New Year's Rockin Eve!

We had big plans for tonight.
A party with friends,
Singstar & Rock Band.
But, when those plans fell through,
we made better ones.

The Hubs,
Me,
A Hailey Cat,
A Sascha Bear,
and a Rory Bird.

A delicious meal
of the tastiest spaghetti,
crusty French Bread,
and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip cookies!

Games,
movies,
snuggles,
and 2009 Party Hats.

Who will last until midnight?

Market Musing, Loopy Laptop, Happy Hundred!

This evening I got to go to the market
all by myself.
Is it weird for me to say that I feel naked
without my children?
Because I do.
Even though it was enjoyable to not have to balance
Rory standing in the seat,
Sascha running down the aisles,
& Hailey begging for a cookie -
I missed them.

People paid me no attention
without my gaggle of girls!
There were no smiles of understanding from other mothers,
no, "You've got your hands full!" from old men.
(I get that ALL the time)
I was just another lady
pulling together some odds & ends for dinner.
I did not like it.

There are certain places where I like to shop alone,
where being able to stroll the aisles leisurely
or try on something cute
is far better when I'm by myself.
But the grocery store is not that place, I guess.
I don't like being just another face,
I relish being the mother with her hands full.

I apologize for my lack of pictures these past few posts.
Two things led to that:
1. I can't find my camera battery.
2. Milk was spilled on my laptop by one of my monkeys.
Please keep your fingers crossed that this will be a minor
hiccup, and the dudes at the Apple store will say,
"Hey, you're a mother with her hands full.
This will only take a second, and we'll do it for free!"
That would be sweet.

Finally, this post is numero 100!
Woo Hoo! Go me!
I'll think I'll do a few hundred more.

Date Night!

Tonight the little ones went to Nana's,
and The Hubs & I went out for Sushi.
I'm not sure if it was because I'm under the weather
or if the restaurant just serves yucky sushi,
but nothing tasted right.

After a quick bite we headed to Target
and stocked up on cold season medicines.
Hailey & Sascha stayed with Nana
and we brought Rory home.

I think I'll take some of that medicine now.

Sick and Tired

of being sick and tired.

Ahhhhhhhh!

Tonight Rory screamed 

for an hour and a half 

before she fell asleep.

I couldn't tell what was wrong,

but it seemed she was a little miffed

to be out past her bedtime,

over at Nana's for a delicious meal

with my cousins.

I hate moments like that.

When the usual songs,

and cuddles,

just don't work.

I guess sometimes little ones just need

to cry it out.

Add to the screaming,

the fact that she learned how to climb 

out of her crib -

and it's been one heck of a night!

So, I'm going to bed,

with my baby right next to me.

I'll fix her crib....

tomorrow.

Ice Ice Baby

This morning I loaded up the troops 

to hit the after Christmas sales.

Mom, Mahoney & Seaband came along for the ride.

I was shocked to find my car

covered in ice!

Luckily the man from the WY

comes equipped with an ice pick thingamabobber.

He de-iced the windows 

while we tried not to slip

on my ice covered grass.

A crazy morning for us native Californians!

He Came!!!

Another fabulous day!

Santa stopped at our house,

and made three little ladies very happy.

Then it was off to Nana & Papa's

for a delicious brunch

with Uncle Fred & The Seevers.

Now we are back home.

The rain is coming down in buckets.

The girls are happily playing,

and I am so so blessed.

Christmas Eve = Oma's House

My Meesie is sick.

Today was rough.

My love decided to stay home

and take care of the sweet Meese,

and I took Sasch & Hailey

out to my Oma's for Christmas Eve

festvities.

Christmas Eve is a major night in my family.

Everyone on my mom's side gathers at

my Oma's house for dinner, laughter, presents,

and love.

All in all there were 17 of us,

missing John & Rory

& Michael & Casey.

With Christmas traffic

it took us 2 hours to get there.

I was so tired from a long day

of caring for my sweet baby.

So when I was gifted with

a large chai on my arrival,

I was very grateful.

The evening was wonderful,

the food was great,

but I kept missing & worrying about 

my sweet babe.

Now that I'm home,

I have presents to wrap,

and then it's off to bed to await Santa's arrival.

Today - Tonight

Today I watched Meesie make a mash up

of cheerios & goldfish.

Tonight the girls & I have a date 

to see High School Musical:

The Ice Tour.

I'm sure it will be Fabulous!

Kiddo Christmas Party

Today I had my besties and the legacies over 

for a Kiddo Christmas Shindig!

Candace & Miss Allegra

Linsey & Miss Delaney

Aimee will never tell!

The girls shared secrets & candy canes in the playhouse.

Chloe & Sascha found new places to hide...

and the silliness didn't stop!

We had a fabulous day! 

And now I'm so tired, 

I can barely keep my eyes open!

They're Cousins...

Tonight we watched my cousin Joshua,

who is visiting from MD.

What a time was had!

