Don't Read It Aloud

Only two spills today: Sprite (by Mary Claire on the carpet, and Coke (by Ches down the refrigerator).  And Ethan did pretty well-his medicine totally turned him around!  Hyper, fun, and no fever! Yay!  He did blow his nose a lot-getting all that gunk out.  I hope he doesn't start having sinus infections like me. : (  They are awful.

I keep working on the kids' Christmas lists.  We've decided not to take anything back (except a game I double bought! oops.)  We'll just buy Mary Claire one more thing (she's a hundred dollars behind the other two!).  I think I'm going to get her an American Girl outfit.  There are lots sold out/backordered online, but I'll choose something better. : )  I can't for the life of me find the book where she circled all she wanted!  I can find one catalog where she only circled a charm, but not the outfit that came with it.  That won't do.  My goal is to finish my shopping...by Thursday? : )

Sometimes..you shouldn't read the Bible aloud with your sweet, innocent ten-year-old.  Clay has been reading his Bible (and started at the beginning), and tonight he wanted me to start where he left off.  Umm..God must have had a hand in this.  Seriously.  Genesis 19 is like the worst chapter!  I hated to read it aloud (especially since I couldn't explain and didn't want him exposed to those ideas), and I've never been more embarrassed of the book of my faith.  It was so hard.  So, I'm reading Sodom & Gomorrah.  The part about all the village people wanting to "be" with the two visitors (angels), I just said they wanted to abuse him (what else to call it?).  In my (Catholic NRSV) Bible, it says, "Bring them out to us so that we may know them," Genesis 19:5.  In the Kids' Adventure Bible (NIV), it said, "Bring them out to us so that we can have s___ with them."  I just can't write it.  Why, may I ask, does my son's kids' Bible have this in there, but mine doesn't?  (Of course, I'm wishing I'd checked for these things before I bought it.)  It goes on..to the Shameful Origin of Moab and Ammon.  Try to "read" (aloud!) your way through this one.  I kept changing words, but Clay couldn't figure out why the girls were getting their dad drunk with wine.  Talk about complicated.  I tried to tell him enough that he wouldn't go upstairs and reread it!

So now I'm all stressed, and can't decide whether to take his Bible tomorrow and get him a new one.  He'd notice, but it's a little freaky.  What do you think?

Why couldn't he have started with the New Testament or skipped around like an average kid?  Why, oh, why?

And just think..I was going to call up to Mary Claire to get her Bible and join us-thank the Lord I didn't!  She would've told what it really said.  Oh, gosh-parenting really does get harder as they get older.  Please God, give me grace and proper words to share your Word with my kids, and to listen to You!  Only open my kids' ears to what they can handle (and the other stuff? ..could they please lose their memory?)

Christmas is Coming

Oh gosh-I had to post, because tomorrow I'll have lots more pictures to post! : )  I have to keep up.  Heehee
Today was a great day-a real train ride, a basketball game, church, some Tim's Pizza, and a fun evening at Target! (No pictures from Target!)

Thanks, Sandra for a cute picture with my boy!  This is before we left the station.

Another one of her awesome pictures!

This is the engine that pulled our train.  (Ignore the huge sign!)

He thought this was so cute-a miniature crossing sign!

Emily and Mary Claire sharing a seat.

A lady came along and showed us how to flip the seat back the opposite way-to make the seats face each other.  So handy! : )

I got to sit with this adorable confection! : )  This is Rose-Emily's baby sister!

Santa came to visit!

We didn't get the best smile.

My version of Ethan watching the trees and houses go by.

Sweet Nora!

Sissy after she found out they had hot chocolate for sale outside!

As we pull back into the station.  We were going slow enough it didn't distort the other train. : )

Aww..thanks for a great picture, Sandra!

My sweet kiddos.

I *love* this one!  (check out his hands!)

All around outside, they had games and miniature trains set up!

She was throwing bean bags through the holes in the tree!

This is the only one with both kids, but Ethan is down, and Mary Claire is super high!

Then we had Clay's basketball game!  We missed the first one while we were on the train, but we caught the second one-standing room only!

Ethan entertaining himself, "flying" in his space ship.

