My 35th Birthday

It came. It went. I don't feel any different. Turning 30 was harder on me then turning 35.

We didn't really do anything yesterday. We kind of celebrated as a family on Saturday. Pete and I took the kids to the pool (we each worked out while one parent swam with the kids) and then we went out to a Hibachi restaurant for dinner. After dinner Pete and Izzy went to pick me up a present at Dick's Sporting Goods while Drew and I went to Target. We met back up at home where Izzy showed me that Pete bought her Dora Saves the Snow Princess for the Wii. ...hmmmm, thought they were shopping for me?

So yesterday, my actual birthday, Pete had to work so the kids and I just kind of hung out. We did go to the bank where the kids convinced the bank lady to give them each two lollipops. Then we went to Costco. We all ate lunch at Costco just off the awesome samples being given out! Pizza, salami, chicken nuggets, chips and dips, veggies with hummus, tiramisu, chocolate milk...all sorts of greats stuff.

Once at home I treated myself to a nap while Izzy had quiet time and Drew napped. Then Pete took the kids to DQ to pick up my requested cake. Once they got back home we had dinner - well the kids did as I didn't want any dinner because I just planned to gorge myself on wine and ice cream cake - Izzy wanted to know when my friends would be here for the party. I had to explain that it was just us. I think she was genuinely sad for me that I wasn't going to get a party.

I didn't need a stinkin party. I had my DQ cake and my favorite party pals!


Before blowing out the candles I told the kids I needed a kiss.




And finally I made my wish...


I must say the cake was not up to DQ standards. I was disappointed in both the appearance and the writing. Pete wasn't sure the lady spoke English, and they were out of cakes so she had to go whip it up in the back. Oh well...it was still good enough that I ate 2 pieces last night and 2 more so far today!

Onto the gifts...
Izzy picked out a new red coffee mug for me from Starbucks. She picked it out because she knows my favorite color is red and that I love me my Starbucks coffee! I also got a new BPA free waterbottle. Izzy also picked this out (I showed her the kind I wanted her to look for on the computer) and she did great getting me a pretty pink one. Now I will feel like I am doing something good for the earth (part of one of my New Year's resolution type plans) by using this at the gym.

My super sweet husband bought me a new camera! Well, he hasn't bought it yet as I am still debating between two. However, I am pretty sure I will go with the Canon Rebel. I want one that has interchangeable lenses. I ALSO want a new point and shoot to carry around in my purse and/or diaper bag. I certainly won't want to ruin my fancy camera and if it is in my diaper bag then it would be in danger :)

We can't forget my new sewing machine which was a gift for my birthday from my mom. And my in-laws got me a gift card to Target. Thanks! And last but not least I got lots and lots of birthday wishes from all sorts of friends that I have reconnected with on facebook. If you want to feel like a superstar on your birthday just get yourself a FB account!

Overall I am looking forward to being 35. I am at a very comfortable place in my life and I love it. For the first time since having kids I can finally breathe a little easier and am looking forward to having a bit more time to think about "me" this year :)

Disney on Ice

About 6 months ago we purchased some tickets to Disney on Ice for December 4th. I thought we should only get 2 tickets so either Pete or myself could go with Izzy, but Pete really thought Drew would be fine. So, we got tickets for all of us (and our friends RC and Stephanie). Well, unfortunately due to the death of my uncle we would be gone on December 4th. After trying to figure out how to manipulate the system and still be able to attend a show with the least cost to us we were able to change our tickets. Do you know that all it took was a phone call to Ticketmaster? Ticketmaster charges you ridiculous amounts for processing fees and taxes per ticket, but they sure were kind when switching our show date. Go figure. We were even upgraded and one dollar refunded to me since I had to pick up the tickets at will call. So...off to the show we went!

We knew we had pretty good seats but our seats turned out to be very good. We were three rows from the ice. If the lady in front of us would not have been so big then our seats would have been perfect. Also, if I would have known that kids under 2 were free then I would have only bought 3 tickets and lied about Drew's age. Wrong, yes, but for $35 I would do it. Heck, he sat on my lap, Izzy sat on Pete's lap and RC on her mom's lap! We had 6 seats, but only used 3. Drew was a bit hesitant as we approached our seats. He whined a bit and said, "go back in mama's car". About 5 minutes into the show though, he was mesmerized.

