Week 14

Week 14 - and a day late! Yikes! I don't even know if that has happened in the last four years. If so, only once or twice. I would have forgotten all about it if I hadn't actually looked at the gnome when I was coming in the house after work. The last gnome picture of 2012!

The boys have had a good day with Craig. They headed to Mark.ham to pick up Craig's new TV. Sterling had a friend over until 4pm, and Kaedo went to a friend's house for Chinese food and a movie.

Tonight we are sitting down watching something on the new TV - there is something about electronics that fries the brains of the men in my life!

Plan to sleep in tomorrow and spend the first day of my holidays with my three best guys and the best dog in the world!

Happy New Year's Eve!

Christmas

Thanks to all our wonderful families, the big gifts this year were an HP Envy 15'6" laptop for Sterling and a Canon.Rebel T3i digital camera for Kaedo. We couldn't figure out how we were going to surprise them so we put a note into a box for each of them that said "check your texts for a special gift". Craig then texted them and when they pulled up the text it was a picture of their gift. Kaedo started crying - poor guy was so overwhelmed. They were so thrilled. We explained the gifts were a whole family affair. We gave them to them first so that they could play for awhile while I made breakfast.
Once breakfast was cooking we got back to the gifts and we were thrilled with everything. We received gift cards, books, clothes, pajamas, and so many other things. The boys were very thoughtful with their gifts - Sterling gave me a set of three cookie sheets - heavy duty ones. Anyone who has seen my cookie sheets knows this is a wonderful gift. He gave Craig a hat and a huge bag of Wine Gums. Kaedo gave me a limited edition Sound of Music set. It is wonderful and he gave Craig a "People of Wal-Mart" Desk Calendar. Dad - you would love it!

Thank you to everyone who sent us such wonderful gifts and we hope you and your families have had a terrific holiday season. Craig is on holidays with the boys until the 7th and I start mine as of December 31 at 4pm. Can't wait!

Christmas Eve Fundue

Our Fundue was great as always. This is something the boys really look forward to. Who are we kidding? We all look forward to. This is as close as we get to a meal here at Christmas time. This year we had grapes, oranges, pineapple, cherries, marshmallows. That's all the boys wanted so that's what we went with. The food was delicious and while we had many 'jumpers' we rescued all our falling food and enjoyed every delicious bite. We ended the evening with the boys showing us YouTube videos of things they thought were hilarious. I must admit, I did chuckle a bit.

Christmas Eve Part 1

Christmas Eve was a wonderful night. The boys were excited as always with our Secret Santa. While we always end up knowing who has whom, it is fun shopping for these $5 gifts and wrapping them up. The boys also got to open their pajamas from gramma and grampa, and this year the boys really got a laugh - Papa Smurf! Craig was gifted four ZERO bars - his favorite, from Kaedo. Sterling gave me a 2 cup glass measuring cup that I have been coveting. Sterling got a pair of gloves from Craig that allow him to still use his touch screen cell phone while wearing the gloves, and Kaedo got a BattleShip card game from me that he and Sterling had a lot of fun playing.

Our wonderful friend L made some reindeer food for us again, and Kaeden sprinkled it all over the front lawn. If you look closely you can see him throwing it up in the air as he is jumping. Love this picture!

Tree Decorating 101

As Craigmas officially finished at midnight on December 20, on December 21, we prepared for our tree decorating party. Craig and I picked up all the goodies (each person got one choice), potato skins (yum), cheese sticks, jalapeno poppers and sausage rolls. We listened to music, pigged out and decorated our very beautiful tree. The highlight ornaments are always lovingly placed on the tree - my ornaments from my uncle, the wreath that Kaedo made (Craig's favorite), Sterling's wonderful angel and a new special ornament given to me by my GG. Our first year without her and I thought of her a lot. Now she has a special place on our tree decorating day.

Week 13

Down to the wire again.  Don't let the lack of jackets fool you, it has gotten cold here and we do have a bit of snow.  Sterling came outside just to take the picture.

Happy 40th Craig!

Today my awesome husband turned 40. I think he had a good day. His co-workers wished him happy birthday, we ate lunch together (something we NEVER do), he left a little early, we had pizza for supper and chocolate sour cream cake, he got a ton of great gifts, lots of sweet calls and now he only has one day left before a two week holiday.

My love, so happy to get to spend this day with you. It's hard to believe we have spent 18 birthdays together. Here's to 58 more. I love you. Happy Birthday.

