I resolve to......................

So, do you make New Year's resolutions? I always seem to but I cannot honestly remember a time when I stuck with one. That's pretty lame, huh? Mine are the usual--lose weight, save $, etc. This year, however, I MUST lose weight because my 20th high school reunion is in August and I WILL NOT attend if I don't lose weight. Plus I feel lousy most of the time, my self-esteem is rock-bottom, and I don't have any clothes that fit. All that means that I have to make some changes (with or without the reunion!) I also must get more organized and keep my house neater. I can't stand it, Travis can't stand it and I don't want my boys growing up thinking that this is acceptable. If you have never been to my house, it isn't dirty. We all just have a problem with putting things were they belong. Which leads to seemingly insurmountable messes. So I wish you luck with your resolutions. WE CAN DO IT!

Christmas review

We had two happy boys on Christmas morning. Santa brought them both the 3 things they requested and a few surprises too. Spoiled rotten for sure.

As much as Jack drives me crazy, he is sooooo full of life. He does everything with such gusto. He was very fun to watch open presents. Lots of happy yelling.
And here is the photo I would have liked to have had for my Christmas card, but I will take it now. My two very different, very handsome boys.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This exemplifies the true meaning of Christmas. Thank goodness there are people like this out there. I wish I were more like her.

More of this and that

- Parker is a snow child. He can spend hours outside in the freezing cold as long as there is snow on the ground. I remember being the same way. He made this snowman all by himself with only a tiny bit of help getting the nose to stay put.

- I am a sentimental fool. I got all teary-eyed when my boys brought home the ornaments they had made at school. I can just picture their little hands making them and I am grateful for a tangible memory that will make me happy every Christmas.

- Like his brother before him, Jack refused to participate in his Christmas program. What a surprise. (sarcasm intended)

- Parker gave me the gift he chose at the Santa Shop at school. It is a coffee mug with a reindeer on it. I am going to use that mug every day for the rest of my life. He was so proud of his selection and so thoughtful. I do drink coffee every morning and I love that he gave it some thought and came up with a nice choice. He chose carefully for everyone. His little chest was all puffed out with pride.

-I cleaned most of the day yesterday and today my feet and back ache. I soooooo want to keep my home orderly because it just makes me happy. But, for some reason, I struggle with doing it.

- We are celebrating Christmas with Tracy and Ryan, Stella and Jake today. Tracy and I decided not to exchange gifts this year.

- I made a scrapbook for Mrs. Fitzgerald and it turned out really well. It was fun to make and easier than it appears. And best of all, she loved it which was a gift in itself to Parker.

Christmas Decor

I was going for a retro look this year. I don't really think I nailed it, but I like all the red glitter. Our tree is covered with "boy" glass ornaments. There is every kind of firefighter, policeman and vehicle. As well as lots of baseball and a little golf and basketball too. Love it.

Christmas Program

Parker has been talking about his Christmas program for quite a while so we didn't expect any problems from him regarding performing. Unfortunately, about a half hour before we needed to leave, he lost it. Crying, screaming, sobbing. Here we go again. Somehow we managed to get him dressed and out the door. When we got there he said he wasn't going on stage. I took him up to Mrs. Fitzgerald and then he was fine. I wish for once he would just go up and do what he's supposed to without all the drama. Anyway, I LOVED the program and I think Parker enjoyed it too once he got over himself.

Pages from Christmas Past

Christmas idea.

Check out this totally adorable Christmas idea for little kids. LOVE IT!!! I wish I had read this 10 days ago!

