Stomach Ache

Took kids to Costco. Costco celebrating holiday season with insane amount of samples. Below is a small representation of the samples my kids scarfed down:

Almond butter
Progresso chicken noodle soup
Cajun chicken pasta
Egg nog
teriyaki meatballs
sun dried tomato meatballs
chips and salsa
chocolate muffins
rotisserie chicken
beef stroganoff
lobster bisque
chicken pecan salad
cream puffs

Anybody want to come over and change Lucy's diaper for me today? Pretty please?

Sunday School

Our neighbors have a nativity scene set up in their front yard. This made Annie very curious.
"Mommy? Who is that?" she asks.
I explain that it is Baby Jesus, and that Christmas Day is actually Jesus' birthday.
"Is he having a Pump It Up Party? Am I invited? Will there be cake?" she asks.

Later that day, we pass a local church that has a huge statue of Christ in front.

"Mommy? Who is that?" Annie asks again.
I explain that Baby Jesus grew into a man, and that this statue is of Him.

"Is Jesus a big boy now?" Annie asks.
"Yes." I reply.
"Does Jesus wear big kid underwear like me?" Annie asks.
"Yes." I reply.
"How old is Jesus?" Annie asks.
"He's very, very old." I answer.
"Oh, like Daddy." Annie says.

Fatbusters & Nutcrackers

My tummy is happy. Just got back from a swanky dinner with my husband. Nice pinot, aged rib eye and chocolate cobbler to harden up the ol' arteries and remind me that I'm now in the mid-smack-dab-middle of my thirties. I wore a Karen Kane black wrap dress with a necklace that my Mom forgot to take home with her over Thanksgiving (score!). As I struggled into my shapewear, my Lucy watched me get dressed.

"Mommy?" she asks, as I wriggled and wriggled into the damn thing. "Whatcha doin?"
"Mommy is encasing her extremities in lycra so that she'll have to go to the ladies room just to take a deep breath." I gasp.
"Mommy, you funny." she says, in disgust, as she toddles away.

Earlier today, I took the girls to a community theatre that was featuring a play based upon The Nutcracker. It was an 11am matinee, and the girls gussied up in their holiday dresses and were on their best behavior. We were a tad late, and entered the theatre as Marie and the Nutcracker started getting serious. Lucy screams, "Mommy? It's too dark in here!"I got nervous, not knowing how the rest of the afternoon was going to go. Little did I know...

Annie spent the entire time waving at the actors, and saying "Hello! Hello over there!' During intermission, they let kids come up on stage and sing Christmas carols. Annie didn't even wait for an invitation. She hopped out of her seat, with her little sister in tow, and waved to the crowd, sang Jingle Bells, and milked it for all its worth. When they were escorted off stage, you could hear Annie bellow "That was fun! Can we go back onstage?" Someone coughed and Annie gently reminded them to "cover your mouth when you cough". I think the ushers were very glad to see us going.

Up Late

It's 4am, and yours truly once again has insomnia. It doesn't help that I stumbled across an awesome site and am laughing at a couple of stocking stuffers I was able to buy. I'm bummed I bought my friend's birthday present already, or I would totally get her an "I Love Jake Ryan" t-shirt. She's a huge Sixteen Candles fan.

In other news, my 35th birthday was awesome! It was so wonderful to hear from my friends and family, and the best part is seeing how excited the kids get. I treated myself to a much needed manicure/pedicure, took the girls to playgroup and had some wine with my friends, and then came home and celebrated with Matt. He treated me to some ridiculously expensive parfum (I've never had real parfum before!) and the festivities continue this weekend.

I showed our house to a really nice couple that is moving here for a fellowship next year. The whole moving thing is still pretty surreal- but it freaks me out that we'll be packing up and shifting off to (where?) somewhere in just a few months. One thing at a time... first, I need to go get more sleep.

Happy New Year

So, the year is ending and 2008 is almost upon us. I love how Elizabeth Gilbert refers to the new year as a net that stretches over us- a net filled with a year's worth of births, deaths, laughs, cries etc. It makes me think of this approaching year a bit differently. The older I get, the more I realize a new year can contain upcoming loss as well as joy. Kind of brooding for someone as chipper as myself, but when things are this good- it makes me nervous.


