Emma and Ian were having their usual morning "let's bug each other until we drive our mother crazy" session when Emma actually complained using this statement: "Ian's looking at me!"
I thought I had at least a few more years before I had to listen to that one.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Creative Anatomy
Ever since I can remember, I've had a raised mole between my left shoulder and neck. I have heard all kinds of advice on it, none of it from a licensed practitioner. One woman I babysat for in college told me that I should have it removed because it could be pre-cancerous. My mom tells me that as long as it doesn't change color or size, then it's fine. I have always had it and it is a part of me. Most people who see it think it's gross, or at the least unsightly. It's not enormous, but it is raised and can be wiggled if someone touches it. All three of my kids have been both intrigued and slightly disgusted with it. If I wear a wider cut shirt, it can be seen easily. I'm not embarrassed by it, never thought to be.
Zoe is very interested in my mole and asks to look at it often. I have to sit down and pull my shirt collar over so she can get a good look at it. Sometimes she touches it and makes an "ewww" kind of face, other times she just looks at it and says, "Mo."
This morning Zoe was running around in just her diaper when she stopped to look at herself in our full length mirror. All of a sudden she turns around with a huge grin on her face pointing to one of her little nipples and proudly exclaims, "Mo!" She then points to her other nipple and says again, "Mo!" Then, pointing to Brendan, who had just gotten out of the shower and only had a pair of pants on repeated, "Mo!"
I had the best laugh I've had in a long time.
Zoe is very interested in my mole and asks to look at it often. I have to sit down and pull my shirt collar over so she can get a good look at it. Sometimes she touches it and makes an "ewww" kind of face, other times she just looks at it and says, "Mo."
This morning Zoe was running around in just her diaper when she stopped to look at herself in our full length mirror. All of a sudden she turns around with a huge grin on her face pointing to one of her little nipples and proudly exclaims, "Mo!" She then points to her other nipple and says again, "Mo!" Then, pointing to Brendan, who had just gotten out of the shower and only had a pair of pants on repeated, "Mo!"
I had the best laugh I've had in a long time.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Chocolate Pudding
Wednesday nights are karate night at our house, which means Ian has to go to karate class, Brendan won't be home for dinner, and the kids and I have to eat dinner early to get Ian to class on time. This means I make kid friendly fare for dinner. Who wants to force the kids to eat the perfectly good food I usually make by myself. That kind of coercion is better handled by two adults. So last night we had chicken patties, chicken nuggets (child's preference), apple slices and chocolate pudding.
Before Wednesday night, my kids thought pudding came in a six pack of plastic cups from the grocery store. I don't think I have ever "made" it for them. While whisking the pudding mix into the milk I decided to put the pudding into dessert glasses instead of one big bowl. Anything looks prettier in a tall footed dessert glass than in a big bowl, and my kids, having never had pudding made at home, may have needed some enticement to try the thick brown dessert.
As I pulled the pudding from the refrigerator, Ian and Zoe were obviously excited to devour the contents within. Emma, my extremely picky eater, was interested, but was not allowed to partake at this time due to her still working on her single chicken nugget I required her to finish. Ian had his eaten in no time and declared, "This pudding even tastes better than Jello pudding!" (He was playing on the computer when I emptied the contents from the Jello pudding box into the milk.) I graciously thanked him for his compliment.
Zoe, on noticing Ian's happiness with the dessert and the pretty dish it came in scrambled to clear off her high chair tray. She handed me her plate with half a chicken nugget remaining and her sippy cup and demanded a spoon to be immediately brought to her so she could indulge in the chocolatey goodness. I began eating mine about the time Zoe finished hers and she noticed I was putting peanuts in my pudding. She asked for peanuts in her dish and scraped every last bit of chocolate out with the peanuts. Even when she could no longer get any measurable amount of pudding out of her dish, she asked me at least three times to refill it with peanuts, which she ate with her spoon.
