Sesame Street Live

Jill and I were adventurous and took Isabella and Mason to the Sesame Street Live show. As a joke we bought our men the shirts, but they thought it would be more fun staying home and watching football in them rather than actually going to the show in them. The kids enjoyed themselves, Mason got scared when they blew confetti unexpectedly and one of the darker numbers. He shows his sensitive side every so often, but for the most part he enjoyed himself. Jill and I restrained ourselves from buying $10 Elmo balloons and $15 winnkie Elmo spin lights. We were going to buy them the winnkie light if it was $10 or under, but we thought the prices were a bit too outrageous. The balloon is what really gets me, I can remember when they sold them for $5. My kids better get ready, I am already starting the "I remember whens......"

Christmas with Nana

Who do you think spoils these children? Nana made it up without any more ditch excursions. The kids loved seeing her, I don't think it had anything to do with the cookies she was holding in her hand for them or all the presents that were coming in. She of course came with more bows and we put them out and let Ellery and Isabella pick and that was hard for me. I tried to persuade Ellery, but I wasn't too successful. Lots of fun presents for the kids, but the hot item that everyone loves is the nerf dart guns. Sure it says for 8+ ages, but what Nana looks at age requirements on toys. The kids and adults have had a great time shooting them at walls and doors with the goal of not shooting each other.

Visitors from Alabama

They plowed our street early this morning and just in time for my brother to get here with his family from Alabama. Nana was supposed to arrive this evening as well, but she hit some ice on the way up and ended up in a ditch. Luckily she wasn't hurt and pulled out quickly, but she decided to stay at a hotel for the evening and is coming up in the morning. A little too much action for my taste, but we are happy she is ok. My brother and his family were excited to see so much snow and really enjoyed playing in it. The things we take for granted and are soooo tired of they are excited for.

Snow Snow Snow

We have too much snow. Grandma Ellen is snowed in with us, which has been a blessing because Rob has been working so much so it is nice to have company and someone to watch the kids while I go shovel. I think we have over 12 inches for the past few days. I know my new car would make it through this, but I am leery on taking it out. Every time I go out to shovel I open the car door and just smell it since I can't drive it. Something about the new car smell that makes me smile! Hopefully they will plow our street soon, but the last snow took them 3 days to get to us.

Merry Christmas

We defiantly had a white Christmas. We woke up to snow snow and more snow. Grandma Ellen was able to spend the festive morning with us and the kids were really excited over Santa visiting. I think Mason opened up every one's presents including Ellery's, but she didn't seem to mind as long as she got to play with what was inside.
Ellery got a baby stroller, Mrs. Potato Head with extra parts, and a My Little Pony that takes a bottle and makes sucking noises and talks when you push her foot.
Mason got a geo track train set, extra Mr. Potato Head parts, and mini action figures of Buzz and Woody, along with a tent on his bed. It was a great morning.


As a joke I ordered a stuffed Husky dog for Rob from Santa. The kids love it and Hudson isn't sure what to think of it, but it was fun watching Hudson and the kids checking it out. No one was quite sure what to do with him. It is hard to get used to, when you come around the corner it makes you jump and look twice at it.

Christmas Eve

I never got to open a present on Christmas Eve, but we decided to let the kids open one after we went to Christmas Eve service. Our church was wonderful and held a 5 o'clock candle light service and it worked out well with our meal times along with the kid's bedtime. I was able to drive us all including Grandma Ellen to church in our luxury ride in the White Stallion. We are lucky we went to the early service because the weather was deteriorating fast. We didn't let Ellery hold her own candle, but with great supervision from Rob, Mason was able to hold his own and was pretty proud of himself. Ellery seemed to enjoy the singing and music more than the candles anyways. Since the kids are into games, they opened Hungry Hungry Hippo and Cooties. They have had tons of fun playing Hungry Hungry Hippo, I don't blame them, it was a huge favorite of mine when I was little. I also like it because a blue hippo is not an option so it makes Mason pick a different color. At the end of the night we asked Mason if he wanted to put cookies and milk out for Santa and we were met with tons of resistance along with tears because he wanted a cookie too, so we didn't feed Santa this year. I think next year we will offer chocolate for Santa and do it regardless of the tears we are met with.

