Over the river and through the woods… December 21, 2007

Well, tomorrow we start our annual Christmas adventure.  We’re off to Brad’s family for Saturday and Sunday.  Heading back here Sunday night so Santa can come a day early.  Having our Christmas here Monday.  Then off to my folks for Monday and Tuesday.  Ugh!  (All the run-on sentences sentence fragments are for you grammar freaks…which…I am not…)

Jackson is getting over a cold and Sawyer was at the doctor this morning w/ a fever of 103.5.  ugh.  He has inflamed ears and throat and cruddies in his lungs.  He’s on antibiotics and is trying to be a trooper.  Should make for a fun 2 hour car ride tomorrow and Sunday!  At least we’re not flying! 

So, won’t be updating the blog anytime soon.  Just wanted to wish everyone very merry holidays and safe travels!

Merry Christmas!!

A Visit with Santa December 10, 2007

Last Thursday was a BIG night in our house…and in our town.  If you don’t live here, then you may not know that Santa was in town!!  He scheduled his appointment several months ago…and was at the town hall for all the local children to see.  We had planned on taking the boys, so I started priming Jackson early for the big event.  You see, he’s 3.  This makes Santa Clause VERY serious business.  I mean, as much as we are using Santa  (I mean reminding Jackson about Santa) these days…you know… “if you poopoo on the potty, Santa will bring you lots of presents…If you don’t share with your brother, Santa won’t bring you any presents…If you don’t take a nap”…well, you get it.  It may not be right, but it’s a nice ace in the hole this time of year.

Anyway, so I had been telling Jackson that we were going to see Santa.  I wanted him to be well aware of what would happen…so he wouldn’t decide to bail at the last minute.  I told him Santa was a big guy with a red hat and suit.  I also told him about sitting on Santa’s lap to tell him what you want for Christmas.  I mean, the kid knew exactly how it would go.

So, Santa was at the town hall from 6-7:30 pm.  I think the 4 of us arrived around 6:15…and waited a good 45 minutes.  For the first 15 minutes, Jackson kept telling Brad, “Pick me up, Daddy!!”  I finally told Brad to put him down and remind him what was going to happen.  Brad kept asking Jackson if he wanted to sit on Santa’s lap, and Jackson kept saying yes.  Right.

Finally, we got close enough to actually see Santa!  It was just like a clip from out of the movie “A Christmas Story.”  Santa was on the landing of a staircase, so the kids had to walk up to him.  The next little boy SCREAMED BLOODY MURDER and never made it up the stairs.  Jackson looked at me and said, “PICK ME UP, MOMMY!”  I just knew we had waited all night for nothing.  I told Jackson it was ok and reminded him about sitting on Santa’s lap.  I asked him if he still wanted to…and he said yes. 

So, sure enough…when it was his turn….he….GASP….ran right onto Santa’s lap and gave him a HUGE bear hug!

Brad said Santa said “Whoa!”  Which I like to think was more of a “Whhhooo HO HO!”  But I was taking pictures…so I didn’t really hear him.  Anyway, Jackson AND Sawyer sat on Santa’s lap.  Quite a big surprise for me, because I thought for SURE Sawyer would refuse…and probably Jackson as well.  But, as I said…they’re kids…and Santa is serious business. 

And as for going poopoo on the potty??  Well, let’s just say that Santa came through for us again tonite.  THANK YOU, SANTA!!

Think WARM!!!! December 6, 2007

Ok, so we got like 3 inches of snow last night.  Or maybe…3 inches of ice.  Seriously, Sawyer was due for his 1 year appt today (ok, overdue).  I got the boys up early (anything before 9 am is early), bundled them up, and headed out.  After I pulled out of the neighborhood I realized we were NOT going anywhere.  I drove around the block to go back home.  That took me 20 minutes.  Seriously.  I don’t joke about my time (or lack thereof).

As I was going back home I made the mistake of informing Jackson that we were NOT going to take Sawyer to the doctor.  This has actually become a highlight for him because apparently the doctor has some fabulous toys that Jackson gets to play with while Sawyer gets shot up.  So…as Jackson was having a total meltdown…I was like “STOP IT!  STOP YELLING!  STOP CRYING!!”  (Yes, I was totally in control of myself, my kids, and my car…)  He kept yelling, so I tried to explain to him WTH was going on…Jackson, we’re driving on ICE.  See that TOWTRUCK in front of me…that’s because there was a CRASH!  No I CAN’T go any faster because WE will crash!!  And, I had to call Brad during all of this because I didn’t have the number for the doctor.  I told Brad that we were driving on ice and we were NOT going to our appt.  Please call and cancel.  We’re going home.

Needless to say…about an hour later…at home….Jackson was driving around our house on his firetruck.  He picks up his “cell phone” and says…. “We’re going home.  I’m driving on ice.  See that!?!  That tow truck is blocking my way.  We HAVE to go home.”

I’m not kidding you.  Thank goodness I used nice words!  Ha!  So…to keep us all warm (or thinking of being warm) I’m posting some pics that I didn’t post this summer/fall.

Comin’ at ya!

summer/fall

A few pics from FLA… December 3, 2007

Just wanted to post a few pics from Florida!  (Yes…it’s a little late…but that’s how we roll!) 

We had a wonderful time in sunny…breezy Florida.  The first few days were not as warm as we would have liked — but really, who can complain about 70 degree weather!?!  Hehe!  We had a nice and relaxing week, enjoyed time visiting with family, got to swim and play in the ocean…and, of course, chow on some turkey!

The boys were GREAT on the plane ride down…angels!!  Unfortunately, Jackson came down w/ a cold while we were there…fever and all.  And because he is such a sweet boy — he shared it with his brother…who of course started  feeling icky on the flight home.  Ugh!  But, we made it safely…and were VERY GLAD WE DIDN’T DRIVE! 

Sawyer was a crazy boy when he was on the beach and in the ocean.  I think he has some surfer blood in him…must have gotten that from his “Australian” father.     (Wow — a semester in Australia really gets into your blood for generations!!)   He also LOVED the pool and did everything he could to get us to take him swimming!

Jackson very much enjoyed the beach and pool as well…and also had a great time playing with his Noey and aunts and uncles (and mimi and poppy).

Noey — thanks so much for putting us up for the week!  The room was amazing!!  So glad we could spend a week with you!!!!!!!!

Uncle Vince — thanks for picking us up from the airport…and Jackson wanted to thank you for the cheeseburger, nuggets, fries, toy, and the entire SPREAD from McDonald’s.  (Seriously, if you didn’t witness it…you would never believe it!)

Uncle John….Jackson is still doing the new magic tricks that you taught him…and the old ones as well!  He also very much enjoyed the “Santa fleas!”  (That’s sand fleas for you normal folk.)

Aunt Linda & Aunt Sally — great to see you!! The kids had fun entertaining you both!!

Mimi and Poppy — the boys were a little surprised you were in Florida!  (How could you be in both places?)  Good spending another turkey day with you!

So, enjoy the pics.  It was a great vacation!!  Again, so good to spend Thanksgiving with you all….it’s been way too long!!!!! 

ps- TC and family…wish you could have been there!!!

Thanksgiving in Florida