Swimming

The pool was fixed so the boys had swimming lessons today. They did GREAT! I decided to sign them up for more lessons, and asked if anyone else was signed up to take lessons at the same time and was told no. So the boys will have "semi-private" lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays for the price of group rate lessons. Yeah!!



The picture was taken with Adam's new iPhone.

All in a days work

My husband has been bugging me to clean my office, so with ABSOLUTELY nothing else to do today other than listening to my children whine, I got r dun.



Granted, I need to take a run to Goodwill, take a box to work, and a box to church.

BOREDOM!!!!!!!!!!

It is now day 10 of Christmas vacation (winter break, whatever) and I am BORED!!!!! I signed the boys up for swimming lessons, which sounded like such a great idea at the time; they went to their first lesson and loved it, and now the pump is broken and the pool is 70 degrees, so they've cancelled the lessons. And it's snowing out, which also sounds fun, but my car needs new tires so I'm stuck at home.
How many times can one watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse before going crazy?
I'll let you know.

Quote of the day - from the husband

We're about to head off to the Pearce's for a Christmas extravaganza, and here is the conversation that Adam and I had...
"Where do they live?" - Adam
"In Bellevue somewhere, I'll mapquest it" - me
"Just give me the address and I'll look it up on my iPhone along the way" - Adam
Guess he can no longer use the excuse of things being "on the way home" now that he has his iPhone!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to my 4 friends who read my blog! The boys actually slept in today (thanks to a late night at the Gardner's last night), and we started opening gifts around 7:30. I love watching Thornley open his gifts - he is so excited about everything he gets. One year he got a tube of socks and he just thought it was the greatest thing EVER! This year was no exception - everything he opened he loved and is excited for. We gave him some new Sorels, because his old ones don't fit and he squealed with glee over his new all black snow boots.
Jack is a bit more subdued while opening gifts, but got really excited over his bow and arrow, Count Dooku lightsaber (how did Santa know?!), and his R2D2 computer.
The boys received a lot of DVDs this year and are now watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, because according to Jack, he loves the dementors, they're not scary at all!

A New Superhero

Incase you haven't seen the latest crime fighter - here he is...Underwear Man!
You don't even want to know what his super powers are!

Facebook & Marriage

So, I joined Facebook a few weeks back more for my husband than myself, but now I'm the one who is using it more. The other day I changed my profile to married, updated my profile no problem. Today I went to add Adam's name as my spouse, and even though on his page I'm listed as his spouse, facebook is going to check with him and confirm that we indeed are married. I thought the vows and marriage license took care of that, who knew you had to confirm it with facebook.

Christmas Carols Chad Style

For the 3 of you that read this blog, I may have already sent the link. Just incase I haven't, here is the Extol link, and when you click on it you can hear some carols Chad style.

http://www.nccextol.com/index.cfm

That Donkey - he's busy

Tonight we took the boys to see the Live Nativity at church; they LOVE the Live Nativity. Never want to BE in the Live Nativity, but love to go see it. Yesterday the animals arrived at church, and so I took the boys out to see them. They think the donkey is cool, but are a bit intimidated by it (so was the gal playing Mary tonight).
Jack's comment on the way home..."There was a real donkey in the Live Nativity."
"Yes, there was. Wasn't that cool?"
"Yeah, just like in Shrek."

Frightening

Oh my word - the laundry has certainly piled up! Truly, I don't know how we've gotten dressed these past few days. I'm doing everything I can think of to avoid folding the clean laundry from last week, but the thought of piling MORE clean laundry on top is convincing me I should stop procrastinating.
Too bad I don't have anything clever or noteworthy to blog, because that always takes up some time, especially if I have a picture to add! But alas, it's just laundry and if I took a picture of the pile, you might never step foot in our house again!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Yes, it's that fabulous time of the year when all my babysitters are home from college and wanting money! I've promised them all some babysitting hours, so anyone want to go do something?
We're going out for Adam's birthday tonight, so it's T minus 60 minutes, and I need to finish cleaning before the blessed event happens and my babysitter shows up!
I just LOVE Christmas time!

Like Father, Like Son

Today during Adam's sermon, he mentioned how we are like our parents. I'm shocked he didn't us a Thornley illustration, since he (Thornley) truly is a mini-me version of Adam. Case in point...

After his bath, Thornley said his back hurt a little, so he ran downstairs and sat in the massaging chair.
Can you say - Adam?

You're Freaking Kidding Me!

