Sicko

It's been 3 weeks of sick sick sick around here. That previous post with Tyler footballing like a maniac. . . that's right. . . he was sick as a dog 2 days before that. He's still coughing all night long. Paige has had strep and now the same cold/fever/cough/flu. . whatever it is for 2 days now. Paige was out of school for 2 days 2 weeks ago. Tyler was out 3 days last week, and now Paige has been out for 2 days this week. We did NOTHING on the kids' day off last week.

The gym has been a no go. Morgan had a nasty cold over the weekend too, and now, I can't leave Paige home alone. I need some sort of routine in my life. If I have to watch one more episode of Good Luck Charlie, I'm gonna throw something at someone.

Plus, Tyler has been on a "I hate school" kick. He said to me the other day. . . "Mom, why do I have to go to school? Can't we just be home schooled?"

I'm sure he thinks that home school would be like a sick day. Kid Vs Cat all day long with mom pouring gatorade for him and tucking his blankets around him all day while he lays on the couch.

Rant over.

Today I will remind myself that there is always someone out there in a worse situation than me, and they have to do their job day after day. :)

braggin' rights

According to Tyler, Saturday was
The Best Day Ever

That may have something to do with this. . .

That's right.

He INTERCEPTED the pass.

He ran the FULL length of the field.

He SCORED.

Then. . .

He turned into a flag pulling,

yard gaining, handoff faking

Ranger!

(his team name, which he didn't vote for. He wanted to be a Rebel.)

There's no stopping him now.

3D all the way

Friday night was date night. We procrastinated getting a babysitter. "We" meaning "I." I proceeded to call 15 homes. I was rejected and/or met with an answering machine 15 times. WOW.

Plan B. Family group date.

Normally, even the thought makes me shudder. . . . but, when I haven't been out of the house all week I'm willing to take risks.

Enter Fuddruckers. Bless you Fuddruckers. (just don't get tongue tied saying it)

No wait, no waitress and burgers as big as your head. What more could a family of 5 ask for? We ate until we had to be rolled out of the door, and then we moved on to Megamind at the Pictureshow. (I love that they named it the Pictureshow. It reminds me of my grandma)

Megamind in 3D, mind you. (No pun intended.) It was really funny. Plus, nobody whined for treats or popcorn. . . nobody even mentioned them. Hallelujah! Dreamworks has redeemed themselves this past year with How to Train Your Dragon and now Megamind. On the way out, there was no recycle bin for the 3D glasses. Somehow, I ended up with 5 pairs of 3D glasses in my purse.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon. Dr. Theobald has popped the lenses out of the glasses. Paige has found her new favorite toy.

Meet Margo.

She's part cute little girl/part dirty rotten swindler. I had to buy the stuffed animals and then give them back to her. There was no refund.

jammies

Morgan has an obsession with jammies. If you try to put her to bed with just a t-shirt on she freaks out. She HAS to have her jammies. For Christmas she got 2 new pair.

These are her "loop doop" jammies. I may throw them in the wash 2-3 times a week. . . just so I can hear her ask for the "loop doop" jammies at bedtime. I'm such a sucker.

Laugh more

We all need to laugh more. My friend, Jordan, shared these videos on her blog. I felt the need to pass on the love. You'll laugh. . . outloud. . . even if you're by yourself. . . so don't try to watch them on your iphone when you're supposed to be working.

You won't be able to choose a favorite.

I swear, some people really make the most of their Christmas breaks.

I can't wait to show these to my kids tomorrow.

Episode 1


Episode 2


Episode 3

Welcome 2011

I can't believe it's a new year already. The time has flown from September until now, as it does for me every year. 2 birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, taking families' photos, traveling, shopping, cooking. . . phew! I love the season. I also love the start of a fresh year with so many possiblities!

Here's a little recap of the season's events:

Family pictures for the Christmas card, taken with the timer. . . well, sort of. Only I know the truth.

Paige starring as pig #2 in her school musical performance, "A Barnyard Moosical" . . . . so cute!

Finally decorating the tree after the Thanksgiving holiday fiasco. I love our tree. It's "family style" and I hope for new crazy ornaments from school or church every year.

Tyler, starring as Dr. Brainpain in his 4th grade Christmas play. What a cool cat. He breezed through the performance like it was nothing. 17 lines and a few songs later, he has his first production under his belt.

We used the scripture advent from the Friend magazine this year. . . which led to one inevitable conversation. I'll give you a hint. "So Mom, you can CHOOSE to have a baby?"

I will never view the advent in the same light.

The ward Christmas party aka Luau. Morgan loved the leis. . . obviously. It was really warm in the room. I kept asking her if she wanted to take them off. She would just run in the opposite direction. It made me have claustrophobia just looking at her. She didn't "sit" on Santa's lap, but she gave him a high 5. Shane filled in for her.

Paige was picked (by that cute little boy on the right) to try her hand at hula dancing. Front and center with a big smile on her face. . . that's my girl. She claims that she would really like to take hula lessons now.

I got to open my Christmas present a little early. Tickets to the AZ Ballet Nutcracker. That's right, Shane's a true man. He watched men in tights for 2 hours. That's devotion right there.

The performance was really great. My favorite parts were the rats, the Waltz of the Flowers and, of course, the sugar plum fairy.

We ended the date at Tia Rosa's. Really the perfect present and a great day.

My friend, Melanie, showed me how to make these fun snowflakes. Paige and I spent the better part of an afternoon making a dozen to hang in the dining room.

We enjoyed Christmas Eve at the Whitfield's home with great food.

Christmas morning began with the traditional wrapping-paper-over-the-door bit. Morgan was a little impatient, but Shane held her off until I had the camera ready.

Christmas Day came and went and this guy's birthday was close behind. 10 years old. We celebrated at Peter Piper Pizza on the 28th and then packed for California on the 29th while he played video games with his friends. On the 30th, we had another little celebration in California with Grandma, Grandpa, Sarah and Josh.

We were so excited to spend New Year's Eve at Sea World. We rode Atlantis and froze at the night Shamu show. . . which was so worth it.

Happy 2011 to all and to all a good night.