Happy New Year's Eve in picture review

A few years ago, a friend asked us to post our top ten pictures in any order, comment or not comment for New Year's Eve.

It was so much fun but it was also so hard.

So hard, I decided to do it again this year and tag all of you to play along if you want to.

I also hope your new year is filled with loving family, great friends, and wonderful memories.

Thank you for allowing me to share not only my life but for all of you sharing yours as well. This blogging community has come to mean so much to me. I can't wait to see what the new year has in store for all of us.

Happy New Year!!

Christmas carols revisited

R2 has been singing Christmas carols for a few weeks and even though Christmas is over he hasn't stopped.

One of the songs he sings is Must Be Santa. His class performed this song and several others for the parents on the Friday they got out of school.

But some where along the way the words have been changed.

The original version goes like this...

Who's got a beard that's long and white?
Santa's got a beard that's long and white.

Who comes around on a special night?
Santa comes around on a special night.

Special night, beard that's white,

Must be Santa must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.

R2 version now says this...

Who's got a beard that's long and white?
Santa's got a beard that's long and white.

Who comes around jacks your bike?
Santa comes around and jack your bike.

Special night, jacks your bike,

Must be Santa must be Santa,
Must be Santa, Santa Claus.

I'm sure he had a little help from his brother. All though I have every bit of confidence he could have come up with these lyrics all on his own.

They're down and they've been down

Is it wrong that I took down our Christmas decorations this past Sunday?

The day after Christmas.

Everything gone. Boxed back up. Put back on the shelves. Gone till next year.

I even found a Nerf bullet or two in the tree when I was taking the ornaments off.

Hubs took down the outside stuff yesterday.

AND...

I have already cleaned out the boys closets and brought the donation stuff to where it needed to go.

AND...

The house has been cleaned.

AND...

you can say it...

I'm an over achiever.

I'm over the crying at Toy Story 3

Right now it's 7:31pm and my family is already in their PJ's, well everyone but me and they are settling down.

R1 is on the couch wrapped in a blanket and Hubs and R2 are on the recliner.

The funny part in all of this is R2 is actually just about asleep. His head keeps bobbing from one side to the other.

It's the cutest thing ever.

And the plan is when he's asleep for a while, Hub's is going to put him in his bed so he and R1 can spend some quality time together.

You know playing video games. Because nothing says quality time like playing NBA JAM.

And me well I think I'm just gonna climb in my bed and snuggle up with Toy Story 3 for the one millionth time, only this time I just might cry at the end, like I did the first time I saw the movie. But only because I won't hear the following monologue.

Child: Mom are you crying?

Me: Nope, as I fight back tears.

Child: Yes you are! (Said with a huge smile)

Me: No I'm over crying at this movie. We've watched it enough so now I'm numb to it.

Child: No you're not....you're CRYING! DAD!!!...mom's crying!!

Me: OK just pass me the tissues please!

Nothing says Christmas like...

1. The sound of Nerf gun bullets whizzing by your face. My house is officially a war zone. There are green and orange bullets all over.

2. The sound of boys laughing as they are pelting each other with the Nerf bullets.

3. The sound of new video games being played and new movies being watched. The new games this year were: NBA Jam, Mario vs. Donkey Kong Mini Land Mayhem, Rock Band 3 and Epic Mickey. The new movies were Toy Story 3 (of course) and Despicable Me.

4. New clothes that get pulled out of the box and tossed on the floor like they could care less but can't wait to wear that new shirt the next day.

5. The sound of everyone snoring after all the presents have been opened and Christmas lunch has been eaten.

I hope everyone had blessed holiday. I know I sure did.

Whizzzzzz.....Whizzzzz.....Whizzzzz.....Whizzzz......

Merry Christmas Eve

Well we have done Christmas with both sides of our families and now it's time for me to enjoy my little family.

I hope each of you have a very Merry Christmas!!

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Family Christmas road trip

First off, I just want to say a few things about R1 new phone.

Thank you all for your support. We did establish some ground rules for his phone and so far so good. Also I have never been so glad that we have unlimited texting on our plan because the first day he had the phone he sent me 20 messages.

I think it's safe to say he likes that he now has a cell phone.

OK now on to other things.

We are going to the lake today to have Hubs' side of the family Christmas. I have to say that I am excited about it!

We are of course eating. My mother in law is going all out even though she said we were scaling back on the food this year. And the best part is I only have to bring the Lemonade Pie.