I just finished addressing the 100th Christmas card - yes that's 100 cards, and get this - I'm 10 short!
The problem is that I can't order them from Snapfish and pick them up at Walgreens, because Rob did such a good job with our pictures that they think they're professional and won't give them to us without his written approval! (funny thing is, they won't give them to Rob without his written approval).
I'm off to Target tomorrow to buy more cards - the good news is I saw some cute photo cards when I was in there the other day, but didn't buy them because they said 2007 and, silly me, thought I had enough cards for this year.
AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!
If you're card is late, the return address might read Rubber Room #1 - anyone care to join me, maybe we can get a group rate?!

Nothing

Just to let you all know....
If you are:
*addressing Christmas cards
*making gifts for family members
*doing laundry
*entertaining your kids so they don't kill each other
*on the phone with "customer service" (or should I say on hold with customer service)
You are doing nothing.
I have to finish doing nothing.

Quote of the Day

Jack comes running upstairs crying...
"Mommy I need ice, I just hurt my bad word finger."

Christmas Program

Why do teachers let friends stand next to each other at preschool Christmas programs? Here is Jack with his buddy Troy tonight at the program. If I can figure out how to post a video, I will because we have one of him ringing his bell that is SOOOOOO cute!!

Behavior Modification 201

This one is for all you hardcore parents out there. What you can do if your kid just isn't listening...



Just kidding! Before anyone calls CPS on me (you all know I love my kids - right?!); this was at Cori's on Thanksgiving. Goodness only knows what they were doing!

One of these things is not like the other one

Here is dear, sweet Jack at the Birthday Party for Jesus this past Sunday. You will notice all the other children are dressed as angels; except Jack.
"Jack, are you going to be an angel this year?" me
"NO, angels are girls." him
Technically not, but fair enough the kid doesn't want to wear a dress!
Oh, and the other difference is that Jack was actually singing.
Tonight we're heading off to his Christmas program at preschool. He's so excited - he gets to wave a scarf AND throw it in the air!

All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth

Yep, that's right - Thornley lost tooth #2 this morning. Loosing teeth should be illegal around Christmas, between Santa and the Tooth Fairy we're broke!

Is this what Santa goes thru?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

The Anatomy of a Christmas Card

It's that time of the year again - Christmas Card time.
I love picking out our cards and writing our letter, but it is such a process - this year it seems more so than years past.
We went to Becca & Rob's in November to have our picture taken. I think out of 20 pictures we had one good one. Picture done.
Then it was time to find the perfect photo card on Snapfish - not an easy task, but one I take on with much determination.
Since we ordered our cards early we got the early bird discount - a good thing since we order like 100 cards. The cards came, I think they're nice. Cards done.
Now the letter...I love trying to be creative and write our letter. This year, again, not an easy task. I tried a few different versions, but finally went with the one that went with the "theme" of our card. Letter done.
Time to copy the letter. I found paper I liked, but not enough, so I bought it having faith that I would go do a different Target and find more of the same paper - wrong!! So finally today at Target I found paper that would work, again, not super excited about it, but it will work. Letter copying done.
My task for today is to address all the envelopes. I know, I should put them in the computer and print labels, but the addresses are the ONLY thing handwritten about the letter, so I address away.
It may take a few days to send them because I need stamps, and well, stamps cost money and after buying the cards and the paper for the letter, and I'll probably need a new ink cartridge for our printer after making all the copies, I have no money for stamps!
Why is wishing people a Merry Christmas such a process?!

"Christmas Classics"

I went to Target today because, well, it's Thursday, but more importantly I was looking for the DVD of Frosty the Snowman. I wanted to show it in class on the 17th, and the boys like the movie and every year I "DVR" it, but erase it around Easter when my hours are running out. Target doesn't sell just Frosty the Snowman, or if they do, they were out. So instead I purchased a compilation of Christmas Classics, which included Frosty, Rudolph, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and something else along with "bonus" footage. I figured it was worth the $30, because by the time I remembered to return all those movies to Blockbuster, my late fees would triple that.
Now, I got to thinking... wouldn't it be great if all the "classics" had a Christmas version; such as "Merry Christmas the Nerd's Revenge", or "Merry Superbad Christmas", or "American Christmas Pie".
Yes, Mark, this post is for you, so Merry Christmas to you and your mom!