The world according to Jack and other unimportant stuff

- Jack comes up with these really cool and adorable things sometimes. Last summer as we drove over the viaduct, he said, "Look mommy, it's a cloud factory." I thought it was so precious that he saw a cloud factory when everyone else sees a filthy, stinky industrial plant. I even scrapped it. And today he came up with another precious little statement. As we were driving down Eldorado, we passed St. Patrick's Church and Jack said, "Look Parker. That's God's castle." Castles are just about Jack's most favorite thing in the world. Love it!!!!
- I have lost my voice and I sound like I've been a smoker for the past 20 years.
- Listen to what I managed to do in the 2.5 hours that Jack is in preschool. I went to Walmart and got a bunch of groceries. When I got to the check-out, I realized I didn't have my debit card so I had to use a credit card. Then I was worried about where the debit card was so I went home to find it. There it was on the counter. Well, I had more stuff to do so I headed back down to Dollar Tree for a few things. Then I went to the bank. As I passed Aldi I noticed there weren't too many cars there so I popped in there to get more groceries. I'm trying to get the things I need for Christmas dinner before the 24th. Then I remember that I have forgotten to pick up some pictures at Walmart so I go back there. Then I went to get gas. Then I went to pick up Jack but I was early so I had enough time to write notes to 3 of the parents and climb into the church attic to get down the Christmas program supplies. That was a good morning. However, I spent the rest of the afternoon trying to recover from my morning. Then we got Parker from the bus stop, went to McDonald's because they were ssssstttttaaaaarrrrvvvvinnng!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Then to Connor Company to drop in and say hi to daddy, Uncle Jim and Terry. Then to Kroger to get peppermint extract but they don't have any because it's 2 weeks until Christmas and it's all sold out. Then to Walmart who is also sold out but does have peppermint oil which will work just as well and is quite a bit cheaper.
-My Christmas cards came today so I will be sending them out this week. A lot late for me.
- I work at Parker's school tomorrow. As always, I am a tiny bit nervous but also excited. It's FUN!
- I hate ice. I mean, I like it in my drinks, just not on the road and the trees and my car and every surface outside. It's pretty for an hour and then it just looks like trouble to me.
- I am trying to figure out when I can take the boys to the East Peoria Festival of Lights. You haven't seen anything until you have seen this. They will LOVE it!!! I love it. You can't not love it.
- Santa Claus has made several timely calls to our house lately right when a fight has broken out. They buy it every time. In fact, Jack is worried sick that he might not get any presents.
- Did you know that Santa also has the power to demand hair cuts?
- "No hair cuts, no presents." That is what the man said to my shaggy boys.

Let it snow

This season's first snow was a good one--enough to play in but not enough to cause driving problems. Jack will only tolerate the cold for so long, but Parker will stay out for hours. And a huge bonus this year--Parker can get himself completely geared up appropriately (snow pants, boots, gloves, hat, coat) all by himself. Sounds easy right? Remember that with each layer you add, it gets a little bit harder to add the next layer. I hate the whole business of getting kids ready for snow so this is great for me. Does that make me lazy?!

My prayer today

One of the questions I plan to ask God when I meet him someday, is why so many loving, financially stable, responsible couples have such a hard time conceiving a child and immature, irresponsible, unemployed teenagers seem to have no trouble at all getting pregnant? God must have a reason because it happens so often.
Maybe if I want to get to heaven, I shouldn't be questioning God.
Anyway, please say a quick little prayer for those folks out there who want to be parents sooooo badly (and would be such wonderful parents) that God will have mercy on them and give them a child and give them peace in their hearts while they wait.

Hooked on Phonics--Gag me with a Spoon!

Have you seen the commercial for Hooked on Phonics where there are several moms sitting in a waiting room and most of the children are playing but one little boy is sitting with his mom reading a book aloud. One of the other moms says, "How old is he?" The kid's mom says, "He just turned 4." Other mom says, "Is he in kindergarten?" Another mom pipes in, "How did you teach him?" The kid's mom says in a totally pompous, my-kid-is-better-than-yours way, "We've been practicing." I want to puke every time I see this commercial. It's like she has this big secret and no way is she going to tell these other moms how she got her kid reading. First of all, this commercial was clearly made by a real mom of a preschooler because this is TOTALLY realistic as far as the other moms wanting to know how this kid is reading and the mom with the reader being all holier-than-thou because her kid can read. However, if it were me that had the reader (at 4 years old and I used Hooked on Phonics) this is how the conversation would go.