Mandi Come on Down and Look at Your New

CAR.......Isn't it a beauty? We have named it White Stallion. I was stunned. Rob and I had been looking at cars and I thought it was just for fun with no pressure. We have been wanting something with a bit more room and were on the SUV vs minivan debate. I just couldn't bring myself to a minivan when you know this luxury it waiting for you. We also needed something bigger so we could take passengers with us when people came to visit and now we have it. Rob was post call on Christmas Eve and when he got up he was lounging on the couch and he looked at me and said, "I think I forgot to close the garage door, will you go check for me?" I went and made sure it was closed and this caught my eye. I was stunned, I can't believe he bought us a new 2010 Toyota Sequoia. I have a new car and one that is so new we aren't even in that year yet. Needless to say we are very blessed. Rob and I took it out for a quick spin since Grandma Ellen is stuck here due to the weather and it rides much nicer than the bumpy ol 4-Runner. Speaking of the Runner, Rob took his first hand me down from me rather than me taking his hand me downs. I could ramble about the features, but I am happy that is it white and has heated seats! Thank you Rob for being a wonderful loving husband and I hope you aren't disappointed with your gifts because you aren't getting a new car!

Merry Christmas Grandma Ellen

Grandma Ellen came up and stopped on her way to Sioux Falls so we had Christmas with her a few days early. It was the start of the Christmas season for the kids. Mason got a few more trains and train tracks for his collection, he is thrilled to build a train track that goes on and on and on. Ellery got a beautiful wooden doll house that she likes to play with. They both are very fond of each others presents. It seems trains and dinosaurs have been living in the house along with baby dolls destroying train tracks. Grandma Ellen also brought Christmas hats that light up. Both kids enjoyed putting them on then running into the dark bathroom and admiring the lights.

Shake It

Ellery is showing a real interest in dance these days and is picking up the moves. Note the back tap she gives herself. I have also been letting the kids watch some of my dvr recordings of So You Think You Can Dance. I came around the corner to find Mason trying to lift Ellery up in the air and spin her like she is her partner in a dance move. I have to get it on video to share, but it is hilarious. Sometimes she puts her arms out willingly so he can hook into her pits and other times he isn't going to take no until her gets her lifted and twirled around.

Cake decimation

Mason came and woke me up one morning and we went downstairs together and I found some suspicious markings on the fridge, bathroom light switch, and bathroom sink. I couldn't figure out where it was from and what Mason found without my knowledge. I did put it together that he ate something, went to the fridge for his milk cup, then turned on the bathroom light to wash away the evidence. An hour later I went into the office and noticed the cake sitting on the table was opened and more of my suspicious markings all around it. Mason had opened the cake and scraped frosting off the balloons and edges.

Happy Birthday Rob

We kept a low key actual birthday day for Rob. Since we had a houseful of people over the night before and tons of leftovers we decided to stay in for the night. Everyone at the party serenaded him the night before with a cake saying "Happy Birthday Rob" decorated in green and red Christmas colors. I thought that was a brilliant idea to providing dessert for a Christmas party and a birthday cake all in one. He was also serenaded by the kids and I on his special day. I don't think they care so much about it being some one's birthday, but they know birthday=cake. I fear for their disappointment when they go to a birthday party someday and they don't have cake. Another reason we stayed in was so we could play with Rob's new present. A foosball table. Mason is surprisingly good and I am the master who had to let Rob win since it was his birthday and all. Rob has always said he wanted a foosball table and we were able to surprise him with one. It has brought us hours of enjoyment to date and I vision it bringing us more. We have found that when Ellery plays we hear this faint "owe" every so often. We finally realized we were hitting her in the chest every time we moved our men and it would poke her, not enough for her to cry out, but just enough for her to express her discomfort of getting poked.

I want to sleep in my tent

We have progressed from sleeping in a nest on the floor with pillows and blankets to sleeping in a nest that looks like a tent. We had a party at our house for Rob's transport team and had Shannon the babysitter come over to help with the kids. She always does a good job, but tonight she out did herself. She built Mason and Ellery the coolest tent, so cool that Mason wanted to sleep in it and we said what the heck, go for it. He loves it and slept in it all night long.

Boots are made for walkin

You can't leave any shoes out and expect to find them where you left them with Ellery around. She loves shoes, doesn't matter who's or what they look like she just likes wearing them. This is an old picture from when we were visiting Papaw, but I just thought she was adorable wearing Mason's boots and pushing a stroller. The other day she had the cutest outfit on and she insisted on wearing her snow boots out for the day. It made me cringe to what is to come with her independence and dressing herself.

Potty Training-Not Quite

Ellery is showing a real interest in sitting on the potty chair, but not having any results. I am not ready to potty train her, but I do let her sit in the bathroom with me every so often. She takes after her dad in expressing an interest in reading while sitting on her throne.

I want to sleep in my nest

Mason has been obsessed with taking ever pillow and blanket he can find and building himself a "nest". We think he calls it his nest because his favorite show on PBS is Dinosaur Train and the main character Buddy, a T-Rex, lives in a nest with Pteranodons. We let him take his naps in his nest, but make him sleep in his bed at night. He seems content as can be and well rested after his nap. I personally get a flashback to ET and think at times Mason looks like ET did sitting with all the stuffed animals beside him while he is hiding in the closet.

