Much Needed....

That little vacation was just what my little family needed. We pulled into our hotel parking lot at 3:00, just in time to put our stuff in our room. We ended up with a really nice room for a really cheap price. Ethan's words were, "Wow! This is the fanciest room on the planet!" Not sure about that, but it was pretty nice.

After we unloaded we headed to the Science Center. The freeway we were supposed to take was scheduled to close next week, but signs were already up detouring traffic. Panic set in for a few minutes as I realized I was on my way to Chicago. We got turned around and eventually made it just fine. The kids hadn't been here for almost 2 years so it was just like experiencing it for the first time. We had to drag Landon away from the life-size dinosaur. He would have stayed there all day.

Some friends in the area called while we were at the Science Center and invited us to dinner. Yes! No Burger King for me that night. "A" made this delicious stuffed shell pasta and bread sticks. Yum. I had a good time chatting it up, and Landon had a great time playing with "little A's" toys. The older kids pretty much just wreaked havoc on their beautiful home. (Sorry about that. I hope you'll forgive us.)

After our visit we headed back to the hotel to catch some z's. Some of us caught more than others. I learned that Jackson thrashes A LOT in his sleep. The next morning the kids decided we needed to eat at IHOP for breakfast in honor of their missing father. They decided it's what he would've wanted if he were with us.

Next stop, the zoo. It has also been a long time since we've been to this particular zoo. Landon was 4 months old last time. We were all excited. It was pretty nice for being winter. We donned our coats, hats, and gloves and we were set. The highlight was watching the seals being fed lunch. We watched them for at least 20 minutes.

Landon's highlight happened to be the hand dryer in the women's bathroom. Strange. We ate lunch, and wandered around for a total of 3 1/2 hours. We were all ready to leave at this point. Only I had 1 more stop I needed to make. The Cheesecake Factory. Eating a meal at this glorious establishment was out due to my company. But, getting 2 pieces of Adam's Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple to go to eat later with Shawn was a must. As I pulled into the Mall parking lot the kids decided they needed to play on one last play structure before making the long trek home. After 1 hour I was spent. Both physically & money-wise. We headed for home. We pulled in at 8:15 pm. Shawn met me in the garage to drag half asleep bodies to their correct sleeping location, then we met in our bedroom to watch TV and eat our outrageously delicious treat:Perfect way to end a great mini-vacation.

A Little Trip.....

I've heard the term "getting out of dodge" on a few different occasions over the course of the past month. I've discovered that it basically means to leave. After 3 days of being trapped in a home with 4 sugar-loaded bodies I find myself needing to "get out of dodge". I made an executive decision and booked a hotel on priceline in a large city 4 hours from here. I will be taking the children, of course. They need to get out too. I plan to tour all of the free children sites the glorious city has to offer, and frequent many play places. Poor Shawn will still be slaving away at his day (and often night) job while we explore and relieve ourselves of seemingly boundless energy. We'll miss you babe. Don't worry, we will return. We will return.

Opening Gifts....

Kennedy later discovered the purse contained earrings and a pretend cell phone, while inside Landon's box was a dump truck. All were happy with the gifts they received from their grandparents. (Even me & Shawn who are not pictured).

Amateur Night.....

Christmas Day always seems to be the loooongest day of the year. Yesterday was Christmas for us. It was a long day. Today was even longer. There wasn't the 2 hours of opening toys and stockings included. In pre-determining that today might be long and cabin fever might set in, I decided we'd attempt gingerbread houses. This is where "amateur" comes into play. I have either made a) store-bought-pre-packaged-with-all-the-goods gingerbread houses, or b) those made out of graham crackers glued to the side of a milk carton. The store was completely sold out of the kind I really wanted to make, and I'm at a loss as to where to find that many milk cartons. This year I went way out in left field and crafted my own out of graham crackers and cement-type icing I found on a friends blog. They turned out okay, nothing fancy, but the kids thought they looked awesome. Because they were obviously made by someone attempting this for the first time, I let the kids have a go with decorations however their little hearts desired. I didn't so much as flinch when all Jackson wanted to use was jelly-beans and nothing else. I wasn't phased in the slightest when Kennedy squeezed the piping tube so hard she frosted everything in her proximity. Landon consumed more than he 'glued' on, and would get kind of nasty if a child dipped their hands into his bowl to use his candy of choice. I was amazed at the creativity spun from my little people.