Emma, upon completing her chicken nugget and with both visual and oral displays of how wonderful the chocolate pudding was could no longer hold back. She decided to try it. I brought it out to her and with a small amount on the end of her spoon, she tasted the chocolate pudding. She declared the pudding "the best" and continued to take little spoonfuls. I asked her if she really liked it, because she has a habit of saying she likes something if she thinks someone wants her to like it, but in truth may not like it very much at all. Her response was, "I do like it. Do you want to see me say Yum?" She then stuck a spoonful of pudding into her mouth, smiled a big, brown chocolatey grin, and said, "Yum!"
I think it's safe to say I'll be making pudding again.
Before Wednesday night, my kids thought pudding came in a six pack of plastic cups from the grocery store. I don't think I have ever "made" it for them. While whisking the pudding mix into the milk I decided to put the pudding into dessert glasses instead of one big bowl. Anything looks prettier in a tall footed dessert glass than in a big bowl, and my kids, having never had pudding made at home, may have needed some enticement to try the thick brown dessert.
As I pulled the pudding from the refrigerator, Ian and Zoe were obviously excited to devour the contents within. Emma, my extremely picky eater, was interested, but was not allowed to partake at this time due to her still working on her single chicken nugget I required her to finish. Ian had his eaten in no time and declared, "This pudding even tastes better than Jello pudding!" (He was playing on the computer when I emptied the contents from the Jello pudding box into the milk.) I graciously thanked him for his compliment.
Zoe, on noticing Ian's happiness with the dessert and the pretty dish it came in scrambled to clear off her high chair tray. She handed me her plate with half a chicken nugget remaining and her sippy cup and demanded a spoon to be immediately brought to her so she could indulge in the chocolatey goodness. I began eating mine about the time Zoe finished hers and she noticed I was putting peanuts in my pudding. She asked for peanuts in her dish and scraped every last bit of chocolate out with the peanuts. Even when she could no longer get any measurable amount of pudding out of her dish, she asked me at least three times to refill it with peanuts, which she ate with her spoon.
Emma, upon completing her chicken nugget and with both visual and oral displays of how wonderful the chocolate pudding was could no longer hold back. She decided to try it. I brought it out to her and with a small amount on the end of her spoon, she tasted the chocolate pudding. She declared the pudding "the best" and continued to take little spoonfuls. I asked her if she really liked it, because she has a habit of saying she likes something if she thinks someone wants her to like it, but in truth may not like it very much at all. Her response was, "I do like it. Do you want to see me say Yum?" She then stuck a spoonful of pudding into her mouth, smiled a big, brown chocolatey grin, and said, "Yum!"
I think it's safe to say I'll be making pudding again.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Emma Writes Her Name
At the ripe old age of 3 years and 5 months, Emma has written her name for the first time. We were playing with the Magna Doodle when I asked if she wanted to write her letter E. She said yes, and we ended up doing her whole name! She was very proud, and quite frankly, so am I. Now we just have to work on counting past eleven.
Monday, January 09, 2006
Divorce
I am an optimist by nature. As a kid I always looked on the bright side. If things were down, I'd figure out how they were going to look up. I was the teammate in sports who always tried to get the team to forget about all the mistakes and get out there and do it better.
I think I've carried some of this optimism into my adult life. I know it has taken some knocks in the past, junior high was pretty tough for me. Moving to a new state and city took some time to get used to. After having each of my kids I faced some demons and difficulties. But for the most part, my glass is half full.
Where is this going? I have two friends who have gotten or are getting a divorce. One is an old college friend whose husband cheated on her while she was pregnant with their child. They went to counseling, but he wasn't really interested in fixing the marriage. The other is an old neighbor with whom I became friends when we were both pregnant with our first kids together. We both became stay at home moms at that time and really forged a strong friendship. She called me today to tell me she is getting a divorce. I kind of saw it coming. She's been calling me for a year and confiding the many problems she and her husband have had. They have two kids. It makes me so sad.
I kind of thought and hoped that none of my friends would have these problems. I know it is very Pollyanna-ish of me to think that way. I know the divorce statistics. There is no way that this life altering event wouldn't have touched my life in some way, but still I harbored the hope that it wouldn't happen, not to my friends, not to people I know. And yet, here it is, right in front of me.
