Ringing in the New Year

It's a good thing I have a few more hours before I need to start trying to be more patient.

Claire was up most of the night coughing. She is sick. Again.

Hannah woke up at 3am knocking on her door. Scared me half to death, I thought someone was in our house knocking on the walls (I know, sounds crazy but we watched one of those ghost chaser shows last night and it was kind of creepy. It was about Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana and we've been there so it was even creepier!). Anyway, it wasn't ghosts. Just Hannah crying at 3am because she wanted to get up and go downstairs.

So today, I'm all outta patience.

This New Year's Eve I won't be doing a whole lot of this...

(Oh and just so you know, I had on a strapless dress... I was not dancing in a crowd while naked)

Or too much of this...

But hopefully at midnight, I'll get to do this...

Alright, who am I kidding? We'll probably be fast asleep by midnight because these two make us so tired...

How are you celebrating the New Year?

I am a compulsive list maker.

On any given day you will see more than one random list on my refrigerator.

I usually have a list going for the grocery store, Sam's Club, Target, "To Do", and usually a few more just swirling around in my head.

I've had a to do list for 2010 floating around in my head for a while now and it keeps getting longer, so I thought I would jot it down for two reasons. 1) So that I will hopefully get them done, and 2) so that I don't forget what I need and/or want to get done. So without further ado...

• Take Hannah to the dentist (her 1st visit) Well, first make the appointment, then take her.
• Make an optometry appointment for me. Get new glasses. Cute ones.
• Find a good deal on new panels for the living room window.
• Get my butt back in the gym.
• Start bringing girls to kids club at the gym (Hannah used to love it, but I have not brought Claire yet and I think it's time she goes.)
• Work on becoming more patient
• Start practicing my "mantra"
• Get a couple babysitters lined up for more frequent date nights! This is not just a want, this is a must.
• Take the cushions on the backyard furniture to get re-upholstered.
• Replace the living room window screen (it has a whole in it), and the one in Claire's room.

I could probably add a few more things to this list, but I don't want to start off the new year feeling overwhelmed. A couple of those things I've needed to do for so long, so I am hoping now that I wrote them down, they will get done.

Happy New Year.

I hope it brings me some patience.

I am going to need it.

My Word & Mantra For The Year...

I recently came across the neatest idea from Nancy and her creative blog. She posted about how she chooses a word each year. One word. Not a phrase. Just a word. She studies it, writes it all over her house, and tries to really focus on the meaning of the word all throughout the year. To read more about her post click here.

I loved this idea, and I immediately started thinking what word can I choose for 2010. I pondered it for a few days, and I have come up with a good one.

My word for the year is...

Patience

Patient- tolerating delay, provocation, annoyance, etc. without complaint or anger

I am not the most patient person, and so I am going to study and think of this word often this year. I especially want to be more patient with my kids. I just need to slow down, and realize that whatever it is I am stressing or being impatient about, it is probably not important.

So to go along with my word of the year, I have also chosen a mantra. A few words to live by, that I will remind myself of often.

Don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff.

Do you like my new chalkboard? I went to Thai Pan with my Mom the day after Christmas. It was my first time there, and I was a bit overwhelmed. That place is so big. It was also filled with crazy women making mad dashes to get the last of the deals on the holiday sales. My Mom and I kept splitting up and calling each other on our cell phones to find one another. One time I answered my phone by saying, "I'm outta control. Somebody needs to stop me. I can't stop filling my cart." It was fun. I got a handful of new things, but my most exciting item was this chalkboard. As you can see, I've already written my mantra and my word on it.

I hung it in the dining room. We do not have a table in our kitchen and we eat most of our meals at the island. I know the chalkboard looks like more of a "kitcheny" piece, but I am trying to make the dining room area more casual, and create a space where we will eat at the table more often, instead of that being the "formal" dining area. I have big plans for the space.

Above is another chalkboard that I have in the kitchen. Along with my word, is also a quote that I saw on Clover Lane's blog. I love it love it love it, and so of course I had to write it down. I read it every day. It is a nice reminder.

If you know me, you know that I love to read. I am always reading a book, and I usually have a stack on my nightstand that I might just flip through from time to time. On top of that stack right now is a book titled, "Don't Sweat The Small Stuff... and it's all small stuff". My mantra. How great to have a whole book all about my mantra. I don't even remember where I got this book, but I will be reading it a lot this year. I've read some of it, but not cover to cover. I will be diving into that. Alright, well maybe not diving, but I will dabble in it. I am diving into the last 20 pages of my Outlander book tonight, and then I am sure I will want to dive into the next one in the series. So much to read, so little time...

Christmas Day

Christmas Day was fun and relaxing. Hannah is old enough where she is super excited and understands most of what happens on Christmas Day, but not quite old enough to wake us up at the crack of dawn. Jake and I got up at 6:30am, had a cup of coffee, and then we got the girls up.

A little of what went on at our house...

Then we went to my parents at 8:30am to see if Santa came by there too. He did!

