2009 in Review: Part 2

Scroll down for the first part of 2009.

Now seeing as I didn't blog the first half of 2009, there isn't much I remember.  But I have this great collection of stories from the second half of 2009.

In July, Mommy got it in the face.

In August we found an alligator in our toilet.

In September I confessed my son is an addict

In October, I wrote a letter to Soccer Moms

In November, Dear Hubby learned what happens when all is quiet

In December, I talked alot about Christmas, and had another toilet incident.

So much easier to remember what happened when I write it all down.  While 2009 was a decent year, I know that 2010 is going to be better!!! Happy New Year!

God gave us memories that we might have roses in December. ~J.M. Barrie, Courage, 1922

2009 in Review: Part 1

Is it really bad that I can't remember the first few months of 2009?  I wasn't blogging yet, so I didn't have daily or almost daily chronicles of my life and I can't remember what happened. 

I know that little man was just starting to talk - he took a long time to talk.  I know that the boys were in the first grade and played baseball in the spring.  But the details - I don't remember any details.  The details that I want to remember and keep a history of - those are the things you don't get to keep when you don't blog.  It's the whole reason I started blogging.  I had tried various ways of writing down things that happened in our lives, little things that the boys did or said, but I wasn't good at keeping up with it. 

Blogosphere has brought me a way of keeping the memories.  Of course I had no idea that it would bring me a whole community of friends and that I would be able to piece bake some of the memories of when the boys were younger.

So while I don't remember much of the beginning of 2009 I do have a few memories from the first six months and a few from before 2009 that I was able to capture and preserve.

T1 learned that mommy was scared of dead lizards.

We played a lot of baseball

and little man taught us all the Toddler's Creed!
I remembered about the Toothless Tooth Fairy

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. ~From the television show The Wonder Years

Run while Mommy counts to 10, very slowly

Ever had that moment where you are not quite sure what you are going to do to your child, but know that they are lucky they are not within arm's length.

My adorable, sweet, precious child decided he should push Mommy to that limit while at a Boxing day party on Saturday.  The kids had decided to run and play on the stairs during this not so casual party. 

By play,  I mean slide down all of them on their butt.  By run I mean chase each other around the balcony area while squealing.

I walked halfway up the stairs and told my boys (who happened to be showing off for older kids) to calm down.  My stepmother was downstairs having a fit at all the noise from the children.   I hissed "quit running and sliding, when you do that it echoes through the house"

T1's response: "when you yell at me it echoes"

1...2...3.... breathe....4......5....6...7...8.9.10

Santa did it!

Mother Nature didn't agree with Santa this year, which made for a very interesting Christmas morning.  While the rest of the country was getting snow - we got a very cold rain.  That's right, we live too far north for warmth, but too far south for snow.  So we got rained on, all day, Christmas day.

Luckily that was about the worst of it.

Except Santa brought his big gift, which involved the twins going on a treasure hunt to find it, which involved going outside, in the rain.

They didn't care.  And in the end they rode their new present for about 5 minutes in the rain.  Yesterday I was able to watch them actally enjoy it for a few minutes before I crashed on the couch again.  What is it about Christmas that wears us out?  After all the prep - we are pooped afterwards.

So today I'm back at work and the kids and hubby are lounging around, or else doing this.

the day after, the day after

It's the day after, the day after Christmas and at my house, this is the day we all crash.  After a week of events and family we all look forward to a day of peace.  Or at least Mommy does.

On the one hand I'm ready for all the chaos to be over, on the other, I already miss all the preparations that were made.  Getting ready for the big day is almost as much fun as the big day itself.

And now here we are -the house needs cleaning, the kids need calming and Mommy isn't even ready to write about the big day yet.  We had a blast and the twins loved their big present from the big man, but that is a post for another day.  Today is a day of rest.

Hope you are all enjoying your day of rest - or shopping (if you're nuts) - or maybe you're family is still around.  Whatever it is - hope it is the best.

Twas the Night Before

In case you haven't noticed I like to take songs and twist them around a bit.  (don't believe me?  I did it for SITSmas and awards day )  My favorite poem to change is Twas the Night before Christmas.  I'm sending it to all my friends this year in new age style (via facebook, because I never got around to printing and mailing them). 

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Every creature was stirring except for my spouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children had been nestled all snug in their beds,

But wouldn't sleep because visions of toys danced in their heads.

And while Daddy was enjoying his long winter's nap,

I was waiting for the twins to try and set a trap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

Hailey sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.

Away to the window she and Morgan flew like a flash,

Tore open the blinds and ripped up the sash.

The moon on the crest of the grass covered in frost

Gave the lustre of new to the toys once lost.

I quieted the dogs for there was nothing to fear,

It's not like there was a sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the carpet

The sound in the night that always makes me fret.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the hallway little man came with a bound.

He was dressed all in paper, from his head to his feet,

And his clothes were all covered in ribbons so neat.

Carrying a bundle of toys he had opened with great care and tact,

And he looked like a peddler, just examining his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His drool on his little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the glimmer of his diaper was sagging like snow.

The stump of a candy cane he held tight in his teeth,

And the wrapper lay in a pile beneath.

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!

A blink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had everything to dread.

The twins spoke not a word, but looked straight at his work,

All the empty stockings caused them to jerk.

All the toys lay spread on the floor in rows,

And giving a nod, they chased him like foes!

Little man sprang to the side of the couch,

He knew they wanted him to say ouch,

But I heard him exclaim, ‘as he ran into bed,

"Merry Christmas to all, that was quite a spread!"

Mom VS Santa

Last week I gave a hint that my favorite gift may be coming from Santa this year. 

It's official.  Santa wrote me a nice long note and told me what super duper big gift he was giving my boys.  Without Santa, my boys wouldn't have recieved such a gift because lets face it - it's way out of our price range.  And for those guessing a Wii (Desert Rose), it's not one of those, this actually costs more. 

I say it's for my boys, but really it is for the twins.  Although Dear Hubby will get just as much joy out of it.  Little Man will be very jealous, until he is older and can steal it from them.

I listened to all the comments on my favorite gift post and I asked Santa to make a treasure hunt to it.  I think it will be so much fun!  He is going to do 10 clues, and they will each be able to take turns figuring out where to go next. 