I went to John Carroll University, a Jesuit college, and somehow thought that this insulated me and my friends from the kind of relationships that lead to divorce. I don't think I really believed this completely, but I did know that my friends were good people, people who don't deserve to have that kind of heartache in their life. And even though my husband was touched by his parent's divorce at a young age, I still didn't think it would happen to the people I know. I guess I didn't want it to happen to the people I know, and those are two different things.
I still have hope for enduring relationships. I look at my parents, my husband's grandparents, my good friend Joan and her husband Jim, and see how truly in love they still are after 40, 50, 60 plus years. I look at my other friends and their marriages and hope and pray that they don't meet the pressures and demands that lead to divorce.
I am still a glass is half full kind of girl. I'm just a more realistic one now.
I think I've carried some of this optimism into my adult life. I know it has taken some knocks in the past, junior high was pretty tough for me. Moving to a new state and city took some time to get used to. After having each of my kids I faced some demons and difficulties. But for the most part, my glass is half full.
Where is this going? I have two friends who have gotten or are getting a divorce. One is an old college friend whose husband cheated on her while she was pregnant with their child. They went to counseling, but he wasn't really interested in fixing the marriage. The other is an old neighbor with whom I became friends when we were both pregnant with our first kids together. We both became stay at home moms at that time and really forged a strong friendship. She called me today to tell me she is getting a divorce. I kind of saw it coming. She's been calling me for a year and confiding the many problems she and her husband have had. They have two kids. It makes me so sad.
I kind of thought and hoped that none of my friends would have these problems. I know it is very Pollyanna-ish of me to think that way. I know the divorce statistics. There is no way that this life altering event wouldn't have touched my life in some way, but still I harbored the hope that it wouldn't happen, not to my friends, not to people I know. And yet, here it is, right in front of me.
I went to John Carroll University, a Jesuit college, and somehow thought that this insulated me and my friends from the kind of relationships that lead to divorce. I don't think I really believed this completely, but I did know that my friends were good people, people who don't deserve to have that kind of heartache in their life. And even though my husband was touched by his parent's divorce at a young age, I still didn't think it would happen to the people I know. I guess I didn't want it to happen to the people I know, and those are two different things.
I still have hope for enduring relationships. I look at my parents, my husband's grandparents, my good friend Joan and her husband Jim, and see how truly in love they still are after 40, 50, 60 plus years. I look at my other friends and their marriages and hope and pray that they don't meet the pressures and demands that lead to divorce.
I am still a glass is half full kind of girl. I'm just a more realistic one now.
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Swimming With The Kids
Took the kids to the newly built Vaughn Athletic Center to go swimming in the leisure pool they have there. It is a great indoor pool with lots of gizmos and gadgets for the kids to play with while splashing in the water to their heart's content. I have never taken them there, and thought a dreary January morning was a good time to go.
The place was practically deserted, four tweens, a grandfather and his three year old grandson, and us. Ian immediately put on a lifejacket and Emma followed suit, even though the areas Emma went in weren't as deep as our Little Tikes pool. There was a great teeter totter that all three enjoyed and a couple of rocking animals that squirted water out of a spout each time you rocked back and forth. Zoe wouldn't have anything to do with the jumping swings that are designed for babies and toddlers just her age. She was fearful at first, not letting me put her down at all. Ian ventured into the four feet deep water and was thrilled with his progress of swimming back and forth in the pool.
We all went over to the splash pad that has water spraying out from all kinds of faucets and pipes, some tipping over from buckets and spraying out of water guns. There is a giant bucket that slowly fills with water and when it gets close to tipping over, a bell begins to ring. Huge amounts of water pour out, and I swear Emma and Zoe screamed at the top of their lungs every time that bucket poured out it's many gallons of water for at least the first half hour we were there. I just let them scream, as it feels like all I've been saying for the last two weeks is that they are inside and can't scream like that in the house. They still screamed later in the visit, but it had dropped a few decibels or so.
Ian wanted to try the water slides, but the blue slide didn't use the inner tubes, and he was afraid to go down without a tube. The orange tube is enclosed and goes outside of the complex walls (so impressive to see when you drive up to the building) and the fact that it was enclosed and going to be dark frightened Ian. I'm sure he would have gone with me on a double tube, but I didn't have anyone to watch the girls. Maybe we'll get a chance another time.