New Installment

Nana sent us a new batch of bows, she has now learned how to make what is called corkers. They are beautiful and Ellery loves wearing them. I know what everyone is thinking, could we really need or use more bows, and the answer is always yes. Someone referred to Ellery as a present the other day because she is all wrapped up in cute clothes with a bow on top. Maybe I should be offended, but she did have a point.

Meet Buzz Lightyear

A friend of mine told me about these Buzz Lightyear PJ's, thank you so much Michelle. I had intended for Santa to bring them, but could only find a 4t and out of fear they wouldn't fit, I brought them home after a shopping spree. Mason was beyond thrilled. Toy Story has had quite the impact on him. I showed him my new purchase and he requested to wear them right then and then asked if he could wear them out to a function that evening. I was a mean mom and told him no on wearing them out to a function. Needless to say, he asks to wear them every night and if I do laundry his wish is usually granted. They bring hours of entertainment to Mason and to us. I catch him jumping off of the couch, bed, from the couch to a chair, etc. He pushes the big red button to make his wings pop out and if you push one of the three smaller buttons he gives you quotes from Buzz. I have also been told not to touch his buttons because they are dangerous. It doesn't come with a laser button on the arm, but no worries Mason uses him imagination and points his laser at you. If you have seen Toy Story you will see his actions mirror Buzz, I wish everyone a Space Ranger who can't fly, but falls with style like Mason.

New knitting project

I started a new knitting project and have knitted 4-6 inches numerous times only to not like my results, so I tear it out and start over. I have always wanted to knit an afghan, but never seem to find the time or the pattern. I decided to keep it simple when I found a free pattern that called for 4 skeins of beautiful soft yarn and so easy to knit on one side and purl on the opposite. It said it would be a six hour project and I have probably spent that many hours starting and restarting it. While I was out at my dads I decided that 4 skeins was too many and would reduce it to 2 skeins. I was going to put the tangled 4 skeins aside and hope to unravel them someday, in reality I knew I wouldn't really do it. Debbie was my inspiration and rallied the troops, Papaw, Rob, and Dan, to help us in the untangling project. It took us about an hour to untangle them and I am very grateful for their help. Papaw only helped for a bit, and then fell asleep in his chair and started snoring. Every time we went for the camera we would all get quite and he would wake up, so we never got our footage and once he caught onto what we were doing he didn't go back to sleep.

Everyone clearly enjoying their evening untangling yarn.

The work in progress, coming along nicely.

New Traditions

We put the tree up a few weeks ago and our ornaments are still standing, but a bit more manhandled. Ellery is our worst culprit, she likes to look at them touch them and then carry them around or place them in different areas on the tree. Mason if our official lighting specialist. He loves to turn the tree on first thing in the morning, it's like his morning coffee fix or something. It has been fun to put the tree up with Rob in the past, but the kids add a little more excitement to the project. I don't think we will get away with putting the tree up with lights and no ornaments with them around, that was the year I called my mom crying from the bathroom because Rob was too tired from residency to decorate the tree or open presents. Thank goodness that is over and no worries this year the tree is up and decorated.
We did start a new tradition this year. We went and bought a Christmas train to go around our tree. It comes with real train noises along with carols. We will see how long it will last, I am sure it has been turned on and off more times than in testing. Maybe I should write someone and get on a toy testing panel. So far this train is rating high on our list and the kids are loving it. They get on their tummies and watch it go round and round, stopping each time because it is his or her turn to turn it off and make it go backwards then around again to be turned off and on again to go forward.

Playing in the snow

I love that Mason is getting old enough to play with the boys next door and I can sit back from afar and watch the action, so I thought. Ellery and I were doing our own thing in our drive way and Mason took off to play with Conner and Carson. Ellery and I slowly moved over to the boys only to discover Mason holding a sledge hammer. They were all building snow caves and the 8 year old tells me not to worry. The sledge hammer doesn't have a metal head it is made of rubber. Rubber or not, I had to give Mason a few swinging instructions then shrugged my shoulders and thought what the heck.

The rubber head sledge hammer culprits.

Ellery hanging out, keeping to the cleared paths rather than making her own.