Here is the recipe, it's so easy.

1 can frozen lemonade, thawed
1 can Eagle brand sweetened condensed milk
1 tub cool whip
1 graham cracker crust

Whisk together the thawed lemonade and the Eagle brand milk. Chill in fridge several hours, over night is best.
Add whip topping and finish with green sprinkles.

DONE! I told you it was easy.

Anyway, I can't wait to get together with my family and spend the day with them.

So I hate to type and run but I don't want to be late for the homemade chicken and dumplings.

Peace out, peeps!

Early Chrsitmas times two

Santa came a little early for two of us last night.

R1 and I both got new cell phones. Well R1 got his first cell phone.

He is 10 and has been asking for one for two years and I have always stood firm and said no. I mean he was 8 back then and honestly who was he going to call/txt and when would he be by himself that he would need one.

But Hubs and I have been talking and Middle School is coming sooner than we want and that means after school activities. So we decided that for Christmas he would get a phone.

When we got to the store there were several options but the best for us if you added a line you got the new Droid Incredible for free. Well there was no way I was going to give a 10 year a $600.00 phone.

So Mama got a new phone too! Yes I have finally upgraded my cheap/free phone to the 21st century. And R1 well he just has a new phone that he picked out. And he's pretty excited about it.

I have to admit that I still think he's a bit young for a cell phone. But I am comparing it to the fact that I didn't have a cell phone when I was 10 but then they didn't have cell phones back then either.

Ouch... I just dated myself.

Anyway,

What age do you think is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone? I'm really just trying to see if I am in the majority here.

Thanks!

The Songs, The Story, Christmas...with a side of tired

This a was a jam packed weekend. I don't think I could fit another thing into it.

Friday was sick and not feeling well, which was not a good way to start off a busy weekend.

Saturday was graduation at the university I work for and we are required to work graduation. It was a very exhausting 8 hours.

Once graduation was over I went up to church to decorate for our "Taste of Christmas" which was after our church musical on Sunday night. My friend Beth and I were in charge of decorating the plates/napkins/silverware table and the center pieces for all of the seating tables. And to top that off I had to decorate our Sunday school table as well.

Then Sunday, my side of the family came over for lunch and Christmas. The boys got some great stuff and I see a trip to Kohl's in my future thanks to my parents!

Then we all went up to church for our musical, The Songs, The Story, Christmas. And I have to say our choir did a wonderful job!! There was so much meaning in each song. It's a great way to really kick off the Christmas season. The boys also sang in the children's choir. They did a great job as well.

And after cooking, cleaning, decorating for three days, I'm exhausted.

So if you will excuse me, I'm off to take a nap! Hope all of you had a great weekend.

Silent Night But Only Till 10 Points

I love this!

Now go watch.

A Year Without A Santa Claus

This is one of my favorite Christmas movies.


I just love Snow Miser and Heat Miser.


I also love Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. (the original cartoon one)

Not only do I make sure we watch these on TV when the come on during the holidays but we own them as well.

I think I see a family movie night in our future, the very near future.

Christmas On The Square

Friday night in Small Town USA we had our annual Christmas parade and holiday carnival.

And with out further ado here are a few pictures.

Really, at my age

On Monday after noon I started to not feel so well. My throat was starting to hurt when I swallowed, but only on the left side.

A few hours later and my left ear was beginning to hurt too.

I knew from years of experience with my oldest not to mess around when ears and throats start to hurt.

I called my doctor first thing Tuesday morning. And luckily, the could fit me in at 1:45. Now if I could just old on till then. (Bring out the Advil and take 4 at time.)

When I arrived at the doctors office, my total office wait time was 15 minutes. I know, right! I just love my doctor's office.

First I see the nurses assistant, you know the one who makes you get on the scale and confirms only what you already knew. That you have done nothing but gain weight since Halloween.

Next I see the nurse, who checks my eyes, ears, (they should have been checked first, but who am I) and then checks my breathing.

Finally the doctor comes in and looks at the notes his nurse took, confirms I have an ear infection, and writes out a prescription and tells the nurses assistant to give me a steroid shot. Thank, Amen, Hallelujah!

Nice to know that at my age I am not immune to things like ear infections. Oh the joy of one. I have never had one. I remember R1 getting one an his ear puffed out on the side and turned red. I never doubted his pain wasn't painful and I always did everything I could to ease his pain, now I have even more sympathy, since I have now experience one first hand.

