Getting Older

Can you believe that in January my little girl will be going into primary? I can't believe it. She is going to miss her nursery teachers so so much. On Sunday after church she said, "But mommy, who are going to be my teachers now?"
Thank you guys for giving of your time every sunday to watch these sweet little ones, and that you took the time to teach Claire countless things like sharing, praying, bible stories, songs, singing, and the list goes on. I can't thank you enough. I never worried about her and knew she was in good hands, and for that I will always be grateful.
So thank you "Mr. Brother" and  the "Mctownens" (as Claire calls them).
I wish she would just stay little!

Precious Moments

Countless times I have looked back in the car and seen this. Those two love each other so much! I will cherish moments like these for forever!

The Magic of Santa

Our ward Christmas party was this past Saturday. The big hit was when Santa made an appearance. The normal stuff happened (dinner, etc.) and then it was time for Santa to come. The kids sang "Santa Clause is coming to town", but he didn't show, so they were told they had to sing louder. Boy were they loud, but it worked. Santa came. Claire has now been telling everyone she sees that if you sing loud enough, Santa will visit.
I was a little nervous to have Claire see this Santa because she knows Micah (the person who played Santa) really well. She is also pretty smart and I for sure thought she would catch on. She looked at him over and over again, like she was trying to figure it out.......but in the end, it was just Santa. I love seeing the light in her eyes, the happiness. I love love love watching that joy, that magic of Santa, and I do have to say, I still believe. I will always believe!
Oh, and JB was NOT going for the whole sit on Santa's lap thing, as you can tell. My favorite is Santa's expression; "What should I do?"

Playing in the Snow

....a first for JB.

Claire tried to show JB the ropes. He wouldn't taste the snow though, much to Claire's disappointment. That is her favorite thing to do, and she couldn't believe he wouldn't try it. 

He loved everything else, well, except for the boots. That took some getting used to. He just sat in the snow for awhile, but then after helping him realize he could actually walk, hje loved it! So fun!

Christmas Downtown

I'll say it again, and you will hear it again next year too.
LOVE Pittsburgh at Christmas time.

Last Saturday, we headed to our favorite spot during Christmas, One Oxford Place. They had crafts, carriage rides, Santa, balloon making, caricature, face painting, pictures with Santa.......all for FREE!!!!!! (Pittsburghers do be warned you need a ticket for the carriage ride....go early) So amazed. The kids had tons of fun.

JB did miss his nap so was kind of grumpy. James and JB might have gotten off the carriage ride early because JB was afraid. Silly boy. He wanted to watch the horse and carriage, not ride in it. Geesh.

All in all, great day!

The main event? Visiting Santa.  (Sadly, the only picture I have of them with Santa is the free button.) Claire was so excited, but when her turn came she got nervous and shy. Don't be deceived by the picture. She was ecstatic. JB was also pretty excited. He stared Santa down and was fascinated by him, until it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap, then he wanted nothing to do with him. Loved it!

Claire also delivered her letter to Santa. She told me what to write. If you can't read it in the picture here is what it says:

"Dear Santa,

Santa, will you bring me a camera and a reindeer? Bring JB a toy too please. Bring me lots of things.

Ok Santa.

Santa, how you doing?

Santa, mommy and daddy I think want a new computer cause ours is too hard to turn on. 

I love you and MERRY CHRISTMAS!"

She then signed her name and drew a picture of herself.

At first we didn't know what reindeer she was talking about. We finally figured it out. Phew! James has an ornament from his childhood, (she is actually holding it in a picture two posts back, the pic with the Christmas tree) and it is a reindeer where you push a button and it collapses. Had NO idea she wanted one until this letter. It pays to have your kids write a letter to Santa.....
Also, it was news to us that our computer is "too hard to turn on". I think it might be too hard for her, and that is just fine with us. :)

Claire asked for an Angel, and boy did she get an angel. Never seen anything like it. We were all pretty shocked. hahahhaa. It still makes me laugh. Oh and yes, it does distort her nose a little.

Infection after infection...

...that is what our last week consisted of. So glad it is over!

We tried to stay away from the stomach bug that has been rapidly spreading, but even though I did everything possible, my kiddos still got it. 