One of my favorite things was when I was pulling Zoe through the water and she just giggled with each glide. As I pulled her through the water she would put her right hand into the water with her thumb up, like she was the Fonz, then she'd plop it into her mouth and laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world. Anytime I stopped pulling her she would hold up one finger and say "More." In the time when I wasn't swimming with Zoe but just sitting and playing with her she thought it was funny to pull my swimsuit top out and look down my suit. Unfortunately I made the mistake of giggling the first time she did it. Consequently I spent a good half hour dodging her little hand and holding my own hand over my suit.
We stayed until the pool closed at 11:00, got changed, had a quick snack and headed home. It was a great morning.
The place was practically deserted, four tweens, a grandfather and his three year old grandson, and us. Ian immediately put on a lifejacket and Emma followed suit, even though the areas Emma went in weren't as deep as our Little Tikes pool. There was a great teeter totter that all three enjoyed and a couple of rocking animals that squirted water out of a spout each time you rocked back and forth. Zoe wouldn't have anything to do with the jumping swings that are designed for babies and toddlers just her age. She was fearful at first, not letting me put her down at all. Ian ventured into the four feet deep water and was thrilled with his progress of swimming back and forth in the pool.
We all went over to the splash pad that has water spraying out from all kinds of faucets and pipes, some tipping over from buckets and spraying out of water guns. There is a giant bucket that slowly fills with water and when it gets close to tipping over, a bell begins to ring. Huge amounts of water pour out, and I swear Emma and Zoe screamed at the top of their lungs every time that bucket poured out it's many gallons of water for at least the first half hour we were there. I just let them scream, as it feels like all I've been saying for the last two weeks is that they are inside and can't scream like that in the house. They still screamed later in the visit, but it had dropped a few decibels or so.
Ian wanted to try the water slides, but the blue slide didn't use the inner tubes, and he was afraid to go down without a tube. The orange tube is enclosed and goes outside of the complex walls (so impressive to see when you drive up to the building) and the fact that it was enclosed and going to be dark frightened Ian. I'm sure he would have gone with me on a double tube, but I didn't have anyone to watch the girls. Maybe we'll get a chance another time.
One of my favorite things was when I was pulling Zoe through the water and she just giggled with each glide. As I pulled her through the water she would put her right hand into the water with her thumb up, like she was the Fonz, then she'd plop it into her mouth and laugh like it was the funniest thing in the world. Anytime I stopped pulling her she would hold up one finger and say "More." In the time when I wasn't swimming with Zoe but just sitting and playing with her she thought it was funny to pull my swimsuit top out and look down my suit. Unfortunately I made the mistake of giggling the first time she did it. Consequently I spent a good half hour dodging her little hand and holding my own hand over my suit.
We stayed until the pool closed at 11:00, got changed, had a quick snack and headed home. It was a great morning.
Buckeyes Romp Notre Dame
The Buckeyes did it! They beat the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and won yet another Fiesta Bowl title. I have to admit, I am very happy they beat my husband's favorite team, not because they are his favorite team, but because OSU is my favorite team. Most other times I root for ND, as long as they aren't playing the Bucks. And seeing as this is only the fifth time the two teams have played, there usually isn't a big rivalry in the house. Ian ended up rooting for Notre Dame, even though he claimed he didn't know which team to pull for and also claimed he wanted to root for the winning team. Despite his "Boo Buckeyes" throughout the game, I forgive him. I think what really caused the move towards the Irish for him was that I was very vocally cheering on the Buckeyes. I never said anything disparaging about ND, but I did loudly cheer on the Buckeyes when they made a great offensive or defensive play, and moaned pretty loudly too when the Bucks screwed up.
I picked up the Daily Herald today and read all four articles they wrote about the game. I don't usually read the sports section, and especially don't read multiple articles about a game I watched. But as I read the first article, I just wanted to read more and more of what the writer's had to say, especially since they have a true slant towards Notre Dame. One of my favorite quotes was written by Adam Rittenberg and was this:
With a chance to authenticate its return to college football's elite club, No. 5 Notre Dame lost to a team that owns a lifetime membership.