He has also promised that he will leave them a note with the first clue that says they have to follow Mommy and Daddy's rules on their new gift.  See Mommy likes rules, especially when it comes to toys for boys.

It all sounds so wonderful doesn't it?  It is great, and I am very excited for them.  This is my only problem.  Santa is bringing the big gift, but in order to use the big gift, you need a smaller gift.  This is a part of Mommy's rules.  So, while all my shopping was done last week, today I got to go out in the lovely traffic and go shopping again.  On my lunch break.  To multiple stores.  To find one of these. 

And by the way Santa, this thing cost $100.00 but they aren't getting your gift without it!

Now, the question is when to give them this - before or after the treasure hunt - or should I pretend it is from Santa?

Christmas to do list

My list is long and today it got a little wacky

1. wrap presents CHECK (except for the ones to be delivered Monday)
2. take day off to go to kids school Christmas parties CHECK
3. send hubby to store for mint that I forgot for cookies CHECK (although they had no mint)
4. wait for school to be cancelled for incliment weather to come CHECK
5. incliment weather come NO CHECK
6. bake Mint Oreo Cookies found on Jamie Cooks it Up minus the mint CHECK (and boy are they good!)
7. bake Charleston Chews CHECK
8. bake meringue cookies IN PROGRESS
9. bake butter cookies
10. clean kitchen for fifth time
11. figure out dinner
12. take kids to see the lights at Zootastic

I wonder what tomorrow's will look like. 
How's your Christmas List going?

In all my 30 years of Christmas...

Thirty years of Christmas presents is a lot of gifts, if you include my birthday and any other random gift I've gotten, well that is a WHOLE LOTTA GIFTS!
And Mama Kat wants me to describe a funny or favorite gift that you’ve gotten or have given.

So I was thinking - I talked about the pink jambox the other day in my questions post.

Did I tell you about the year (yes it was the 80's) that I got the black and white polka dot hammer pants I was dying for?  That was the one and only time my mother actually got me exactly what I wanted clothes wise.  And I was thrilled - they went great with my pink sweater.  I even have a picture of me modeling them that Christmas morning.

There was also the year that I got a bicycle!  I had to follow clues and hunt for it.  I was so excited - even if it was green. 

But my favorite, I think it is coming this year!  I am so excited about the gift for the boys.  It is a super duper suprise and it won't fit under the tree.  Hopefully it will all pan out according to plan, and if it does - the look on their faces will be great!!!  I can make them go on a treasure hunt around the house like I did, or maybe I'll just leave directions to go look on the back porch.

What should I do?

Christmas is sights, especially the sights of Christmas reflected in the eyes of a child.--William Saroyan

All I want for Christmas is a few prayers

I know this is not my typical post - it is way out of the norm for me. The norm for me is the chaos that having three boys has made in my life. The norm for me is also dealing with a son who was born with a heart defect. And the norm for me is praying each night, especially for children who need it.

During our hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, what are you wishing for?  A new sweater, that bagless vaccum, a new car, diamond earrings.  Maybe you are simpler and just want a job.  I don't have anything on my list this year.  My list consists of lists for others.  Even in these tight times, I'd like to make Christmas special for my boys, but that is not something I pray for each night.  At night I pray for something different.

When you pray at night who do you think of?  Do you think of just your family or do you pray from a list?  Do you remember each and everyone, or do you remember the faces? I admit when there are times I don't remember a name, but just a face or a request for a prayer.  I know that it is okay if I say a prayer for a face, God knows who we are talking about. This Christmas, I am asking you to say an extra prayer, a special prayer for these children, because for them, the norm is they are in need of all our prayers.






         

Remember

This December,

That love weighs more than gold!

~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon

I'm giving out Awards for Christmas!

It's Christmas time and Award time - how terrific is that.  Recently I have been awarded three awards by three fabulous ladies.  Luckily there weren't many rules with these ones so I am making this post a little more fun.  I am wishing a Merry Christmas to all my recipients and the present is your award! The best kind of regifting out there!

First up is the 5 Diamond award and who doesn't love getting diamonds for Christmas?  Speaking from the Crib gave me this award and even said I was a real gem - I feel like a million dollars already.  I am passing this award on to It's Twinsanity who is a real gem herself and deserves all the diamonds she can get!

Tiffany at My Journey in Motherhood gave me the Scribbler Award.  Some days I think all I do is scribble, but she actually said I have strength.  If she only knew how many days I'm just lucky to get by.  This award goes to I'm Living Proof that God has a sense of Humor whose writing I love to read and never want to miss - she is a super scribbler!

Last but so not least is the Circle of Friends award from Desert Rose Moments.  I love this gal and enjoy all of her posts.  This one came with the rule that I have to list 5 things I love to do.  Well in the spirit of Christmas: 1. I love wrapping gifts (i know i'm nuts)  2. I love egg nog 3. I love going to look at Christmas lights, they make me feel like a kid again.  4. I love waking up before everyone else Christmas morning and anticipating the delight on the kids faces.  5. I love to bake cookies to give to everyone.
This award is going to The Five Fish who deserves to be in the circle of friends like no one else!

Take your awards lately and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;

Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Oh, bring us some followers;

Oh, bring us some followers;

Oh, bring us some followers and a few good comments.

We won't go until we get some;

We won't go until we get some;

We won't go until we get some, so bring some out here

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas;

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Christmas Questions you say?

Laugh until you Cry tagged me in a little Christmas Meme which is from the Top Christmas Blog.  So if you want to know all about Christmas at my house, read on my friends, read on.

1. Have you started your christmas shopping yet?
Well I bought a little bit, and won a couple of things.  So started yes, but anywhere near finished? NO!  Which is really bad for me.  I usually start mapping out a plan and shopping in October, but this year, well October just slipped right on by - and for that matter so did November.

2. Tell me about one of your special traditions.

If you read my post a couple of weeks ago - you know I am in need of some traditions. I've adopted one Helen gave me that the boys will open one present Christmas Eve (that I've always let them do) and it will be new PJ's.  I like the idea that I can at least make sure they have matching pjs on for all the pictures that are taken Christmas morning.  The only one we have is our annual trip to Mcadenville the city of Christmas lights.  The boys love it - we went last Sunday and even little man kept saying "lights, lights, lights"

3.When do you put up your tree?
The weekend after Thanksgiving.  I prefer one holiday at a time, but as much Christmas as I am able to squeeze in.

