'm holding my breath for tomorrow, but oh so happy for today!

Holiday Giveaway

*****Check out Kristens' blog to enter. I think these look like a lot of fun!*****

Breckenridge

One of our many things to be grateful for are our good friends. We've been very blessed in that area over the years. Some of our dear friends here in the Springs were kind enough to let us use their condo in Breckenridge this past weekend. What a treat! We headed up Friday morning and left Saturday evening (since Drew had to be at the airport early this morning). It was such a nice getaway. Very relaxing. A change of scene is a good thing sometimes.


Saturday, i hung out with the kids while Drew and Doug headed off to the slopes to do some snowboarding. Doug is a skier, but wanted to try boarding. He's a pretty naturally talented guy and was starting to pick it up when a 13-year old blindsided him, tripped over his board and smashed his face into the tip of Doug's board. When Doug went to help him and see if he was ok, he was literally spitting blood and teeth. Teeth pulled out by the root. Luckily, this kid's dad is a dentist who promptly came and shoved his five bottom teeth back into their holes, told Doug not to worry, "he knocked out his top teeth last year." But Doug is completely scarred for life. He thinks he'll stick to skiing. Drew faired better and had a great time on the mountain. I thought about taking a ski lesson since it's been so long since i've truly skied and i was always all speed and no brakes. But i'll have to do that another time. Once they got home, Drew and I enjoyed a walk and chat through the shops in town.


Bode enjoyed sledding behind the condo. I didn't think he'd ever want to come back inside. Too much fun! And his winter gear kept him nice and toasty. Keegen wasn't as psyched by the snow. He liked being outside in it but just sat. He wanted nothing to do with riding in a sled or walking in the stuff. Maybe next year


I'm so glad Drew came for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to have some family here to share it with. We ate a lot and talked a lot and just hung out a lot. I hope he comes back soon. We can show him other things Colorado has to offer!

Turkey Day

This was my first year making a full-on, for-real Thanksgiving dinner. The prep has actually been fairly painless. I did wear rubber gloves when rinsing, drying and seasoning the turkey because raw meat totally grosses me out. Other than that, though, things have gone well. Bode's preschool turkey project. He was adament about writing the words himself!

My brother, Drew, is here from Dallas and the boys are having a great time. Bode did ask repeatedly this morning, "Why do boys like Drew sleep so long??" I'm sure it felt like forever to him since he was up at 6. (In all fairness to Drew, he only slept til 8!).

Ever so helpful! Loves those rolls!

Our neighbors from across the street joined us so Bode and Keegs had some playmates. Dinner was delish. The turkey was just about right. The stuffing (my grandma's "recipe"--meaning it's very cryptic, "a dash of this, a little of that") turned out pretty well, too. Oh. And the grasshopper pie with my mom's fudge sauce was to die for. A nice day. Nice conversation. The boys had a blast. So i'll add that to my gratitude list.

Another addition to the list is that I ended up getting tomorrow off! Yea! So I get to spend time with Drew afterall!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Retro Resurrection

While Bode was never really into stuffed animals and never introduced to dolls, Keegen has always been a dragger-around-of-blankies-and-stuffed-animals. My sitter commented to me how he carries around some of her daughter's dolls when he's there and I thought maybe I should get him one since we are a doll-less home. But then today i was in the basement looking for something big enough to mix the stuffing in and voila! Carmody Norvell and Stacey Gussie were uncovered. My Cabbage Patch dolls from back in the day (i'm gonna guess 1983). They're both preemies which makes me wonder if that was a self-fulfilled prophecy or what? Anyway. I gave Carmody to Keegs and he proclaimed, "Baby!" and promptly tried to yank the binkie from the doll's mouth. Perfect. I brought up Stacey so Bode wouldn't feel left out but he's not interested ("Maybe later, Mom"). I still have the CP diaper on her and a bunch of outfits. And the bassinet that my mom made. Fun to go down memory lane every now and again.

Gratitude

Unfortunately, I am revisiting a sore spot in my life. I've managed to put the anger and frustration and constant ruminating regarding the issue with my next-door-neighbors. While we don't talk to them, I was no longer allowing myself to get caught up in hating them. Can't get along with everyone. It was a positive step.

Well, today i got a piece of mail that was evidently misdelivered to them. And he scrawled a rude note on it before sticking it back in the mail to us. Such a bitter, ugly soul he has. So now all those angry feelings are back on the surface and i really really really do not want them there. I was tempted to take a red pen to it and fix his grammatical errors (NOT the brightest bulb) and send it back to them, but decided to let it go.

So instead, i am going to focus on my blessings (everyone now..."When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done..." La la la la laaaaaa!).

I am grateful:

• for my two healthy, beautiful, crazy, vibrant children
• for my husband who adores me, helps and supports and works to better our lives
• that my home is filled with laughter--giggly, shrieking, chaotic, hiccup-inducing laughter
• for my house. That it's not only our shelter, but also becoming our home. It's starting to feel warm and inviting and comfortable as we live here longer and make more memories in it
• for Doug's stable job and strong work ethic.
• that even with a demanding job, Doug's number one priority is still us.
• that Doug wants and likes to be home with us!
• for our reliable vehicles, good food, clean water, modern conveniences (like washer/dryers, dishwashers and the internet)
• for the incredible Colorado autumn we've enjoyed this year!
• for my job. I enjoy it when i'm there and can leave it behind without frets when i go home. I like my co-workers and so far the two days a week i work feels like a perfect balance between stay-at-home mom and nurse
• for Keegen's open-mouthed kisses
• for Bode's spontaneous hugs, "i love you's," "i missed you's"
• for Keegen's wild, climbing, get-into-everything, no-common-sense personality because he makes me laugh and I learn so much from him everyday
• for Bode's more reserved, careful, thoughtful personality because he says the darndest things and I learn so much from him everyday
• for our bedtime routine with the boys because even when it's been a helluva day and i'm so glad they're in bed, i can read to them and sing with them and just be mellow with them for once. And on those days when i feel like i've failed as a mother, i know they love me and they know i love them as they snuggle into me. And i feel a little bit better
• for the leaps and bounds Bode has made with his sensory processing issues. The child amazes me. A future post all to its self
• for the great teachers Bode has right now at preschool
• for my friends
• for my sister who i can call with ANY comment, question, concern, issue, worry, story; etc, and we can relate to each other and chat away without judgement
• for my family (my sister deserves her own bullet)
• for my faith
• for the good neighbors we do have, who look out for us and help us
• for my health
• for Butterfinger Bells. Oh my gosh. Definitely can't eat just one.
• for this blog forum that acts as my journal and helps me feel creative and gets my feelings out when need be