Party Hostessing 101

Since I'm assuming that the three of you that read this know me, you know how much I love a party. I like going to parties, I like having parties, I like throwing big parties; crazy I know, but I love a party. Tonight I had my small group (that isn't so small) and another small group over for a Christmas party. I planned my meal, shopped for food, bought my white elephant gift and cleaned my house (well, at least the rooms I was allowing people in). This is what gets me; why do we clean our homes before people come over? I dusted, I vacuumed, I mopped, I scrubbed, and now that everyone has left I have to do it all over again! Why is it so important to have a clean, disinfected bathroom when you know you're just going to do it the following day because a bunch of people used your bathroom? I vacuumed up a storm, and I'll have to do it tomorrow because when everyone arrived they tracked in a whole pine tree full of needles. And don't even get me started on the kitchen and the mopping!
It's been a long day, so I guess I'll go to bed and get a good night sleep, so I can wake up tomorrow and clean my house again!

On a side note, it was a fun party and the food was pretty good too!

We're not in California anymore Oski

My conversation with my husband this morning...
"Do you have any plans this evening?"(that would be my husband asking me).
"Yes, I'm going to watch the Big Game." (my response).
"What Big Game?" he asked
"THE Big Game," duh!!

GO BEARS!!

Sur la Table

Here is a pic of my table from the luncheon today. I have to say, I do enjoy setting the table, but hate coming up with a centerpiece. This year I think it turned out pretty nice, though.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Today we woke up to snow, and the boys were outside playing in it by 7:00.


















Jack absolutely LOVES Christmas decorations, and yesterday we were at Target and he stood mesmerized watching this particular one, so how could I tell him no. It's so cute and plays Christmas carols. He stands in front of it and dances to the music (pardon the Halloween cards still in the background).
















The snow stopped for a while, and I went to the Christmas Luncheon at church to hear my friend Becca, and enjoy the company of friends. Before I left I asked Adam which car I should take, and he said to take mine because he was sure it was done snowing. I could hardly make it back up our hill, the snow was coming down so hard and fast! Here are a few of our outdoor decorations, and our yard covered in snow. (I love our snow covered yard - it covers up so much and actually makes our yard look pretty!)

Anatomy 101

Yesterday Thornley dressed me as Padme, and proceeded to tell me how pretty I looked (really, sometimes the kid can be so sweet). Jack asked why I was wearing the green wrist bands around by arms and I told him it was because I was Queen Amadala. "You're not Queen Amadala," he tells me.
"Why not?" I ask.
"Because Queen Amadala is a girl.", he says.
"I'm a girl," I remind him.
Laughing he tells me, "No you're not."

My Cure for High Blood Pressure

Last night was the final results show for Dancing with the Stars, but it was 2 stinking hours long! Now, you all know I have anxiety issues; I read the end of the book first so I can enjoy it, and as for the final episode of my reality shows - are you kidding, talk about anxiety! I discovered (honestly, by accident) last week that if you look on MSNBC they post the results in Eastern time, so instead of waiting until 11:00 to find out the winner, I looked at 8:15 and found out who won.
Call me crazy, but it really does make watching it so much more enjoyable for me - I'm not as stressed out!
But then I did feel bad watching Mel and Maks dance, as I knew she wasn't going to win.
So now I'm down to Survivor and The Amazing Race, but wait - Jan 7th starts Dance Wars, are you kidding - Drew Lachey is the host, I'm tuning in FOR SURE!!

THAT was a final?

I am SOOOOOOOOO disappointed with the Dancing with the Stars final! Where was Drew saving a horse and riding a cowboy, or Emmitt Smith busting out with MC Hammer moves? I even liked Mario's hip hop better than the dances last night. Now, I am no pro, but I did take beginning ballroom in college, and I have to say, I think I could have given Marie a run for her money with her freestyle. Why was she breathing so hard, she hardly moved. And I love Mel B, but I've never liked a dance revolving around a chair - don't they know the judges don't like the chair moves? Mark and Cori said it best, "Who knew lap dancing was a form of freestyle?".
I called in, I logged on (using all my email addresses) trying to eliminate Marie. From there, I really don't care who wins. I like both Mel B and Helio, but I did vote for Helio - his dances were better.
So now I sit and wait for the results show - why is it 2 hours? So we can relive the PAIN of watching last night?
You know what would make it worthwhile? Bringing Drew back to show them a GOOD freestyle!

Finished Product

I missed the kick off of the Apple Cup, but the beds are made and almost everything has been moved. Here is the boys' new digs. It's hard to get a good angle so you can see the whole room, but you can at least get a feel for the new look.
I'm sure they'd be happy to give you a tour the next time you're over!