4. Are you a black friday shopper?
I wasn't.  Last year was the first time I ventured out and that was because a friend dragged my butt out of bed.  This year, dear hubby had to work, so I didn't make it.  But I feel like I missed some really good deals and a great time.

5. Do you travel at Christmas or stay home?
We don't travel far away - but we do go to the in-laws just down the road for brunch and dinner. 

6. What is one of your funniest Christmas memories?
My favorite -he he he- is from when my brother and I were little.  He really wanted a jambox for Christmas and our very cool aunt got him one with a cassette player and all - it was so great - and I was very jealous.  Until he opened the box and saw it was pink.  That gift went to me - with the promise that he would have another one, wonder if he ever got one???

7. What is your favorite Christmas movie?
There are so many great ones.  I am a big fan of Polar Express - have loved the book since I was a  little girl.  I also have to watch the Grinch every year and Charlie Brown.

8. Do you do your own Christmas baking? What is your favorite treat?
Yes I do my own baking!  I love to cook, good ol' southern food and desserts.  Last year the twins and I made batches and batches of cookies and peppermint brittle for them to package up and give to people as gifts.  My favorite thing to make is fudge, or cheesecake.  I make a mean cheesecake.

9. Fake or Real tree?
I like a real one - sprayed with anti-burn stuff.  But we bought a fake one the first year we were together and it has been that way ever since.  I just can't see spending the money on a real one when I have a fake one (make that 2, someone gave us their old one) right here.

10.  What day does the actual panic set in to get it all done?
Panic - I've never felt any panic before.  Usually I have it all done in a timely fashion and try to enjoy every bit of it.  This year though - there might be a little panic if I don't get some shopping done soon.

11. Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?
Nope - I had that experience once in college when I came home and my step-mother hadn't wrapped anything yet.  And I may be caught wrapping gifts for my mother in law who saves them all for me to do, but all of my stuff is wrapped.  I enjoy wrapping and will take my time in the evenings doing it all.

12. What is your favorite family fun time at Christmas?
I'm probably the most excited person Christmas morning, I've always been the first one up and have even woken up my children out of sheer anticipation.  I love to see their faces when they get up and can be found with my cup of coffee in hand sitting near the tree waiting on them.  That is my favorite part - the joy and wonder of their faces first thing in the morning.

13. What Christmas craft do you like best?
I made really neat stockings one year.  But my favorite is making the Gingerbread house, I try to get better each year.

14. Christmas music?
Dear hubby isn't a big fan - although he enjoys the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  I am not picky and love Christmas muic.  The Christmas station has been on in my car since the first day of December.

15. When do you plan to finish all your shopping?
Hopefully before the 20th. I do not want to be caught out the week of Christmas. One year I fogot the gift for my brother and had to go out  Christmas Eve, it was pouring a cold rain and the mall was packed.  It was the most miserable shopping ever. 

The original version of this meme says to tag 5 blog friends, so that is what I'll do. I'm going to tag:
Desert Rose Moments
Diaries of a Coach's Wife
I'm Living Proof that God has a Sense of Humor
Twinsomnia
Anti-Supermom

2 year old for sale

I'm now opening bids for one 2 1/2 year old.
He can climb bookcases
to throw the stuff off the top
He has silly faces
covered in green snot
He screams louder than a banshee
while hiding better than a turtle
He makes strong coffee
and eats crumbs off the floor.
He's not potty trained,
but will escape out the door.
Bids start at a dollar but I'll take much more.

DISCLAIMER:  This post is a meant to be funny -my son is not actually for sale - I just remember when my brother used to sing Shel Silverstein's poem about me and thought I could do the same about my son.  So knock it off all of you without a sense of humor!

For Sale

One sister for sale!

One sister for sale!

One crying and spying young sister for sale!

I’m really not kidding,

So who’ll start the bidding?

Do I hear the dollar?

A nickel?

A penny?

Oh, isn’t there, isn’t there, isn’t there any

One kid that will buy this old sister for sale,

This crying and spying young sister for sale?

~Shel Silverstein

It's beginning to look like SITSmas!

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

Ev'rywhere you go;

Take a look in The Five Fish glistening once amiss

With candy canes and silver lanes aglow.

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

Blogs of every kind, 

But the prettiest sight to see is Leigh vs Laundry

On your own dashboard.

A pair of hopalong cooks and a new book

Is the wish of Deep South Dish;

Dolls that will talk and will go for a walk

Is the hope of Desert Rose;

And Anti-Supermom and Living Proof can hardly wait for school to start again.

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas

Ev'rywhere you go;

There's a tree at Three Times the Giggles, one at Laugh until you Cry as well,

The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow.

It's beginning to look a lot like SITSmas;

Soon the bells will start,

And the thing that will make them ring is the COMMENTS that you leave

Right upon their sleeve.

HELP! How do I not blow Santa's cover???

Have you heard about the Elf on the Shelf? It is all the new rave.  Well, at least at the twins school.  Their teachers each have a Elf on the Shelf who watches the children and then goes back to Santa each night and tells whether they have been 'naughty or nice'.  Each day he comes back to a different spot in the room.

I think it is a great concept, the boys love it.  He comes with a special book and you can name him and 'register' online to get 'adoption' papers.  The boys have fallen in love with the elf, and all in the year I was afraid the magic of Christmas would start to disappear.  They are seven now.

T1 and T2 have been asking for an elf for about a week.  They told me which website I could go to and would ask everyday if I had been.  Well I went.  It's $29.99 for the whole set-up and we don't have an extra thirty bucks for an elf on a shelf.  I nicely told them we just couldn't afford it right now and it was a lot of money.

Last night, T1 politely informed me that I didn't have to worry about getting one anymore.

"Why?" I asked
"Because I wrote Santa a note and the Elf in our class took it to him.  Santa will send you a Elf on a Shelf."
"Wow!" I responded.  Dumbfounded because now I either get to make or break Christmas this year.

There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. ~Erma Bombeck

the tale of a toilet

I have been holding out on this post for about a week.  The dear hubby doesn't want me to write it - but seeing how he is leaving me to go work today - here it is!