Luckily though, it was only a few nights of throwing up and then it was over.

Still nasty, but little did I know I would prefer that to the next infection Claire got......

How do you explain to a three year old her body is tricking her and she doesn't have to go to the bathroom every two minutes, even though it feels like, "I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to go!!" 

Let me tell you........

You don't. 

I kept saying, "Claire, your bum is tricking you."

You should have seen the confusion on her face. Poor thing has always been taught to listen to her body and now I was telling her to ignore it.

So so so so so frustrating! 

Oh, and there is no antibiotic for it either. Lucky us. Just good old baking soda baths, lots of water, and bum cream.

After the first night (we were up till 4am) we had to get creative.

We finally found a few tricks (we might have told her it was ok to wet her pants, etc.) to make her sleep.

Be warned though, the "magic undies" trick (which makes your pee pee not come out) doesn't work.....just so you know. While putting on her "magic undies" she kind of looked convinced. But when I finished she replied, "But mom, that is just pretend magic undies. Not real ones." Tricks like that used to work. Dang.

Anyhow, all of us in this household hope and pray it is finally gone so that life, going to the bathroom, sleeping and bedtime routines can all be back to normal.

Phew!

Is December Really Here?

I really can't believe it is here. 

Really? December? Boy does time fly.

There are so many things on my list to do.

I am starting to check things off my list, not because they are finished, but because I am not going to have time to finish them. Oh well.

The things at the top of my list? A nativity advent calendar, JB's Christmas stocking, a tree skirt, neighbor gifts, and a few other things.

Luckily though, I have only two presents left to buy. Wow. That is a first for me.

Also, the tree and decorations have been up for two weeks. Also very helpful!

In light of it being Dec. 1st decided to share with you a new tradition we are starting. 

Along with our advent calendar, each day leading up to Christmas there will be an activity for each evening. 

I have already figured mine out, and feel free to use our ideas, or change a few. For me, I hope this will help me focus on the fun, the joy, the happiness, the season, and not so much everything I need/want to do.

Here it is: 

Wednesday Dec. 1 - Make a paper Chain
Thursday Dec. 2 - Go Christmas Shopping

Friday Dec. 3 - Write Letter to Santa

Saturday Dec. 4 - Camp out by Christmas Tree

Sunday Dec. 5 - Drink Hot Chocolate

Monday Dec. 6 - Watch a Christmas movie with popcorn

Tuesday Dec. 7 - Paint fingernails red and green

Wednesday Dec. 8 - Pick out ornament

Thursday Dec. 9 - Go Ice Skating

Friday Dec. 10 - Make Cookies

Saturday Dec. 11 - Visit Santa/ Carriage Ride

Sunday Dec. 12 - Deliver cookies to friends

Monday Dec. 13 - Call Grandparents and sing Christmas songs

Tuesday Dec. 14 - Play Santa Claus

Wednesday Dec. 15 - Fly on an airplane

Thursday Dec. 16 - Turn on Christmas music and dance

Friday Dec. 17 - Grandma Wilde Sleepover

Saturday Dec. 18 - Play in the snow

Sunday Dec. 19 - Read all of the Christmas books in the house

Monday Dec. 20 - Make gingerbread houses

Tuesday Dec. 21 - Wrap presents

Wednesday Dec. 22 - Have an indoor picnic

Thursday Dec. 23 - Make snowflakes

Friday Dec. 24 - CHRISTMAS EVE!! Act out nativity, open pjs

Pie Day...

...as Melissa calls it.

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone.

This year we celebrated in good old Pittsburgh.

Our house was full: crowded, but cozy.

Mike and Melissa came from South Bend, Indiana.

Ang and James + the 2 kiddos came from Virginia.

Food was made by all, and eaten by all.

A couple from our ward joined us for the turkey eating. 

The more the merrier!!

The weekend was full of laughter, relaxing, reading, studying, cleaning, cooking, caramel apples, pie, leftovers, games, shopping (you can't forget black friday), gaming, seeing the lights at Hartwood acres, playing around downtown, eating, and eating some more.....oh and you can't forget the sanitizer. Mel had pink eye, and luckily, none of us caught it! Yay for us! Thank goodness for hand sanitizer!

