Christmas 2011

Like most of our trips home, Christmas was full and hectic. We spent our time running between our extended families. The boys loved spending time with their cousins from toddlers to teens, though they were sad not to see all of them. I have to say that we were all thoroughly exhausted after our weekend home. I'm so thankful to have had this week to relax and rest. I'm sad to see this vacation week end....it was the first week in a long time where I actually allowed myself to do "nothing". I didn't organize {much}, didn't think about anything homeschool related, and spent as much time in my pj's as I could. The only appt. or activity we had to go to was a drum lesson. We loved our non-hectic week.

We're going to savor these last few days of stay-cation....especially the rare opportunity for Greg to have a day off that doesn't involve driving the 5-6 hrs to Roch. Oh, there was 1 more appointment I had to go to this week......I had a haircut planned. It was supposed to be just a trim, a little shape up. Instead, Edward Scissorhands my stylist went a little wild with non-stop cutting. I was stunned. At first, it looked a little like Prince Valiant {yeah, not the look I was hoping for}.  Upon returning home....and walking up the many stairs to our living area....I yelled a warning to Greg that "mama's not happy". He replied "oh,no" and knew to give me some space and time in the bathroom with my handy scissors. I really hate spending so much on a cut only to have to re-cut myself. So, now I'm sporting an unexpected super short 'do.

*per request....I updated with a picture. Yes, it's a fuzzy picture taken in the mirror, but I think it conveys the overall shortness of my 'do.

Current Smile Makers

 I'm pretty much caught up on Christmas stuff {not}. Except for some packing, cleaning, shopping, baking, and mailing that needs to be done....I'm in pretty good shape. That's my excuse for sitting in front of my lap top right now. I actually work best during "crunch time". So, as I wait for Greg to get home from work so that I can race out to do some errands, I started to look around and notice some things that currently make me smile. {is that a run on sentence?}

Can't get much simpler than our Christmas tree above. The first thing I do each morning is turn on the lights. I love the warmth and coziness that Christmas tree lights add to a room. We were coming off of a head cold and going into a stomach virus when we put the tree up.....still have not located the ornaments and actually don't plan to.

This is a corner of our tiny deck which is attached to our neighbor's tiny deck. We each decided to wrap lights around the rails. The lights don't match, but it doesn't bother us a bit. Thankfully, we get along well with our neighbor. In fact, if we need to share some complex gossip info we just lean over and knock on each other's glass door. You might find us out there in our pj's chatting about something or watching the dear. Makes me smile.

Grabbed our old porch sign out of storage. It used to hang on a cape cod style house that we once owned. It was supposed to hang on the porch at our Canandaigua house.....the porch that never got built. I think I may hang it on our deck or kitchen wall. Makes me hopeful.

 The boys love their little wrestling rumblers. I laughed when I noticed that Ferb {or is it Phinneas} had entered the ring. That's one brave little dude. Makes me giggle.

Sammy decided that he wanted to write out the Beatitudes for his grandma. Sam has always struggled a bit with fine motor skills. Writing literally makes his hand sore. He and Ross worked together.....through finger pain and frustration....and created this beauty made with love. Makes me so happy.

And Then It's Back

Since I am not currently on Facebook, I'm thankful for this blog as a place to share what's going on. By the way, am I the only one not on Facebook? I do know a couple of old friends who also do not FB, but sometimes I wonder.

Just when we think this virus has left our home....it's back {maybe}. In the wee hours of the morning, Ross started throwing up again. More sheets in the trash...along with the mattress cover. We are getting dangerously close to our quick trip home. We have lots of family time planned seeing siblings and cousins. At this point, I'm not sure if we can make the trip.

I forgot about this little video the boys made the morning before they started feeling sick. Who would have guessed what was about to happen later in the day. Their 3 yr old cousin, Jack, loves to watch cooking shows so the boys have been making some videos for him......again, I really cringe at the sound of my recorded voice. Do I really sound like that?


Feel the need to say.....I let Sam put his hand in the flour bag because there was barely any left, and I could not find our rolling pin so we used a cup. Ok, I feel better now.