After presents we stuffed ourselves with egg and sausage casserole, french toast strata, and gorilla bread. Yum-o. We tried out the new Wii Fit that Santa brought Gamma and Geeps, and then we went home with two tired little girls who needed naps. My parents and Drew came back over to our house that evening for some yummy leftovers. We watched a movie when the girls went to bed for the night. It was such a nice and relaxing Christmas. And today the last of the Christmas decor was stuffed into boxes until next year. Not only did we take down Christmas decor, but I seemed to clean in every nook and cranny of the house too. It just seems necessary when taking it all down. I also went through the toy box, the girls rooms, and re organized most of the new toys, and filled bags and bags of toys and clothes to donate. Then just because I felt the need to, I completely cleaned out and reorganized my kitchen pantry too.Whew. I do enjoy the Christmas stuff when it's out, but I am always SO ready for it to be put away as soon as Christmas is over.

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas too! Happy Holidays!

Christmas Eve

We went to my parents house for a delicous Mexican feast on Christmas Eve. My Grandma and Nana came out to celebrate with us since we would not see them on Christmas day. We had a nice time.

My parents house was decorated so pretty. My Dad really loves to decorate. Ha! Just kidding. He actually can take no credit for it. Except for the outdoor lights, and the reindeer. Good job on those Dad. Everything else, the Mrs. is responsible for.

Nana & Grandma (I don't think Nana knew I was taking a picture)

Hannah & Noah exchanging gifts. Of course Hannah's cuz knew she could use another pair of sweatpants. ;)

Grandma was super excited about her gift from my parents... a photo session for our entire extended family with Anna!

Diana (my brother's girlfriend) & Noah

Nana (my 95 year old Great Grandmother), on the floor with her great great grandchildren!

Hannah and Noah looking out the window for Santa.

We came home from my Mom's, put kids to bed, I made a french toast strata for the morning, showered and washed and dried my hair so I wouldn't look too scary for pictures, then went to bed, hoping Santa would come...

Done. Done. And Done.

I've been checking a few things off my list of things I wanted to do this month.

I am learning that there is no need to put pressure on myself to get it "all" done. You can't. Or at least I will admit that I can't. So I tried not to have high expectations on my holiday to do lists. I don't have to have that "perfect" picture of my kids on Santa's lap, or do a holiday craft with the kids every day, and make it to the city tree lighting ceremony. I don't feel the need to stress out if we don't make it to the Mission Inn to see the lights, or make homeade ornaments and all that jazz.

However, we have managed to have a bit of holiday fun. Here's a little of what we have been up to.

• Holiday Baking

I made fudge, chocolate chip cookie dough truffles (thanks to Keri for posting the delicous recipe), and sugar cookies that Hannah helped me decorate. Jake brought a lot of it in to the pharmacy for their holiday potluck, and we delivered some to the girls' pediatrician's office on Friday when we went down to get Hannah's H1N1 vaccine.

• Home Photo Shoot

I bought Santa hats at Wal-Mart with the hopes of getting some cute pictures of the girls against my black sheet. (Thanks for the idea Amy, but yours turned out so much better than mine)

I only got a handful of pictures ...

...then Claire stepped in frosting, smooshed it into the carpet, Hannah cried because Claire took "her" cookie, Claire screamed because Hannah pushed her, both girls cried because I yelled because they got frosting and cookie all over my carpet. (What was I thinking?)

That was the end of that.

Of course the next morning when the girls saw their Santa hats, they were all about it. They wanted to wear them, and act all cute and smiley for me. So, here's a picture of that moment.

• Made a trip to see Santa at Victoria Gardens

Jake worked both days this weekend, and this upcoming week is a busy one, so I figured if I wanted to attempt to get a picture with Santa, Saturday was my only day to do it. It was a gorgeous December day. I took a couple pics of the girls and the leaves in the yard before we left.

There was a line for Santa, but it wasn't too bad. As always, the whole time I stood in line, there was never anyone behind me. (That hapens to me a lot) I took a few cute pics while Hannah was looking around at all the Christmas decor, and one of her peeking in the window to see Santa.

I love this picture.

And just like I predicted, both girls cried the second they laid eyes on the jolly old man.

It still made for some cute pictures I think.

• Made a gingerbread train

Yesterday afternoon we made our gingerbread train. The boxed kit has been sitting in my kitchen all month and we finally got to it. Hannah loved putting the candy on, and Claire got to lick the frosting.

• Walked around to look at lights

We almost didn't make it to do our traditional looking at the lights while sipping lattes and hot chocolate, but last night was the only night that was going to work, and we really wanted to get our toys donated, so we ate an early dinner and we were off. It was so fun to watch Hannah point out every thing in each yard while she sipped her hot chocolate. Claire enjoyed them too, but she was not as expressive about the lights as Hannah was when she was that age.

Turns out I still have 1 more gift to buy. You know how that goes.

I'm working tomorrow and Wednesday, and then it's Christmas Eve!

December sure does fly by. Jake will be home all day this Christmas and we are so excited. He has worked Christmas day for the last several years.

