12/3/11

Today, we did a whole lot of nothing! It was wonderful!

My mom offered to take Olivia for the day/overnight, and after the way she was acting this morning, it was a VERY welcomed offer. That girl, I swear, I don't know what gets into her some days. She just has such a horrible temper, and Amelia usually feels it the most. And, I swear, if I hear the word "no" come out of that 2-year-old's mouth one more time, I just might lose it! Like I said, it was a very welcomed offer.

So, my mom picked her up right about nap time. I put Amelia down for her nap, Christian headed over to help the neighbor fix her snow blower, and I folded some laundry and bonded with the DVR for a while. We ordered some Thai food for dinner and spent some quality time with Amelia. She is so much more relaxed when she's alone, it's nice to be able to give her that break once in a while. After a relaxing evening hanging out, Amelia was off to bed, Christian and I settled in and watched "Hot Tub Time Machine" - which we both really liked - very funny. Another movie night with the hubby, can't beat that!

Today I have a random set of photos to share. Amelia in her new favorite spot, under the tree. The girls, on "their" computers...two peas in a pod! Buddy the Elf noticed Olivia was away from home, so he snuggled up in her bed for the night. Amelia eventually spotted him, and he was her little rag doll the rest of the night :) We also got a good amount of snow today...everything is white and glittery again - and the snow just makes the lights on the house look even better! Love it.

12/2/11

Friday - you never get old! Today was my Friday home with the girls. It was a rough morning in our house. The girls were up pretty early, fought with each other non-stop, all morning, didn't listen to a word I said. I was getting really frustrated, really fast. We ate some breakfast and I did everything I could to keep them from killing each other, or hurting themselves. They will not stay off the dining room table, no matter what I do. I seriously think we're just going to have to get rid of the chairs for a while at this point! I can't tell you how close they've each gotten to falling off the table, and it's a LONG way down....

Nap time came at just the right time. I was hoping to get some cleaning up done around the house while they napped, but I was so warn out, I couldn't do anything. I settled in with the computer and the DVR, and thankfully, the girls took a VERY long nap. Christian arrived home from work shortly after they woke up. I felt so bad, knowing he'd worked a long had day, but I had to basically pass over the reins to him when he got home. We ended up putting Amelia down for bed a little earlier than usual...the chaos of the day, mixed with the hell that is teething, took it out of her. It did give us a little time with Olivia, and she's always much calmer when she's on her own. It was a much more relaxed ending to the day.

Buddy the Elf was found hiding on top of the TV. Silly Elf, like it would take long for Olivia to spot him there!

12/1/11

It's DECEMBER!!! Wow, I seriously can't believe it. Another year, so close to coming to an end. It's truly amazing, and scary, how fast time goes....

Today was a very productive day in my world. I managed to get our Christmas Cards, and Olivia's Birthday Invitations addressed, stamped and in the mail. I posted some more stuff on Craigslist (and REALLY hoping it actually sells...), I sold the last of the baby stuff we had up for sale, we started the girls' "Elf on the Shelf" and their Advent Calendars. Olivia named their Elf "Buddy", and she found him hiding in their room, with a plate full of yummy cookies! Christmas just gets more fun and exciting the older the girls get. They are so into everything, and watching their pure joy, by everything and anything, just warms my heart.

So, all in all, it was a pretty fantastic day. Here are some pics of Buddy and his goodies, and the girls starting their advent calendars.

11/30/11 - "November"

Today my final "30 days of Thankful" item is, November. Such an amazing month. It brings along a change of season and the spirit of reflection and giving. The chance to reflect on everything we have, all of the good, the gifts we have been given. It's easy to wrapped up in the things we want, the things we're "missing", but there is something about the Holiday season that makes us forget all of that. Remember the less fortunate, remember those that are suffering, and needing, rather than wanting. So, yes, November, Thank You.

