Laughter

Have I ever mentioned that I love when my children make each other laugh? Well, except at the dinner table, where it makes me crazy.

The First Day of Christmas (sorry... Winter) Break

Finally, after what feels like a grueling fall, we have successfully arrived at the long awaited Winter Break. Mind you it isn't a "Christmas" break because that would exclude those who do not believe in Christ... oh well, it will ALWAYS be Christmas break to me.

This year we stared it off with Chinese food, The Grinch and popcorn. Wednesday night after work we enjoyed these three things and a relaxing evening with the kids.

On Thursday we were up and out of the house by ... yes, 11. Okay so it sure seemed like we got up and going right away... Anyway, first thing in the morning Jack and Alex prepared their letters to Santa and we were out and on the way to meet the guy in the big red suit. We honestly pulled away from the house without a plan as to where we would visit him, but eventually decided to try Bass Pro Shop on the advice of several friends. Boy, were they right. What a wonderful experience!! The shop its self, titled Outdoor World is amazing. With a waterfall, giant fish tanks and stuffed animals (the formerly live kind) form floor to rafters, it was quite a site. They had giant trees decorated for the holidays and lots of things to climb in, on and around. The boys had fun even before we went to the Santa area. The area surrounding Santa and his workshop was full of fun. There was a Lionel train, a large nutcracker, a NASCAR track for the kids to run the cars on, a shooting range and coloring pages and games galore. Santa was wonderful and patient, going over the boys' lists with them before taking a wonderful photo with the boys. Unlike the mall, they treated the visit with Santa as an experience rather than simply a rushed Kodak moment and simply a money making situation... why no rush and no big sales pitch... cause it's free! And if you get a FREE photo they throw in a FREE lunch. So the boys, Geoff and I enjoyed very good food next to a GIANT fish tank full of beautiful tropical fish. And all this without leaving a store that specializes in camping, hunting and fishing. Well done Bass Pro Shop!

This evening we played... and played and played. The boys are so into tinker-toys this week. Tinker-toys and dress up clothes and the usual trains. Legos and Star Wars have kept them busy during these cool evenings. I also make chocolate suckers for the first time tonight. They turned out great... Christmas tress and Christmas lights. I think the process will get easier with time.

Just another weekend and our little shining stars

Well, overall it was a pretty normal "weekend before Christmas" weekend.... Lots of cleaning, laundry and shopping. Geoff got a bad cold and Jack has pink eye. Well, it's always something. The best part of the weekend where my little shining stars. On Friday, the boys had their preschool Christmas program. They did a wonderful job and Alex stole the show for a few minutes when he decided to come visit mommy to check in. Jack picked his nose, but of course he did - did we really expect that he wouldn't. Pictures to come...

I Must Be the World's Worst Blogger

I remember when I was a young girl, I always wanted to keep a diary. The problem... I would make one entry and never look at it again. Wow, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that after like two posts to this blog I completely forgot about it until now. Well, unfortunately, like gets in the way. But, as I look at the two entries that I did make, I realize that it's too easy to forget the little moments that happen along the way. I'm going to give it another go. I want my boys to know their stories... to build some memories for them. And to give myself a place to go for a smile. So here we go again...

No Peas Please

If you have known me for any length of time and if you have ever eaten a meal with Geoff, you will know that we aren't big fans of vegetables. I have come around over time and an a little better, but even now you won't see a pea (or any other veggie for that matter) get near Geoff's plate. Unfortunately, Alex has inherited our dislike of green foods. On this particular day he was presented with a plate of chicken, noodles and peas. This is what I found when I came in to check on his progress.

Puddle Jumping

It only takes a moment to decide that it's time to make a memory. The moment that I felt the 50 degree temps I know that the boys needed some fresh air. The problem: 50 degrees just 2 weeks after a blizzard means mud, puddles and more mud. Boy did J & A have fun getting good and dirty.

Lazy Mom..

I'll admit it... I've been the mom that I promised not to be. You know, the one who took all the right photos, filled in the baby book, blogged excessively and documented it all... for my first child. Poor Alex... no blog, lots of photos, but none have been printed, no baby book. I hate that I have not done it all for my sweet second born, but I'll just pull out my working mom of two boys under 3 excuse. You know what they say... there's no time like the present. So, here we go. I'm going to try to keep up with both of my wonderful boys. Maybe no one else will read this, but I don't care. I'll be able to look back and remember all the moments we had together.