Last night, the kids and I trekked to the mall to run a few errands. Dad was gone for the last several nights; sometimes these outings keep us from getting stir crazy with each other at home. As we walked into the mall, the kids were amazed by all the sparkling lights and decorations. My Best Girl said, "Wow, Mommy! I think the mall celebrates Christmas every year too!" Later, we were walking through the mall, and we passed a display of portrait photography. Many of the pictures were of infants. While looking at the photographs, my Best Girl said, "Mommy, where is my picture when I was a baby?" My Favorite Boy had an answer for her. He said, "I think they only hang the really cute kids up there, right mom?" I just had to laugh at that! Have a great weekend!

Labels: My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy, Small Talk

I planned to write a detailed post about the rest of our Thanksgiving weekend. Unfortunately, I am under the weather. Hopefully, it is just a cold, and it will pass soon. I am sure it will seem that I am giving the day with my husband's family the short end of the stick. However, all of his immediate family was present; so, unlike Thanksgiving with my family, no one will be counting on my description of the day. Here's the abbreviated version: 1. We spent several hours on Friday with almost 40 of my hubby's closest relatives. His family is great, and I enjoyed seeing them all. Because I only have one cousin on my dad's side and two on my mom's, the size of my husband's family was overwhelming when I first met them. Now, I enjoy getting together with all of them so much. There is never a dull moment! I used to feel young at these gatherings because my husband is one of the younger cousins. That feeling is changing. On Friday, I got to see one of my flower girls who is now a freshman in college. That makes me realize I am not one of the youngsters in the bunch anymore! 2. After visiting for a while with the big group, my husband's immediate family (his mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and three kiddos) came to our house for the rest of the day. My husband's sister and her family live in Georgia, so we don't see them as much as we would like. The kids had a ball playing together, and the grown-ups enjoyed visiting. 3. On Saturday, we put up our Christmas decorations. My kids are still amazed at the simple things. When I plugged in the lights, my Best Girl said, "Wow! That is so cool!" She also said, "Dad, do you remember? We even did this last year!" It was so cute! 4. Now, I am sick! I am thankful, however, that I made it through all the fun before coming down with something. We had such a wonderful week, and I am glad I was able to enjoy every minute! I'm off to the couch. I'll be back soon!

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun

(Post from my deleted blog.  Pictures not included)

Note to my bloggy friends: My parents, aka Grammy and Papa, are currently living in California. They spent Thanksgiving with my brother and his family in New Mexico. We went to my aunt's house (my Dad's sister) for the day on Thursday. In the past, we all spent the day at my aunt's together.

Dear Grammy and Papa,

We wanted to let you know how much we missed seeing you, R and R, and the two little cutie pies during Thanksgiving. We know you had a great time out west, but we thought we would share some pictures from our day. We wish you could have been here! As usual, Aunt D. decked the halls in time for our visit. Her stockings were hung with care. The trees in the family room and master bedroom were trimmed. Snow White was very impressed with the decorations (as you can imagine, the Warren Co. crew got a big kick out of her outfit). The dining room looked so inviting. In your absence, A. and I got to sit at the grown-up table! All the adults and the princess sat in the dining room. The rest of the gang ate in the kitchen. Grammy, I captured a picture of the rolls for you. Here they are right before they went in the oven. I knew you would have eaten a few, so I ate four of them to make up for your absence. :) My Best Girl enjoyed playing with the big girls. My Favorite Boy was enthralled with the video games. The big boys were very accommodating and patient with him. T. tried to get my Best Girl to sit with him all day. This was as close as she allowed him to be. He finally took her kicking and screaming. Overall, your grandkids were very well behaved. However, we did have trouble keeping your granddaughter out of the M&Ms. I also found your grandson having a little too much fun with N. We had a wonderful day! We missed you all and wish you had been here with us. We look forward to the day you move back this way! Love, Your Baseballs and Bows Family