Sweet Mickey Lollipops,

and a trip to see some lights.

All bundled up,

and so excited!

OOOOH!

AHHHH!

That last one was a live Nativity!

Wasn't it amazing?

I thought so too. 

I Love U 2

A Christmasy Adventure

This morning I sent Hailey off to school with a smile on her face.

She knew today would bring Hot Chocolate 

& Gingerbread Home Construction.

The little ones & I were headed on an adventure.

An adventure to meet Mr. Santa Nicholas Claus.

I have not done this since Hailey was 6 months old.

We have waved to Santa from afar,

but Hailey never wanted to wait in line to sit on his lap,

and I didn't either.

Sascha, as per usual, had her own agenda. 

She wanted to sit on his lap, request a camera 

and Mitchie & Shane dolls, give him a picture

and say thank you.

So, off we went to The Spectrum,

much to Sascha's disappointment, 

for this was NOT The North Pole.

We arrived at Santa's House 

twenty minutes early and staked our claim.

For a moment Sascha forgot 

one of Santa's main rules,

You better not pout!

She soon remembered...

We waited patiently as the minutes ticked by,

mothers would come & ask what time

Santa would grace us with his presence.

They looked at me like I was batty 

for being so early, but I was the happy one 

when they returned to find a line 

stretched behind Santa's house.

Sascha took it upon herself to alert 

every new child that Santa had not arrived.

She tried very hard to make the other

children comfortable, sometimes to their chagrin.

The Meese loved standing at the door waiting. 

It was her stage.

She smiled & waved at the people

and spoke her native Meesie tongue

throwing in "Santa" &  "Ho Ho Ho"

for good measure.

Finally, late but worth the wait,

we met Santa!

He was kind, and when Rory 

was NOT going to sit on his lap,

he offered his bench

and I got to snap 2 pictures,

free of charge!

One!

& Two!

(Doesn't Rory look thrilled!?!)

After their toy requests were submitted,

and proper thanks were given,

we headed to lunch

and Meesie tried her first candy cane.

Then abruptly returned

the Red Dye #3 stick to me.

As I ordered our lunch,

Sascha told me she wanted water,

which the restaurant offers for free.

I turn around to see her drinking from 

a pilfered water bottle,

apparently she meant right that second!

We waited patiently,

then feasted on crepes.

One pizza,

one chicken & cheese.

Both delicious.

Afterwards, we took Santa's early Christmas treat,

a free mini cup from Golden Spoon,

(we chose Peanut Butter Cup - yum!)

and watched the ice skaters go round

and round.

Then Sascha bundled up,

and declared it was time to leave.

So we did,

and the girls were fast asleep by the time 

we hit the freeway.

An Early Present

Last year I made a video for my husband

of me singing a Christmas song,

since he says I never sing to him.

Which is funny because I sing ALL the time.

I guess it was the "to him" part that was missing.

He loved it.

Afterward, I convinced my Mom & my Sis to do this...

I'm still trying to get them together

for a little ditty this year.

Any requests?

:)

Dear Santa,

A Novice I am Not

I invite you to click on this link

http://triviapark.com/quizzes/xmasquiz.html

And take the Novice Quiz.

I'd like to say I'm not a Novice 

because I rocked said test.

Alas, I failed.

But, that's not going to stop me 

from taking the advanced one!

How'd you do?

It's Raining, It's Pouring!

We spent the day playing.

I kept Hailey home, 

with a pretend cold.

To avoid evacuating.

Long Night

Yesterday, 

The Hubs pretended it was Thanksgiving again.

He made a turkey,

and stuffing

& veggies

& rolls.

It was delish.

After, we decided to put the girls in their wagon

and walk around the neighborhood 

admiring all the Christmas lights.

Plus, it would be a good way to work off our feast.

Off we go!

Who knew three little gals could be so heavy?

The Best House in the 'Hood

---------------------------------------

But the night didn't end there for me.

My parental units were having 

some holiday festivities of their own, 

and since we were unable

to find a sitter, 

I went stag.

Although the company was fun,

and the desserts so yummy,

I did not like going stag,

so I went home to my honey.

But not before I snapped a few pictures...

The Hostess & Host

Me & Mahoney

Mahoney & Seaband

See you tomorrow!

Three Little Ladies

I found these three little ladies 

at Urban Outfitters 

and had to snatch them up

not only because I love Matryoshka dolls

but because 

one is a brunette,

a red head

and a blonde.

Just like my babushkas.

They are three of the few ornaments 

that are on the bottom rungs of the tree

since Sascha & Rory like to play with them.

My Miss Hailey

My Miss Sascha

My Miss Rory

They make me smile,

just like my little ladies do.

It's Beginning to Smell a Lot Like Christmas

Since our tree is figgidy-fake,

I made the executive decision

that our home needed a fresh tree smell.

So, off to Costco we went,

where they have huge

pre-decorated wreaths

for a whopping $15.