Clay in the herd (green, #12)

Under the goal as the basketball (very top) gets ready to swish!

I have to say, getting to the train on time-with two kids to bundle up (the high was going to be 43!) was a little stressful.  Totally worth it, but getting out of here was kinda crazy!  Ches had already left with Clay for his first game, and I was fielding both alone.  Not normally that hard-maybe it was all the mittens, scarves, coats, hats, etc.!
We did fine once we got there.  The kids were so excited-they just wanted to get on the train!  It was a great ride, except that Santa (our surprise) missed the train!  We drove right by him, and waved, then found out he was supposed to be on our train.  We drove down about two blocks, and stopped to wait for him.  He drove up in a little SUV with Mrs. Claus and an elf, and boarded our train!  Ethan asked about 15 times where his sleigh was, and I kept making things up.  He's pretty smart.  Then Santa got off in Lowell, and Ethan wanted to know how he was getting back to his sleigh! Ha.

Last night, I took Mary Claire to the doctor again, she was just sure she had an ear infection.  Enough that she wanted to go to the doctor right after school.  On a Friday!  She did have fluid, but not an infection.  We got a prescription, but we are only supposed to fill it if she wakes up with pain in the night or gets a fever.  I really hope we don't his this point!

Afterwards, we went to Wal-Mart to get a few groceries, and since I'm on the hunt for a Barbie Townhouse, I just thought I'd check.  I didn't have a good plan, but since we were there...  Of course, she wanted to look at toys anyway!  We got Ethan's favorite: the Cris-Cross-Crash and I got him a Thomas train set (like we need another..).  But when she found a Strawberry Shortcake Berry Cafe (like I used to have! and she's gotten rid of I might add..), that's what she wanted.  She said more than the Dream House!  Then she found this sweet fashion boutique, which she had to have!  Well..knowing how things disappear in front of my eyes, I got them both.  Yes, even with her.  I just told her to be surprised on Christmas morning. : )  Ches still wants to get her the Barbie dreamhouse-if we ever find it!

Clay finally did pick out some stuff at Target tonight-he's been adamant he wants this Lionel New York line train at Hobby Lobby, and hasn't picked ANY other thing.  He keeps telling me he's thinking (for two weeks now!)...  But tonight, he found a remote control car, a transformer, an Atari game (it's just the joystick, it plugs into the tv, and has 12 games!), a Lego Toy Story 3 train (which was out of stock!), a remote control tank that comes out of the controller (I know-confusing!), and other stuff not quite so important.  I'm just thrilled there is anything else.  I have to have a mom & dad gift, and a Santa gift at least!  I bought the Atari game thing, as I don't know if it'll sell out.  I guess they are older, and will be glad to know that they have something under there that they know about.  A big secret between us, if you will.  I don't know-maybe I want a little mystery to be gone.  I think the big kids already know about Santa, so maybe this way they see how we work-and they've both seen me buy for the others now too-I'm checking their secret-keeping-skills! : )

Ok, I'd better go to bed-it's 12:30am!  We are going to Missouri to meet Angie and Andalynn tomorrow, to have lunch and drive to Oklahoma to see the Nutcracker ballet!  Mary Claire is excited-she had a new dress she can't wait to wear, and I don't have a clue what I'll wear. : )  More pictures tomorrow!
Ps-what are you getting your kids for Christmas?

Christmas Cards in October!

The Christmas planning has begun. We have bought the kids some Christmas presents (and we aren't buying very many things this year as they complain about cleaning their rooms, Mary Claire wants a smaller room and she wants me to throw her stuff away-yes, really). We got them each a Nintendo DSi game (did I already tell you that?) or system thingie, and one game. Last night Ches and I went out and we got them laser tag things (4 of them), so we could all play. These will probably be from Santa, unless we have The Discussion before then! We are still working on Ethan's gifts. What to get an almost three year old?? That he doesn't already have?

I have a letter I wrote to myself after Christmas of 2005 (it went poorly), and I put it in my calendar and reread and edit it every year. It was a letter to the me of the future, to not make the same mistakes again. Don't you want to write to yourself and remind yourself of the important things? And don't you love to get a letter from someone who truly cares about you (and your sanity)? I do! So, I'm taking notes and getting ready.

