Friday, November 28, 2008

It has been a crazy, exhausting, fun week. My SIL and some of her kids are staying with us, and all of the kids -- except the teenagers -- have been on the go from dawn until WAY after their usual bedtime. Spencer couldn't even be bothered with a nap today.

One amazing event occurred this week -- I saw TWO movies in ONE day!! In the afternoon, we took most of the kids to see Madagascar 2, which was cute. Then after dinner I took the three oldest girls to see Twilight. I haven't read the book -- I'll probably try to now -- but I still really enjoyed it. It was definitely a different kind of love story. I enjoy having older nieces that I can actually have a conversation with and take to the movies. If I liked to shop, I'd probably take them to the mall. But that would be insane right now.

Tomorrow is Jeremy's 8th birthday. He gets to spend it at a farm in the morning and Incredible Pizza for lunch. After that, we're going to be spending time with my extended family. I'm sure he'll get plenty of attention.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

After observing and discussing Spencer's antics with my neighbor, she encouraged me to blog more stories of his quirky/deceptive/dangerous/funny behavior. So maybe I'll make this the first installmaent of Spencer's Saturday Roundup. Please don't think this will become a regular feature. It will probably happen when I think of it.

Today's entertainment began when Spencer was in the mood for a snack. When I took him in for his two-year checkup, he was in the 5th percentile for his weight. You'd think we never feed him. Actually we don't have to because he can access food in the refrigerator and pantry. I told him he could not have anything, so he quietly entered the dark pantry and left the door slightly ajar. When I heard a noise coming from that direction, I had no doubt I would find him in the pantry even though the light was not on. I opened the door and there he was with a box of Froot Loops. Again, I told him no, but not very forcefully. He preceded to pull the door closed except for a slight crack. At that time, I opened the door and took the cereal.

However, this did not deter him. He moved to another area of the kitchen where he was determined to get either gum or a bag of candy. First, he tried to use a Thomas the Tank Engine plush chair to reach one of these items. Although he was sadly short of his goal, I chose to move the items further out of reach. After this, he realized the chair was not suitable to the task at hand, so he retrieved from his room a decorative wooden storage box. He carefully placed it next to the cabinet where he should've been able to easily reach his goal. When he realized I was watching, he instructed me to 'top! To this, I laughed. Feeling insulted, I'm sure, he chose to push me out of the kitchen so he could secretly attempt to grab the forbidden item. Unfortunately, I returned to the kitchen, so he tried to hide behind some two-liter bottles of pop on the counter while he again made a play for the candy. But he knew the jig was up, told me to 'top and then made a move to put distance between me and his goal. He was saved by the bell when the neighbor's son came looking for his mother.

But I know Spencer is thinking tomorrow is another day, and he WILL find a way to get whatever snack/drink/candy he so desires.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

This is how I keep track of what we're getting the kids, and I'm able to set a budget. I used this tool last year when preparing for Christmas, and this year I've already started my list. I did a much better job resisting impulse buying because of this site. I highly recommend it -- https://myholidaygiftplanners.com/index.php?tour=1.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

It was a fun-filled, sports-filled, party-filled weekend. We kicked off the weekend with Spencer's 2nd birthday with a homemade pizza party with the family. The next day, I took Jack and Spencer to Chuck E Cheese while D enjoyed Anna's last soccer game and delivering food pantry sacks for Cub Scouts. I hated to miss her last game, but I've sat through many more cold games than D, so I was willing to let him handle the outdoor activities.

To top it off, D and I actually got to go on a date last night. Again, we met a couple for dinner at a nice, not particularly kid-friendly place, Trattoria, then we were transported back in time for a performance by The Rat Pack. Oh how I love Sinatra and Dean Martin. I wasn't as familiar with Sammy other than knowing who he was and seeing him perform on TV a few times. However, I have seen many, many Sinatra and Martin movies. Fortunately, we were close enough that the people weren't blurs, but far enough away that we could actually imagine that it was the real Rat Pack performing.

We are considering going to see Tuna Christmas together, but no decision has been made yet. D and I are also talking about taking the older kids to The Lion King, and while I'm sure Anna would enjoy it, I don't think Jeremy would appreciate it. Also, who even knows if we'll have time.

Now I'm going to relax and enjoy Kung Fu Panda with the kids before I crash.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Well, I'm a little closer to 40 now, and I'm OK with that. Yesterday I enoyed chocolate dipped strawberries, Alfredo's for lunch and Hideaway pizza for dinner plus many hugs and I love you's from the kids. It doesn't get much better than that.

D helped the boys with their presents to me, but Anna, always the creative one, chose to make something. Again, it's a fine line between encouraging her creativity and disciplining her for 1) using materials/foods/appliances she does not have permission to have and 2) leaving a big mess. Maybe someday she will be a world famous chef, and when Food Network is featuring her, I'll share the story of when she made me a birthday gift -- a jar layered with cotton candy, Froot Loops and chocolate chunks. Jack keeps asking if I've eaten it yet. I'm hoping he forgets about it very soon. I love chocolate and cotton candy, and Froot Loops is one of my favorite cereals. However, I don't think the combination would set very well.

Regardless, it was an entertaining evening with D and the kids -- before D and Jeremy had to leave for a basketball game. Such is my life -- basketball, soccer, scouts, etc.

Friday, November 7, 2008

Before
After


She's not my little girl anymore...

Sunday, November 2, 2008

I have finally downloaded several pictures from my new camera, so I'll probably fill the next few posts with pictures. Here's a little Halloween fun...