To start off you need a little background.  A: if you didn't know we have 3 boys and that makes life interesting to say the least.  B: we have had a few toilet incidents - including once finding an alligator in our toilet.  C: although Dear hubby works in construction - my idea of fixing things is to try anything, knowing it was already broke means I can't break it worse by trying.  D: I have no real experience in construction.

The Tuesday before Thanksgiving T2 and Dear Hubby got in a water fight.  Yes it is cold here in NC in November, no they did not care.  T2 was armed with a small watergun, Dear Hubby armed with brute strength.  Dear Hubby warned T2 that if he shot him again, he would give T2 a swishy in the toilet.  T2 not to be scared off, shot him anyway.  Dear Hubby picked our son up and took him to the bathroom and hung him upside down by his ankles over the toilet.  T2 was laughing so hard he dropped the watergun in the toilet.  Then Dear Hubby attempted to make good on his threat by flushing the toilet (even though T2 wasn't actually in the toilet and didn't get wet).  Well there went the water gun, down the drain.  GREAT - a water gun stuck in the boys toilet.  Dear Hubby had the bright idea we would fix it later, as we were leaving for Thanksgiving the next day and the boys could use our toilet in the meantime.

Boys don't always listen, and continued to use and flush the toilet. We left for Thanksgiving and came home late Thursday night because Dear Hubby was working on a job Friday Sat and Sun.  After spending all day Friday with the twins using our toilet, or forgetting and using theirs, I made hubby take apart the toilet Friday night to retrieve the water gun.  Stuck was not the word.  That water gun was wedged so far in there we could barely touch it.  We greased T2's hand with shortening and tried to get him to pull it out.  He thought the shortening was great, but it didn't do the trick.  Dear Hubby was getting quite frustrated.  We had the toilet bowl in the bathtub, a hose through the window, a plunger, every kind of tool possible and s*** flying out the back but nothing was working.   Dear Hubby decided since it was plastic he could use a propane torch and melt the water gun allowing it to move.  I left the bathroom for that one.  Somehow the idea of fire and a toilet didn't seem like a good idea to me.  An hour later he gave up - and I had decided I would go to Lowe's the next day to buy a new toilet bowl.

Saturday morning I packed up all three boys and we made the trip to Lowe's.  We found a toilet bowl for $25.00 and I was thrilled.  We then made our way through the store looking at all the lights and neat Christmas decorations that cost no less than $80.00 if the kids want it.

We came home and I proceeded to install the new toilet.  It fit and I had it all set up, only when I went to flush one of the bolts from the tank to the toilet bowl leaked.  The other problem was that the toilet seat had rusted to the old toilet and was not coming off. My father in law came over and inspected my work.  He told me I did everything right but that the washers on the tank aren't really made to work for more than one time and I would need a new washer along with a new toilet seat.  He put some sealer on it to make it work in the meantime.  Saturday night dear hubby came home and I asked him to look at the toilet.  Everything was working except sometimes it would continue to run, which had always been a problem with the toilet.

Dear Hubby went in to take a look and proceeded to break the whole contraption in the back.  BREAK IT after I had JUST fixed the toilet.  GREAT!

After church on Sunday - I took all three boys back to Lowe's to get the parts to fix the toilet, again.  I found the whole set-up for $9.00 (individually the parts cost $2 and $3 bucks a piece and I wasn't taking any chances).  The only problem was their was a 8 inch one and 12 inch.  I really thought my toilet was a 10 inch toilet, but if that was all they had I must need the larger one.  I knew my toilet was bigger than 8 inches and even went to look at other toilets in the store to be sure.

We got the set up and a new lid and went home, I fixed lunch and then went in to tackle the toilet again.  As soon as I got in the bathroom I knew there was a problem.  I had been right.  Our toilet was 10 inches (even though it says USA Standard toilet on the inside).  Apparently our toilet is from the dark ages, and they don't even make 10" pieces anymore.  I loaded the kids back up and we went back to Lowe's.  (side note: we live in the sticks and Lowe's is 20 minutes away - one way)  I was not pleased and neither were they.  Lowe's for the third time in two days was enough.

Once back home, I attmpted to fix the toilet.  Little man took offense to the tools I was using and everytime I would put something down, he would take it away and say "No, Daddys!"  That really helped me move along.  So did the fact that the toilet tank really was meant for a 10" part and I had to continue to make do with what the store had.  An hour later I was done.  YIPEE.  I yelled for the boys and we all watched as T1 flushed it for the first time.  It was great, except that it leaked.  From the same stupid bolt that was leaking before and had been fixed by my father in law.  The same washer that I had not bought a new one of because I thought it had been fixed.  Dear Hubby came home and was impressed, even if we did have to use a towel to catch the leak and turn the water off after every use.

Monday I went to Lowe's on my way home from work.  I bought the bolts and washers for a "standard toilet"  being the only size they had.  I told Dear Hubby when I got home he was NOT ALLOWED to touch the toilet.  He had caused enough problems already.  I went into to change out the bolt (not messing with the one that wasn't leaking) and the new bolt wouldn't work.  Even though it was standard, it was too big.  Apparently my toilet tank was from the land of nonstandard toilets.  I'd had enough.  I used the old bolt new washer and the thing still leaked.  I gave up, I'd had enough.

Tuesday - AGAINST ALL ORDERS - dear hubby worked on the bolt and got it to stop leaking.  One week and four trips to Lowe's later the toilet was finally fixed.

My advice to all - A: don't flush a water gun down the toilet and B: just buy a whole new set up instead of buying it one part at a time if you do happen to get something stuck in the toilet.

What have you flushed down the toilet?

The trick to getting things done is to list things to do in doable order. ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

lets TOAST or ROAST for my 100th post

I cannot believe I have been blogging for such a short time and have made so many wonderful bloggy friends.  When I first started, I didn't even know why I was writing and didn't tell anyone - even my hubby- for weeks.  (read my scary intro post here) Then I started poking around and found all these great groups like Multiples and More and SITS, then I found some ultra cool - could be my irish twin ladies (Mrs. Fish and Siloquiy Chick to name a couple). 
And low and behold I started wanting people to read what I write (just like Speaking from the Crib said I would). 
I wrote some funny stuff about dead lizards, some sad stuff about dying, and some screaming at the top of my lungs stuff.  Eventually I gathered a few followers and now, here I am, writing my 100th post.  YIPPEE. 

So here is a toast to the brave one, the sassy one, the learned it along the way one.
Here's to the one who has really just begun.