I think that quote pretty much sums it up. It was great game to watch if you were a Buckeye fan.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Fiesta Bowl Battle
Today is the big game between Ohio State and Notre Dame. As an OSU fan, I am outnumbered here in Illinois, so I dressed all three of my kids in scarlet and gray, before my Irish loving husband was out of bed and could complain about it. I just want to say that the Buckeyes are going to wipe the field with the Irish. And even though I am Catholic, I agree with the sign I found online and am posting here for everyone's reading enjoyment!
GO BUCKS!!!!!
GO BUCKS!!!!!!
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Some Of My Favorite Things - 2005
In no particular order, here is a list of some of my favorite things about 2005.
1. How Zoe says "oh oh oh" in a low voice whenever she sees a Santa Claus
2. Ian's first grade teacher, Miss Bennett
3. Emma dancing in her princess leotard in ballet class on Tuesdays
4. Brendan and my tenth anniversary
5. My pink ipod mini
6. Podcasts of Guiding Light
7. My ten year John Carroll University college reunion
8. Not getting pregnant!
9. Ian loving going down the water slide by himself at the pool
10. Discovering other blogs besides my husband's
11. Beginning my own blog
12. my Small Faith Group through Our Lady of Mercy
13. Pilates (Mari Winsor Pilates to be exact)
14. Maroon 5 and Barenaked Ladies music
15. Primary Christmas concert at Our Lady of Good Counsel School
16. Everyone in the family being in Elizabeth's wedding
17. Elizabeth and Patrick babysitting our kids for the weekend so we could go to our reunion
18. Having coffee with Adrian, my former fourth grader and now senior in high school
19. Getting to see my best friend, Aimee, a lot more this year
20. Laura and Jenny
21. Ian going to Granma and Papa camp and loving it
22. Emma sleeping downstairs with all of her cousins at my mom and dad's house
23. Buckeye Football
24. The White Sox winning the World Series
25. Zoe learning to walk and say "mommy"
26. Phone calls with my sister
27. Brendan getting a new job
28. Trying new recipes and making old favorites
29. The Easter egg hunt at my parent's house
30. Kringle from O&H Danish Bakery in Racine, WI
31. "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" movie
32. The Ohio State jersey I got for Christmas from Brendan
33. The Ultimate 3-in-1 Christmas Tree
34. eBay
35. Digital cameras
36. Bailey's Irish Cream
37. The daffodils that bloom in my front yard in the spring
38. Watching the birds in Ian's birdfeeder
39. Starbuck's drinks
40. iTunes music store
41. Getting in touch with Tracey, an old friend
42. Dr. Janda, who helped make my crown look just like any other tooth
43. Checking books out of the library
44. Watching the Real World/ Road Rules Challenges on MTV
45. Watching the Amazing Race on ABC
46. Discovering "Some Kind of Wonderful" by Joss Stone
47. Discovering "My Love is Real" by Buddy Guy
48. Having Brendan's family here for Christmas
49. Getting a pumpkin pedicure at Mario Tricoci's
50. Ian learning to read
51. Zoe calling any of the Disney princesses "Rella"
52. Emma calling her Uncle Patrick "Packwick"
53. Emma's imaginary friend, Casey
54. Stash Double Spice Chai Black Tea
55. Emma being potty trained in two days flat
56. My husband and my kids
1. How Zoe says "oh oh oh" in a low voice whenever she sees a Santa Claus
2. Ian's first grade teacher, Miss Bennett
3. Emma dancing in her princess leotard in ballet class on Tuesdays
4. Brendan and my tenth anniversary
5. My pink ipod mini
6. Podcasts of Guiding Light
7. My ten year John Carroll University college reunion
8. Not getting pregnant!
9. Ian loving going down the water slide by himself at the pool
10. Discovering other blogs besides my husband's
11. Beginning my own blog
12. my Small Faith Group through Our Lady of Mercy
13. Pilates (Mari Winsor Pilates to be exact)
14. Maroon 5 and Barenaked Ladies music
15. Primary Christmas concert at Our Lady of Good Counsel School
16. Everyone in the family being in Elizabeth's wedding
17. Elizabeth and Patrick babysitting our kids for the weekend so we could go to our reunion