Stairway to Heaven

It's official - the boys are sharing a bedroom. After talking about it for months, and trying it out by putting Jack's mattress in Thornley's room, Adam found an amazing deal on a bunk bed. The only issue we had was who got the top bunk, but we figured since Jack still fell out of his aerobed, which was on the floor, it would be in our best interest to have Thornley take the top. It's really an awesome bed, and it came with a mattress - which we needed, since Jack's bed was a blow-up mattress. Today's task is moving some of Jack's belongings into the room, since the bed has a dresser, desk and bookshelf built in. We're hoping for a bit more organization, and more room in Jack's old bedroom, which is now an upstairs playroom. Here are some pictures.

Child Labor Laws

Isn't this illegal in the US?

My Reality Soapbox

I am tired today because I did stay up and watch After the Final Rose with Brad and the rejected gals. I must say, while he didn't articulate his thoughts well (which I probably wouldn't either in front of all those people), I do have to say I respect his decision to let both of them go. I'm sure he really liked them, but just didn't see them as being good partners for the rest of their lives. I don't know why so many people are so mad, since with the exception of Trista and Ryan and Byron and Mary, none of the relationships last anyway. I guess they want to see a happy ending, and then read a few months later that they've broken up. Who knows.
As far as Dancing with the Stars goes, truly, people need to stop voting for Marie! While I don't think Jennie is the best dancer (maybe I'm just carrying over my feelings for my dislike of her on 90210) I DO think she's better than Marie. I think from now on Helio will get all my votes (ok - so there's only one show left, but anyway...) I love Mel B and she and Max are great together, but really, Helio has come the farthest, since Mel B is a Spice Girl and all.
Speaking of Spice Girls, can you believe my husband has no idea who they are, and never heard one of their songs? I guess I need to download some for him from iTunes. People of the world, spice up your life!!
Now just speaking of spice - I'm making a pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving - even making the crust! What am I thinking?!

Jack's Feast

Today was Jack's Thanksgiving Feast at preschool. I love the Thanksgiving Feast, because Teacher Karen always makes a super yummy chicken pot pie, and the kids are so cute when they sing their songs. This year's song list included Mr Turkey and Mr Duck, Shout for Joy to the Lord, and Our God is so Great. Jack sang Mr Turkey and Mr Duck with glee (see attached pictures), but for the others he just did the motions. When I asked him why he told me he only likes the turkey and duck song.


















After singing, Mrs Chrissi asked the kids what they were thankful for, and Jack replied his pop out Count Dooku light saber, which by the way he doesn't have. Perhaps that's his 3 year old way of laying on a guilt trip so we'll get it for him for Christmas.
After today's performance, I can hardly wait for the Christmas program - I hear he's quite the bell player.

I'm Shocked!

In what ABC billed to be the, "most shocking ending in Bachelor history", Brad Womack did what most should have done in the past - said goodbye to both girls. I mean, truly, I think the most shocking ending ever is the fact that Ryan and Trista are still together! I wasn't going to watch this season because I was so annoyed that Andy and Tessa broke up (I did like them together), but I watched the first show and then had to see it thru to completion. I didn't really care for either of the two girls in the end, although, I did think Deanna was the better choice for him (although, I wonder how many times she swore in front of him, because she certainly let some fly when he wasn't around).
Thank goodness all my reality shows are on different schedules! What would I do if they all ended at the same time? Maybe get caught up on cleaning and laundry - na.
Hopefully I'm not shocked by the Dancing with the Stars results show. I really hope Marie leaves this week, and that either Mel B or Helio wins.
I am going to watch After the Final Rose to see what Brad has to say for himself, but I've got to say as "shocking" as the ending was, I'm shocked past participants haven't had the guts to do the same!

Looking for a rainbow

A few weeks ago the junior highers relearned the story of Noah's Ark and God's promise to those who are faithful to Him. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the ending God sends a rainbow to show Noah that He'll never flood the EARTH again. He did not promise, however, not to flood my basement again!
Last night we had the dessert portion of the progressive dinner at our house, which I really enjoy participating in. About an hour before everyone was to arrive, I went downstairs to get my trifle dish only to find that the laundry room was flooded. Apparently a few too many apple peals down the disposal, as that accompanied by standing water was on my laundry room floor!
What God did send was our friend, Steve, who happens to be a plumber, to our house who unclogged our drain for free!
I'm off to mop some floors and wash some dishes!

