Parenting Realizations - The Christmas Edition

As I flit about the kitchen baking goodies and whatnot and listening to my kids practically burst out of their skins with excitement, I am taken back to my own childhood Christmas memories. I have been trying to pinpoint what exactly made those memories so great and I have determined that it is because my parents made them great. It's not the presents that I received (or sometimes didn't receive), it was all of the work that my parents put into the entire season doing what they could to make it special and magical. It is the feeling of Christmas that I most remember (and cookies, yummy, yummy cookies). This brings me to my parenting realization. Actually this is not a new realization, it is just one that sometimes hits me suddenly and when I least expect it. What I realized is that I am creating these same memories for my kids. I am now the parent (which in and of itself still almost knocks me off my feet) and it is my responsibility to bring the same warm and happy magical feelings to my own kids that my parents brought to me. Oh the pressure. But it's a good pressure. I just hope that one day they can look back upon these days as fondly and nostalgically that I still do on my childhood days.

Merry Christmas!!

Valuable lessons learned

Last night I learned that it is not a good idea to take Tylenol PM the same night that your 3 year old comes down with a nasty case of the stomach flu.

I also learned that my oldest son isn't always faking his illnesses. Sometimes he actually is sick and then you have to take him to Urgent Care to get an antibiotic because he has strep.

Feliz Navidad

Massive burritos, tamales, face painting, balloon animals, and loads of other activities made for one great ward party.

Here's Sparky sporting his war paint.

Tiger won these cute little rubber duckies in a spinning game and he still carries them everywhere and even sleeps with them. (Notice Doug's feet there off to the right, the legs sporting the shorts. You can take the boy out of California, but you can't take California out of the boy.)

Cut outs are always a crowd pleaser.

My girl and I enjoying a little hot chocolate.

The first snow (almost)

Tiger is dying to get out in the snow and build a snowman. Here he is the other morning anxiously awaiting the build-up of the little snowflakes. Alas it did not happen and he was a bit sad, but lucky for him (and very sad for me) winter is just beginning. I have no doubt that he will get his chance at some point in the next couple of months.

That is true friendship

One of my oldest friends Trish showed up with this beauty the other day. She said that every time she sees one it reminds her of me. Why, you ask? Because I'm ALWAYS cold and I love to read. Fabulous isn't it? Look at all the things you can do with the Snuggie. You can drape yourself fashionably across the couch and hold the remote control. You can keep yourself warm while on an airplane, and of course you can snuggle up with a good book. I look forward to many hours Snuggied up on the couch this winter. Muchas gracias my dear friend.

And so it begins

I have once again begun the long and arduous process of potty training. I survived the first two, I can survive this one as well. Right? So we got the little potty, the seat for the big potty, the big boy underwear, the treats, the liquids, and the pull-ups. Now all I need is a willing and cooperative 3 year old and a whole lot of patience. Unfortunately, if today is any indication, and I think it is, this is going to be a very long and very painful process. But isn't he just so cute sitting here?

We have a winner

Last week at KK's dance studio they held a food drive. As an incentive, if you brought in a can of food your name was entered into a drawing for a free iPod Shuffle. Well guess who won? Yep, that's right, my little angel princess. Now I just have to figure out how to work all of this iTunes business that I haven't been able to figure out since I got my iTouch. It is supposed to be so easy, but I am seriously challenged when it comes to all things technological. Really my problem is that I just want someone to show me how things work. I don't want to figure them out for myself. Then, once I figure out how this little thing works, I have to go and pick out some music for her to listen to. Oh the pressure of it all. Congratulations little Woo.

Alas, Fred is Dead

Remember this little guy, the yellow one on the right?

Well, today Fred lost the battle and went tails up while Sparky was at school and now sadness has overshadowed his young life (at least for an afternoon). In order to send Fred off properly, Sparky made this coffin out of Legos, and a burial took place in the backyard.

Good bye Fred.

It's just so wrong

Last night our ward hosted a "Messiah" sing-along. It was absolutely fantastic. Seriously. The talent pool we have acquired is downright impressive. As we were getting dressed to go I looked over at Doug and he had put on this treasure of a t-shirt that he got for his birthday. Our friends who gave it to him were amongst the singers and he felt that this would be the perfect opportunity to wear it. It was actually quite perfect and I couldn't stop giggling everytime I looked at him. Fortunately he didn't wear it for long, but the impression was long lasting.

Classy my love. No wonder we are still happy after so long.

Kid parties are way more fun without the kids

For Doug's big birthday, we got together with a few other couples and had ourselves a rocking good time. Anyone can decorate with all black and plaster "Over The Hill" banners everywhere, but does that really make the birthday boy feel good? I believe the answer to that is a big "NO" so I decided to go in a completely opposite direction.

We had the party at a friend's house and as a mom with 4 kids, she knew exactly how to decorate and which games to play. We started off with a fabulous meal.


Next came a rousing game of musical chairs (seriously so fun).

Then came Pin the Chick on the Barn.




And finally, what's a party without a pinata?

We then paused for the "present" opening. Thanks so much guys. Those um, "presents" are really, um something. Here's just a small sampling of the goods:

Classy

"What Do You Do With The Mad That You Feel" by Mister Rogers

Ummm. . .

To finish things off, we brought the house down with a little Beatles Rock Band. Seriously sooooo much fun, especially when you have people who can actually sing. In the end I think that it was a very successful birthday. In fact, so much fun should not be allowed in one night.