So an hour later I leave the doctors office. And then another half hour and three prescriptions later I leave Walgreen's.

Have any of y'all have an ear infection? Any home remedies I should try? How long did the pain last? How long was your ear so sore you couldn't lay down on it?

I know I just threw a ton of questions at y'all, sorry. I blame it on the steroid shot, it might have affected more than just my ear.

Laid off from school

R2 love to tell stories. He has a very wild imagination and his stories are detailed not to mentioned hilarious.

So Sunday at church during Sunday school, he tells his teachers, straight faced, that he got laid off from school and had to go work in a car shop as a mechanic. He also lost a bolt and had to use his hammer to bang out a dented piece on the car.

Seriously?

What kinda of 5 year old comes up with stuff?

My 5 year old, that's who. I just love that boy!

For as long as they want to

The other day I was reading this post by Musings of Housewife about her kids sleeping in her bed, and it really hit close to home.

A day after reading her post this what happened at my household.

It was three in the morning and I was sound asleep, when I felt something poking me. That poking was being done by R1 who was standing over me telling me he had just had a bad dream and wanted to climb in my bed and sleep with me.

Before I could even think clearly enough to give him an answer, he was in the bed snuggled up between me and Hubs.

Now here is your visual...two grown adults and then a 10yr old who is 4'11" and weighs right over 100 pounds. Guess I should say three full size people all in a queen size bed. And a dog at the foot of the bed.

Did I mind? Not one bit. Actually I loved every stinkin' minute of it. And to make my heart burst with love even more, R2 woke up about 3:30AM and just climbed on in the bed.

Another visual...3 full size people, and a 5yr old,weight is not exactly known but he is almost to heavy for me to pick anymore, and a 20lb dog...all in a queen size bed. And I still didn't mind.

You see, one day my boys are going to grow up and think having anything to do with their parents, let alone snuggling, is stupid. They will think I am the biggest dork at some point in their life. They will want to be with their friends doing cool stuff and hanging out with the parentals is not cool.

So I will take these moments for as long as they last. I love snuggle time. I love to drink in their sighs as they fall asleep. I love to bask in the feeling of their small hands wrapped around my neck or draped over my shoulder. I love the comfort of a pat on my hand as they hold mine right before drifting off to sleep.

I love to hold them close and hear them breathe and rest my head on their back and listen to their heart beat.

So if you ever ask me if I let my kids climb into my bed and sleep, the answer will be yes. For as long as they want to.

For I know these days are numbered. I only hope the number isn't very small.

This makes me happy

Black Friday recap

My friend Beth, her daughter and I started a tradition. We get up EARLY and go shopping on Black Friday.

And when I say EARLY really mean we leave my house some where around 5:30-6AM. But when I say shopping I mean SHOPPING.

Last year we shopped for 11 hours. This year we beat that record. We left my house at 5:45AM and were at Target by 6. And we did not return to my house until 7:30PM. Yup that's 13.5 of shopping.

It's not bad for us because we have the attitude of we get there when we get there and if they have what we are looking for great if not then there is always another week to go look for it. It takes the stress out of the Black Friday shopping hype.

We decided to hit Target first because I scored really big there last year and this year was no disappointment. I got everything on the boys lists and Hubs too.

Since I know y'all are like where did you shop for 13.5 hrs, here is a run down of the stores.

Target
Dillard's
Gap
Kids Gap
Bealls
JC Penney
Macy's
Best Buy
Hollister
American Eagle
Kohl's
Academy
Dress Barn
Shoe Carnival
Party City
Hobby Lobby
and maybe a few I forgot

And as an added bonus I really scored at Kids Gap, even though clothes weren't on my list. They had everything and I mean everything on sale 50% off till 10AM, we got there at 8. I got a shirt there for $6.00 that was originally $40 and they kept marking it down until I bought it.

As a matter of fact I finished my Christmas shopping except for my niece and nephew and they want gift cards, and that's easy.

Oh I also wrapped everything on Sunday. I know, I'm such an over achiever. We are totally ready for Santa. In my defense this is the first year ever that I have had everything wrapped before December 1.

We also did break for lunch some where around 11:30-12. And there was a trip to Sonic after 2pm because it's happy hour from 2-4 and all drinks are 1/2 price.

And I knew at 6AM there was a large sparkling strawberry lemonade at some time in my future.