Now the house is empty :( and ready to be cleaned,

but a blast was had by all!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We might have played a lot of this.......

Our favorite of course!

Randomness - In Black and White

I am in a blogging funk

and a picture taking funk. 

Blah.

I need to do better.

I guess you could say I have just been enjoying other things like decorating for Christmas (oops), making crafts, sewing, and being a mom. I have a whole list of things I want to make. I need to stop.  So addicting.....seriously.

Anyhow, in the spirit of Thanksgiving I do have to mention that I am SO grateful for these people in the pictures to follow. I don't know what I would do without them. 

The Moving Box

Today I rode an elevator.
It's a pretty common occurance for most people right?
Don't you find it kind of humorous?
Today I did.
We as humans get in these tiny boxes, with strangers, sometimes it is so packed you are touching shoulder to shoulder.
You look every where you can except for each others faces.
You look down, stare at the numbers, look up, pretend to be staring off into space.
You know you do it too!
My favorite is when your elevator is packed, and literally no more people can fit, but the doors still open on the next floor. The doors open and there are a bunch of people wanting to get on but it is clear there is more room. So then there is the uncomfortable stare off.....waiting for the doors to close. I usually just smile. I look pretty ridiculous. Oh well.
I have always wanted to do something different than the norm and today I almost did, but then I chickened out.
But one of these days I am going to do something different than the norm like: not turn around (you know....not face forward, I am going to face everyone), or jump randomely, or talk, or just start laughing, or stare someplace other than at the buttons maybe look in their eyes.
...Just thought you should know.

Had I known I would have had all of these thoughts, I would have taken my camera so that I could have added a picture. Oops. Maybe next time.

Day of Remembrance

Thanks to all of those who have served and are serving today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

This woman, my grandma, who is now 89 was an Army Nurse in WWII and her husband (my grandpa) was in the Navy.

I have never talked much about my Grams on my blog. So today, I dedicate this post to her.

She is the only grandparent I have ever really known (the other three had passed before I was born and while still really really little) so she holds a very special place in my heart!

She...

 doesn't seem 89 AT ALL!

still gives me great advice.

makes us all laugh with her witty comments.

is interested in what I am doing and what I have to say.

has great insight on life.

has great stories of back when. 

(most famous is three dates in one day. She came in the back door and went out the front door. Don't worry though, "it was the war")

loves my kiddos, and they love her. (They call her Gramma Reene)
has been to all important events, concerts, and graduations in my life.

is not only my grandma, but my friend.

I really, really, really miss her! (Tearing up)

I am so grateful that for the year and a half I was able to take her to her appointments on Fridays. I will always cherish that time I had with her. One-on-one time.

I love you grandma! Can't wait to see you in December!

Oh, and doesn't she look hot in her pictures!! That's my Grandma!

Claire-isms

Claire had some rasberries for lunch. She saw them, looked at them real closely and said, "But mom, I can't eat those. They have hair on them."

Claire loves mini wheats for breakfast. One day she was watching a tv show and a commercial came on for mini wheats. You know the ones I am talking about right? They walk and talk about how they are a good source of fiber. Anyway, it came on, she stopped what she was doing and started watching intently. After the commercial finished she turned to me, gasped and said, "MOMMY!!! My mini wheats talk??!!"

James and I were in the kitchen getting lunch ready and Claire was in the front room watching General Conference for our church. From the other room, we heard Claire say, "Hey, Mr. Brother. Prophet. Could you talk about punkins now?"

JB and Claire were sitting on the couch. JB started hitting Claire's leg (more because it gets her attention - sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a bad way). I told JB that we don't hit and we be soft. Claire looked at me and with the sweetest voice said, "It's ok mom. I kind of like it."

Claire has been talking about death lately. Her babies always die, toys die, she plays dead, etc. We weren't quite sure where it was coming from. She was talking to me the other day about death and she said, "My baby died, and then it lived again. Just like Jesus. I want to be like Jesus." I now understand where the death phase is coming from. Later that day we picked up James from school and I was telling James what Claire had said. She then exclaimed, "No, mom. I don't want to be Jesus. I don't want to be a boy!" James and I couldn't stop laughing.