18. Having coffee with Adrian, my former fourth grader and now senior in high school
19. Getting to see my best friend, Aimee, a lot more this year
20. Laura and Jenny
21. Ian going to Granma and Papa camp and loving it
22. Emma sleeping downstairs with all of her cousins at my mom and dad's house
23. Buckeye Football
24. The White Sox winning the World Series
25. Zoe learning to walk and say "mommy"
26. Phone calls with my sister
27. Brendan getting a new job
28. Trying new recipes and making old favorites
29. The Easter egg hunt at my parent's house
30. Kringle from O&H Danish Bakery in Racine, WI
31. "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith" movie
32. The Ohio State jersey I got for Christmas from Brendan
33. The Ultimate 3-in-1 Christmas Tree
34. eBay
35. Digital cameras
36. Bailey's Irish Cream
37. The daffodils that bloom in my front yard in the spring
38. Watching the birds in Ian's birdfeeder
39. Starbuck's drinks
40. iTunes music store
41. Getting in touch with Tracey, an old friend
42. Dr. Janda, who helped make my crown look just like any other tooth
43. Checking books out of the library
44. Watching the Real World/ Road Rules Challenges on MTV
45. Watching the Amazing Race on ABC
46. Discovering "Some Kind of Wonderful" by Joss Stone
47. Discovering "My Love is Real" by Buddy Guy
48. Having Brendan's family here for Christmas
49. Getting a pumpkin pedicure at Mario Tricoci's
50. Ian learning to read
51. Zoe calling any of the Disney princesses "Rella"
52. Emma calling her Uncle Patrick "Packwick"
53. Emma's imaginary friend, Casey
54. Stash Double Spice Chai Black Tea
55. Emma being potty trained in two days flat
56. My husband and my kids
Gift Ideas For Emma
Emma received a calendar this morning so that she can prepare for 2006. As we marked her birthday with a balloon sticker, she started to think about what gifts she might like for her birthday. She told me, "I want a kitty for my birthday. A live one. In a box, so I can pet it. And I'll call her TV Kitty. That's what I want. Can you get me that?"
Since Bumper is still around, and by the looks of it not going anywhere, I don't think Emma's dream of her own kitty will become a reality anytime soon. But a girl can dream.
Since Bumper is still around, and by the looks of it not going anywhere, I don't think Emma's dream of her own kitty will become a reality anytime soon. But a girl can dream.
Saturday, December 31, 2005
Happy Birthday To Me
Yesterday was my 33rd birthday. It was nice. Didn't do much, got to sleep in and then read for a little while in the morning. Brendan took Emma and Zoe to Dominick's to pick out some flowers and a card for me. Emma was set on roses and picked out a lovely pink dozen of them. When looking at the cards, she settled on one with a great big pink rose on the front, sure that it was the one I wanted. It was a pretty card, although it was to "Mother" and read, "from both of us." Her intentions were sweet, so how could I not love it?
I made myself an almond cake from a cookbook I received from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I know many people think you shouldn't make your own cake for your birthday, but I actually enjoy it. Twice a year, my birthday and Mother's Day, I make whatever dessert or cake I want. I don't worry if the kids or Brendan will like it or eat it, I simply make what I want to try or have. This cake was simple and delicious. There was no frosting and it didn't need any. What I also loved about this cake is it made a single 9-inch layer, so not a lot of leftovers! Ian and Brendan both liked it, while Emma and Zoe wouldn't try it, opting instead for vanilla ice cream.
I received some cool presents from Brendan, a book called "Whose Bible Is It?", a program to organize all of my recipes on the computer, and some very warm and fleecy pajamas, which I've been wanting since we've turned the heat down this winter to counter the higher gas costs. The kids gave me lots of hugs and kisses and sang me happy birthday and "May the Dear Lord Bless You" sung to the tune of happy birthday. It was a good day.