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun

Once again, our family is a little early with some of our Christmas festivities. On Saturday, we went to see Santa at a local hardware store. I guess this sounds like an odd place to visit Santa, but I was looking for a new location because I refuse to go to the mall this year. Our annual mall Santa photo experience started when my Favorite Boy was 11 months old. On Christmas Eve, I decided I had to have a picture of him with Santa (I am not sure why I waited until Christmas Eve to decide this). Off to the mall we went to wait in line with all the other procrastinators. We got a great 5x7 picture for $12.95; it was the cheapest picture available. I also took a few pictures with my own camera. In the years that followed, we continued our mall Santa tradition. Two years ago, I was shocked to walk up for our visit and find out that I could no longer use my own camera. I planned to purchase one picture, so I felt it was a little ridiculous that I couldn't take a few more of my own as well. Last year, the downward spiral continued. Not only was the "no camera" policy in effect, but they also raised the price of a 5x7 to $19.95. The kids could sit in Santa's lap and talk to him for free, but we couldn't have a keepsake from the event unless we handed over $20. Clearly, the mall operation is controlled by Scrooge. So, this year we headed to a hardware store for a free visit with Santa where I could take all the pictures I wanted, and the kids even got cookies. I will admit that I was a little disappointed. Santa has a real beard at the mall, but for some reason he shaved and had to wear a fake beard at the hardware store. :) For the record, my kids didn't notice this; I am the one with issues. I was also disappointed because my daughter, who has been having separation issues, wouldn't visit Santa without me; I did not get a picture of the kids together. Perhaps we will find another location that still believes in the giving and joyful aspect of the season and try for a picture of them together. Here's my Favorite Boy. He wants a video game system, Madden NFL '07, and Backyard Soccer (PC game). He is truly a boy after his father's heart. He wants Madden NFL '07 because "it's last year's version, so it's cheaper." My Best Girl told Santa that she wants a princess vanity, a princess wand, and a Belle dress. In her opinion, Santa can feel free to spend whatever is necessary. When I asked my Favorite Boy what Santa said about his requests, he replied, "Santa said that it would be easy for me to get those presents." Now they only have to wait a little more than a month (or forever in their minds) to find out if Santa will grant their wishes. Somehow, I suspect he will.

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy

Lately, I have shared several stories about my Best Girl. Some of you have responded that my kids are so sweet. Much of the time, they are. However, I wouldn't want you to get the idea that we don't have our share of frustrations. As a matter of fact, we are currently experiencing a problem with my Best Girl. My daughter didn't have any separation anxiety for three years. She has always gone willingly to Bible class, the nursery at the Y, school, etc... Unfortunately, we have entered a new era. Now, she's experiencing separation anxiety, and she also has a longer memory and a very stubborn will. Recently, I left her at school (she goes two times a week for three hours). She was not happy when I left, and she cried for a little while. When I arrived to pick her up, she handed me this. I asked, "Why is your pumpkin wearing a frown?" She replied, "Because I was mad that you left me." Oh yes, I forgot. She's a female! When my son gets upset, he gets over it and goes on to have a fun time. Not so with my little girl. She's going to hold onto it and try to punish everyone who had a part in her sadness. In the last week, this problem has gotten much worse. She wails and screams anytime I leave her. Hours before we go somewhere, she will start saying, "I don't want to go to..."; she repeats this over and over, attempting to convince me to change my mind about our plans. As I am sure you can imagine, listening to her say the same thing repeatedly for several hours tests my patience. The last two times we have gone to church, she has attended the adult Bible class. I let her come with me, but she has to sit quietly and still, and I bring nothing to amuse her. (FYI, we have separate Bible classes for adults and children, but we all worship together. This means she is with the grown-ups for two hours instead of one.) I feel sure that she will eventually decide her class is a much better option. Today she said, "Mommy, you didn't even sing any fun songs in your class!" As frustrating as this has been, I will admit that I am thankful she likes to be with me. I was putting her to bed recently, and I asked, "Why do you cry when I take you to class? Mommy always comes back." She replied, "But Mommy, I just want to be with you all the time. You're my best friend!" I plan to remind her of this when she is 13!

Labels: My Best Girl

I was lying down with my Best Girl at bedtime. She held out her arms to me with her fists closed. This is what she said. BG: Can you see them? Me: See what? (I had no idea what she was talking about.) BG: Can you see them? Me: See what? BG: (opening her fists to show me that nothing was there): OUR SINS! You can't see them because Jesus taked them all away! Yes sweet girl, he did! For that, we can be truly thankful!

Labels: My Best Girl, Small Talk

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending my Favorite Boy's Thanksgiving Feast at school. We enjoyed the traditional turkey and dressing meal (of course, most of the kids chose chicken nuggets over the turkey because the turkey had gravy on it). Because so many kindergarten parents attend the meal, the kindergartners ate at 10:15 so they could have the cafeteria all to themselves. As you can imagine, the lunchroom was filled with adorable children and parents armed with cameras. Prior to the feast, the children made outfits for themselves and the teachers gave them Indian names. My son proudly wore the name Speeding Arrow. He is convinced the teacher gave him this name because he "runs so fast." It could also be that he was given this name because he rushes through his work, but I am sure his teacher will never share her reason. :) I am so thankful for my Speeding Arrow, and I am thankful that he has such a wonderful school!

Labels: My Favorite Boy

Labels: My Best Girl

Labels: Family and Friends, Fun, My Best Girl

Labels: Fun, My Best Girl, My Favorite Boy