Everything is yesterday. So if you hear Claire talk about the princess birthday party yesterday.....no it wasn't yesterday, just in the past.

Claire is also into the "why" phase. We have gone in circles because of it. I tell you though. It sure does make you think about things you have never really thought of. I have to come up with answer to questions like, "Why is that man walking down the street?" I answer. "But why?" I answer. "But why?" And so on.

Playing in the Leaves

I almost forgot to take my kids out and play in the leaves this year. That would have been sad! You can't have fall and not play in the leaves. It just isn't possible.

I am a terrible parent I know. My children might have been a little sick and I still took them out to play. But there aren't very many nice days left so we have to enjoy those few 'not completely cold to the bone' days while we can. You know what I am talking about.

So we braved the slight cold and headed to a park where they have the leaves in HUGE piles, getting ready to suck them up. I mean huge piles. So. much. fun. Wish I could have played more, but I might have had a grumpy one year old attached to my hip.

Claire on the other hand was miss fearless. She was making tunnels through the leaves, wanting to be completely buried (even her face), made piles and then jumped as high as she could into them, and of course threw the leaves at us (don't worry I got her pretty good). That's my girl. Ah. So proud.

Oh and I love the first picture. She was showing me all of the leaves. She was pretty amazed.

Kiddo Bench

About a month or two ago, while in Danville, PA my mom and I stopped at a garage sell. Not much there, but I did find a bench for $1.00. Even though it wasn't much to look at, and it was pretty sad looking (ok, really sad looking), you couldn't beat a dollar. I wish I would have taken a picture. Across the back part it said in big wood letters, "TIME-OUT". Even though we practice time-outs in this household, I didn't want a bench that said it.  I wanted a fun, happy bench. With a little work I sanded, painted, stapled, used fabric and batting. We are pretty pleased with the results. My kids love it! Don't you love making things? I sure do!

Visit to D.C.

Two weekends ago we headed to D.C. for a wedding (James' cousin).

The setting of the wedding was BEAUTIFUL and it was probably the fanciest wedding James and I had ever been to!

My wonderful sis Wend watched our kiddos. Talk about not worrying about our kids for even a second. She is great with my kids and they love her. They were in good hands!

Since James' mom was in D.C. for a week, I waved goodbye to James as he rode a bus home and I stayed in D.C. and played with my mom in law and sis in law. 

We watched movies, went shopping, went to a cool bookstore, went to the outlets, the kids spent hours in the sandbox, and Ang and I made flowers. I love doing crafts with Ang. It has become a tradition. Hmmmm.....what to make next time....

Thanks for playing with us guys! Lets do it again...soon!

 

 

Date Night

James and I have started date night with our kiddos. Each month both kids get one date, and we switch off every month with the parent. For instance, last month James went with Claire and I went with JB. This month we switch. Tonight James is taking JB out and in two weeks I am taking Claire out. It isn't anything too special, sometimes it is just going to a park. It is mainly so they get one on one time with us. Hopefully we can keep it up.

Last month (Oct) James took Claire to a childrens play put on by a highschool. She was so excited! We did a beauty salon before hand. She had her nails done, hair done, and even a little makeup (that was a first). She then decided she wanted to wear a fancy dress. Why not? So she did. James then decided that he needed to match her and so he wore a suit. They were the most dressed up couple there, but they looked dang good! Claire had so much fun and is still talking about it. She keeps telling me that now she needs to go on a date with me. Good thing we are, and let me tell you, even I am excited!

I absolutely love this picture of them!

Ohiopyle

I am so thankful for James and for his love of planning trips. I think I know where he gets it from! :)

It was his switch weekend (meaning: no school, work, nor studying)

So we headed to Ohiopyle for some good old hiking.

So refreshing. 

It was a beautiful day and let me tell you, we had a blast.

I love my little family and spending time with them.

Oh, and we were so proud of Claire! She walked 1/3 of the way. It made us happy because we had been thinking of ways to make our kiddos like hiking.....and then she wanted to get down and walk. She took the lead and made sure we kept up. She kept saying, "Come on guys, follow me."

JB was also having some fun. He would have loved to sit in the leaves for forever. He studied each one carefully.

I forgot how much I love to hike!

And you already know how I feel about the leaves!