As I type this, the boys are giggling and wrestling......crazy, mixed up, unpredictable virus. One minute you are fine, the next on the floor. Sam says that the sight of sweet foods grosses him out. Y'know how whatever you ate before you got sick disgusts you? I'm guessing he ate a couple of those cookies before the car incident. Poor guy. He said he can't even eat the chocolate from his advent calendar. Ok, I promise my posts about the "the annoying virus of 2011" will cease soon. I need to share pictures of our tiny deck....it connects to our sweet neighbors. Anyway, I promise there will be fun posts coming soon.

Did You Know?

Did you know that when you are driving your kids to their Capoeira class one of them
just might suddenly purge the contents of his stomach all over the backseat of your car? It's true. It could happen....and yes, it happened to us this week. Seems the boys have a stomach virus.....which means we are quarantined for the week. Which also means that I am thoroughly sleep deprived from night time throw up sessions.....which always means that if you call, I may not make any sense {and I'm fairly certain that what I write won't}.

Did you realize that we have less than 2 weeks until Christmas? I'm in denial. I think it's because there is no snow, and the temp's have been mild. We were hoping to go into NYC this weekend to wander around the decorated city. I hope that everyone will be healthy by then. How long do you quarantine after a stomach virus?

Last night, Sam was snuggled on the couch. I sat at the end of the couch to hang out with him.....

Sam asked   "what are you doing?

"Rubbing your feet " I replied

"why?" he asked with innocence

"Because I love you and because you aren't feeling well"

There was a slight pause and then he asked......

"you know, the problem is not with my feet?"

Made me chuckle.

Hoping you and yours stay virus free this season! And hoping the stains and stink come out of my car :)

Just a Quickie

I've been loving this song lately. Just ask Greg, he'll verify that I keep playing it over and over. Nice little pause in the middle of the big "get ready for Christmas" hustle and bustle.

I've done my share of bustling {is that a word?} this month. Thankfully, Friday night I had a great shopping buddy{thanks, Rebecca}. As we both noted....it had been a long time since either of us had gone shopping with a girlfriend. It was wonderful. Especially since we both like a good bargain and we both like a good plate of nachos.....mostly because it felt like  shopping with an old friend.

Really Random

I woke up the other day with a bookcase on my mind. Now, this was a pleasant change....the week before was a bit rough {illness, unpacking, drama}. Waking up with thoughts of organization made me feel like I was getting back to my old self. So, while organizing I came across some old paperwork.....10 yrs old!

                        {Ruth.....notice your name was one of our girl choices! }

 

{the winners are circled}

 We had about 1 month notice before our twins were born. Everything was hurry up and wait. The boys were actually due to be born in July, but decided to enter the world at the end of May. During that "hurry up and wait" period I tried to prepare as best as I could. Names were essential....of course! As you can see from the first list, we were not positive that our twins were both boys. I'm so glad I saved these lists....I did not remember that Beckett was at the top of my list?? It's pretty obvious that Sam was my top choice {I've always loved the name "Sam"}. It's my father's middle name....Ross is Greg's middle name {and his great grandfather's name}.

This is one of our what shall we bring lists. I notice a couple checkbooks and cash....Bibles, too.

As I mentioned, I was dreaming of bookcases. Thankfully, Ikea is not too far away {though the drive is crazy}. We quickly found our bookcase {the Billy}, had our usual Ikea food, and ventured to the car. Ikea has guard rails that prevent you from getting to the parking lot, so while we waited for Greg to bring the car an older gal asked if we would watch her cart as well. She returned in time for Greg to help her with her load. This woman was so sweet....and thankful.....and a hugger. I can't tell you the last time a stranger hugged me. She shared a bit about her life, said some very uplifting and sweet things to us, and went on her way. It was such a nice afternoon. The simple things, right?

                                   {my yummy Ikea cake and loganberry juice}

                          {a typical day in our home school...shirts are optional}

Some More Words

Sometimes I just can't put my thoughts into words. Thankfully, I've found some great words that others put together......they do a great job of expressing my current thoughts.

This last one I threw in for Greg. This is literally his route to work each day {78}.