Last week while doing Hannah's hair one morning I asked her what she thinks about her pre school teacher being pregnant (they just announced the news to the parents and class). I asked her what she thinks she should name her baby, and she said "Hmm, maybe her can name him Baby Jesus."

Hope your Christmas is Merry and Bright!

(And Katie in Ohio, I hope yours is white!)

The Leaves Are Falling

Yesterday morning after Claire woke up from her nap we had some time before we had to go pick up Hannah from school. From the window in Claire's room I noticed how pretty the tree in our front yard looks, and that the leaves were starting to fall. So I grabbed my camera, took a pic through the window, dressed Claire, and then we went outside to play in the leaves. (Hey, don't laugh, it's Southern California. We don't have snow, we have leaves.)

And a little blast from the past...

These pictures are of Hannah in December 2007. Same yard, same tree.

This picture was the same day, Dec. 14 2007. Me and Hannah, and Erika and Noah in front of the big tree at The Crossings.

Happy Friday!

Enjoy your weekend.

Hannah's Pre School Pictures

Last Thursday was Mommy & Me day at Hannah's preschool. At the end of all our activities, they had a photographer taking pics for all the moms and their kids. I figured we'd try it, but that they probably wouldn't turn out. Well I saw them today, and I actually really liked them.

A few weeks back it was "picture day" for the kids in Hannah's class. Again I sent her with a little money (I bought the cheapest package possible), figuring that they wouldn't turn out. They were pretty cute, much better than I expected. Jake picked her up that day and he showed them to me and said, "I know you probably won't like that her hair is a little messed up, but I think they're good."

Hannah sure has changed a lot since she started going to pre school.

Not A Typical Tuesday.

Today was a nice day.

Jake was home until 2, and I didn't work this morning which I usually do on Tuesdays.

Hannah played hookey from preschool. She's better, but still not quite 100% so I just wanted to keep her home today. I know she will have fun at school on Thursday, it is their Christmas book exchange.

I ran to Kirkland's and Target this morning.

All by myself. Just me myself and I.

Oh how I love doing that.

Now I can officially cross everyone off my list. I'm done shopping. And wrapping.

I met up with hubby and the girls after I was done shopping. We got Hannah a smoothie, and Mama some chocolates from Sees Candies. I needed them.

Then we had an impromptu lunch at Rosine's.

It was so nice. There was nobody there, and we ate outside on the patio.

Shrimp kabeobs on a Tuesday. Not bad.

Me & Hannie.

The picture isn't that great, it was from Jake's phone.

I need to prepare you for this next picture...

It is of a graphic nature.

I keep this blog pretty PG. Pretty clean, but I will admit that this next picture is more of the PG-13 context.

If you are offended by barbies or nudity, please look away now.

If you don't mind barbies, or a little nudity, scroll down.

After Hannah's nap today I found this in her bed:

I didn't make this picture large, for fear of offending anyone. In case you might just be skimming this post and suddenly come across a naked male and female barbie and wonder what in the heck kind of a blog is this.

So, should I be worried? Every single doll or Barbie in my house suddenly has no clothes. I dress them back up. Minutes later, they are all naked again. Even the cabbage patch doll and the build a bear are sporting birthday suits. I hear other kids do this too. I'm not really worried. I actually think it's pretty funny. Hope the nudie picture made you laugh.

Now I am off to go finish eating my egg nog flavored Golden Spoon with chocolate sprinkles.

On The First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave To Me...

10 boxes of kleenex
9 colds this season
8 weeks of coughing
7 edible items in the refrigerator
6 dollars left in my checking account (ho ho ho)5 bucks says both my kids cry on Santa's lap
4 days left til girls night out
3 people left to buy for
2 crazy busy parents
1 bottle of red with my name on it

and a partridge in a pear tree.

On Saturday night Jake and Hannah went out into the wild winds and rain to fetch our dinner at The Islands.

Sunday we went to the Bass Pro Shop with the fam. It was my first time there. It is a crazy huge place. It was also crazy crowded. I'm not big on crowds. I'm not big on kids throwing up in my car either. Hannah got sick on the way home. My car is now fully loaded with all materials and supplies necessary for that situation. Is yours?

Jake, my Dad, and Hannah checking out the real fish inside this pond in the store. That looks like a real fly fisherman standing in the water doesn't it? He wasn't real.

While the kids napped that afternoon, Mr. Hass went and picked up our Christmas gift from his Mom and Grandma. They sent us money and we bought a leather storage ottoman for the family room from Sam's Club. Thank you Diane and Grandma Preston!! We love it! Now Grandma Fink, if you decide to get rid of your couch that matches the loveseat you gave us, you just let me know and we can come and get that off your hands for you. :)

I was going to "prep" the area for the picture, and then I thought I'd just keep it real and take the picture as is.

Got the last of the Christmas cards addressed.

Now I just have to get them stamped and mailed.

I only ordered 60 and I ran out.

Had to make an emergency rush order to Walgreens.

Now everyone will get one.

If I have your address.

Hope you're staying on the "nice" list this year.

I'm trying to.