Don't tell the boys, but I think my car is invisible

Ever since seeing Harry Potter 2, when the Weasley's car flies the boys beg me to make our car fly. Our car can't fly, it isn't magical I tell them, but alas, it is magical - it becomes invisible when surrounded by too much testosterone. How did I learn this you may ask? I digress...
Sat. night our phone rang and it was our friend Ronda. Ronda's husband works for the Seahawks, and I was hopeful her call meant they had extra tickets for the game on Monday night, but no, she was reading scripture at church on Sunday and was having a hard time with some pronunciations and wanted to ask Adam for his help. I jokingly told her on Sunday, I had hoped she was calling with some tickets.
To my surprise she did call with tickets on Monday morning! By this time I had already made plans with some of the junior high girls to watch Sound of Music - something we've been trying to do for a few months, but have never had time. Jen and the boys were over; Ryan was learning some lightsaber battle moves from the master (that'd be Thornley), and Jen and I were lamenting about how sometimes things come up that you really want to do, but there are just too many obstacles to overcome (prior plans, no money for a babysitter, not being able to find a babysitter, etc). I reluctantly turned the tickets down, and told her how to get in touch with Pastor Brad. In the meantime I called Adam who said, "Why don't you go, you'd have a great time", and I explained to him all the obstacles in the way. As it turns out no one could use the tickets, so Adam said he'd come home early if I could find some friends to go with. Jen had gone home by this time, so I called her and asked if Mike could come home early so we could go. Mike said yes, and Jen's sister and husband were going to meet us there.
Jen and I meet at church and zip down 90 with tons of time to spare, until we reach the off-ramp. This is when magic happened and my car turned invisible. I was cut off soooooooo many times!! Or, someone would share my lane with me in their apparent attempt to "merge". I guess when you're a car full of girls NOT wearing Seahawks jerseys, you are invisible to men in jerseys on their way to the game!
An hour later we were finally off the freeway and so delusional that we agreed to pay $40 to park - too bad my car wasn't invisible to the parking lot attendant! We parked in the Safeco lot and started our trek to Will Call to get our Club passes. "Where is Will Call?" we ask someone in an event staff yellow jacket. "Right up there" is their response. No signs as to how to get to Will Call, so Jen and I wait in the security line and when we've gotten thru we ask how to cut over to Will Call. The man is totally annoyed and tells us we went the wrong way - first and certainly not the last sign issue we had. Oops! wrong Will Call, we were at player will call, not general will call. We keep walking to general will call and wait in another line - where again we're invisible to men, and, even though there were clear signs, no one abides by them. A group of guys goes to an unmarked window and immediately gets help. Female - jersey = nothing. Men + jersey = help. We finally get our passes and wait in another line (again, being cut off by men in jerseys), and are FINALLY in!!
We start looking for signs to the Club level - no signs. We ask a few times, and finally end up where we want to be. The only problem was, our tickets weren't at the Club level - Scott just gave us passes incase we were cold and wet and wanted to warm up. How does one leave the Club level and get to their seats? Good question - I'm still not sure, again no signs. Some how or another we found our way to our seats, and to a concession stand where we paid $16.50 for a foot long hot dog and beer. I should have paid $2.00 because after 1/4 of the foot, I'd had enough!
It was a fun game to watch - love that the Seahawks won 24-0. Not so fun to watch, the couple in front of us who kissed so much, that at one point in time the girlfriend had to apply Chapstick on her boyfriend's lips.
With 8 minutes to go and the Seahawks clearly securing a victory Jen and I decided to get a jump on the crowd and head out. We wandered in circles for a bit looking for a sign saying something silly like - EXIT, or stairs to street, but found none. We did find a sign that mentioned the street so exited thru that door. When we finally got to the street, we were told we couldn't be there. Ummm...ok, but how does one get to their car. Go back thru this door, turn left, turn right, turn left again. We followed the directions, because we were given no choice, since we couldn't be on the street. We were lead right into the employee locker room! Wandering aimlessly, looking lost and declaring loudly that we didn't know where we were, or where we should be going, no one helped. So we decided to take a right and then a left. The right led us into the bowels of Qwest. We were feet away from the players entrance to the field, and yet again, no sign for a way out.
So we continue wandering around, looking lost, and declaring we had no idea where we were going. Finally we found an exit to the street, but were again told we couldn't be there. "We just want to get to our car" we pleaded with the worker. "Not this way, go to the left and you'll find an exit", "We were just there, an it's a loading dock", we told her. "Yes, that's right", she replied. So what did Jen and I find? Where the player's locker room is, where they park their cars, where the employees' locker room is, and where the broadcast trailers are parked (had I remembered my camera, I would have taken a picture in front of the ESPN trailer) because that, my friends, is what we encountered on our way out of Qwest. What we didn't find? A sign saying EXIT with an arrow pointing in any direction.
Finally, back in our car (after that huge ordeal, I do think we got our $40 worth), and on our way out of the lot - again, magic happens and we are invisible. Man in car wearing jersey = right-of-way, even when I'm driving thru the parking lot and he's still in his parking "stall". Yep, just pulls right out and is heading for my car. Happened 3 times on our way out of the garage!
Jen and I did have a great time, and laughed all the way home. To hear her take on it, you can read her blog - www.theknittingqueen.blogspot.com
Just please, don't tell my boys that when surrounded my cars loaded with testosterone and football jerseys our car becomes invisible - kind of like the EXIT signs at Qwest!