Here's to the wit and the charm from the spell
That made sure you never said farewell

To Me and my glass of... and to you and yours!

Now your choice - toast or roast

Wordless Wednesday - Who turned out the Lights?

For more Wordless Wednesday go see Extraordinary Mothers!

we need some Christmas Traditions

Everyone has their Christmas Traditions - right?  I'm not so sure we have any - or any good ones. 

We had a tradition where everyone had the same crocheted stocking with our names and year of birth on them.  My siblings and I have them, the twins got theirs, then the lady died and so did the tradition - little man has a plain green stocking.

We always let the boys open 1 gift the night before - but we get to choose.  It's not the same thing each year.

We go to the in-laws for breakfast - but I've been protesting that tradition for years.  I understand it's a special meal she only makes once a year, but I like the kids to be able to relax and open their presents without being rushed.

I've made a tradition of going to see the lights in Mcadenville NC.  The whole town decorates and people come from miles around to see it.  If you are in the area and have never been you are missing out.  I pack hot chocolate and cookies in the car and we drive thru at least twice.

But that is it.  All I have.  I am looking for some traditions to start.  Jolly Mom has some great ones and asked for ours, but I'm stumped.  What traditions do you have that I can steal?

Tradition: sit with husband in a room lit only by tree lights and remember that our blessings outnumber the lights. Happy Christmas to all. ~Betsy Cañas Garmon,

When all is quiet

When all is quiet, as Mom's, we know something is wrong.

We wish for peace and tranquility in our homes, but we never ever wish for quiet.  For when it is quiet, strange things begin to occur.

Once when the twins were 2, I went to the bathroom.  Mistake 1:  Bathroom breaks are not allowed.  When I came out of the bathroom, I immediately knew something was wrong, because the house was quiet.  I started looking for something to calm my fears.  I found my troublemakers in the kitchen.  T1: was holding the high chair steady in front of the stove while T2 was standing in the high chair - stirring the pot on the stove.  (no the stove was not on)

See, I had the immediate instinct and knowledge of what happens when all is quiet.  My dear hubby didn't.  He asked for a few minutes of quiet out of everyone, and sadly he got it.

While enjoying his quiet he walked into the kitchen where he found little man - he also found a great big mess.  Little man had decided Daddy needed some coffee, and so doing like Daddy does, went to get some coffee grinds.  He then proceeded to dump about 10 scoops of grinds into the coffee machine.  Of course they didn't all make it in - what machine holds that much?  So there were grinds on the counter, stove and floor.  I only wish dear hubby had taken a picture.  He did learn that quiet is something he won't ask for again.

What have your kids done when all is quiet?

The 80's are back to haunt us! PART 2

Thank goodness Thanksgiving is over - now to get ready for Christmas.  Don't wanna blog about Thanksgiving or Christmas yet.  So here goes.

This post is dedicated to: Mrs. Fish (now you owe me), and Anti-Supermom (because you had the guts first), and all the other ladies who agree the 80's should stay in the 80s!

I had Oprah on in the background the a few weeks ago while I was reading (quiet doesn't sit well for me unless I'm trying to sleep - something to do with having too many boys in our house).  Anyway.  I was reading when all the sudden I heard profanity on the screen.  This high fashion dude says "the 80's are back"

I wanted to run screaming from the room!  But instead I stopped reading and turned up the volume to listen to this man talk about how to wear the "latest" 80s fashions. People - don't you get it???  The 80's are over for a reason.  (To see a bulleted list go here)  Those of us who lived through it the first time do NOT want to go back - ever. 

Apparently you still don't believe me.  Well the hot-shot fashion dude said ruffles are back.  I remember ruffles, they went something like this.

Not so fabulous right?

He also said over the knee boots are back.  He said you can wear them over your skinny jeans.  Skinny jeans, I will not be caught dead in skinny jeans.  I know leg warmers are back, along with jean skirts and tights.  I've heard hammer pants are back.  But I'm waiting, I'm waiting to see the bangs.  When we see the bangs come back, we'll know we've lost all hope.

Please people, take this as a sign of warning, you don't want to be remembered like this!

Thankful for Thanksgiving - Part 5 of 5

Today is Thanksgiving (and 29 days before Christmas). We usually take the day to spend time with our families, watch a parade (football), and eat - a lot. Many times we forget why Thanksgiving was started and we forget to be thankful.

Each day this week I've talked about something I'm thankful for in detail.  Today I'm doing it a little differently. 

Today I am thankful for 50 things! (in random order b/c my brain works that way)

1. 
   
   God
   
   
   
2. 
   
   my husband
   
   
   
3. 
   
   my children
   
   
   
4. 
   
   great friends
   
   
   
5. 
   
   family
   
   
   
6. 
   
   chocolate
   
   
   
7. 
   
   pepsi
   
   
   
8. 
   
   a home that is ours
   
   
   
9. 
   
   a computer
   
   
   
10. 
    
    the ability to read
    
    
    
11. 
    
    trees
    
    
    
12. 
    
    starlight
    
    
    
13. 
    
    my suburban
    
    
    
14. 
    
    new tires for my suburban
    
    
    
15. 
    
    a great school for my children
    
    
    
16. 
    
    awesome teachers at said school
    
    
    
17. 
    
    blogosphere
    
    
    
18. 
    
    Mrs. Fish
    
    
    
19. 
    
    Allison
    
    
    
20. 
    
    the ease of the internet
    
    
    
21. 
    
    online banking
    
    
    
22. 
    
    my dog (not necessisarily my husbands dog :)
    
    
    
23. 
    
    great doctors
    
    
    
24. 
    
    the power of prayer
    
    
    
25. 
    
    rugby
    
    
    
26. 
    
    a job that I love
    
    
    
27. 
    
    rain
    
    
    
28. 
    
    flowers - especially iris
    
    
    
29. 
    
    food in my belly
    
    
    
30. 
    
    puddles to jump in
    
    
    
31. 
    
    christmas wonder
    
    
    
32. 
    
    in vehicle dvd player
    
    
    
33. 
    
    naps
    
    
    
34. 
    
    heat (and airconditioning in the summer)
    
    
    
35. 
    
    a fireplace
    
    
    
36. 
    
    health insurance
    
    
    
37. 
    
    a warm jacket
    
    
    
38. 
    
    rain
    
    
    
39. 
    
    sunshine
    
    
    
40. 
    
    living in the south
    
    
    
41. 
    
    coffee makers
    
    
    
42. 
    
    my cell phone
    
    
    
43. 
    
    the fact that work pays my cell phone bill
    
    
    
44. 
    
    my health
    
    
    
45. 
    
    the health of my family
    
    
    
46. 
    
    music
    
    
    
47. 
    
    movies
    
    
    
48. 
    
    popcorn
    
    
    
49. 
    
    laughter
    
    
    
50. 
    
    followers
    
    
    

Thankful for Thanksgiving - Part 4 of 5

In case you missed Sunday's post or didn't know, Thursday is Thanksgiving (and 29 days before Christmas). We usually take the day to spend time with our families, watch a parade (football), and eat - a lot. Many times we forget why Thanksgiving was started and we forget to be thankful.