I had another pretty productive day. Today's major task was booking Olivia's birthday party. We decided that didn't want to cram everybody in to our house any more for her party's. It's too cold to get outside, I'm not in a cleaning/preparing the house kind of mood this year, so I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what to do for her party this year. After the party we went to this past weekend, and seeing how much fun all of the kids (and adults for that matter) had, we made our decision! I officially booked her party at "Pump it Up", and I'm working on her invitations. I feel kind of dumb sending them out so early, but it's such a busy time of year, I want to make sure people get it on their calendars. So, I felt very accomplished, another big thing, checked off my list!

Tonight we finally used up our Turkey leftovers, and made our annual platter of fried Turkey taquitos. SO GOOD! I seriously drool just thinking about them! Our neighbor gave us a few Christmas lights she didn't want any more, so Christian hung those up anymore. It was a pretty random night all around.

Finally, to end today's post, I have to wish my Dad and stepmom a very Happy Anniversary! Love you guys!

Here is a picture of Olivia, so in love with her puppy.

11/29/11 - "My Dad" and 16 Months

First and Foremost - HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! It may have seemed as thought I'd left my dad out of my "30 Days of Thankful" list all this time, but I really didn't! I was just saving him for his special day :) So, my "30 Days of Thankful" item today is, my Dad! We don't get to spend nearly as much time together as I would like, and we never have, but the little time we do get together has always been cherished. He looks to big and tough, but he's always been a pretty big softy. It's so great to see him with my girls, he's even more of a softy! He's the dad that knows everything, and is such a funny guy. Hopefully life will slow down a bit, and we can see him more than once a month pretty soon!

Today was a pretty low key day. The radio station I listen to does this thing called "Christmas Wish" every year. People write into them about family's that are in need, and the station grants their wishes. It's such an amazing thing to listen to. Every year, to kick off the Christmas Wish season, they do a "wish-a-thon", and grant a wish, every hour, all day long. It's amazing to listen to...it definitely opens your eyes up to how lucky you are in your own life, and it's really touching to "witness" the kindness in people all around...from the station for doing this, to the people who nominate families for help, to the listeners that donate money. It's incredible, a wonderful start to the holiday season, that's for sure.

We didn't do much today. With the chaos of the weekend, I didn't get a chance to get a picture of Amelia and write up her monthly update. Amelia is still the sweetest, cutest little thing in the world. She learns more and more every day. She still "talks" all day long, but still doesn't actually say a ton. She's learning to feed herself, and actually does a pretty impressive job. She has the fork down pat, but she's actually even getting the hang of her spoon...even cereal! It's crazy, she's growing up too fast. Her teething has been pretty out of control. She has 12 teeth, including her first molars, and is working on her eye teeth already. Poor thing, she's never taken well to teething, I just can't wait for it to be over! She seems to grow more and more every day. We'll soon be packing away her 9-12 month clothes soon, and moving her up to her 12-18 month stuff. Really, she's already worn a few things. They seriously grow too fast!

Here is Amelia's 16 month photo.

11/28/11 - "My Cats"

Today, my "30 Days of Thankful" item is, my cats. I was never much of a cat person. They just seemed, well, useless. When I moved out on my own, I decided to break down and get a cat. We found Chloe, 6 months old at the time, at a local shelter. Not long after, we decided that Chloe needed a playmate, so we got Rico. Well, Chloe pretty much hated Rico. Other than a few random snuggles over the years, that never really changed. Shortly after buying our house, we decided to get another cat, Frank - who got very sick earlier this year and had to be put down. While cats really are pretty much useless, they are also sweet, and warm, and do bring their own kind of joy to a family. We sure do love our kitties, as crazy as they drive us some days!

I haven't been much in a holiday, celebrating kind of mood lately. I think I get overwhelmed with money issues, budgets, planning and the overall chaos of life that I can't focus on just relaxing and enjoying everything. Today, it was like a switch went off. I did a little cyber Monday shopping, I ordered our Christmas cards (and picked them up, Walmart is FAST!), I left work a little early, stopped into Target for some grocery and post-Thanksgiving shopping, and by the end of the day, I was DONE Christmas shopping, and basically done shopping for Olivia's birthday as well. After shopping, I spent the evening putting up all of our indoor Christmas decorations. It was a festive, productive, very cheerful day, and just what I needed.