I have to remember to start my Christmas notebook early.
Tabs/sections for. . .
Church: MUST go to Children's Mass, or Ches is really unhappy, so plan pizza if you have to on Christmas Eve
Clothes: party outfits and matching outfits for the kids for pictures, parties, Christmas Eve Mass
Food: Christmas Eve and Christmas day dinner menus and plan, cookies, desserts, gifts of food for neighbors, buy wine early
Decorations: plan for decorating and list of dates to have stuff done by (outside lights or not-we blew a light outlet last year!, Christmas trees, stuff to buy, list of stuff to use that we already have, what to not do this year
Christmas Card List/Address List: I've never done a picture card before, but I am this year!! And get this. I've already ordered them, they'll be in next Saturday!!! I'm going to have it so easy this year!! (I hope!)
Picture Schedule: We usually do this for our cards, but hahahaha, don't have to this year! Well, we'll probably take one to keep, but not to mail out. So, much less stress. We usually get our pictures made the day after Halloween, no joke. It's not busy at all, and the kids don't change that much. : )
Gifts: get the lists and shopping done by Thanksgiving, buy extra gift cards for surprises or game prizes on Christmas, get stocking stuffers early too!
Sanity: schedule a day out alone after everyone is home for break: last minute things, grocery shopping, nails done, etc. Plan babysitter for this day by December first!
and finally, Kids: stop every day in December to play with the kids: read/write/game/cocoa/cookies-it's great for de-stressing, and keeps kids from feeling my stress and acting up!
Ps: who do you know that was alone on Christmas last year? They should come hang out this year! : ) If they'll come...

So, I've already told you, but I really did order my Christmas cards. It took me most of the day (yeah, little obsessive), but it's done. I did a collage picture card with five pictures (two family pix and three individual close-ups of the kids), and it's just adorable. I edited each one: sepia (fade out, so little color), and did a vignette around all the edges so they fade to black around the outsides, then ordered them online. It was easy, just time consuming. I'm now looking for some cute stamps to add to the envelopes so they are colorful. I found a "Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas", and it's awful cute! There used to be one with "Sandy Claws" and "Jingle Shells" (since I put in our beach picture), but I haven't found it yet. Maybe I'll check online.

Useless Info #1: I think that the big, huge, new cheaper by the pounds (8.3 to be exact) bag of M&M's is gaining on me. I've eaten almost half the bag (or maybe more? only judging by how it feels when I stick my hand down into it..), and I gained a pound already in the last week. I think it's stress. But, what kind of husband comes home with 8 pounds of M&M's?? Apparently the same one who bought 4 pound of fish sticks (115 sticks!), you know, just in case we have thirty kids over for dinner. And they like fish sticks. And we already had two bags in the freezer. We did have a conversation, and he thinks maybe it's from childhood. He always wants plenty of food in the house! I'm okay with his explanation, we just need ANOTHER refrigerator for more backups.

Useless Info #2: Oh, and I'm almost done decorating for the fall. : ) Leaves, pumpkins, etc. are almost all done. I only lack my wreath and my dining room table. I'll get it done this week while the kids are at school. This weekend was just too busy!

Useless Info #3: (seemed silly to only have two!) I got my hair done Friday-Yay!! It's better, still growing out, but good. I got lowlights and highlights, but I'm going to have to only do highlights next time as it's darker or something. Just different. Can't quite put my finger on it. . .

Didn't Plan Well-Shop (Feast on Desserts) All Weekend and Dr. on Monday?

Goodness-what a weekend! I've officially Dropped from Shopping. Even this morning I was starting to seriously slow down-I was really getting tired! I drove back this afternoon just in time to work on the Daisies' scrapbooks-well, get them ready. I cut paper for the backgrounds (they are making 6x6 books), make page titles, journaling spots with lines (they are in K and 1st grade!), and some added details... I didn't get all the pictures cut before I went, so I had to work on those a little at our meeting. The girls did an awesome job! I just gave them the stuff and told them to put it together, and it was amazing! They cut on the pictures (which I don't do too much), but they made all the pictures fit, and it was so personal. I was excited. We only did two layouts, but we'll keep working on it! : )