To lighten things up- I realize I've followed through with most of my 2007 resolutions.

I am working out more. I've suffered through pilates, yoga and the treadmill- and while I'm no skinny minnie- I'm thinner than I was, and definitely healthier. I won't say I love exercise, but I do now acknowledge that it makes me feel better. Ironically, my armpits and ankles did not get skinnier until I stopped lifting weights. I still haven't worked up the courage to go back to the class taught by the senior citizen Barbie. She scared the bejeezus out of me.

I shop with purpose. My closet used to be filled with nonsensical pieces that didn't relate to one another. It made getting dressed a huge upheaval, and left me in a crumpled, (naked) mess on my closet floor. No more. Now, when I shop- I do the whole shebang. I buy in outfits- which makes tons more sense. It's also rewarding- to see things through and find just the right shoes and accessories.

Which brings me to another point- I'm wearing more accessories. I discovered the jewelry section at Target, and haven't been the same since. I love their big, chunky necklaces- and when I get the occasional compliment, I love shocking people by gleefully yelling- "I got it at Target for $9.99!" I'm so classy.

I have regularly scheduled date nights with the hubby. We had a dry spell where we didn't go out as a couple for SIX months. And I wondered why I was drooling all over myself and speaking in tongues? It's not fancy- but it gives me a chance to put on some lipstick and pretend to be grown up.

Well 2007- you have been very good to us. You've kept my brother safe, given us a new little niece who is now almost 4 lbs!, kept our family healthy and strong and taught me the importance of accessorizing. Thanks 2007- it's been real. Please do me a favor and tell your buddy 2008 to take it easy on us.

My Ten Minutes

I got interviewed for our local Mom's group. It was so very nice of them to think of me for this, and I hope I didn't ruin things by being a bit more snarkily humorous than sappy. Here's a copy of the interview:


When and why did you join the Mom's group?? I joined in the summer of 2006. We had just moved here from San Diego, and I was knee deep in moving boxes and freaking out over the weather- when I bumped into Lori XXX. She took pity on me and suggested I join - best thing I ever did!

What is most rewarding about your involvement with the Mom's group? There are so many things. First, for a new girl in town- there is no better way to acclimate yourself. I love the forums--- and I’ve gotten great advice on where to go out to eat, where to vacation- a good pediatric dentist- it’s great. On a more personal note, the friends I have made are without a doubt, the absolute best part. My little Friday playgroup and monthly outing to Cooking Club keep me sane.

Where were you born? Where did you grow up? I was born in Clifton, New Jersey. My Dad was a Colonel in the Air Force, so I’ve lived in many different places: Texas, Virginia, Hawaii, Southern California and New York.
How long have you lived in Houston? A little over a year. It took me a bit to adjust, but now I really love living here. The Tree Roaches still freak me out, though.

What is your husband’s name-please feel free to
fill in what you like or find interesting about him
e.g. how long married, where you met, occupation,
quirks etc...
My husband’s name is Matt. He’s completing a fellowship, and he works a ton. Some of my friends think he’s a figment of my imagination- but I promise you! He does exist. We’ve been married 11 years. I met Matt in high school; we’ve been together since I was 16. He taught me how to drive, and don’t tell anyone- but he used to bake me cookies during my finals in college. You guys should see our prom picture- it’s hilarious.

Tell me about your children. My daughter Annie is four. She likes to pretend she is either Winnie the Pooh or Peter Pan. She imagines she has her own Food Network show (really!) and makes friends wherever she goes. Lucy turned 2 this October. Lucy is quite fond of the color purple, afraid of pirates, thinks everyday is Tuesday, and thoroughly enjoys preschool. She’s also quite the Cinderella aficionado.