I made myself an almond cake from a cookbook I received from my mother-in-law for Christmas. I know many people think you shouldn't make your own cake for your birthday, but I actually enjoy it. Twice a year, my birthday and Mother's Day, I make whatever dessert or cake I want. I don't worry if the kids or Brendan will like it or eat it, I simply make what I want to try or have. This cake was simple and delicious. There was no frosting and it didn't need any. What I also loved about this cake is it made a single 9-inch layer, so not a lot of leftovers! Ian and Brendan both liked it, while Emma and Zoe wouldn't try it, opting instead for vanilla ice cream.
I received some cool presents from Brendan, a book called "Whose Bible Is It?", a program to organize all of my recipes on the computer, and some very warm and fleecy pajamas, which I've been wanting since we've turned the heat down this winter to counter the higher gas costs. The kids gave me lots of hugs and kisses and sang me happy birthday and "May the Dear Lord Bless You" sung to the tune of happy birthday. It was a good day.
Sunday, December 25, 2005
Merry Christmas, Everyone!
Just want to say Merry Christmas to everyone today! May your day be filled with good food, good fun, and may you be surrounded by those you love.
Here are two samples of my children's art to celebrate the season. Emma made the tree while Ian created the snowman.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Polar Express
I fell in love with The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg the first time I read it many years ago. Ian's first grade teacher, Miss Bennett, loves the story and movie, and got Ian excited about the story by creating a Polar Express in her classroom. The kids had doughnuts and hot chocolate, received a ticket that they had to have punched by the Conductor (Miss Bennett's Dad), then settled in to listen to the story read by Miss Bennett. Ian came home with a bell around his neck and a true excitement for the story. I suggested we rent the movie to watch tonight and he jumped at the chance. He added lines from the story while watching the movie and was very excited throughout. I loved the movie as well and think we need to get a copy for yearly Christmas viewing. Get the book and the movie, you won't be sorry.
Christmas Concert
Ian's Christmas Concert was on Wednesday and it was great! The kindergarten through third graders all gathered in the school gym to perform Christmas songs for their parents and families. The first graders performed first and sang their three songs loudly and clearly. The third song was about all of the things they are thankful for, and each first grader had a short solo. Ian sang loud enough (without microphones) for the whole audience to hear. It was fun.
The other grades came out and sang their songs, which our girls enjoyed as much as Ian's songs. Finally, the kindergarten came out and did their "Christmas Pageant" program. They sang about the Angel Band dressed as angels and played instruments with the gusto of 5 and 6 year olds. They then moved over to the Nativity scene, complete with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and angel Gabriel. While singing Silent Night, the shepherds and three wise men completed the scene. They ended with Away In A Manger and Zoe became very animated and excited seeing all the kids up on the stage. As I am a sucker for all things adorable, I choked up and realized how amazing and lucky I feel for sending Ian to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Every Christian kid should get a chance to act out the Nativity for Christmas. Those that don't are really missing out. I know how proud Ian was last year to be one of the three wise men. He still points out and gets excited about anything that involves the three kings.
Anyways, it was a great night. It is definitely one of my favorite Christmas experiences so far this year.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005
Oh My Gosh! I'm Conservative!
Found this on another website and thought it was kind of funny. Brendan and I have had a few discussions about the "War on Christmas" this year. If any of you were not previously aware of my political leanings, this should make it abundantly clear.
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
I'll Give You More Any Day!
While carrying Zoe through the house today I gave her a big kiss on her left cheek. She giggled her big belly giggle then pointed to her right cheek and said, "Moe". I melted into a puddle on the floor then gave her a kiss on her other cheek.
This is why I became a mom.