RC and Stephanie...it was loud so RC sat like this most of the show.


Daddy and his girl


Me and my boy


It was going back and seeing these pictures that I realized both my kids REALLY needed haircuts. We did get them a week later, but I did not take any pictures.

The show was about how Mickey and Minnie were kidnapped and needed to be saved by The Incredibles. It is after this show that Drew's love affair with Mr. Incredible really took off. Almost a month later and I am still referred to as Violet on a daily basis...and he is still walking around with a Tupperware container on his head.

Both kids sat like this for the entire show


While I was waiting in line to pick up our tickets the kids scoped out the loot table. Pete told them after the show they could each pick out something. Well, they both wanted binoculars so at the intermission Pete went to get them. $10 each. ...those were one of the cheaper gifts (heck, RC's gross lollipop was $4) and they still play with them.

It is very important when 3 rows back from the ice to use binoculars.


Some of the characters we saw. Each time someone Drew recognized would skate by our seats he would frantically wave and yell, "Hi _____". That kid cracks us up.

I think Pluto heard him




We can't forget about Buzz Lightyear (even though the picture if awful)




And last but not least, what would an ice show be without...

Check Me Out

Possible mid-life crisis?

I am about to turn 35 on Monday.

So, a few weeks ago my mom calls me to discuss my birthday present. She tells me that she is getting a sewing machine and wonders if I want one. I pause. I think. Do I want a sewing machine? Well, I am not sure? I tell my mom that I was just recently thinking how nice it would be to learn to sew. I had even joked about it with Pete. You see, I don't own a needle and thread. I *may* have a sewing kit that I got in a hotel room, but I couldn't tell you where? My mom goes on to say that she will teach me how to use it while she is here at Christmas. So, did I want a sewing machine...

Sure, why not! I certainly would like to own one, but it wasn't something that I was planning to purchase. I tell my mom that I think having a sewing machine would be great, but don't expect me to use it often. In fact, chances are I won't really use it much in the next year or two. You see, there are many lessons I want to take in the future, but like most moms my needs are placed on the back burner. I certainly am not complaining as I LOVE and ADORE being home with my kids...I just wanted my mom to understand why this piece of equiptment would sit alone in a closet for quite some time.

Good to her word my mom hooked me up with my first lesson while she was here over Christmas. I had recently bought some curtains, if you can call them curtains as they are more like one long piece of fabric that I loop and drape, that needed to be hemmed. You want to know how not sewing savvy I am? I didn't realize that you needed thread come from both the top and bottom to sew a stitch. I think should I have given it some thought (cause WHY would I really ever think about such a thing) I might have figured it out, but I didn't know when my mom was setting up my machine. The set up alone with threading the bobbin and all the other junk that needed prepping took forever. Then we had to measure, chalk, cut, measure again, hem, measure again, sew some more - and that was only the FIRST curtain.

Bless Izzy and Drew because they sat at the table watching me sew and cheering the entire time. Each time I stopped they would applaud and say "yeah Mama!" In fact, Izzy has already requested that I sew her a dinosaur.

I must be going through a mid-life crisis of some sort, huh? Soon I will be sewing my own clothes, homeschooling, growing my own veggies, giving up my cell phone and Starbucks, and not shaving :)

Our Christmas Day

Since there are lots of pictures to share, I guess I should just jump right in. We had a great Christmas over here. Heck, we had a great December - I still have more posts to come regarding some of the fun things that took place in December.

Christmas was really fun this year with a 2 and 3 year old. I can only imagine that the next few years will be even better! There really is nothing quite as magical as experiencing the wonderment of the season through the eyes of a child.

Setting out cookies, milk and a note for Santa.

We also left food for Santa's reindeer on the front lawn. The kids had so much fun sprinkling it all over. We have now had an increase in the number of squirrels spotted out front as well. ...guess they like reindeer food.