Well, WhAT a weekend! It was so much fun!! We definitely got amazing deals. On one of our receipts, it said we'd saved $319. Ha! With all the 70% off sales at Nautica, the 50% off clearance prices, 30% off new stuff at Gap (plus our 10% off coupon from the booklet), etc. We did well! We were getting shirts for $2-$5! Well, winter stuff. We found winter coats at Osh Kosh, Gap, and Nautica for $21. Crocs were buy one, get one half price (yes, they are ugly and awful, but my kids like them and they are fast). I got jewelry at Old Navy for $1.75 each (originally $14!). Okay, so I got tons of stuff for spring that WaSN't on sale (except for my Tanger coupons)... I got a lot at Gymboree (they have a coupon in the booklet now!!), did I say a lot!? I got tons of stuff for spring, but not so much on sale. They are lines we've already had, last year, but I got different stuff. The sweetest manager, Dena, wasn't there Friday night when we marathon-shopped, but we ran into her the next night at Gap!! So we still got to see her, and we made a new friend at Gap too! We've gotten to be regulars. We even know the lady at the Tanger office now. (She's going to Florida on Tuesday!!) It may be crazy, but we love it. I even got some stuff for me-adorable new capris, pinstriped pants (navy/white), a hot navy/cream silky top-for dress-up (don't know when I'll wear it, but you gotta be ready for anything!). I can tell you that navy and yellow are the Colors Of The Year!! They are everywhere-Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap, Nautica, and right on down to Old Navy and Target! I mean LOTS of Navy, LoTS of Bright Yellow. Get Ready. Do you have the must-have colors of the season? I'm not a style-watcher, but I do like to have a few things (okay, twenty) that are current. My style is pretty classic, but I can update each season with a few of the new colors or new jewelry. I love white, black, pink, and blue (and red..). I just throw in other colors each season. Denim? My fave! I always have plenty of denim-from dark trouser pants to long, cut off, frayed favorite jeans (mainly because it's faster than getting them hemmed!).

Extra Info:
We stayed in the hotel that was hosting most of the ice carvers (yep, you heard right) for the big competition this weekend outside the Titanic attraction. We first saw a massive (frozen) anchor with rope on Friday night, and as we got closer we could see a quarter moon wearing a stocking cap. That night we ran into lots of over-dressed, friendly, bearded men in the lobby jof our hotel. We were just being polite, but when we saw their Plans (!) and big boots, and then Machinery!! we had to ask what was going down! We learned of the big competition, and it became the conversation-what're you making?, are you amateur or pro? (pros had to be done by 2:30-we're good listeners), etc. Then on Saturday when we stopped for our lunch break at 2:50, we drove over to see how it was going. There were so many people there to watch the amateurs finish up, and to see the judges making the rounds. When we stopped back by about 10:20pm (on the way to dinner), some were melting, but others surprisingly made it! (Friday the high was about 23 degrees, but Saturday it got up to 50.) They were all just amazing-the most astonishing to me was that these people do all that work, then their statues melt, and their art is gone. We saw the marlin and lizard on a tree (from our hotel friends), a boy, a beta fish, a dragon sitting on a ball, a big phallic symbol of some sort, and a Marilyn Monroe. It was very neat, but we never got to tell them 'good job'. I guess it goes with Disappearing Art.

At dinner tonight the kids asked me why I never call them names anymore, like sweetie pea, honeybun, cutie pie, cutie patootie, etc. I didn't realize I'd stopped. I made it a point to call them lots of names this evening (heehee). I'm so glad they felt confident enough to ask me why. I guess I just phased it out as we had Ethan, and I thought they were too old for little names. I was wrong. They want cutie names just like a little kid. Just as much as I don't want them to grow up, they don't want to grow up. Precious. Yeah, I don't want to grow up either. : )

We've begun the planning for our summer vacation. We plan to go up to Philadelphia, over to Ocean City, NJ, and down to DC for a couple days. We've decided to drive (gas, van, time, and all) so that we can let the kids watch videos, stop off at the Indianapolis Children's Museum (been there-about 5 or 6 stories of pure *learning* fun!), then we can take our time, stay at the beach, then let Clay see the Museum of Natural History in DC, take in the sights, and make our way back home. We've never taken Ethan on a big trip, so it'll be interesting. We're making a practice run at the end of March. We're driving to Nashville for a Lifesavers Conference (not candy, real Life Saving Safety), and some entertainment. We'll see how the drive goes! : ) Say a prayer for us!