This activity will definitely be repeated next year. But maybe I can convince Pam to lend me some of her creativity? Our village just doesn't seem to look like hers does. (My kids will never be allowed to see the photos of Pam's village due to the fact they think I'm a genius and I don't want to spoil their fascination)

Shake it.....

This morning I pulled Landon out of the bathtub and left him in the living room while I went to find him some clothes. When I came back in he was swaying his naked little body.

Me: "Landon, are you dancing?"
Landon: "No. I just shakin' my booty."

Our House to Yours......

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Wonder......

Tonight is Christmas Eve. While most of the world is anxiously awaiting the 25th to celebrate the holiday, we are celebrating tomorrow. I put in a special order to Santa so he'd arrive early bringing goodies and toys. My husbands work schedule caused a conflict. He'll be home around 8 am to celebrate and then head off at 5 am the 25th for more work. This is officially the first time I've ever had to do Christmas Eve all alone. This is how we celebrated. First, we cleaned the house top to bottom. Santa doesn't come to a messy house. Pictures aren't available due to the frenzy this activity caused.

Second, we placed reindeer food on our lawn so Santa's sleigh would be guided by the glitter, and the reindeer would be enticed by the oats.

Third, we opened new pajama's and slippers. Ethan didn't get slippers, his request was for a blanket.

Fourth, we read the Christmas Story out of the Book of Luke, though most of it was told by word of mouth due to attention span issues. Then we read a few Christmas-y library books.

Fifth, what is bedtime without a little chocolate chip mint ice cream before hand?

Then all 4 kids were nestled snugly in bed with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Right. More like babies were crying because they had no pacifier to soothe them to sleep, 3 year olds were banging yo-yo's on the metal of their bunk beds to prevent any sleep from actually occurring, and the older girl and boy kept running downstairs to report the latest happenings regardless of the mother saying "I don't want to hear it". What joys this holiday brings. Truthfully, though, this holiday does bring me a lot of joy. Regardless of bedtime fiasco's. I love my little family. Especially my hardworking Man that sacrifices so much for us. I hope everyone gets to experience a Christmas Eve like I was able to tonight. And I really hope that this Doctor thing doesn't cause Shawn to miss out on every holiday we celebrate.

Santa: take 2.....

We visited the jolly fella once again. Three kids told him their inner-most desires.The little one only got close when offered a candy cane.

Breakthroughs...

Yesterday when Landon woke up he removed his pacifier from his mouth long enough to say "My mouf hurt". The Mother in me knew it was due to the constant sucking and probably the shifting of his teeth caused by his beloved pacifier. I made a decision at that very moment that this was to be the day. When he handed me his precious item so he could eat breakfast, I quickly snipped the top with scissors and put it in the drawer next to the fridge where he likes it to be placed. After breakfast he opened the drawer, pulled out the paci, and put it in his mouth. He screwed up his face something funny and pulled it back out for a quick look. What he said surprised me the most. "Pacitier, bwoken." He hung his head low and in a soft voice said, "Frow it in garbage. Frow it in garbage." He sulked over to the garbage can and gently placed it in. Not throwing it like trash, but lovingly laying it to rest. Jackson was my hero when he excitedly said, "Yeah! Now you are a big boy like me!!" I sent Kennedy downstairs on a mission to find the other pacifier that would undoubtedly resurface and spoil this whole grieving process. It was quickly found and secretly placed to rest. The day was hard on my little guy. He was quick to cry, and very sensitive. Whenever he used to cry he'd automatically ask for his "pacitier", but yesterday when he'd cry he'd just repeat over and over "pacitier bwoken. pacitier bwoken" as if to remind himself that he won't ever be able to soothe himself with that object again. Heartstrings pulled. I knew I couldn't retrieve any un-broken objects because then this process would never end. He surprisingly went to bed well. Books, sippy cup filled with ice water, and the repeating of "pacitier bwoken". When he woke up this morning he was saying "Scissors, cut it. Pacitier bwoken. Scissors, cut it." He was using his two fingers to show me how scissors work. He knows that scissors cut the pacifier. I just hope he doesn't realize it was his mother working those scissors that caused the loss of his best friend. I'm sure he'll be over his grieving in the next few days. But will I? I officially caused my baby to take one of many steps in growing up.