Once the kids were in bed, Pete and I got started on setting out the presents. I finished up some wrapping while Pete worked on some assembling.

Drew's tool bench - assembled by Pete


Izzy's Barbie Dream House - also assembled by Pete


Our stockings hung by the chimney with care...



It wasn't a late night wrapping and preparing for Christmas day. I think I went to bed around 11? The next morning Pete headed to Starbucks for coffee. It opened at 7 (Pete left at 6:45)and typically 7:15 is the earliest Izzy wakes up. Wouldn't you know she woke up as he pulled out the driveway. I had to keep her entertained upstairs for 30 min! Talk about tough stuff.

Once Pete got home, we woke up Drew and headed downstairs. The kids "big" gifts were in plain site, but didn't even get noticed for a good 5-10 min. As soon as we walked into the room where the gifts were, Izzy asked Drew is he wanted to open the gift she got for him. He said "Okay, Izzy." Izzy handed him his gift and then the two of them sat in the middle of the floor while Drew opened his reindeer headband :) I think we were all a bit misty eyed at the tender moment shared between the two of them. I have mentioned so many times what a gentle nature and caring heart Izzy has, but it really showcased itself at that moment. She then proceeded to hand out all the other gifts she selected. She was so excited to be passing out the gifts she hand selected - not even giving a thought to opening anything for herself. Sweet sweet girl.

Papa's gift

It was a lime green hockey stick. At the store she picked it up and said "Oh, Papa will love this cause he loves to golf." I told her it was a hockey stick and she said, "but that is okay, because it is shaped like a golf club so I know Papa will love it." Papa told Izzy it was the best gift he has ever gotten!

Izzy's other gift picks were: for me and my mom we each got a megaphone. Mine had Tinkerbell and was lime green. Omi's was blue with Ariel on it. Pete got a candy cane full of M&M's. Grandma and Grandpa each got bells that hang on the door. Grandma's were gold and had lots of small bells. Grandpa's was blue and was one large bell. Grandpa Dave got a door hanger as well, but his was a made of felt and a reindeer. She also picked out rubber piggy banks for her friends Delaney and Jack. Delaney's is purple and Jack's is blue. Izzy and Jack don't really ever see one another anymore, but she has been mentioning him quite a bit lately. I am pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that he is moving.

Okay, back to Christmas morning. This was MY most favorite gift. Izzy made it at school. She brought it home in a gift bag that she had stamped with holiday images. There was also an angel ornament and sled ornament with her picture used on them. This was made from both her hands and her foot prints.


Finally after spotting their stockings and a couple well placed questions by Pete, Izzy saw her Barbie Dream House.


Izzy's most requested gift from Santa was Baby Alive. I had my reservations about this doll, but let me tell you that it is really really cute! I think my family is afraid I am going to turn into a crazy lady who carries a baby doll around. In my defense it really is pretty cool.


Drew's most requested gift from Santa was the Batcave (Pete influenced this request heavily). Here he is opening his present. Look at the level of concentration on his face.


Here are Omi and Papa looking at a photobook that I created for them.


Here is Papa reading the note that Santa left for Izzy and Drew.


Here is a shot of one of our many countdown to Christmas things. Growing up my mom made one of these for my brothers and me so I decided to do it with my kids. The funny thing is that over Thanksgiving both my brothers asked if I had made it yet. It is so simple, yet something that all three of us remember from our Christmases. Typically green poster board is used for the tree, but Izzy decided she wanted a yellow tree. Hey, yellow is a fun happy color so why not? Each day each child got to take off one Hershey kiss. Finally on the last day I remembered to get a picture.



After we opened all gifts and had breakfast we decided to go for a walk. While walking the golf course both kids wanted to burn some energy and run. Well, Drew had on his fuzzy crocs which aren't so great for running. The third fall resulted in a scraped nose - now he looks like Rudolph. He still loves the Batcave though!