It's kind of old, but here is one of my favorite pictures of Chloe and Rico.

11/27/11 – “Birthday Parties”

Today, my “30 Days of Thankful” item is, birthday parties! I LOVE going to birthday parties. It’s such an important event in a child’s life, and I love being a part of it. And, just getting the chance to spend time with family and friends makes them even better. Kids are so innocent, and so full of life. Watching them experience a birthday party, not really understanding how amazing a birthday REALLY is, touches my heart. Surrounded by love, everybody that cares about them, fun and presents, they don’t have a care in the world. They don’t realize just how significant that day is, what an amazing gift that day is – especially to their parents. I don’t think I realized the true significance of a birthday until I had kids. Every year, on their birthdays, I’m brought back to the amazing day they came into this world, and how those days have transformed our lives completely. Yes, celebrating life is one of my favorite things to do!

We started today off in a bit of a whirlwind. We were off to a 4th birthday party for my cousin’s little boy. The party was pretty early, so we were rushing around like crazy getting ready and out the door. They had the party at a place called “Pump it Up”…the place is full of inflatable slide and jump houses – for kids AND adults to play in. It was SO much fun, and the girls had an absolute blast. Before we knew it, the party was over and we were on our way home with two very exhausted little girls. Christian and I talked, and are definitely going to check this place out for Olivia’s birthday. It was so much fun, for everybody, and it looked like their employees were very hands-on and helpful, which was nice. Yes, we'll definitely be looking into this place.

The girls went down for some nice, long naps. I did some laundry, and we did some chores around the house. Just the usual end to the weekend really. After naps, we watched some TV, played and just hung out. This was an amazing, long weekend, and I’m pretty sad to see it come to an end.

Here are some party pics to share.

11/26/11 – “Tradition”

Today, my “30 Days of Thankful” item is, tradition. Like most families, we have several things throughout the year that we do, every year, without fail. From places we go (Sever’s Corn Maze, Aamodt’s Apple Orchard, etc.), to special events (like, putting up our Christmas tree and our summer trip to Duluth). These traditions seem to grow and multiply every year. We find new exciting things to do, new events to share with our kids. It’s so fulfilling, and it amazing to see the changes in what we do, and what the girls think, from year to year as they get older. As they understand more, and start to form memories of doing things, it’s wonderful to watch the joy they experience.

We had another very low key start to the day today. Family time, hanging out eating leftovers, watching some kid friendly movies and just being together. After some long naps, we were off on today’s tradition. The Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis, followed up by the Macy’s Christmas Display. This year, my BFF and her family joined us for the parade, which always brightens my day. This is the first weekend of the parade…we try to go as early as possible before it gets too cold. It was pretty chilly tonight, but we all survived. The girls LOVED all of the lights and music, it was so great watching them take it all in. After the parade, we rushed over to Macy’s to check out the display. Back, before Macy’s bought out Marshall Fields, they used to change the display every year – “The Wizard of Ox”, “Alice in Wonderland”…all kind so fun stories, coming to life. Macy’s did not want to carry on the tradition, so their “compromise” was to put up a display, and use the same one every year – “A Day in the Life of an Elf”. It’s cute, but very short, and not too exciting to see every year. The good thing is that the girls don’t know the difference, and they were s in awe of it this year, it was worth a repeat trip. And, the really good thing, is that it used to take forever to get through the line up to the display, but it seems most people are not interested in seeing the same display, because we were in and out in no time this year.

Finally, we were on our way home. Everybody was pretty exhausted…the girls went right to bed, and Christian and I were not far behind. What can I say, obviously too much excitement in our old age :)

Here are some pictures from today. We let the girls pick out their own little tree for their room, so we set that up. And, of course, pics from our Holiday night out.