What are some things you like to do as a family? We go out for breakfast every Sunday- usually to Café Brasil or Empire. Afterwards, we hit one of the parks, or go the YMCA pool. I feel very strongly about having the family eat dinner together. Sometimes that can be rough with Matt’s schedule, but we frequently bring dinner in to the hospital and have our family time there. I can’t believe I am admitting this in public, but we also play games together- our current favorite is a Disney DVD Bingo- you guys have to check this out! I’m embarrassed to admit that Matt and I can be quite competitive with our after-dinner family bingo games. It’s all about the blackout, y’all!

How would you describe your parenting style? I think parenting is like that Bill Murray movie, “Groundhog Day.” Every day, you wake up to the same exact thing you did yesterday---- but what worked for you yesterday, doesn’t work today. You’ve got to constantly change up your game. I am blessed with very unique children- so the average parenting book doesn’t really fly in our house. I always struggle with the issue of “when do you let them go and try things for themselves and when do you let them depend on you?” I’ve got one very dependent child, and one very independent one- so it’s not a “one size fits all” parenting method here. I’m always on the lookout for something new.

Do you remind yourself of your mom and how? Yes, when I’m yelling at my kids and call them by their full names. Just kidding! Ok, not really- I think my Mom only gave me a middle name so I could gauge how mad she was when she called me in for dinner. My Mom did an excellent job of being a stay-at-home Mom, but also not comprising her entire identity on being a Mom. I hope I can do the same for my girls. I’m trying- but it’s easy to get obsessed with poopie diapers and eating habits.

What are some of the values that you want your
children to learn? My husband has this incredible quality of being absolutely brilliant, but having this amazing work ethic. I hope this passes down to my girls. I want them to value hard work. I want them to have integrity, and a good sense of who they are and not be manipulated by celebrities that don’t wear underwear or can’t read a map. I want them to have compassion, and a good sense of humor, and find beauty and joy in their every day life. I also want them to take very good care of me when I’m old.

How has having a family changed you? If you had told me four years ago that I would be driving a Honda Odyssey, frequently go out in public in my yoga pants with no makeup and would consider showering every day a major accomplishment I would tell you that you must have been drinking.

What do you enjoy most about being a mother? The snuggles. The belly laughs. The unconditional love. The excuse to eat macaroni and cheese.

What is your most challenging aspect of being a
mother? The power struggles. Raising strong independent women can be fun, but they make for pretty difficult toddlers.

Favorite thing to do in the area. With or without family. There is so much to do in this city. It seems like every day, I get to have an adventure with my girls. It can be something as simple as meeting friends at the YMCA pool, browsing through Central Market, checking out the Natural History Museum, going bowling at Palace Lanes, or hanging out at Café Brasil- but I’ve really grown to truly love Houston. I’m also madly in love with the Hyatt Lost Pines, and think my dinner at the Roundtop Café is in the top five best meals of my life.

How do you take time for yourself? My Lucy just started going to preschool this fall, so I have 3 mornings a week all to myself. At first I had no clue what to do with myself, but I am slowly adjusting.

Hobbies? I read a lot- on average, 3-4 books a week. I also love to cook, and am blessed with a husband and children that like to eat. A little known hobby is I also have a blog- that I’m surprised to say, is gaining in readers every day, but I will not mention it here for fear you will actually read it.

Anything you'd like to add?? Nothing, but thank you so much for asking me to do this- and can I give a little shout out to my playgroup? “Wooohooo! Kirstin/Adrienne/Martha/Stacy/Alisa and Allison!” Oh yes, and if anyone wants to come over for a mean game of Disney Bingo, you are most welcome.

Overheard

Setting the scene: We had family movie night on Saturday. Complete with popcorn and jammies- my kids loved the old school rendition of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." I overheard this yesterday morning:

Annie: Good morning Lucy! I am Rudolph.
Lucy: G' mornin Rudolph.
Annie: Want to be my best friend?
Lucy : Ok!
Annie: You have to be a silly elf, though.
Lucy: Ok!
Annie: Alright then. Let's go play some reindeer games.
Lucy: OK!
Annie: Like bingo and puzzles. That's what reindeers like to play.


I wonder what seeing Frosty is going to do to them.