Some things I want to remember...
While all the presents were great, the kids seem to be having so much fun with the harmonicas (my Monica as Drew calls it) and Slinky's. I really could have stopped at the stockings :) Also, it seems that both kids love one an other's gifts as much as their own. Izzy loves to play with the tool benchand Batcave and Drew LOVES to play with the Barbie horse and carriage and Barbie Dream House.



...don't even get me started on how he asks Baby Alive if she wants to play Batman with him. "Baby Alive, you wanna pay Batman wiff me? You wanna pay Batman wiff me Baby Alive?" It makes me think he may really dig another sibling :)

Izzy Knows Her Shapes...

Setting:
Izzy, Drew and Pete watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

Izzy: Hey Daddy, you and Pete have the same name.
Pete: Yes, but he doesn't look like me. I am skinny like Goofy.
Izzy: If you were skinny like you Goofy then you would be a rectangle, but Daddy you are shaped like an oval.

...after the show Pete headed to the gym.

Meet Buzz Lightyear

Drew is very much into Buzz Lightyear as well as Mr. Incredible these days. We are currently on day 5 of Drew and his new accessory. ...a Tupperware container worn on his head.



He wears that container on his head all day long. And by all day, I mean ALL DAY! He wears it to take Izzy to school. He wears it while we run errands (both while sitting in his carseat and in the stores). He wears it while he eats. He even wears it when he goes to sleep. When you ask him who he is he usually responds, "Buzz Lightyear. Space Ranger." Every once in a while he decides to be Mr. Incredible. ...and when he is in the Mr. Incredible roll then I am Violet ;) He even likes to pretend that we talk on the phone and he addresses me as Violet.

I love that both my kids have such great imaginations and enjoy playing pretend. I even love that he wears that goofy hat out in public - it certainly is a conversation starter. He gets many smiles, especially from the older ladies.

...and here is a picture of Miss Iz as to not be outdone by Buzz.

Gingerbread House

Sunday night we decided to make our gingerbread house. Last year we did it while Drew took a nap. ...this year we let the little bugger play too.

Here they are carefully surveying all the goods needed for our task at hand.


Upon further examination they discover there is candy involved...


Izzy explains to Drew what the candies are to be used for...


He's not so sure he likes her lecture on how to place the candies so he sneaks a bit of frosting...


Finally with all instructions from Izzy in place Drew is able to get in on the action...


What's a gingerbread house without a gingerbread man?


The finished project...

Just the Driver

Today Pete and I split up :) We each took one kid and ran errands. I don't know if Pete has ever taken just Drew with him before? While the guys headed to a manly store, Home Depot, us gals went Christmas shopping.

Today was Izzy's trip to the Dollar Store to do her holiday shopping. She was super excited! She even talked to Omi (my mom) on the phone on the way there to tell her what we were doing. As we were driving Izzy and I went over the list of who she needed to buy for. She was very concerned that I might see the present she was going to pick out for me. I assured her that she could get mine last and then get into the check-out line and I would promise not to peak. She is smart and asked me if I would please show her where she needed to pay when we got to the store so she knew where to go. I told her that I needed to be able to see her at all times, but that she was on her own and could pick out whatever she wanted for people. She then said to me with the such sweet innocence, "Mom, you know...I can do everything at the store by myself. I really only need you because I can't drive yet." So smart that kid ;)

I had visions of us perusing the entire store before selecting anything for anyone. I figured she would need to see what all she could choose from. Reality: Izzy chose gifts for 7 adults and Drew within the first three rows! She then picked up a gift for two of her friends. I handed her basket over and she got in line. She was 4th in line and looked SO cute! There were some very sweet people both in front and behind her and commented how big she was. She then smiled politely, but didn't speak. I was a few feet away and explained how she was doing her Christmas shopping. Oh how those old folks loved that. They got all weepy eyed on her. After she placed all her gifts on the conveyor belt she yelled to me that I could come pay now. If I would have had enough cash I would have let her pay herself, but I had to use my card. Once the things were all bagged up she insisted on carrying them to the car.