Now, on the other hand - We are now getting a new TV for sure. So thanks to all you jerks who sent money or Best.Buy gift cards. He is well on his way to purchasing one and he and the boys are totally pumped about it. I think it is the biggest waste of money around. He could have asked for gift certificates to Coach. I would love a new purse!

Christmas Cheer

Had a gift exchange/Secret Santa at work last week. While the event was a total and utter gong show, I was happy that the recipient of my gift loved what I had bought her and is using the decoration as part of her holiday decorations at home.

Isn`t it awful when one or two people try to ruin what should be a fun event for the rest of the group? I just don't get it. Oh well, such life.  Scrooges!

Hmmmmm

Unibrow or moustachio?
Kaedo made these cool mustaches off instructions from the back of an Altoids tin he got while on holidays this summer. He's been wearing one on and off all weekend. When we went out with me yesterday he had it on. Considering what some people wear, I figure he fit right in!

Week 12

Well, the end of another week has come and back to work tomorrow for all of us. It is the last week of school for 2012 for the boys and Craig starts his holidays on Friday. He's off until the 7th and desperately needs to be.  He has worked very hard over the last 6 months and hasn't had any holidays since the first week of July. Hopefully he'll just be able to shut down and sleep in and relax.

This weekend we had the opportunity to spend lots of one on one time with our best guys. Yesterday Sterling and I spent the day together and Craig and Kaedo did. Today it got reversed so we could get more of our shopping done. I love being with my guys. The weekends are just a highlight of my life.

This morning mom and I attempted to have our weekly conversation. We got cut off early as the way things go when using the internet. Next weekend we'll sit down for a good chat. Might me a little noisy as my cutie nieces will be with them, but that's ok.

Last night we went to see the Christmas lights in a neighboring community. We took Ketchup. What a mistake. He cried and whined until he could sit on Craig's lap. Did I mention Craig was driving? We thought it was hilarious. Note to self - do not take the dog anywhere. Another note to self - not taking him anywhere is probably why we can't take him anywhere.

Sheer Devastation

Thinking tonight of all the families in Connec.ticut who lost their children, their mothers, their fathers, their siblings, grandchildren. I have shed many tears this afternoon thinking about this. How do these things happen? When I think of these 20 children, 5-10 years old. Innocent in every way. Really, it may sound melodramatic but what the hell is this world coming to? All these families, living in one of the richest communities in the country, all believing they are safe from these horrifying incidences. Their lives are ruined. Ruined. And you know what? A little bit has been taken from the lives of my children. Because I will think twice before I let them do things I am unsure of, I will be that little bit more protective. Why?  Believe me, I am not being melodramatic, my life would not only be ruined, it would be over.

Frustrated

I received a call today advising our family that the teachers in Kaedo's school were going on strike on Friday. It went so far as to say that the teachers would be picketing outside of school-age daycares on that day as well.

I don't understand the whole process and maybe the teachers in our family can "school" me a little on how and why this happens. Don't get me wrong, I understand that both sides feel like the other isn't playing fair. What bothers me is that children - who are completely innocent in this situation - are the ones who suffer. Not to mention their parents who have first graders who can't be home alone, who have to now struggle for childcare.

I really wish both sides would think about what they are doing and who they are affecting - kids. I sometimes wonder if that even factors into the equation.

We have been running on a work to rule situation since September, marking isn't being done, activities aren't being provided, nothing. How do we accept our children's report cards when no one has marked their assignments, or not enough of them to actually provide a real grade?

Thankfully as of today our high school has advised that work to rule will remain but that striking is not on the agenda right now. A high schooler not getting his grades is not acceptable to me. He needs those.

OK, I'm done. Off my soapbox.

Week 11

We seem to be getting used to these 11th hour photos. The boys decided to be twins tonight. Not counting the 70lb difference and 5 inches - ha!

The boys headed out with Craig this morning for some "guy time", otherwise known as "what the hell are we gonna get mom for Christmas" time. They came home and got wrapping and now I have two special gifts from my best guys. I am always thrilled with what they buy me. I think part of it is because they have to save their own money and pay for it themselves. We have a rule that they spend $20 on each of the rest of us and $20 for Craig for his birthday and then $5 for Secret Santa. So, some the Fall they have to save up $85. That really cuts into Kaedo's Bulk.Barn shopping. We have done it this way for quite a few years and we find that they seem more engaged in Christmas and really proud of themselves and their ideas when they are buying the gifts. Plus we try to give as little direction as possible. It's up to them. Last year Kaedo bought Craig a big box of chocolate shaped like a football (the box, not the chocolate). When he saw it he knew he had to get it. Craig hastily ate all the chocolate then went ahead and made a hat rack for all his ball caps, using the football box as the base. I am sure I posted a picture of it earlier in the year. For the last couple of years Sterling has bought Craig a new wallet. It's kind of a running joke.