Mystery Solved.....

I can't get enough. I love books. Once upon a time I only read murder mysteries. Not Stephen King type thrillers, but the detective-murder-twist-at-the-end type books. Political thrillers also enticed me. But after years of devouring these novels I became somewhat bored. I'd read all of Grisham, Baldacci, Cornwell, and many other notorious authors. I began to sense how the ending would turn out. I quit cold turkey and turned to novels that made my mind expand. Books that in their own way caused personal reflection. I found myself reading less because I enjoyed fully absorbing them before starting another. I have read many great books. Seriously thought-provoking. Lately though I've found myself drifting back to those pesky mystery books. I find myself once again prowling around the 7-day check-out in the local library which usually contains the latest and greatest. I call them pesky because I'm sure that's what they are to my family. A more accurate term would be the I'm-not-doing-a-dish-in-the-sink-or-getting-anyone-anything-to-eat-until-I-finish-this-chapter type book. Near the end they should be called don't-bother-to-call-my-name-I'm-ignoring-you-and-everyone-else-until-this-mystery-is-solved. I've been hesitant to post the latest find on my blog due to book snobbery. I guess I want people to think I'm only into great literature. I'm admitting my snobbery due to my latest find Harlan Coben. I'm near the end of my first ever written by him and I have no idea how this is going to end up. I dragged all 4 kids to the library so I could check out 3 more of his before they closed for the long weekend. If you call and nobody answers, leave a message and I'll call you back when this mystery is solved.

Necessary Evils....

I find the holiday season full of evils that are absolutely essential for a good celebration. The biggest evil would be holiday treats. Baking is something I quite enjoy as of late. I've met a number of girls who are very capable in the kitchen and have learned a few awesome recipes along the way. Tuesday I baked. I stole recipes from those girls that I believe have tried and true recipes and duplicated them.

Chocolate on the Ritz

S'mores Bars (these are actually my own recipe)

Sugar Cookies with Glaze

Chocolate Cookie Bark

And fudge. But no picture. It was too busy chillin' in the fridge for a photo op. This year I was lucky because I had a special helper. Landon. He perched up on a kitchen stool and stayed there pretty much all day. He had a bowl of goldfish and cap n' crunch that he was transferring from bowl to measuring cup via measuring spoons discarded after use.

The first teaspoon used had once housed vanilla. His palette enjoyed the pleasant taste. This activity came to an abrupt halt after his next measuring spoon had been used with peppermint oil. I would have taken a picture of the horrid look on his face but I was too busy filling his cup with ice water. I did however manage to get a photo of what he looks like every time I pull out the mixer. He does this even before I ever turn it on.

After Tuesday's baking I was exhausted, but needed to come up with something for the kids teachers. I found the perfect recipe and set out to make it. Two batches later I found my new arch nemesis. Caramel something or other. I've baked too much to remember the name. Just know that this will be the very reason my New Years Resolution will involve some sort of weight loss regime.

Just Some Words....

I thought I'd just jot down a few words that came directly from my children's mouths

Ethan:
I took Ethan on a date last night because we've been power struggling as of late. In the car I was telling him how I don't like fighting with him, and we need to bond to make it stop. He said, "It's definitely a war of words, isn't it mom." Is he like 23 already? Then while eating frozen yogurt at TCBY.
Me: How many teeth have you lost?
Ethan: "8. One for every great year of my life."

Landon:
Last night I was making cupcakes for Ethan's Christmas party at school.
Landon: "Hep you mix? Hep you mix?" He then held onto the hand mixer until I was finished.
Then said, "Yick it now? Yick it now?" (lick it now, meaning the beaters)
Me: "No, I'm not going to let you lick these tonight. You've already had a bath."
I then started spooning the batter into the cupcake wrappers.
Landon: "Oh, dust coop it in mouf den? Dust coop it in mouf den." (just scoop it in mouth then)
Needless to say he wasn't very happy when he realized I wasn't just going to scoop the batter into his mouth with the spoon. Crazy boy.

Jackson:
We pulled into the parking lot to visit Santa Claus.
Jack: "Does Santa have a car? Because I sure don't see no sled around here." Always skeptical.
Yesterday while driving him to preschool he was in the back seat telling his friend,
Jack: "No. It is the veins in the body that pump blood to the heart to keep it beating. Without veins we'd die."
Me: "How do you know that Jack?"
Jack: "Oh, I just know lots of stuff about skeletons and stuff."