Now that we are back home she has taken everything up to her room for us to wrap. I asked if she wanted to wrap them after quiet time and she said no. She said she needed to play with a couple of them first :)

Pete and Drew got home shortly after us and I asked Pete how it went with Drew. He said he was very entertaining to all. He was wearing his Drew shirt and a Santa hat. I can only imagine that he probably waved and said hi to everyone while also wishing them a "Happy Thanksgiving"...we need to inform him that Christmas is upon us.

Next up...Gingerbread House!

Back to Basics

No pictures today. ...just thought I should put that out there.

Back when I signed Izzy up for school three days a week, I assumed that every Monday Drew and I would go to the Children's Museum for some fun. Well, we did that for a couple weeks, but then I got greedy and started running errands and trying to clean my house. Well today I decided that I needed to remember my little guy and have some fun with him. So after we ran a quick errand we headed to Pump It Up.

Pump it Up is an indoor bounce place. I invited some of our other friends: Riley, Zach, Alexandra and their mommy's. When I told Drew who would be joining us he named them all off and then added, "Mama we gotta lot a friends!" I said we indeed do :) The kids had a blast and I worked up a nice sweat. While bouncing we got Chick-fil-A coupons for free kids meals. So, after I picked up Izzy from school we headed out for lunch. All of the above named friends joined us as well as Jen, Delaney and Mia. Lunch was had and then lots more indoor playing.

Now we are home for Drew's nap and Izzy's quiet time. After that we will head out for Izzy to do her Christmas shopping. I stole an idea from an online friend. She had her son pick out gifts for everyone at the dollar store and I thought that was such a great idea. I told Izzy about it and she can't wait to go. Of course she did ask if Drew would be getting a present for her. I am just excited to see what she picks out for everyone.

Leader Day

Last Friday was Izzy's leader day at school. If you recall we got back home very late from our Reading, PA trip. I gave her the option of not going to school, but she would not hear of it. She insisted that I wake her for school because she was the leader. The leader gets to do very important things: sit in a special chair, give the weather report (after going to look out the window), dress the frog in the appropriate outfit based on the weather, choose the "activity" to do based on the date (clapping, jumping or tongue clicking are popular choices), and perhaps the most important job itself is that of the actual line leader. Oh, and you get to bring snack too ;)

Doesn't she look cute for her special day...

Christmas Cookies

I am so far behind on things that I need to blog about - I still have Thanksgiving stuff, plus all the other Christmas crafts and baking we have been doing. But, I thought since I am behind as it is that I would just pick right up and blog about what we did today.

We started off our morning with a fun playdate at one of Izzy's classmates house. Her mom was brave enough to invite all the girls in Izzy's class over for a couple hours. There were 7 girls from Izzy's class, Drew, and another little girl that one of the mom's watches. The girls (and Drew) had so much fun! It went so smoothly that I think I will offer to host another girl playdate in January. ...I didn't break out the camera though because I don't know the moms well enough to let them in on my camera/blog obsession.

So, once home from the playdate we had lunch, watched a Christmas show and by 1 the kids were down for nap and quiet time. At 3 RC and her mom arrived and we got to work on making some Christmas cookies. I found a "no chill" dough so we whipped that up and were suprised at how well the cookies turned out. I had about 5 Christmas cookie cutters, but the girls also insisted on using Valentine's Day cookie cutters as well.

Here is Drew showing off the "X" cookie cutter (from Valentine's Day XOXO set). If it were an "L" then he could be showing me the loser sign :)


Getting down and dirty with the flour


Cookies just bring out the best in people


Drew taste testing. Next time he should go for the dough and not the flour.


Nothing makes Izzy happier than a little kitchen creativity.




We have lots of fun stuff planned for this weekend. We plan to make our gingerbread house and possibly visit the Grinch at his castle. Til then~

The Trip Home

We left for Reading, PA on Tuesday and the drive went awesome. We had services and such on Wednesday, and the kids rocked! So, the trip home Thursday could not possibly be great too. ...or could it?