Ebert & Anderson at the Movies

Today I took the boys to see Bee Movie. We met Cori and Lauren and Mason at my new favorite theater - Lincoln Square cinemas. After dropping about $50; $22 for the movie and $24 for food (we went to a 1:00 show and had to eat lunch at the theater, let's just say I could have bought 2 packs of hot dogs for what I paid for a single dog), we found our seats and anxiously awaited the beginning of the movie.
It was a good movie, not a great movie, but a good one. Some humor was above their head, which is a good thing. If they start asking about drag queen bees, I'll be in trouble.

I want a refund!

The boys have been coughing for weeks and weeks! So today I decided that I couldn't handle one more night of being woken up by one coughing, going back to sleep, only to be woken up again a short while later by the other one coughing. Someone was getting medicine - if not the boys than me (perhaps in a different form than an antibiotic - if you know what I mean). So off we go to the doctor - and I hate going to the doctor on a Monday with all the weekend sicklies, but I figured the afternoon might not be as bad as the morning. We go, I pay my co-pay (twice, since they both got checked out), we sit, we are let into the room, we sit some more, the doctor comes in (I love our pediatrician), and now this is the part that gets me - are they wheezing, no; ear infections, no; sinus infection, no; not even a cold! I paid $40 to have the doctor tell me my kids have post nasal drip!!!!!!!!!
Pardon me while I go self medicate!!

May the Force be with You

Halloween at the Anderson house was greeted with much excitement. The boys were THRILLED with their costumes. At the mission auction this year, we were the winning bidders on 2 custom designed costumes by a professional seamstress. The boys thought and though and thought some more about what they wanted to be, since this year was the first that they truly had costumes, not just stuff we found around the house that could pass as what they wanted to be (although, I must say LarryBoy and Alfred have been my personal favorites so far).
It was decided on that they wanted to be Anakin. Thornley was grown-up Anakin, before he went to the dark-side, and Jack was teenage Anakin. I even bought him the braid, but he wouldn't wear it - he kept re-enacting the part of the movie where Yoda cuts it off, so instead of loosing it, it stayed home while we went out. Oh, and did I mention that Adam decided all stages of Anakin should be represented so he was Darth Vader? Fortunately, that was a made from things around the house costume, and Thornley's Batman cape was a bit small, but nonetheless, he pulled it off.
Even though Halloween was almost a week ago, they wear their costumes daily. They put them on when they wake up, take them off to go to school and put them right back on when they get home. Thornley even wore his to the Dr today!
May the force be with you!

What you see is what you get

Earlier today the boys were eating lunch and watching a movie. Adam commented as to how he totally gets Thornley, but sometimes has a hard time understanding Jack. With Jack, there is nothing to understand - what you see is what you get. For example, tonight Jack did this -







Nothing complex, no hidden meaning; Jack thought it would be funny to put a diaper on his head, so he did.

I love my jobs

I love my jobs - all 50 million of them; the profit and the not for profit.

Even though it may not always seem like it, I love my kids and am very proud of them. This week Thornley was the Super Estrella at school, so we had the opportunity to go into his class for 30 minutes everyday and watch him be the "teacher" during circle time. He did such a good job!! I hardly understood what was going on, but I knew enough to know he was doing a good job.


And my sweet Jack Jack just cracks me up! On our way home from Costco this evening he says, "You need to listen to your mom, because if you don't God will kill you". Words to live by, brought to you by my 3 year old.

My husband is pretty cool too. When I sit down to think about what he does, it amazes me that he can fit it all in. He's taking a little leap of faith and moving his Sunday night worship time to Sunday morning in hopes that it'll be a "more convenient" time for young adults and teens to come. At least now we'll have Sunday nights free again - just in time for the start of another season of Amazing Race (starts next Sunday, Nov 4th, I can't wait!!). The bummer is, once again, I can't "go to church" with him. For a while there we went to the 10:45 service together, which meant we could actually sit together and then talk about the sermon. Now, he'll be giving the sermon, and it's intimidating to me to talk about a sermon, when it's been given by my husband. Sunday school lessons, sure, but a sermon?