Each day this week I am going to talk about something I am thankful for and on Thursday I will have a list of 50 things. Feel free to join me this one day or every day this week!

Today I am thankful we have everything we need.

Needs and wants are something we all get confused from time to time.  We need a roof over our heads, we want the biggest house on the block.  We need clothes to wear, we want the latest fashions.

As Moms, we have this desire to do better for our children than was done for us, but better does not always mean more.

While my children are pining for their own PSP, and I would like a bigger house with hardwood floors.  Today I am happy that we have a warm home, with heat (and air in the summer).  I am happy we have our health (even if I've been under the weather this week).  I am happy we have warm clothes to wear and cars that run.
No, we are not rolling in the money right now.  Dear Hubby has been out of work for awhile due to this great economy.  BUT we have what we need and we make do and today that is good enough for me.

Thankful for Thanksgiving - Part 2/3 of 5

In case you missed Sunday's post or didn't know, Thursday is Thanksgiving (and 29 days before Christmas). We usually take the day to spend time with our families, watch a parade (football), and eat - a lot. Many times we forget why Thanksgiving was started and we forget to be thankful.  My goal was to have 5 posts this week of things I am thankful for - ending with 50 things on Thursday.  We'll I got sick and Monday's post (post 2) didn't happen.  So here is post 2 and 3 all rolled into one.

Today and everyday I am thankful for my children - all three of them.

It amazes me how many people think having children is easy.  Well, the getting pregnant was easy for me too - but the staying that way was always a problem.

The first time I got pregnant was actually on accident.  See birth control pills and antibiotics don't mix.  The antibiotics make the pill null and void.  My dear hubby and I were both suprised, but excited.  Unfortuantely the pregnancy was lost at just 5 weeks - only days after I'd found out.  At that point we knew we wanted to have children, and I had been told a few years earlier - that I couldn't wait forever to have kids.  The doctor told me I'd probably have a hysterectomy by the time I was 30.  Dear hubby and I decided to let my body heal and then try again. 
September 11 happened and it was a blow to everyone everywhere.  Admist all the emotion was this sense of here and now and not waiting for the future.  A few days later I was pregnant again.  We were excited and I was at the doctor lickity split.  My ob is probably the best ob in the world.  The day after my appointment the nurse called and put the doctor on the phone.  Something was wrong with my hormone levels and I had to come in for an ultrasound.  Turned out my pregnancy was eptopic and had to be terminated.  I chose to go with methotrexate which was the least invasive.  Two weeks later, after still being in pain, we chose to have surgery - something was still wrong.
Turns out I had endometriosis which is why I wasn't able to carry.  They were able to burn off a lot of it.  And apparently the doctor told my family that I would be super fertile after the surgery - no one told me.

In December I went back to the doctor.  I was pregnant again, days later - we found out it was identical twins (for their whole story go here).  I carried them 35 weeks and 5 days with no more problems.  Today they are happy healthy boys.  I am so thankful that I can see them grow and learn each and every day.

Years after having the twins (we were scared we'd have twins again).  We were able to get pregnant with little man.  His pregnancy was fairly uneventful, but afterwards we were in shock (for the whole story go here or my life changing moment go here).  The great part is - today he is healthy (and yes one day I will blog about the journey). 

Today all my children are healthy (even if Mommy is still a little sick) and I am grateful to have three happy healthy beautiful boys.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful for Thanksgiving: Part 1 of 5

In case you didn't know, Thursday is Thanksgiving (and 29 days before Christmas).  We usually take the day to spend time with our families, watch a parade (football), and eat - a lot.  Many times we forget why Thanksgiving was started and we forget to be thankful. 

Thanksgiving started as a harvest festival dinner, out of gratitude for the food and the people that had come together.  As we celebrate the day - we should remember to be grateful for the things that we have in our lives, from the food on our plates, to the people who are here to eat with us.  I know that during these times, it is harder to be thankful for what we do have, but that is why it is so important.  Each day this week I am going to talk about something I am thankful for and on Thursday I will have a list of 50 things.  Feel free to join me this one day or every day this week!

Today - and everyday I am thankful for my husband.

Growing up, girls dream of a man to stand by their side.  Our desires to always have someone and be able to stop looking for Mr. Right - overshadow everything else we do.

I met Mr. Right 9 years ago.  I also stood him up on our first date - on purpose.  It took a long time of being pushed and prodded by friends to go for Mr. Right before I would listen.  I'm glad I finally did.

We have been through a lot together.  Some very scary moments (if you read last week's post you know what I mean) and some great ones too.  Life has not always turned out like we planned.  We have set goals and watched them wash away.  We've made timelines only to have them blown out of the water.  Through everything and anything he has stood by my side.  Together we go through thick and thin.  Together we face this world.

I am thankful for my husband,

• who loves me no matter what
• who stands with me, not in front of or behind me
• who supports my every endeavor
• who is willing to do whatever it takes to make our household work
• who loves his children like nothing else
• who is a great father, son, brother, friend
• who makes my coffee each day

John, I love you.  Always and Forever.  Thank you.

Dear Coach who is an %&&, these kids are only seven

Dear Coach who is an %&&,

Our children have been playing sports since they were wrestling in the womb.  They love sports and have unreal desire to play each and every game there is.  Even though they did not get their awesome athletic ability from me, I am going to support them in everything they do.

