Christmas and organizing!!!!

Christmas is so fun now that Olivia really gets it, and Logan is so sweet, he didn't even notice that Olivia had more presents to open. (That will change soon, I am sure!) The meaning of Christmas is so big now that the kids are here. When I think that Mary had baby Jesus and that he was the Son of God, it is overwhelming! I have always "appreciated" the Christmas story, but now that I am a mom (perhaps I can relate more) it means everything to me. Now we have the honor of sharing this story and the gift of Jesus with two little children who are seeing the world through big eyes, just taking it all in.

It really is so much fun to see their faces on Christmas morning, that is all the gift I need!

Olivia ready for Christmas Eve

At Grandma and Apu's, more cars and airplanes, which one is the kid?

This is just a random picture of Olivia hanging upside down on the bathroom sink. I used to do this at my house growing up. I think there is a story about some hallway pictures and a thermostat that came down once during a gymnastics in the hallway session....

Now, onto the organizing. Since it seems like we we put our tree up in August (not really, mid-November) I was ready for it to come down! So we took it down today and it felt so good to get the living room de-cluttered. I am usually a little bummed about putting Christmas away, it can make the house feel so bare, but this year it energized me to organize!!!! So of course, off to Target we went today for some more totes to organize all of the kids toys!!!! Its a start! Now if Tommy could just just dig a basement under our house I would really be on a roll!!!

Sleepless in Indianapolis

For that last few weeks, we have been awakened in the night (around 3 until about 4:30) by Logan practicing letters, playing with a word toy, and talking to his Jay Jay plane all while confined to his crib (thank you crib tent!). This is really all fine, I do enjoy hearing him play in his bed (for about 10 minutes, then I am off to dreamland), until last night. Last night it was fussing and crying for over an hour. I guess it is time to start altering nap time. He is CLEARLY not tired from 3-4:30, but guess what? Mommy IS. I fear that gone are the days of letting him sleep as long as he wants (2- 2/1 hours) in the afternoon, during which Olivia and I get our alone time to play "big kid games". I remember altering Olivia's nap schedule when she was nearing the end of her naps, but I didn't really think this time would come for Logan until he was about 14. (or maybe I was praying it wouldn't :))

Family Heirloom/Jungle Gym

We have been blessed with a family heirloom that I just love! This hutch has so much history, it came to Indiana on a covered wagon. I love to hear stories of all of the generations who have enjoyed it. I am sure one day the top will hold our china and other family treasures, but today it holds things we don't want little hands to touch. The bottom is a play gym for the kids. It is neat to hear stories about my mom playing in it as a child at her grandmother's house. Now its Olivia and Logan's turn.

(blurry picture of Logan, but I love that I captured his mischievous smile)

We decided to give Logan a turn at painting! His first time to make a huge mess with paints! He did not disappoint, and he had a great time.

Quote of the day:

After getting in trouble for not listening.

Olivia: "I love you mom, you are the best mom ever. God made a good choice."

Determination! and royal business

Most of my days seem to be centered around the kids, but on the rare occasion I have a project I want to do, I can get pretty determined to get it done! (Remember the chocolate wall). Today my project was making chocolate covered pretzels. I had some help from Olivia for awhile, then she was on to something else....

Making a homemade clothesline out of the sweeper cord.

After Logan's nap, he found the sweeper attachment amusing.

The kids lunched on popcorn, grapes and cereal bars in front of the TV, because I had momentum and didn't want to stop! Olivia is dressed and ready to take care of her "royal business" as she calls it, right after lunch!

So far, 6 bags of pretzels done. I will save the rest for after bedtime tonight! Whew!

Here is a picture of Olivia's foot while she was sleeping, I couldn't resist!

These pictures make me happy.

Recent Olivia quotes:

"I can't believe Babe Ruth is dead!" (Daddy taught her alot about the greatest baseball player ever!"

"Don't worry about it mom" (Wow, thanks for the reassurance sis!)

"Its hopeless!" (Trying to play, with Logan interrupting)

"Look mom, Rudolph the red nose" (for some reason she leaves of "reindeer")

Do you know the song that goes like this: "On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand" Olivia's version is like this: "On Christ the solid rock I stand, mother brown is sinking sand" It is so hard not to laugh right out loud on this one!

Highlights from our week

To start, I didn't realize I had my pictures on this setting, but our computer is so slow tonight (running anti-spyware) that I don't want to try to fix it!

Here are some pictures from our week. Tommy ordered a surf board for a wine display and the kids had a ball with it!

I got some action shots of the kids "exercising" (my justification for letting them jump on and off of the bed)!

Shopping with Gigi, Brad, Kerri and the kids!
Logan and Silas, Olivia and Isabel (I didn't get a picture of Nolan! sorry buddy!)

Olivia looking at toys (I love the outfit she picked for shopping! a swim suit cover-up, pink poofy skirt, tights and tap shoes. She was sliding all over the place!)