How did you teach him to read?
Me: Oh my gosh! We got these totally awesome Hooked on Phonics tapes at a garage sale for $3.00 and I really didn't think they would work but my kid ended up just loving them and now he can read simple books. It is amazing. You should go to e-bay and see if there are any there!

Then I would tell my kid, "Why are you sitting here reading when there are 10 other kids around!? Go play and make some friends. When you are 16 you aren't going to have a girlfriend because you'll have your nose buried in a book."

Just kidding. I love to read and my kids enjoy reading. But, I have learned a lesson. There is no real reason to force reading on a kid at an early age. (Don't leave me a mean message--I know some children just want to learn when they are 3.) When they start kindergarten, they all start in the same book on the same page whether they can read "Gone with the Wind" or don't even know their letters. Easy for me to say, I suppose, because I have kids that seem to love to learn.

Anyway, I sure hate that commercial.

Just a note--I don't have a problem with Hooked on Phonics. I have a problem with the commercial. Mainly because it plays on the insecurites of over protective, crazy moms like myself.

Busy Bees & Missing Kid

- Right now Parker and Jack are playing "bee hive." We saw "Bee Movie" a few weeks ago. I keep hearing them say, "The honey is done." "This is where the honey goes." And Jack's addition, "Here's the gun that shoots the honey." I love it when they play together. By the way, apparently my eliptical machine is a fabulous honey making factory. I'm glad it's useful to someone in this family.

- I went to pick Parker up from the bus stop today and he didn't get off. I asked one of the older kids where he was and she told me that he wasn't on the bus. PANIC! So, I think, I took him to school this morning because I had to be there at 8:00 so maybe he thought I was picking him up too. So I high-tail it over to McGaughey and ask around where they tell me that they did put him on the bus. They called the bus garage who contacted the driver who said that she dropped him off on the way back around the circle. Great. So, now as I drive back home I'm picturing poor, forlorne little Parker scared and worried at home or walking down the street or, well, I don't know but what I was imagining was not good. I get back to our house (and it seemed like it took FOREVER) and my neighbor tells me that he is down the street at her daughter's house. So, I head back down there and Parker comes out of their house with a great big smile on his face. He wasn't worried at all. In fact, he thought it was pretty cool that he got to go in Kiley's house and even told me that, "If I ever have to spend the night at Kiley's house I can sleep in her room because she had bunk beds. Kiley is in 4th grade so I'm assuming that scenario will never happen. Why didn't he get off the bus? He was busy talking to his friend. He did exactly what we told him to do if we aren't there to pick him up so it was hard to be mad at him. Next time (and hopefully there won't be a next time) I will just wait for the bus to come back around before I panic.

- I finally gave up trying to get a "Christmas" picture of the boys for my card and I settled for my favorite picture of them which happens to be from July. Oh well, they haven't changed that much since then.

- Uh oh. Now they are stinging each other. It was only a matter of time before that game went bad.

-This is probably the best of the pictures and while it is cute, it isn't Christmas card worthy.

Check this out

These are Jack's school pictures. Of course I think he looks so handsome and adorable. I think I need to take Parker and get his taken by the gals at Shooting Stars. Then I would have "matching" pictures and if they can get Jack the Maniac to sit still long enough to get these shots, they should have no problems with Parker. Maybe they could even get both my kids to cooperate and have a picture together!

This just bugs me

I love to watch Food Network and I am always looking at their website for recipes. I don't actually seem to make many of them, but I sure like looking. Paula Deen is my favorite--I love her food and her personality. Just a side note--when we were in Chicago, Miss Paula was doing a show at one of the theatres and people were picketing outside. Something about Smithfield Hams which Paula is a spokesperson for. Anyway, how can you picket Paula Deen? It's like picketing Santa Claus. Back to my original point--I always read the reviews of the recipes and it always bugs me when people say, "it's too sweet, or too spicy, or too salty, or too ........" HELLO!! Everyone's tastes are unique. What is perfect for me might be too sweet for you. What I find entirely too salty to be edible, Travis adds salt. I absolutely can't do anything too spicy. Does that mean there is something wrong with the recipe? NO. If people feel compelled to write a review, they should write "It was too sweet for my taste" not, "It was too sweet." And if the recipe is called Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding and called for 2 dozen donuts and a can of sweetened condensed milk, what do you expect but something that is sickeningly sweet. I can't wait to try this recipe! I like sweet--so sweet it makes your teeth hurt!
I will step down from my soapbox now.