When I take them to practice or games, we go in expectation of having fun.  It is about enjoying exercise, learning something new, having fun with friends.  If we happen to win, great, if we don't, that is ok too.  I've taught my children that for every "winner" there must be a "loser" and that good sportsmanship is as important as actually winning the game.  They know they are not going to win every game and they know it is ok to lose.  At least they tried. 

During our last game, I was appalled at how you yelled at your players.  Your tone was one of a dictator instead of a coach and you never ever told them good job for something they did right.  Yes, your team is fairly good - they've been playing together since they were 4.  No, our team has not been playing together for longer than 2 months.  Most of our players haven't even played soccer before, but I didn't think that should matter. Apparently it does matter.  Apparently it means that your team should beat our team each and every time.

I know we amazed you when your team was only able to score on us once in the last game.  Does that mean you should get pissed off?  Does that mean you should yell that your team should have scored more?  Does that mean you should be mad at your team?  They tried really hard to score more often.  It just so happened that our goalie had learned a lot throughout the season and was on his A game that night.  Ever think to tell him good job?  After all they are only 7-8 year olds.

And our goalie - he thinks you're nuts.  He's glad you're not his coach (there went your dreams of recruiting an awesome goalie).  He loves that he was able to make a mean coach mad.

Sincerely,
Mom of the goalie who pissed you off

how an introduction changed my life

There are moments in our lives that change us forever. Sometimes they are small, sometimes they are large. You may or may not know your world is changing, but however it happens we are changed.

Mama Kat (by way of Leslee) asked us to "Describe in 1000 words or less a time when something happened and you knew that life would never be the same."

My moment occurred by way of an introduction. I was laying in my hospital bed when a man walked in and introduced himself.

"Hello. My name is Dr. Ohlmstede, I am a pediatric cardiologist."

My first thoughts were along the lines of "oh, shit!"

I knew in that moment my world was changed forever.

I was alone at the hospital, the day after giving birth to our youngest son. My husband had gone out to get lunch, and I was enjoying a nap. The pediatrician on call had told me earlier in the day, that she heard a heart murmur on our son, but that it was probably the normal DA closing off and not to worry. Amazingly enough I didn't worry. Until I saw the "pediatric cardiologist."

"A pediatric cardiologist" are words no mother should ever have to hear.

I immediately knew something was really wrong with our son. I knew that this wasn't going to be good and I fought back tears and emotion so I could hear what he was saying. Amazingly, he was the gentlest doctor I'd ever met. He knew that he was delivering a crushing blow to me and he wanted to do it as gently as possible.

He sat down next to the bed and explained that after hearing the murmur, the pediatrician had ordered a echo-cardiogram to make sure it was nothing out of normal. The echo showed that my son indeed had a heart murmur, due to a heart defect called Ebstein's Anomaly.

At that point I started to crumble. I wanted my husband there to go through this moment with me, but I was all alone. I wanted to order the doctor out of our room, so that maybe I could wake up from this bad dream. Unfortunately, I can't make up words like Ebstein's Anomaly in my dreams, and I knew I had to concentrate on what the doctor was saying.

He went on to tell me that birth defects are really common, that they occur in 1 out of every 100 births, and that I didn't do anything wrong.

The waves of shock just kept coming. How could I not know about the possibility of a heart defect. I knew of down's syndrome, and spina bifida, but none of those occur even remotely as often as 1 out of 100. How come my ob never told me?

He kept talking, and I was trying to keep up. Thankfully he was patient with me.

He went on and explained that of all the heart defects, our son had one of the most rare. Ebstein's occurs 1 out of 30,000 and no one knows why.

I should really start playing the lottery.

He wanted to draw a picture of the heart and explain to me what was going on, but didn't have any paper. I gave him the back of my breastfeeding instructions. He explained that Ebstein's Anomaly occurs when the tricuspid valve doesn't close properly. This allows blood to leak back through the valve, and may cause the right atrium to be enlarged. In effect, not enough blood was getting oxygenized before going back into the body.

I wanted more details, I wanted a bigger picture. What did this mean? Would my son have to have heart surgery? Will he .......

Dr. Ohlmstede immediately started to calm the fears that came across my face. My son was not in immediate danger. We would have follow up appointments, and more tests run before anything was done. We would learn what to look for and how to take care of him. He also told me to be careful of what I read on the internet. That their pictures are usually worst case scenario and we didn't have the worst case.

Thank God.

He told me we would have an appointment to come into his office after we were discharged and he would do more tests and show us pictures of our son's heart.

I was grateful for this doctor and how calm he was.

He thanked me for letting him talk to me. He said he knew I would have more questions after I processed everything and that he would come back the next day and talk to my husband and I together. He would go through every question we had. And then he left.

And I crumbled. Life would never be the same.

where did you come from? II

I am going to start making this a monthly read - I just can't get enough of you people.  You search for something and then decide that my little blog fits what you are searching for, so you click and land here.  Poor you.
I mean really you searched for:

• taboo little league - well I didn't know little league was taboo
• seven year old tantrums - you need to see SuperNanny about that, not me.  My two year old has tantrums, my seven year olds know better
• sneezed peed pants - well - I guess you were looking for someone to commiserate with
• vodka + hemorrhoids - are you asking if vodka makes them worse or better, or causes them?  maybe you need Aunt Becky.
• hemorrhoid harry - I'm just not sure about this one at all
• poop sayings - we have plenty to say about poop, so you may have found the right spot here
• can i have a tantrum on the floor - why yes you can, go right ahead, and then go clean your room
• 3 boys what's my next kid - let me guess...wait a minute... a boy?
• crap hemorrhoids - what kind aren't crap?
• what happens when you cry during pregnancy - people know its the hormones
• secret ingredient for the smell of funnel cakes - I didn't know there was one - but I bet the ingredient is the fair
• whats life like with 3 boys - well you my dear, unlike some of these others, found exactly what you were searching for!

When a man comes to me for advice, I find out the kind of advice he wants, and I give it to him. ~Henry Wheeler Shaw, a.k.a. Josh Billings

a Fight for Preemies

Today, November 17, is dedicated to raising awareness of premature birth (before 37 weeks).  1 in 8 children in the US are born premature, leading to time spent in NICU and dangerous complications.  In my house 2 of my 3 children were born premature.