11/25/11 – “Christmas Decorations”

Today, my “30 Days of Thankful” item is…Christmas Decorations! I’m in the most Christmasy of moods quite yet, but there is nothing like the colorful, wonderful memory-inducing Christmas decorations. They make the whole house look so bright and cheerful, and they bring back so many amazing memories. Today, like every year since I first moved out on my own, we put up the Christmas tree. We have a whole new look to our tree this year. Our tree was always very classic…white lights with red and silver ornaments. Very simple and elegant. We’ve now decided – what the heck, we have kids now! They like colors and fun. So, during the “after Christmas” sales last year, we stocked up on some new, colorful ornaments and a huge spool of multi-colored lights. The tree looks amazing, and the girls just loved it. Hopefully over the next week I’ll be able to get all of our other decorations up and fill the house with the joy it brings!

Other than that, today was a very relaxing day. We hung out together all day and took it easy. Christian and I snuck in some naps of our own during naptime, and spent the evening playing and hanging out with the girls. Even though we didn’t do much, the day still flew by. Before we knew it, the girls were off to bed. We made some nachos and settled in for another movie night. We only managed one movie tonight after our late night yesterday – “Horrible Bosses”. SUPER funny, another one I would highly recommend. We could not stop laughing through the whole thing. It feels good to finally spend a little time together, and catch up on some movies we’ve wanted to watch (and, of course, stay awake for them!).

Here are some pictures of our tree decorating fun, including a snap of the girls' 2011 ornaments. And, of course, we snapped our family Christmas photos right away so I can get to work on our Christmas cards soon. There's always something!

11/24/11 – “EVERYTHING!”

It’s here, HAPPY THANKSGIVING”!

Today, my “30 Days of Thankful” item, of course, is everything! I have so much in my life to be thankful, and grateful, for, and Thanksgiving Day is the perfect day to reflect on all of that. I am so incredibly blessed, from my great parents, to my wonderful husband, to my two beautiful daughters, to my entertaining furbabies. My amazing friends, whether we are close, or distant…whether I see them often, or never see them at all. My kind and generous family, immediate, extended and everything in between…whether I see them daily, or once a year. My warm and happy home, a vehicle that safely gets us from point a to point b and the means to provide for my family. We have our health, we have each other and we have our happiness – and with that, we are definitely rich with what is important.

Today was pretty amazing day all around. We spent the morning eating yummy cinnamon rolls and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, our traditional start to the day. We spent the rest of the morning cleaning up and getting ready for the big day. My mom and Christian’s parents joined us, like usual, for the Thanksgiving feast. The mom’s and I did the cooking, and the running after children, while Christian and his dad were in charge of the Turkey (another successful year of not burning down the house!). We ate, spent some time chatting and catching up, we flipped the switch on the outside lights (and the house looks beautiful) and we capped everything off with some dessert. Perfection!

Olivia did not take a nap today, so as the night went on she got crabbier and crabbier. It was a pretty rough evening with her. The excitement of all of us being in one place, and a little bit of chaos, definitely does not help. We ended up putting the girls to bed fairly early because we just had had enough of it. Not the best way to finish off a wonderful Holiday, but also not too surprising in a house with a 1 and a 2 year old.

Once the girls were in bed, Christian and I settled in for a movie night. Tonight we watched “Source Code” and “Shutter Island”. Both were VERY good, I would highly recommend them. Every year I debate “Back Friday” shopping. Christian and I used to get up early the day after Thanksgiving, and do a ton of shopping – for ourselves, and for Christmas gifts – you know, back when it was actually BLACK FRIDAY. I did go out to Toys R Us last year, and it was horrendous. I went back and forth on going out this year, but just decided it is not in any way worth it. Really, the deals aren’t that great…you rush out to get this stuff, that over the next 3-4 weeks is going to end up on sale anyway (PS, keep in mind, I’m writing this post a few weeks late, so I actually know this for a fact as I’ve seen not only the same deals, but BETTER deals on “Black Friday” specials over the last few weeks). I’d prefer to get the deals online, or just randomly over the next few weeks, than deal with the chaos of it all. It’s not even just the long lines and the crowds that get to me, but it’s just the way people act period that I can’t handle. It’s sad really. We live right across the street from Walmart, and were watching all of the cars and chaos when the “doors opened”, and it was not a pretty sight. No thanks! A nice warm night, cuddled up with my hubby, watching some awesome movies was much more fulfilling for me!