Kennedy:
She's at the everything-I-say-is-right-and-you-are-wrong stage. A little early? I think so. I'm in trouble when she's 13. Like while we were all driving to the cub scout pack meeting she insisted that we weren't really going to scouts. The entire drive she argued it wasn't scouts. Even after reminding her dad and Ethan were both in scout shirts. After the meeting when we were heading home I commented.
Me: "Kennedy, do you believe us now that it was scouts?"
Kennedy: "Well, it was kind of scouts..........but not really."
See? Trouble at 13.

Going Bonkers....

For Ethan's birthday this year he decided to head to Quincy Illinois with his friend Jack in lieu of the whole birthday-party-at-my-house activity. I think he chose this option because I told him I'd give him and his friend 10 bucks each to waste in the arcade at Going Bonkers. (I really struggle with the planning involved in home parties even though I do them sometimes anyway). After school we all got in the car ready for the 1 hr. 20 min. drive it actually takes to get to Quincy. We were all pleased that Shawn was able to attend this glorious event with us. The kids were all very surprised to see him behind the wheel as they piled in. Sad, but true. When we pulled into the city it was 5 o'clock and the kids were hungry. We decided to forgo the Bonkers cardboard style pizza and bring in our own happy meals. As we entered Bonkers and I started to count kids and money the cashier let me know that no outside food was allowed. I looked behind me at 5 children each with a happy meal box, then back to him and said, "Do you want us to go eat in the lobby and then come back in when we are done?" By lobby I mean the small, cold space between the outside doors and the inside doors. I must have looked pretty pathetic because he told me I could eat inside just this one time. (I guess I failed to mention that I've brought food in the 2 other times I've visited this establishment and nobody has ever questioned me.) We were finally in. The kids paused long enough to set there food on a table and the excitement obviously trumped the hunger. Ethan and his friend grabbed their cash and headed upstairs to turn it into tokens. The other 3 started climbing the enormous equipment, and Shawn and I ate a peaceful Arby's dinner at a table alone. Lovely. It wasn't long until Shawn decided to head upstairs to make sure the boys were okay. He got waylaid and ended up addicted to a game himself which he spent entirely too much money playing. He was able to win a lot of tickets which helped add to Ethan's collection. The tickets can then be redeemed for prizes. Ridiculous. 25 tickets only buys you a small packet of sixlets. Ethan had 1,011 in the end and wound up with a lunch sack full of novelty gifts. His friend came away with the same amount of loot. Then all 5 kids climbed and chased for another hour before exhaustion set in. Exhaustion of the parents that is. The kids could have lasted longer I'm sure. The funnest part of this trip for me was watching Landon maneuver through the massive structure. Last time we visited Bonkers he didn't even know how to turn around to get himself down the slide. This time he was a seasoned climber. I'm glad Shawn was finally able to see the place for himself. And that this was Ethan's choice for his birthday celebration.

Re-Creations...

This appears to be the month of re-creations. Recipes, that is. Natalie had a genius idea to re-create peppermint bark. You know, the yummy stuff from Williams-Sonoma. It turned out awesome. Next up, Serendipity's frozen hot chocolate. Our version tasted great, until we mixed up a batch actually made by Serendipity in a little pouch Natalie had reserved for a special occasion. Ours just wasn't chocolate-y enough. It still looked great, and nobody stopped drinking it. Just means we'll have to give it another go. I'm sure Katherine's culinary mind will figure out someway to revamp our version to make it taste unbelievable.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

Santa made his debut at the local medical school. We ventured out to see him of course. We were second in a long line of excited children.

Jackson eagerly sat on his lap and was intent to listen to everything Santa might have to say.

This is as close as Landon would get to sitting on the old fella's lap.

Santa gave each child a gift which prompted Jack to say, "That is the best Santa I ever saw because he didn't even wait until Christmas to give me a present!"

Jackson and Landon showing off their gifts.

Then showing off their girlfriends.

I'm sure we'll visit Santa again before the holiday season comes to an end. I wonder if Landon will be less frightened the second time around. Or, if Jack won't like him anymore if he doesn't get a gift on the spot.