It couldn't ;)

I think most people would have been very happy with how our drive home went. However, most people didn't get to do the drive there with not a single problem. Not a whine, a cry, a fight, a push, an ugly face, or a look in the wrong direction. They were perfectly pleasant and I actually enjoyed our time together in the car. I was able to catch up on some phone calls while the kids watched shows. We also belted out Christmas carols at the top of our lungs. As we drove through Washington, DC, we saw lots of helicopters and big buildings (that I pretended to know the names of). So...the trip back wasn't nearly as great.

I let the kids sleep in on Thursday morning. My family was meeting for breakfast, but there was no way I was waking my kids to get them dressed and out the door in time. Not to mention I had to pack up our rooms and the car. So, when my mom called to see if we were coming...well, she woke us...and it was 9. We got up and went downstairs in our pj's to try and beg for food. Who can say no to kids in footie pj's? They scored some yogurt, dry cereal (fruit loops - a new fave), banana and apple. LOVE that hotel! Once back in our room the kids ate while I packed the car. We then headed on out to market. The market is one of my most favorite places in Reading. It is a place filled with all sorts of yummy scrumdillicious food. The kids got cookies and doughnuts while I opted for iced bear claws and cream filled powdered doughnuts! It was there that we said our goodbyes to my Mom and Al.

The drive home really wasn't all that bad. We stopped once at McDonald's. After that Drew fell asleep for 42 minutes and then cried for 40 min! That was the worse of it.

...and I almost hit 2 deer.

We are thankful to have made the quick journey without any major mishaps. ...and now we are so thankful to be home.

Reading, PA

So today was a hard day (December 3rd). It was my uncle's funeral. It was a beautiful service with so many people sharing wonderful stories about my uncle. Uncle Glenn had such a quick wit about him and always kept you laughing. Hearing so many stories was just the comic relief needed from the sadness of the day.

Onto the kids. I can't say enough about how great Izzy and Drew have handled the entire trip thus far. I had to get all of us up, dressed, fed and out the door, and to the church by 9. When I woke Drew up, he looked at me and then immediately buried his head back in his blanket and said, "No Mama! I say NO Mama!"

Once at the church, I was able to steer the kids past the viewing and into the church nursery. The church had arranged for sitter to watch the kids. For those that know me, and my children, you are aware that we don't separate well. Izzy has always been very attached to me, and Drew is following suit. I don't go to the YMCA to work out because after 15 min. they come get me. I stopped going to MOPS because they would eventually have to come get me. I don't drop the kids off for playdates because it is too stressful. ...and we have only had a couple babysitters and usually Izzy opts to go to bed before we leave. SO, I was not to hopeful that this church nursery scenario was going to work. Not only did the kids do great, but they were in there for 4 hours! A couple times during the viewing someone would stop in and say hello to them, but for the 90+ min. service they were on their own. I was so overjoyed that it worked out as well as it did. I really wanted to see the service and thankfully I was able.

I chose to hop out of the funeral procession line to the cemetery and instead took the kids for some lunch. Where? Chuck E Cheese! I thought the kids could blow off some steam, and I really wanted to enjoy my babies having fun after the emotional morning. So we hung out for about an hour and then headed to the reception celebrating my uncle.

Izzy had a thing for the horses...


Drew was more into watching Chuck...


or sitting right beside him...


Here they are riding together...


Drew's favorite game was the whackamole game. Look at the concentration.


The kids also had a good time dancing in front of the blue screen and watching themselves on the tv's.


After playing lots of games, and picking up random tickets off the floor we collected enough tickets for eye patches and mini lollipops.

The eye patches have brought hours of entertainment for both Izzy and Drew. I have had to use lots of tape to fix tears where the elastic breaks away. ...maybe Santa can find some sturdier ones? ...it also makes me realize that the capes I bought for Christmas are going to be a big hit. Those little buggers love to pretend ;)


After the reception we quick grabbed our swimsuits from our hotel and headed to Uncle Wesley's hotel to swim. Mom, Al, Aunt Barbara, Cousin Mark and Uncle Wes all hung with us while we went swimming and then we all just hung out a little while longer. Finally it was back to the hotel where the kids crashed hard!

A picture with Omi and Papa...