My preschool job just keeps getting better and better, and since the kids are getting used to us and each other they are getting crazier and crazier! We had a visit from the fire fighters this week, and even better than that - a birthday celebration. Arlene helped the kids make a cake and when they ate it at snack they proclaimed it was the best cake ever! Funny how you grow out of that when you get older - I don't think any of my cooking is the best ever; maybe I'm just a bad cook.

We also had a special event at church this weekend, which kept me there ALL day on Sat., and by all day, I mean we were running out the door at 10:58 so the alarm wouldn't go off while we were in the building (only to be told this morning that the alarm doesn't automatically arm until 11:30). It was a "birthday" party for an organization called LifeChoices. I wasn't able to hear too much of the presentation while schlepping food in and dirty dishes out, but it looked festive and I had some great teen helpers that I got to hang out with between courses!

So that's been my week in a nutshell. Crazy busy, and not always the best when I'm in the midst of it, but certainly enjoyable when I reflect.

I seem to be rambling, but it's because there are a few jobs that I don't enjoy - cleaning the kitchen counters and laundry, both of which await me after I put the boys to bed.

Stay tuned for my next post - which, unless something noteworthy happens, will be a picture of the boys in their Halloween costumes. I think I'm as excited as they are!

You Know You're in Trouble When...

Let's all remember back to childhood when you'd be in super big trouble and you'd get middle named.
Tonight Jack wanted my attention and after a few repeated mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy. mommy...
He started to get frustrated and started in on the mommy Anderson, mommy Anderson, mommy Anderson...
That still didn't grab my attention (actually I was paying attention the whole time, just not responding), so then he pulls out all the stops and starts in with the mommy Anderson Elizabeth, mommy Anderson Elizabeth.
Does it count as getting middle named when your middle name comes at the end?
Furthermore, when did he learn my middle name?

Alternative Medicine

Why haven't I blogged in a week - simple, really; sleep deprivation! Why must every member of my family insist on waking me up at different times in the night? First it's Jack, then Thornley, and with out a doubt my husband once or twice with either his snoring or grinding of teeth. Why can't they just let sleeping Meghan lie?!
On a side note, I thought you mom's out there might be interested in a new form of alternative medicine. With all these recalls on infant's cold medicine (which by the way, I am a big fan of), I thought I'd fill you in on some ground breaking new cure for the common cold - pretzels. That's right, Rold Gold tiny twists, according to Jack cure what ails you. Just last night, I was sitting downstairs watching a football game, eating my snack, and here comes Jack, down the stairs to tell me he has a cold. "What do you want me to do about that?" I asked.
"Oh, hmmm, I need some pretzels mommy," he replied.
"Pretzels, that will make your cold better?" I double checked.
"Yep," he told me with a mouth full of pretzel crumbs.
Just to let you know, it doesn't cure a cough - what kept Thornley (and therefore me) up last night.
When I discover that medical breakthrough, I'll let you know!

The Lord Gives and the Lord takes away

I was talking with Adam on Friday about how we have 2 special events coming up at church that I'm the hostess for, so that means some extra money. I was excited to finish the month off with perhaps some money left in the account, perhaps some money set aside for Christmas, perhaps some new clothes, the list of possibilities went on and on.
A few hours later Adam decided to mow the lawn - a special event in and of itself. I heard a strange noise and looked out the window to see Adam's head in his hands as he trudged over to the neighbor's house. Apparently what I'd heard was a rock that had been thrown from the mower hitting and shattering the neighbor's car window.
No big deal, I thought, we'll pay his deductable and be done with it. But no, our neighbor doesn't have comprehensive insurance, only liability. So it's a good thing we have 2 special events at our church at the end of the month because we now get to replace our neighbor's car window.
Hopefully, this doesn't mean that Adam will no longer mow the lawn!

Then and Now

THEN
Would stay up until 1 or 2 a.m.
Would watch late night TV (Letterman/Leno) with my roommates while drinking beer
Would wake up at 6:00 a.m. to workout
Go to Pier 39 to look and listen to the sea lions
Would hang out with the cute neighbor boys and play practical jokes on them

NOW
My kids wake me up at 1 or 2 a.m.
We watch TiVo'd Mickey Mouse Clubhouse while Jack puffs on his nebulizer
Waking up at 6:00 a.m. IS a workout
Lay in bed and listen to my kid's barking seal cough
Hang out with my cute husband and kids and play practical jokes on friends on vacation (if you're reading this Cori, be afraid, be very afraid).