But even with the holly,

and pine cones,

and some sort of other greenery

it still needed the P touch.

I give you in order,

going clockwise,

"Holly Jolly Dolly"

"Bubble"

"Candy Con"

"Sissus"

"Noel"

&

"Birdie Bird"

They are so lucky

to perch upon

the smelly goodness.

A Letter to My Bubba

Dear Hailey,

I think it is ridiculous that you 

have to go to school 

during the month of December. 

You should be home right now, 

snuggling with me on the couch.

We could watch Smoky Mountain 

& The Polar Express.

We could drink hot chocolate,

and make our gingerbread house.

We could even try to finish

our giant Rudolph puzzle.

It feels a little less Christmasy 

when you are not here.

I guess we will just have to wait

until the weekend.

I'm counting the minutes

until I pick you up.

Miss you.

Love you,

Mommy

I Want Some More

Tonight I made a low budget version

of the classic

S'mores.

It's nothing but high class

for my girls.

I grabbed...

+

+

Thanks, Santa!

Then I threw some marshmallows & kisses into a bowl,

and zapped them in the microwave.

Stirred them together,

and WAH-LA!

Smeared that on a Graham...

And made two little ladies

very,

very,

HAPPY!

Thank goodness for Palmolive!

Caught ya!

This afternoon was quiet.

Too quiet.

So, I went on a search for the ladies

and instead I found Santa in the making.

There was careful application...

And hoots and hollas from the Elfin Princess

And finally they noticed me...

"What?"

And she shook when she laughed like 

a bowl full of jelly

or a pregnant lady.

I wasn't sure.

Here, we've only got one rule:

Never ever let it cool!

Family Dinner

Tonight we went over to my Mom's for Family Dinner.

More often than not, that is where we are on 

Sunday Nights.

Tonight we feasted on Lasagna.

Yum-my.

We followed up with delicious 

chocolate cookies made by Chels.

I am stuffed, 

still.

We ate, talked, laughed, 

and then 

Rory cleaned up

as Papa watched football,

Hailey read a book,

and Sascha & Nana shared secrets on the stairs.

The evening was altogether

delightful.

You're a Mean One Mrs. Grinch

I took a picture of myself today

and wanted to share it 

with you.

This tends to happen to me

at some point during the decorating portion

of my favorite holiday season.

I just can't bring myself to finish.

I feel overwhelmed with all I have to do.

So, I do nothing,

and Grinch.

At my Grinchiest

I decided to get out of the house.

Fresh air always does my body good.

I headed to the craft store,

and rediscovered my spirit.

I came up with an idea for my niece,

and my nephew,

and my other niece too.

I even used my coupon,

double score!

I arrived home full of renewed energy

and ideas.

I decorated.

I made dinner.

I painted.

I Un-Grinched.

And now I look like this...

Christmas Must Have #3

Christmas Music

Come on over to my house

and you'll hear the sweet lutes

of these fine folks...

We'll jig while Bing sings us Christmas in Killarney,

and do the hula during Mele Kalikimaka.

Well, I will at least.

Then we'll drink hot chocolate

with whipped cream

or marshmallows.

I'll let you pick, 

while we listen to

Amy.

Then we'll kick it up a notch

while we bake some cookies

and rock out to...

and I'll tell you a story about 

how I flipped

a Shag litho

this summer.

What would you bring to play?

Decorations of Red on a Green Christmas Tree

Tonight John put the tree up,

and we did some decorating.

Actually, I let the girls decorate.

(Rory decided to sample the ornaments...

no thanks!)

And with every crash

and smash

and "Sorry, mommy."

I did my best not to cringe

and instead said,

"It's okay!"

Usually the tree is my domain.

So, I may just have to "adjust" certain areas.

Plus, they could only reach so high.

So, the middle 

and top are calling

out to me - "What about us???"

(What about everything we've been through?

What about trust?

You know I never wanted to hurt you.)

I wonder how the tree looks to the girls

because it is pretty awesome

to

little 

ol'

me!

Christmas Must Have #2

Christmas Movies

&

& 

and my personal favorites...

Bing Crosby is my Edward.

And the dancing! Oh the dancing!

Danny Kaye, well...

 he can be my Jacob.

Then there is this jewel of a movie,

which if you haven't seen,

you are not experiencing full Christmas joy.

Way back in the 80's 

me and the fam watched this movie

over and over

until the VHS broke.

CMT now shows it, 

and will be showing it

December 8th.

Go set your TIVO.

You won't be sorry.

Christmas Must Have #1

Matching Christmas PJ's

So Warm

and

So Cozy

Sascha can't be bothered 

to turn her head

towards the camera.

She's watching Christmas Must Have #2.

Stuffed with a Kiss

My mom gave me this advent calendar 

our first Christmas in our new house.

It was one of my favorite decorations

when I was a little lady.

The little countdown boxes 

hold two Hershey Kisses 

perfectly.

So every day I will see this ...

and this ...

just like Chels and I used to do.