Preschool Holiday Program

We were blessed to see our first holiday concert of the season at Mason's preschool. I don't think they are in need of a manager or going to get booked on any holiday tours, but the room was full of smiling proud parents. I found myself busting out laughing before the concert started, enough laughing that I had to reassure my child I was laughing with him and not at him. I am lucky that he doesn't know the difference yet, because I was laughing at all of the kids. In my defense his teacher laughed with me every time. In my next career I want to be a preschool teacher. Mason might not be belting out his toon now, but I did catch him singing this song at home a few days prior to his concert debut. I had no idea I was getting a sneak peek of what was to come and enjoyed being serenaded by my little man. We were by far his biggest fans and clap those hands "It's Christmas Time".

Mason got the camera

Mason got a hold of the camera the other day while I was out. I guess Mason brought the camera to Rob and informed him he took some pictures of the TV. It appears the first shot was a bit too low and then after this one we have about 10 pictures of the tv, also showing Ellery's movement in each snapshot. Rob is busted, proof that he let the kids watch Dinosaur Train while I was out. Maybe I should give Mason the camera while I am out to see what really goes on while I am gone!

Let it Snow

We got over 12 inches of snow this week. Schools were closed for 3 days and it was cold. The first round of storms we got out in and played. Ellery enjoyed herself until Rob turned on the snow blower and then she wouldn't stop crying. I didn't realize it was so scary. Mason wasn't scared of the snow blower at all, he was thrilled to help. Rob said he can't wait until Mason is old enough to remove all the snow himself and will remind him of his enthusiasm he once had for it. We almost staged a picture of Ellery licking a pole because she looks like the kid from the Christmas Story movie all bundled up and barely able to move.
The next day we got more snow and could barely open the back door to let the dog out. We didn't go out and play because it was blowing and did blow 3-4 foot drift that would have been lots of fun to play in, but it was -20 deg. It didn't stop Hudson from going out and running like a crazy dog with rabies and then crashing in front of the door with exhastion. Remember this is how he lounges in -20 deg wind chill weather.

Gingerbread House

I have no idea why this is all underlined, and I am too lazy to take the time to fix it.

Our neighborhood association sets us up with a gingerbread house and all the decorations. You get to show up and make the mess in a school cafeteria and then leave. No mixing frosting at your own home or getting it all over your table and floor, bonus. For some reason we didn't go last year, but this year was a hit. Rob and I both tried to contribute some order and pretty patterns on our house, but Mason and Ellery had other plans. They both did really well at placing the decorations on the house until they both sneaked a piece or licked their fingers and found it wasn't just a decoration. It was a decoration that tasted fantastic.




If we turned our back for very long to chat with our neighbors and friends, we would find Mason taking a bite of his house and Ellery sneaking "pebbles" from our pebble walks.

What I want for Christmas

We went to see Santa today and Ellery didn't want to go near him. Being the wonderful parents that we are we made her sit on his lap for the photo. If he asked her a question she would shake her head no or say no to him.
Mason on the other hand ripped his coat off and went right up to Santa. He wanted to show Santa his boots. He didn't have any problems sitting on his lap and telling him what he wanted, but he does look a bit leery in his picture. He also told Santa he wanted a Woody Doll for Christmas, nothing more just a Woody.

Band of Brothers

Our Strategic Air and Space Museum had a "Real Band of Brothers" experience. It was a once in a lifetime chance to meet the men who formed the Band of Brothers of the 506th PIR Easy Company of the 101st Airborne division during World War II. We went to a dinner reception, and Rob was like a kid in a candy store getting to sit up close and get personal with them. He was able to get all 6 autographs on his book and on the DVD set. They also had a C-47 from the WWII era that we were able to step inside and see where these men jumped from. I am not near the history buff that Rob is, but I was amazed by the experience and honored to be in their company.

Walk Through Bethlehem

I started attending a MOPS group at a different church we don't attend, and I have met a few moms through it and get to learn a lot of new things. One thing I learned is that the church where MOPS is held puts on a wonderful "Walk Through Bethlehem" experience. We are talking camels, shepherds tending real goats, Roman guards that tax you while you are in the city, with tons of activities for the children to experience. You start your experience by walking through the outskirts of town where you can fish in the sea, watch Mary and Joseph hold a "real" baby Jesus, and then you go into a room where you must be counted and receive your bag of gold coins. When you enter the city you use your coins to purchase shepherd hats, bread making, games, sewing, hammering lead into a coin, basket weaving, and much much more. It was a very hands on involved learning activity and I think the kids enjoyed themselves and we enjoyed watching them learn and grow.

Preschool Photo

I might be able to submit Mason to a bad paid for photo contest and win. His preschool had photos taken and this is what they captured. You have to select a package prior to the picture being taken. We opted for the least expensive package that included a class photo that cost $9. We had the option for retakes, but didn't take the opportunity in fear they could capture worse. We thought it would continue to bring joy and good laughs in the future as well. I am really excited to see the class photo, we might be in for a real treat.