Jack woke up with croup AGAIN, so it's late nights, gross medicine that at least he doesn't throw-up anymore, and breathing treatments - CROUP THERE IT IS!!**

ODE TO CUTENESS

Today they drove me crazy, and then tonight they did this, which was so cute!

Chip off the old block

Today we had Thornley's first parent/teacher conference. Now some may shudder thinking about meeting with the teacher, Adam and I were looking forward to meeting with Sra Bier to see how Thornley is doing in class and with the whole Spanish thing. Good news - he continues to take after Adam! Not only does he look like him, and have his temperment, he also has his brains.
Good reports all around for T! He is one of the few who turns his homework in everyday; today he even did his homework twice, and tomorrow he says he'll do it three times! A nerd, perhaps, but a cute one nonetheless.
If I could take credit, I would; however, he reminds me more and more of Adam every day. I think one of the few things I can take credit for is getting him to school on time each day so he can be first in line!

Treetop has nothing on him!

Jack making his juice











and enjoying the fruits of his labor.

A Pumpkin for my Pumpkin

Today was field trip day to the pumpkin patch. I LOVE the pumpkin patch. We went to Falls City Farms, where we got a tour of the barn, a little lesson on bees from the farmer, a tractor ride and a pumpkin! My favorite part, besides looking at my cute kid with his pumpkin was when they let all the kids put an apple in the apple press and made apple juice. I didn't try any, but it must have been good, because Jack isn't a huge apple juice lover, and he drank his cup dry.

Fall

Whenever I think of fall, I always think of a song Thornley sang in preschool - Oh yes it's fall now, it's really fall now. Big orange pumpkins and falling leaves, Thanksgiving turkeys and pumpkin pies, don't forget to thank God for these.
Loved hearing his sweet little voice sing the song, and truth be told fall is my favorite season.
What I don't like about fall - the clothes, or the lack there of in my closet. What I need to find is a good fall sale, that has clothes that fit an out of shape mom, who had 2 c-sections and has yet to get that muscle tone back, but still has stylish clothes.

Who is his master?

Being that tonight is Wed., we went to youth group. Now, on a side note, I'd like to know who has talked to all my babysitters and told them that when I call don't answer. I think the boys are usually well behaved, and that I paid fairly well, but truly finding a babysitter on Wed night is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do!
Back to the evening...I took the boys with me to youth group tonight, because according to my husband they were great when they went 2 weeks ago. So we go. Dinner is a little boys dream - chicken nuggets and french fries, would they eat them, no. They wanted to play in the gym with their friends, and play they did.
Since Adam is gone he asked Pastor Brad to give the talk tonight, and since I have a small group and we discuss what the given speaker talked about, it's important to somewhat pay attention. Hard to do with the boys carrying on as to how they wanted to play in the gym.
We made it thru the talk, more or less, did our small group time, and went on our way. While on the way home I told the boys how the rest of the evening was going to go, "Get home, put your pajamas on and go to bed". "But mommy," Thornley says, "I need to talk to my master." Now being that we've just come from church I'm hoping he's talking about praying, but in reality, I think he was referring to Obi Wan.

Cure for the Chronic Illness

Again tonight Jack came downstairs with an emergency. "Another emergency mommy". "This is becoming a chronic condition, Jack". "It's not chronic mommy, it's called snuggling".
So snuggle we did while we watched a recap of Dancing with the Starts on Entertainment Tonight.

The non-life threatening emergency

I will admit, I was the mother who would brag that my boys slept thru the night early on. I think Thornley was like 4-6 weeks old. Jack a bit older, but still; he'd cry, I'd wake up, feed him, put him back to sleep. So why is it that now they have a hard time sleeping thru the night?
Every night at bedtime we go thru the routine; me, "Don't get out of bed, unless it's an emergency". Thornley, "Or if we have to go to the bathroom (yeah right, their sheets are almost thread-bare I wash them so much), or we're sick". Me, "That's right". Jack, "Or if we think it's morning". Me, "Yes, in the morning you may get out of bed".
So tonight I'm downstairs watching tv talking to my husband on the phone, and here comes Jack down the stairs. "What are you doing?", I ask him. "Mommy, it's an emergency.", he tells me. "What's the emergency?", I ask. "I need to snuggle."
I chose not to call 911, but instead let him sit on my lap and watch a bit of the Monday Night Football game with me.

Trying it out

So, a friend encouraged me to start a blog. So here I am.
I don't quite know what I'll say, or who is interested enough in the daily mundaneness of my life to read it, but what the heck! I've got laundry to do, and well, I'd rather do anything than laundry, so here I sit.
Just waiting you for enough creativity to post something fun!