For some of us (especially Moms of Multiples) we get it early on.  We know that our children are not going to make it to full term and we start weighing our options and setting benchmark dates early on.  I think for us, it is easier to carry longer because we are very aware of the survival rates.

When I was pregnant with my singleton, no one ever said a word about benchmark dates other than my "due date" and no one said a word about the need to make it as long as possible. I believe that every pregnant woman should know what dates are important for the chance of their child's survival and how to strive for those dates. Because the reality is nearly 13 million babies are born premature each year and more than 1 million of those don't make it.

If you, or someone you know (I sound like a commerical) are pregnant, do some research, educate your self and then pass it along.  The March of Dimes or the Mayo Clinic  has loads of information in addition to what I have below.

• Week 22 - the first time life outside of the womb is possible, but with the most risk
• Week 25 - your baby almost weighs 2 lbs
• Week 27 - the branches of the lungs are just starting to develop, chances of survival increase
• Week 34 - organs almost fully developed, except for lungs
• Week 35 - lungs almost fully developed - but still the chance of the incubator
• Week 37 - baby is considered full term (even though your due date is still 3 weeks away and your baby needs to grow more in size)

Please join us and share your story -

what happened AFTER the parent/teacher conference

This past Friday I went to the dreaded parent/teacher conference. I wasn't really worried - they've been great in school.  But these are 7 year olds in the 2nd grade and I believe in parent involvement.  I don't have to be the class mom, but I do want to know what is going on with my kids.

The conference went really well - I was a proud Mommy as I sat and listened to the teachers just rave about how wonderful our boys are at school.  (Inside thinking, are you talking about the same kids who have knock down drag out fights at home?)

Anyway -that's not the point of the story - although I wish it was.  At 8am the bell rang for the students to go to their classrooms and we quickly finished up.  As the teachers were nice enough to combine the conference for the twins, we happened to be meeting in T2's classroom.  I was about to get up when T2 comes bounding into the room and says to all his friends, "That's my Mommy!"  and he came over and gave me a big hug.  He and I talked for a minute and I tried to figure out why the side of his neck was hurting.  Then I told him bye, I wanted to see T1 before the tardy bell rang.  T2 gave me a hug bye and I went next door.

T1 was in class, unpacking his book bag, and immediately saw me from across the room.  I walked in and said, "Just wanted to say hi since I saw T2."  He looked at me with this strange look on his face, something I didn't recognize at first, as he replied "Hi"

T1's assistant teacher immediately engaged me in conversation and I half listened as I watched my son who was beginning to intrigue me.  He came within about 3 feet of us to put his jacket and book bag in his cubby.  We made eye contact, I tried to engage him in the conversation his teacher and I were having about him, but he just looked at me.

He looked at me with an awkward almost, but not quite, embarrassed look.  He rolled his eyes at me.  Then he went back to his seat without a word.  I finished my conversation and said bye from across the room, T1 grinned, his class clown grin, and said "bye."

That's when I got it.

This was the first time my son didn't want me.

He didn'tt want his MOMMY to embarrass him.  In class he is cool - but having MOMMY there in the morning makes him NOT cool. 

Well-
Next time Mommy is going to walk right over and make a big production out of hugging her baby boy!

Has your child had their "Mommy's not cool" moment yet?

So it's Christmas and you're broke - who isn't?

In case you live in a cave, or aren't from around these parts, we are in a recession/depression (depending on who you ask).  No one has the money to go out and spend loads for Christmas, but we want to give just the same.

Giving is no longer what it used to be.  I have customer's asking for donations to charity instead of their usual gifts.  Families are starting to draw names instead of buying for every single aunt, uncle, cousin, niece and nephew. 

Even with all of these changes, we still have this strong desire to give to our families, especially our children.  We don't want them to see how the economy has affected us on a personal level.  We do not want them to worry about money or the future.

Well either get over it, or get real creative about your spending.

I'm doing both.  The kids aren't going to get what they are used to getting (although I will say my children don't ever ask for much - only one or two things).  And I'm getting creative about my spending.  I'm making a list, or two, or three, comparing deals, prices, freebees, (and entering a few Christmas giveaways).  So I thought I'd share my knowledge with you - so you can get in on these too!

1. Check out the saver websites: Mommy Savers  is a fantastic website that I have been a member of (its free) for a couple years now (and no they did not know I was writing this).  There are all kinds of articles about saving money on any and everything.  PLUS their forum is constantly being updated by people who have found great freebes or awesome online codes or great in store bargains.  Just a sample of what you can find on their site

• 50 free photo cards, including free shipping
• Yankee Candle Coupon - buy 2 get 2 free
• 10 piece Stainless Steel pots and pans for $20.99

2. Check into Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals: We've all heard of Black Friday and you either do it or you don't.  I was one of those who didn't until I saw a couple of deals I couldn't pass up.  Watch these sites and see if it is worth going out on Black Friday.

• Black Friday Ads
• Black Friday

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving and it is the day that all us cyber junkies do all of our shopping - lots of deals are done that day also.

• Cyber Monday Ads

3. Make your own gifts.  Yes it may require a skill and some time, but there are a lot of terrific ideas out there that don't look like first grader crap and mean more when given.  Try these 50 ideas!

4. Win something in Blogosphere:  I may be the only blogger not doing a Christmas extravaganza/gift guide/giveaway, but that doesn't stop me from going to see what is out there and trying to win a few of my gifts.  You get to meet new people, get some great ideas and hey you just might be able to check someone off your list.

• The Five Fish is doing a Holiday Gift Guide that includes some of the most awesome giveaways I've seen!  Like luggage from High Sierra, or a Fountain Jet Soda Lover's Start-Up Kit  to make your own soda with.
• My Organized Chaos is also doing a Holiday Gift Guide that includes all kinds of giveaways from Pearl Earrings to Cheeky Umbrellas. 

Any thrifty ideas that I missed?

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

the dreaded parent/teachers conference

At 7:30 am on this Friday the 13th, I will be at school for a parent-teachers conference.  Notice I said teachers - not teacher.  Even though the twins are in separate classes, their teachers were nice enough to do a joint conference for me so I don't have to go to school on two different days. 

For 30 minutes I will get to listen to the teachers tell me all about my children, their behavior and how they are progressing.

Wish me luck and very little embarassment.

The only reason I always try to meet and know the parents better is because it helps me to forgive their children. ~Louis Johannot