Today we got J and C's gifts wrapped and parceled. Tomorrow on the way home we will take it to be mailed. I hope they like everything.

You were lucky to get two posts yesterday, if you noticed. Obviously the right hand didn't know what the left was doing. Craig's post about the scootering is much better than mine as it has our supreme scooterer doing some fun tricks in the videos. If you scrolled past it, check it out.

And to my sister and sweet nieces - GET BETTER - especially you J. They are all sick, especially my sis and they have to fly in a week. Love you guys!

And as I posted yesterday - have fun everyone going to Disney.land!

Scooter Fun

Last Sunday Kaedo finally got to fulfill his birthday wish and I took him and a friend to CJs.Skate.Park for a day of scootering.  They had a blast and stayed from 12 until 5:50 ( the pass they got allowed them to stay until 6) and scootered nearly the whole time, doing tricks, grinds, jumps and a ton of time in the foam pit.  If you don't know what a foam pit is I attached some video  below.  Was a very long 6 hours for me but I guess it's what you do for your kids and I was glad to make it happen for him. I also got to watch a bit of football in the parents lounge :)

Saturday

It's Saturday night already? Where the heck did the day go?
Craig played football this morning and the boys and I ran some errands. Then we all met up and headed to Cost.co. I gotta say I LOVE how close our Cost.co is. Awesome! We had lunch and shopped. I must admit we only picked up five things. Yup, five. Usually we would save up our list as it was 30 minutes away. Now that it's less than 10 we can go there for 5 things. Yay me!

We brought the boys home after that and Craig and I headed out to get J and C's gifts as I need to mail them this week. Many phone calls back and forth along with pictures (thank god for cell phones) and we were successful in getting those munchkins things that we think they'll love. It has been quite a while since we had to buy toys so it took some work. It was totally worth it!

It was so nice to just go with Craig. The only alone time we have is driving to and from work together. It was nice to get this opportunity (and even hold hands - sigh) ha!

We were going to watch a movie but the guys seem to be doing "guy stuff" if there is such a thing. We'll see what tomorrow brings.

Wishing a Bon Voyage to our family out West who hard trying AGAIN to get to Disneyland. I have my fingers crossed for no blizzards this time, you guys! Have an awesome time and give Eeyore a hug for me. I love that melancholy big lug.

Food Challenge Week 2

With only 8 more hours of work until the weekend I am so happy! This is my chance to spend time with my best guys, sleep in, watch movies, hang out and just be together.

Having said all that I must post the picture of Tuesday night`s food challenge. The boys did great this week. Cheese buns, sandwich meat (each person likes something different), lettuce and cheese. I must admit I made the sandwiches, which is not a job I like, but I thought that since the boys did such a wonderful job I would give in and make them.

Feeling much better today after a nasty case of the 24 hour flu yesterday. Had me in bed all day. I told the kids they had food poisoned me but I don`t think they believed me.

Lastly, for any of you that do not watch The Big.Bang Theory - what the hell????? BY FAR the best show on TV. I laughed until I cried tonight. You must watch!

More posts coming through the weekend. Gnome picture, some great video of Kaedo at the scooter park and some other random blathering.

Have a great night!

week 10

Holy last minute, Batman! Kaedo was out today scootering at a cool scooter park all day and only got home at 7pm. By the time he got home Sterling was gone to his meeting. So once again, in the dark, we get our photo.

PA Day

The boys had PA Days yesterday. It was a little cool so Kaedo decided to stay home and watch movies, play on his computer, etc.
Sterling however was a regular social butterfly.
Off he went to the skate/bike park at 8:30am with his buddies (no sleeping in for him). Then off to Ns house for lunch and hanging out. A trip to the mall where four teenage boys checked out the stores (and the girls?) and had fun. This was his first time at the mall without a parent. Overprotective much? Yikes!

Back to Ns house then a decision to go to the roller rink from 8pm-11pm. "Yes", I said, "go ahead, but you must wear a helmet". He was not thrilled. I texted him part way through and he said he looked like a dork and was the only 'older kid' wearing a helmet. Oh well, too bad.

I just now asked him if he wore his helmet and he said no, he didn't. I must admit I'm shocked. And a little disappointed.