This is why I became a mom.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Another Reason To Be Happy With What We've Got
Brendan and I have been living in our modest three bedroom one and a half bath home for almost six years now. It is actually our second home, having bought our first house out in Cleveland before moving here to Chicago. I love it, but it is a little small with three kids and a cat. It is also in a terrible school district, prompting us to have to pay for Ian to go to Catholic school. I have watched several of my neighbors, four very close ones in the last two years, move out of our neighborhood and into nicer, newer homes. Hey, we are thinking of looking in the Spring ourselves. But one of the good things about a smaller house with a southern rear exposure is we don't have to run our heat a lot. Our bills are pretty reasonable, although we have turned our thermostat down to 66 at all times and occasionally down to 64 at night with the threat of higher gas bills this year. I sometimes wear three layers (a turtleneck, a sweater, and a sweatshirt over it all) as well as slippers over my socks. But, when the sun is shining, even on a bitterly cold day, our house warms up so much that the heat doesn't run until the sun goes down for the day. This, and the fact that there simply is not a lot of square footage to heat, keeps our gas bill pretty reasonable.
My girlfriend with a new, beautiful home with high ceilings just got her most recent gas bill. It was $465!!!! Our last one was only around $180 or something I think. Not that I'm thrilled with that, but I'll take $180 anyday over $465. I feel bad for her, it sucks to have one bill that high and know we still have at least three more months of temperatures similar to the ones we are having right now. But, I'm happy that for this year, we are still in our little house, with our one and a half bathrooms, and our smaller gas bills.
My girlfriend with a new, beautiful home with high ceilings just got her most recent gas bill. It was $465!!!! Our last one was only around $180 or something I think. Not that I'm thrilled with that, but I'll take $180 anyday over $465. I feel bad for her, it sucks to have one bill that high and know we still have at least three more months of temperatures similar to the ones we are having right now. But, I'm happy that for this year, we are still in our little house, with our one and a half bathrooms, and our smaller gas bills.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Why Does Scrooge (McDuck) Hate Christmas?
Ian chose to watch "Mickey's Christmas Carol" for his show while I made dinner tonight. Brendan and I love just about any and all versions of Charles Dicken's "A Christmas Carol" so to have him make this choice made me happy. (We have at least three different children's versions of "A Christmas Carol" and hope to eventually get the kids to watch all of them as well as when they are older the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart-our favorite!)Anyhow, as the story gets going Scrooge, played by Scrooge McDuck, is bah humbugging Christmas. This is where Ian takes the time to inform Emma, his little sister, why Scrooge hates Christmas so much.
Ian - He (Scrooge) hates Christmas.
Emma - Why?
Ian - I think his mom and dad were killed on Christmas Eve.
Emma - Does he like it even a little?
Ian - No.
I'm so glad Emma has someone like Ian to clarify the murky spots in the plot. Never mind that he mixed a little Batman lore into the story.
No Barenaked Holidays For Me
I'm pissed off right now! I went to the official Barenaked Ladies website and found out that the "Barenaked For The Holidays" special was going to air on Bravo today and possibly at a later date as well. I was all excited about it as BNL is my absolute favorite band of all time. I was getting online to blog about it and to give everyone a heads up about when they too could catch this great show. I checked the online listings for Bravo today and saw nothing. I typed in several variations in their search engine and still came up with bupkus. I go over to Bravo Canada's website and lo and behold it is right at the top of the page. Our options for the evening here in Bravo USA are Faith Hill or Elton John. Come on! Not even one lousy hour for the Ladies!?! I know they are Canadian, but they're awesome! E.J. is English but he is still being shown. BNL is singing Christmas music for goodness sakes!
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Workin' Together
It snowed again last night/ this morning so Emma, Zoe and I went out to shovel the driveway after dropping Ian off at school. Emma loves using the little orange snow shovel and happily runs up and down the driveway carrying snow from one side all the way to the other to put in some pile she's making. I have to admit that at the start of the snow season I enjoy shovelling, too. It is one chore I actually like and unless it's really bitter cold, don't usually mind doing. It was cold this morning and before I had the driveway done my fingers were feeling cold and painful. I just wanted to get the work done and get inside.
Enter Emma. She comes pushing her shovel next to me, picking up snow and singing, "Working Together, working together" in the most angelic voice you can imagine. Her song warmed me up enough to finish the shovelling this morning.
Enter Emma. She comes pushing her shovel next to me, picking up snow and singing, "Working Together, working together" in the most angelic voice you can imagine. Her song warmed me up enough to finish the shovelling this morning.
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