I like to ramble on and on............

- I worked in Parker's classroom yesterday. I came home with green paint in my hair and an armful of classroom projects.
- Parker's teacher, Mrs. Fitzgerald, is a whirlwind. When you go into her classroom to help she shows you about 10 things that need to be done. (I'm not exaggerating.) I'm always a little freaked out about how fast she is--but totally organized and in control. I want to be like her when I grow up.
- My fake Lee Press-on Nails held up very, very well but I guess I left them on too long because one of my nails is sporting a green spot. NAIL FUNGUS! It has happened to me before with acrylic nails. Gross.
- I am wearing maternity clothes today.
- Don't get too excited.
- That is NOT going to happen.
- My two children are the kind of kids that need to be a two-child family. Parker is soft-hearted, cerebral, sensitive, a little bit clingy, and loves to simply spend time with me. Jack is a little bit crazy, very funny, chaotic, smart, quick and needs lots of my attention to keep him out of trouble. I am unorganized, messy and I would rather do something creative than clean. Travis is very involved in the community--baseball, school board, Lion's Club, American Legion not to mention various committees and helping anyone who asks. All of this adds up to the realization that one more child would not make sense for us. I would love to have a daughter, but practicality has made me say goodbye to that dream. And that's o.k.
- Back to why I'm wearing maternity clothes. They are maternity sweats and they are COMFORTABLE!!!!
- Plus I'm not going anywhere public today.
- I would like to be creative today, but I need to clean.
- My goal this evening is to get a Christmas card-worthy picture of Parker and Jack. I've tried several times only to meet failure. Every year I torture myself this way and end up with a decent picture but not at all what I planned.

I am thankful for:

I am thankful for:

- That Parker still gets words wrong sometimes. For example, last night as I was driving he said, "Mommy, slow down! You are upspeeding the spped limit!) He means exceeding. Too cute to correct.

- That he still calls me "mommy"

- That Jack gets lots of words wrong. Like, "I wust want a ......"

- That my Grandma is still healthy and able to make the world's greatest bread.

- For amazingly wonderful food at my Grandma's house.

- High school friends

- New friends too

- For kindergarten because Parker LOVES it.

- For Mrs. Fitzgerald who is the PERFECT kindergarten teacher for Parker.

- For Mt. Zion's awesome schools. We are soooooo lucky.

- That Jack is a good napper.

- That Travis has a good job that he loves.

- That I have the best parents ever.

- That Stella makes me laugh just looking at her. She oozes personality.

- That I actually have jeans that I like that fit me well.

- I don't know if they look all that great, but they feel good.

- For Hobby Lobby

- For credit cards

- For my home

- For Aldi

This and that......

