Friday Five: New Years Eve

Okay, I borrowed this from Kristy.

1) Big Party or stay at home alone?
Stay at home with the boys.

2) Stay up to watch the ball drop?
Go to bed!!!

3) Will you make any resolutions?
They will be post on here 1-1

4) Is Dick Clark a good host for New Year's Eve?
Yes, buy Ryan Seacrest isn't bad either.

5) Do you know the words to Auld Lang Syne?
The first verse. The rest I'm just mumbling under my breath.

-E

I'll Just Wear A Hat

Lately The Negotiator has taken to wearing hats rather than brush his hair. What is up with that? I tell him to go brush his hair, but he acts like this is just SUCH an imposition on his time. Maybe it is to him, but c'mon, kid, we all crosses to bear.

I'd love to find a compromise, but there doesn't seem to be a middle ground between his idea and mine. I know eventually I won't have a say so, for now anyway, I win.

-E

Puzzling

We got a 500 piece puzzle on Christmas Eve. At first Papa and I weren't all that jazzed about this project, but it was a picture of a train so The Critter's happiness served as our motivation. Well, I'll be damned, but it turns out puzzles are kind of fun! The four of us will sit around for a little while, try to put it together and have sparkling conversation.

So a week later we are still working on this puzzle and it's still fun, but we all want our kitchen table back. We've actually been eating over the puzzle pieces at meal time. This method isn't working anymore.

I am spending the morning cleaning the kitchen and thinking about where to move all 500 pieces in various stages of completeness and NOT send these guys into a tizzy about ruining what they've worked on so far. And where the hell do I store this while they're working on it? I don't want it on the dining room table either, but at least we don't eat off of that one as much as the breakfast table. It seems like it would be a reasonable compromise for the time being.

Of course, they're talking about actually buying a puzzle table. Yeah, right!

-e

Bah Humbug!

It's getting to be that time of year when I'm completely overwhelmed. The irony is that I'm actually at the end of all of our holiday commitments. This is really the time of year I swear, "never again!" Of course, that sentiment doesn't stick.

I will say have have scaled back this year in all things and that despite the busyness of the season I haven't been totally stressed out. I've tried really hard to keep perspective and pray for guideance on what is really important.

Sorry I haven't been around much, but I'm sure you are all just as crazy this time of year. Here is hoping your world slows down a bit also and we can catch up soon!

-e

Which Reindeer Are You?

I am...

You Are Blitzen

Always in good spirits, you're the reindeer who loves to party down with Santa. Why You're Naughty: You're always blitzed on Christmas Eve, while flying! Why You're Nice: You mix up a mean eggnog martini.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Go find out who you are and let me know!

-e

My First Time

Until today I was an IKEA virgin.

Oh. My. Goodness.

Really, there are no words. My head is so full and my heart sings at the joy that is that store. Two of my friends who had given up their IKEA innocence before me took me to guide me through. We couldn’t get through all of the offerings today. We had to rush through the market place and didn’t get to check out the As Is section. I will furnish the boys room with stuff from IKEA.

My shopping list was so long, but I had to whittle it down to only what I was going to take today. I totally felt the value for my dollar. I can't wait to go back. I want to go back now.

This is my new happy place.

The Mystery of Boys

My little boys are showing their genetics.

Oh my goodness these kids cannot sit still. That is of course unless they are in front of a video game. Otherwise they are perpetual movement. They can't sit still to eat, to do homework, not even to sleep judging by the way they toss and turn to get comfortable.

Yesterday we were at the dentist and they talked her ear off. Apparently they had been saving questions up for her since their last visit. She rocks. She patiently listened and answered all of their questions. She even chatted them up about spit and other good boy stuff. I was horrified. She looked and me and reassured me she understood. You see, she too has boy offspring. We looked at each other knowingly.

They've really gotten to the age where they prefer to hang out with Papa. They love me and want me to take care of them, but the other stuff is all about Dad. They go walking through the parks and creeks looking for bugs and reptiles. They climb trees. They build forts. They have burping contests. All activities of great fun, I'm sure, but I'm going to pass all the same.

I'm reading two books right now that I'm hoping we'll help me understand these male creatures that have invaded my home. So far I'm really caught up in Kids, Parents and Power Struggles. I'm also starting Bring Up Boys. Papa just finished that one and said he got a lot out of it. Any other suggestions?

-e