Just mopped the bathroom, wood floor, and part of the kitchen. Seems Lexi only partially understands about peeing ON the papers, not just near them (and in other rooms if the need arises). Oh, and the orange juice accident in the kitchen. I actually made dinner (absolutely wonderful pork chops-from Sam's, peas, and Twice the Blueberries muffins). It counted as cooking, so I was feeling pretty good! I'm worn out now after all my magic-making. It's very hard and tiring to be a (try to) do-it-all person. And tomorrow is the big Yearly Doctors Appointment. Scary. I used to cry every year, I hated it. I like my ob/gyn now, so it's not so bad. I can't say I don't cry at least sometimes, but less so. I'm getting back to normal, hormonally speaking, after last week so maybe I'll be sane tomorrow. The receptionist at the doctor's office wanted to make my appointment last week-Can I say, "Gag me with a spoon?" And I said, "ABsolutely NOt!!", and she said, "Why? It doesn't bother him." Ok, creepy. Creepy that he doesn't care, creepy that she doesn't. I'd never schedule someone that week! The week of the blood bath? Are they crazy¿ (hey-how'd I make that?) Not only would it be Gross, but also I'd weigh more, feel self-concious, be unreasonable, irritable, angry if he was running late (delivering a baby downstairs!), and be quite tender. No. Way. José. Ok, must work out, lighten up (yes, literally), and get some sleep (Angie woke me at 8:30am to get to the outlets by their 10am opening time!).

Must begin the Unpacking of the Van-it seems to be littered with shopping bags. Let you know how the dr. goes tomorrow. (Thinking of Light Clothes to wear...)

ps-Krispy Kreme in Branson only has Hot Now from 6:15-9:15am and 7-9pm. Just FYI.

Spring Shopping is Coming (am I ready?)

Busy day, but fun! I got to scrapbook, but didn't finish a whole layout, so no pix to post. Maybe next time.. I had lunch with my friend Carla at US Pizza-it was sooo good (Veggie Pizza with such a chunky sauce, crunchy crust, and hot stringy cheese, mmmmm!), then ran by Rick's Bakery for some sweets for my sweet mom, then by Harp's to pick up her blood pressure medicine. I'm sure she needed it with Ethan! I don't think he took a very long nap-he was already up when I got back!

I've printed the coupons I need for this weekend (I'm meeting my friend Angie in Branson Friday. We'll shop-til-we-drop till Sunday. We get away twice a year to clothe our families and feed that shopping dragon that lays dormant most of the year!). We have a sophisticated (or so we think) system of shopping so as to cover all territory. We shop both Tanger and Factory Merchants Outlets and then we also make it to Branson Landing and the P. Graham Dunn gallery! Sometimes we take the girls, but then we go slow and leave out lots of stores. They are sweet, and giggle, and pick out clothes and jewelry, but we don't get much done!

My strategy is this: Beforehand, I go thru their closets to see what they can still wear from last year, make a list of the kids' measurements (I even made a paper cutout of Ethan's foot to try in each shoe for him!), their sizes, and a list of what they need for the next season (I'm working for spring and summer now). We get our returns together with our receipts (which live in a special Receipts box), print out our online coupons from emails or factory websites, and rest up! Then when we get there, we write down our favorite stores, number them based on importance, then compare notes, map out a list according to location, then get to work. We ALWaYs go get the coupon book-we joined at Tanger about 6 years ago for $10, and we save probably $100-200 per trip! At Gap alone, we save about $60-$100. If the coupon requires a minimum purchase, sometimes we put our stuff together to get the higher % off. If we need to shop for different things, sometimes we split up for a store or two. We always get dessert (most often Coldstone Creamery-on the way to Branson Landing!) and discuss our fabulous finds!
I have already gone through the closets, printed coupons, gathered returns (actually they live in one of those blue tubs in my under-the-stairs closet!), and made a list of what they still need. I have to work on measurements and finding receipts...
I've almost got the house all clean, and I have to keep up the laundry, then make some food for the weekend. I'll probably make tuna salad and banana pudding (not together!).. Stuff that'll keep for a couple days. I can't wait to go, but I have guilt while I'm gone! It helps if I feel like I worked really hard earlier in the week to make the weekend go smoothly. Ches doesn't mind (althought if he misses his workout on Saturday, it's painful..) as long as he gets to ride Friday before I leave and Sunday when I get home. Can I just say that I don't think Angie and I have ever spent two nights? We usually go early on Saturday and come back at midnight that night. SoMeTiMes we spend Saturday night, but not very often. Angie and I decided it'd been soooo long since we'd had any time together (since we don't see each other much in between), that we needed a little more time. We won't get started till late on Friday, and we'll leave early on Sunday...Well, that's what I'm telling myself! : )