A few random thoughts:
- On our way home from Chicago, we stopped at a gas station. I saw a family get out of a BMW SUV. It was a mom, a dad, a two year old and an infant. Mom was in the back seat with the baby and the little boy was in the front seat. In a booster seat. As the parent of a 3 year old, I know that child was no where near tall enough or heavy enough for that seat AND it was in the front. Why are people so stupid!???? I'm sure the mom was feeding the baby in the back or consoling it or something so squish in between the 2 car seats. Or pull over and do what you need to do. So, they will probably get in a wreck and their kid will be injured so they will sue the carseat manufacturer and BMW. Again I say, people are stupid.
- I am overweight and out of shape and this weekend in Chicago proved it. After walking around all day on Saturday I felt like I had been hit by a truck. Really. I thought I might have the flu because my body hurt so much.
- I had a croissant and chocolate milk for breakfast and it was $17.00. It was good, but maybe not $17.00 good.
- I had a hamburger and fried for $27.00 and it might have been $27.00 good.
- I missed Parker and Jack like crazy but they did just fine without me. That is good. Very good.
- I bought a lot of Legos at the Legos store.
- Parker would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Legos store.
- The Field Museum has a Star Wars exhibit which I have to take Parker to. He will be in seventh heaven.
- I hate crowds.
- I had my first experience with the Cheesecake Factory and I am looking forward to having more experiences with them. We just had cheesecake and it was unbelievably good.
- We also went here which was totally cool. Unlike anything I have ever experienced or even heard of. Very gluttonous. But yummy! Vegetarians should stay far, far away.
- It is very easy to get lost in a big city.
- Even when you kind of know where you are going.
- What happens in Chicago stays in Chicago.
- Especially when it involves a school board.
- Middle-aged women dirty dancing is funny at first, then it's a little sad, then it's downright uncomfortable.
- I hope I'm never a middle-aged woman who dirty dances.
- Especially to bad karaoke.
- I hate the House of Blues.
- I hope we don't have to go there next year.
- But I bet we do.
- Parker FINALLY got into the first name club. (You are admitted when you can right your name in perfect D'Nealian handwriting.)
- He was the 17th kid in his class to make it.
- There are 22 kids in his class.
- Thank goodness ability to write has no bearing on I.Q.
- I'm itching to put up Christmas decorations.
- Maybe tomorrow.
Have a GREAT day!

And we're off.

Travis and I are going to a school board conference in Chicago for the weekend, so I won't be posting for several days.
-Regarding my previous entry about Parker and the game. I saw a quote that said, "Honesty is the first page in the book of wisdom." I thought it fit particularly well.
-I am bringing everything article of clothing that I own to Chicago because I have no idea what to wear.
-I'm going to miss Parker and Jack like crazy.
-Is it strange that I feel no need at all to get away from my kids? A few hours at a time is all the break I need.
- I wanted to get my nails done for the weekend but I really didn't have the time or the money to go to the nail salon so I bought the updated version of Lee press-on nails except these are glue-on. They have made much improvement over the past 20 years. LOVE 'EM! I will report next week whether they actually stay on.
-Parker is fascinated by the nails and Jack is a little scared. Seriously.
-I didn't get Parker's kindergarten picture retaken because I decided that school pictures--especially kindergarten pictures are not meant to be perfect. They aren't portraits, they are school pictures. Part of their charm is their imperfection. That being said, if they had happened to turn out well, I would be thrilled. My lesson is to order a small package in the future and order more if they turn out. Live and learn.
-Better go get ready.

Bursting with Pride

I know I brag about my children but sometimes they do things that are so sweet, funny or special that I have to share. I have never been more proud of Parker as I was earlier this week. Parker, Jack and I were playing Candyland. Jack got to go first the first time we played and won the game. They wanted to play again so Parker set up the game. This time he got to go first. He pulls a card from the pile and it was one of the cards where you get to move waaaaay ahead of everyone else. So I say, "Wow, Parker, you sure are lucky. I don't know how we are going to catch up with you." So Jack takes a turn and then I take a turn and then it went like this:

Parker: "We need to start all over."

me: "Why?"

P: "Because when I set up the cards I put the special card on top so I would get it."

me: "You mean you cheated?"

P: "I guess. That's why we need to start over."

So, I told him that I wish he wouldn't have cheated but that I am super proud of him for speaking up and doing the right thing. And then, thank goodness, he won the game fair and square. I didn't suspect that he cheated and I never would have known so it is even more impressive to me that he owned up all on his own. I'm glad he has a concious and clearly knows right from wrong.

According to my sister, I would have done the same thing Parker did and she would kept her mouth shut and gone for the victory. That's probably just one of the reasons she is living in a mansion and I'm living in a 1975 bi-level with paneling and yellow formica countertops. ;-)

I could probably be a little more cut-throat. Not that Tracy is. Not anymore, anyway. ;-) Maybe I should call it ambitous instead of cut-throat. That sounds better, right?

Anyway, the moral of this story is that Parker is a very cool kid. And I am very, very proud to be his mom.