And Logan kissing the mama!

Tommy and the kids making a birdhouse out of a cardboard box. Olivia amazes me with her creativity! I will have to post an after picture soon.

Sorry this post is so choppy, I don't think I do well with the pictures like this. Everyone have a great week before Christmas!!!!


Also! Notice the big boy underwear!!!! Logan is using the potty now (just at home)! I know this is hardly newsworthy but for this momma it is huge!!!

Stumped

I am having a little bit of a hard time with Olivia's Christmas gift ideas. She is ever changing in her interests and I am having a hard time keeping up! She has entire drawer full of barbies, polly pockets, etc that we aren't really playing with right now. An entire drawer of dress-up princess stuff, some of which is new from her birthday. She dresses up now mainly when she has friends over. She hasn't played with her Little Tykes kitchen in ages, so I volunteered to give it to a family at church for their little girl, and then yesterday Olivia asked for a grocery cart and groceries! ugh! She is really into crafts right now, making something all day long. So lots of markers and paper will do just fine. However, my big ebay find for her was a big lot of princess stuff, puzzles, books, pretend make-up, and some other things for $10 plus shipping. I wanted to wrap everything up separately and it would be 8 gifts! So hopefully she will be into princess stuff in 2 weeks, we will see! The other things on her list includes: a magnifying glass, camera, and stickers. Wonderful and totally random.



Logan is much easier at this stage, cars, trucks, trains, balls. Easy.



Is anyone else finding it hard to keep up with their childs current interest?

Pick-me-up

I was in need of a pick-me-up today and luck would have it that I have a friend who is GREAT at cutting hair and charges less than HALF of what I paid in a salon. Her name is Laurie and she cuts hair on the side in her home. She is a stay at home mom, which means that when I feel like a pick-me-up (like today) and needed a trim and some layers, she says "come right over!" I can even take the kids, they love to play at her house while I get pampered! If anyone is interested in getting a great cut at a great price email me and I will give you her number! (She is on the southside of Indianapolis).

Swim in the water!!!!

This is a very unhappy Logan. He found the swim diapers today and wanted to wear one. Then he stood at the back door and cried: "Swim in the water!" Poor guy, its going to be awhile punkin!

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I am really missing my grandmas this time of year. It stinks that we lost them both this year. I was reading over a recipe recently that made me think of Grandma W.'s oatmeal cookies. She was a GREAT cook! I cleaned and rearranged the kids rooms today. That makes me miss Grandma M. She gave me the gene that LOVES change in my home! All I have to do is move some furniture around and I am giddy! I am so thankful for my many memories of my grandmas.

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This picture just makes me happy. :)

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Sidenote: I think I have an ebay addiction. I have recently purchased the kids christmas gifts (for $22 total), a refurbished camera, shoes for Tommy ($7.99 compared to $90 in the store!) among other things... I get so excited to find bargains! Anyone else on the ebay bandwagon?

They forgot to tell the mall...

Driving by the mall in our area that is PACKED with cars ALL the time, you would NEVER know that the country is in an economic recession or downturn, or whatever term we are using today. Our gas is $1.41 today compared to $4.15 earlier this fall. While I think this is good, economists are telling me it is bad. Interesting. Just some random thoughts on the economy. Praise God He is our provider! He never goes into recession!

Ballerina Diva... and parental miscommunication

Tommy loves playing baseball with the kids, and who needs to be outside to play? Olivia has to pick out her baseball outfit and this is what she chose today!

She got alot of ballerina outfits for her birthday. So she has been playing fashion show alot lately. Here is one of her creations..

Cartwheels on the bed, with Logan in the background getting ready to touch the picture! NO LOGAN! (wonder how many times a day I say that?)

Our sweeties pausing for just a second.

We traveled a little with Tommy this week. While stopping in a Krispy Kreme in Lafayette for coffee for the super-tired momma, Tommy and I had some parental miscommunication. He admitted to me afterwards that he doesn't always hear what I say. WHAT? I am shocked! :)

Stacey: "Can we please stop for coffee and a potty break for me."

Tommy: "Sure, not sure what you have been saying to me for the past 10 years but I did hear that you need coffee" (I inserted the last part after I learned he doesn't always listen. shocker).

Pulling into Krispy Kreme

Stacey (whispering): Please don't tell Olivia we are at the "donut store""

Olivia: "This looks like Papa Johns"

Tommy: "It looks like Papa Johns, but it is actually the donut store" (What did I JUST say?)

Olivia: "Please mommy, will you get me something. Daddy, are you serious? Is this really the donut store?"

Stacey : "Good one babe, way to listen."

I was laughing so hard, and then when Tommy admitted he doesn't always hear me, I was rolling on the floor. Really? Like I didn't notice this after 10 years? It feels so good to have a good laugh.