Well, my 6 hours of sleep a night aren't working out so well...so I must retire early tonight! Let me know if you need anything in Branson! (I'm looking for Susan a big Alpha/Omega sign thing like one I got a year ago-it's a cool, cut-out of letters at P. Graham Dunn!) Do you have a request? I can add your stuff to the list! : )

Nativity Costumes to be HomeMade?

Note to self: Do not go to Wal-Mart or other shopping-type stores on the Saturday before Christmas! I was clearly NOT thinking today. I ran in to get a few things-for Christmas Day dinner, and it was so packed! And with the heavy turkey, diapers-huge box, wipes-huge box, Diet Dr. Pepper case, etc. my cart kept pulling severely to the right! I was having quite the workout, which is great since I wore my new Nikes and cute workout clothes I bought in Atlanta last month (which have yet to be officially worked out in-I'm waiting on the wii). So I was quite exhausted and need of a snack-but geez! It took me 14 minutes to get out of the parking lot-I am not exaggerating. I had downed half a box of Raisin Bran Crunch before I got to turn onto a real street. Do not do this next year.
Since Ethan woke us all up at 6:40am (you know, from the climbing out of bed and visiting everyone...), (and I'd only gone to bed at 2:20am-partying and blogging are taking its toll!), I was so tired! We didn't make our usual 4pm Mass today. The kids went to Mom's-yay! and I caught a nap before we grabbed a pizza and the kids. We'll have to make the 10:30 Mass tomorrow, since we have Girl Scouts tomorrow evening! : ) We are visiting the Shiloh Health and Rehab to hand out Christmas cards...which reminds me-I still have to make 15 more cards! Anyone want to come help?? We'll work on those after church?
The kids are supposed to be in the live nativity next Wednesday evening, but I've yet to hear if there is a practice (yes, for a shepherd and an angel-well, they can always use practice being silent and angelic!) or when to go to get on costumes. We may be the late, inappropriately dressed angel and shepherd. I'm thinking I'll make Mary Claire a sweet, long and flowy white tulle angel gown (with pink sparkley Barbie shoes!) and Clay can wear a burlap robe thingie (is there a pattern for that?) My kids will stand out. (not necessarily in a good way). But we love Jesus, and he'll see us making an effort. : )
Ches is off to Best Buy again. (Did I mention I went there again today to get my brother a gift card?) And I thought I'd not be back for four more years. We've already racked up $10 in rewards on that nifty rewards card! I hope we don't rack up another $10 tonight....
Is there a good plan for how to get the kids to not wake up at 5am on Christmas morning? Seriously? After a long night of installation and assembly, 5 comes way too soon! Is there a good politically correct bribing system?
Well, I think shopping for gifts at our household is finished. Woo-hoo! : ) Let the wrapping begin! : ) and the rewrapping! (thanks to our intelligent 23.9-month-old!)
Happy things today: playing Bendaroos with my kids (I made a magenta dog/razorback animal!), scrumptious chocolate bday cake with fudge frosting, heated van seats, online bill pay, seeing friends at Wal-Mart-land-of-chaos, reading hilarious Junie B. Jones with the kids, comfy clothes and springy shoes that make me feel excercise-y, and a husband who likes to shop.