Oh. I think i'll stop now. Maybe i'll add more later. I do feel better.

The Goose is Getting Fat

Once i finally got around to decorating for Halloween, CHRISTMAS was already filling the stores! What the heck? And now there seems to be full-on Christmas- shopping-frenzy in the stores. The holidays have really crept up on me. Only one week and my little brother will be here from Dallas for Thanksgiving and i'm SO excited about that! Even if i do have to work the Friday after Thanksgiving (grumble, grumble! i shouldn't get started).

So i've got my lists and i'm checking them multiple times. I've tried to get some of my gifts throughout the year and i guess i'm not doing too terribly bad, but i need to get going! My boys (minus Doug) are done other than a stocking stuffer here and there. I always have a hard time with Doug's side of the family, but thankfully we found perfect Life is Good tees for his parents while we were in the Outer Banks (they've taken up kayaking so that's what Jake is doing on each of their tees). They are the hardest ones. We pick names for siblings and the kids' cousins so that makes things easier.

Anyway, i usually have a rule that i don't pull out the Christmas CDs until the Friday after Thanksgiving (stemming from the fact that two of my freshman year roommates blasted Christmas tunes starting mid-October, only making me more homesick with 2 long months until i'd go home!). But i might have to break that one this year. Such fun and good music, i might as well enjoy it a little bit longer, non?

Veterans' Day

Today is the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC. My dad, a Vietnam veteran, was asked to speak at a ceremony being held there with Colin Powell as the keynote speaker. I have a big, fat, soft spot in my heart for my dad. He's really my hero. And i think he did a bang-up job with his remarks and i wanted to share them here.

So, click on this link and it will take you to the USVets TV site. Click on the video link you'll see on the left side. My dad will be introduced around 19:45 minutes, so just move the little bar to fast forward to him.

Boring Post/Cleaning House Part 2/You are an Obsession, You're My Obsession...

I'm certain you've been waiting with baited breath for Round 2 of my Cleaning House series...

Let me just say, my house has never been cleaner. I love this stuff. Last night i made the toilet bowl cleaner. It was like having aromatherapy whilst scrubbing the bowls. Seriously, peppermint soap with added tea tree oil? Divine. And it did a great job. I scrubbed my hardwood floors with the "Momma's Earth Mop" recipe (basically vinegar and water but with added essential oil for scent). Totally did the trick. Doug commented on the pungent vinegar smell (which i actually like because i figure something is getting clean) but that quickly dissipated and left behind the peppermint scent from the oil. I'm a wee bit obsessed with these cleaners right now, so it's possible this is just a sort of honeymoon period and it will tire soon enough. But i don't see myself ever going back to the conventional cleaners out there. These cleaners are super cheap and in my opinion just as effective. And i don't need a gas mask while i'm cleaning! And my boys can help too without fear of chemicals leaching into their bods! It's like a game to make them and use them! Cleaning is actually fun! Anyway. Yes. Obsessed. I've already admitted it.

Now I just need to find out where i can take the remaining toxic cleaners i still have to be disposed of. And then next on my "Going Greener" list is to start recycling again. Recycling was so easy in Maryland and Virginia that there was no reason not to do it. I had a nice deep pull-out garbage thing in my cabinets with trash in the front and recycling behind. And everything was comingled in one bin. Here. Well. At least in my town it's been a pain. Our trash service does it but you have to separate things just so and they only collect every other Thursday and for the first 6 months we were here they continually skipped us and after many phone calls to complain, i gave up. But now Walmart has moved in and while i don't think they're great in a lot of areas, they do have a big recycling collection area (except no one in the area takes glass. What's with that?). So, easy enough. I just need to get a system in the house so it's easy to do. Oh, and i'm slowly whittling away at the junk mail i get. There's a service online that will help take care of it, but for now i'm just calling all the random catalogs i get that i'm not interested in and asking them to stop sending to me. Worked well in MD.

Oh. And in other exciting news. I just got a new checking account with USAA because, well, they rock. I've not liked our local bank--it's totally inconvenient for us. USAA reimburses any ATM/debit fees you incur each month AND i actually scanned, from my home office, two checks that have been sitting in my van since AUGUST and deposited them over the internet. Helloooooo! (ya, ya, you've been doing that forever??! i'm still excited about this!). I didn't have to drag my kids around with me and stand in line to deposit these checks. How awesome is that?

Yawn. Yes, my life is boring. But getting excited over the small stuff has to be good for me, too, right?

Halloween

Here we are getting ready for the church "Trunk-or-Treat." Woah, Elephant! Don't fall!

Looking quite excited at the prospect of candy, candy, candy

Non-binkie pic

Making rolls for our traditional cheese soup on Halloween (one day i'll be able to take a picture and not have loads of CRAP and clutter in the background!)

I just thought this was cute

Bundled for the 30 degree Colorado Halloween

Having fun trick-or-treating with his best bud