Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary at Not Before 7 is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday. You should visit her blog for more details on the contest she is hosting as well!! She is giving away a kids Christmas music CD to one lucky participant!!!

We watched our Christmas video from last year and on Christmas morning my husband asked HC "Did Santa come to our house?" She looked around, a little confused, and said "Nope!" Husband said "Yes, Santa DID come to our house. Look at all of the presents." HC looked around and said, "I don't see Santa. (begins to cry) I WANT to see Santa." We decided to change the subject and open presents instead! :)

And here are more answers to the questions Mary posed: (answers by HC)

1.Tell me about your favorite ornament and why it is special.
The Snowman, because I like Frosty the snowman and he is really nice. He is nice b/c he takes us wherever we want to go and he melts and we don't get to see him again. And Santa shows us how Frosty can come back. So whenever we cry Santa will bring Frosty back to us.
2. What should daddy buy mommy?
A new computer.
3. What should mommy buy daddy?
An angel.

4. Why was there no room at the inn?
Cuz too many people were in the way.
5. How does Santa get into our house?
By opening the door.
6. Do you think you've been good so Santa will bring you a present?
Yes. I really would like him over to get a present. It never snows and I really like snow. I would like Santa to bring us snow b/c it is really cold and I have mittens to go in the snow and a hat to go in the snow. I just don't know what is in the snow.
7. What food should we leave for Santa?
Um.. Christmas food. Like that Christmas cookie up there in the cabinet. I really want that today! 8. Will you get to see Santa?
Yes. Soon b/c he is still making toys for us. He is at the North pole making toys for us. He gets tired and sleeps at the north pole. Then he wakes up and still makes toys and then we get him some food b/c he is really hungry.
9. How does Santa make it to all of the houses?
By um.. The reindeers, his sleigh that goes in the snow.
10.Why does Santa wear red?
So he can look like Santa Claus.
11. Tell us a Christmas story (or THE Christmas story)
The angel told Joseph that Mary had a baby. The baby was born. Really really born and Mary named him Jesus. You don't know Him buddy (talking to JB) but I am going to see Him. So, see ya later.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!!

Christmas Angel Breakfast

What a fun morning our Saturday was!! As a Mommy, I have been looking forward to a moment like this since the day I discovered I was pregnant. It was HC's first opportunity to perform. Here she is after getting dressed. She decided that today she didn't need a bow. She wanted to wear her hair down like mine! (Can you say "AWWWW"!?? I was thrilled to oblige.) Doesn't she look gorgeous?? She decided to tote Gigi around with her and so Gigi had to be photographed too! Then it was my turn to pose with my sweet girl!
Ok, I know! But this was at the party! We HAD to get another shot at the party! HC was eating her pastry. YUMMY.
Enjoying the company of friends!

The beautiful Christmas trees!!
Countdown to go time!
HC looking at the screen (they showed the pics from the book) as Mr. Tim read the story Christmas Angels. I must get this story! I loved it and so did HC!!
HC smiling! She was ready for her big moment! She was one of the first 4 year olds to dash to the risers and get in place. The song they were due to sing... We Wish You a Merry Christmas!! She practiced her song with enthusiasm and was ready for the big day. Then the unthinkable happened. I looked down at my video camera to make sure I had everything set, I looked back up and my child was not in her spot. She had turned around, curious about the stage behind her, and her foot slipped into the gap between the risers and the stage. Did I mention I have been looking forward to my child's first performance since she was in my imagination???? I was devastated and sad that my baby was hurt. I was composed but my heart sank as I realized she would not be consoled in time to sing.

The lady who saw her fall, the one on stage who was supposed to be watching the kids and didn't... she was still there when the 5 year olds began getting set on the risers. I asked her if HC could sing with them. They were singing Go Tell it On the Mountain and Jingle Bells. She knew Jingle Bells and was familiar with Go Tell. She agreed and so here is take 2:
Notice the red eyes?? She is the one on the bottom row. She was such a trooper and did fantastic! She sang along as though she had been to all the 5 year old rehearsals!! :) She even got to sing Jingle Bells WHILE shaking sleigh bells. Who could ask for anything more??? She was thrilled and drained by it all!!! I am so thankful that they let her sneak in!!Here's our lovely table decor! The Preschool team at our Church really did a top-notch job!! Thank you all for all of your hard work!
HC after her big performance! She is such a trooper! I just adore her!! I adore her spunk! I adore her strength!! I adore this little girl like I cannot even say! I love that she is willing to try again! She isn't scared to get back up there and give it a go, even when she isn't familiar with the songs. I tell you that God knew what HE was doing when He chose to give us HC first. If I were telling you this story about JB, I am sad to say I don't think he would have been consolable nor would he have tried to sing with the other group. He gets mad when things go wrong and unless he outgrows this in the next year or so... I dread when something similar happens to him. But HC was a dream. She got back up there and tried her best! On the way home she fell asleep, but after her nap we went on a few errands. I told HC how proud I was of her willingness to try again!! I even made up a song for her:
"My HC will never give up, she never gives up! She always tries her best!" OK, maybe it isn't a song. More like a chant but it is true! I pray JB outgrows the meltdowns when he is in a moment of crisis!! I pray I am wrong about him and I pray he too will keep trying to do things, even when they are a challenge or when conflict arises! (I more than adore JB too, whether he fights the urge to meltdown for another year or many more! He is fantastic too I tell you!! I am way blessed!!!!) I love you HC and I can't say how proud I am of you!! You are truly a ray of sunshine to me and I loved watching you perform. It was an honor to stand there watching my baby girl be so brave (and being so Big)!! Your light is always shining my sweet angel girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Her name means Gracious and Bright! She is indeed!)

Live Nativity

I was going to wait and post this next week but we had so much fun and I wanted to share it today! We went to a local church and walked through a live nativity. There were about 10 different scenes for us to view and it all ended with a small petting zoo and Hot Chocolate! (Every time I say "Hot Chocolate" I think of the scene in Polar Express when the waiters dance and serve the kids! I digress..)

This was our first adventure of this kind!! We excitedly waited our turn in line. They let us go in groups of 20 or so. We were free to go from station to station and listen to the story for each scene. So here are the scenes we visited:
A family preparing to celebrate Christmas today.
The Prophets telling the people of a Savior to come. At this scene there were two little lambs and one was baa-ing a lot. So my HC began to baa right back. Every time HC baa-ed the little sheep baa-ed. It was hilarious! HC had so much fun!!

In this scene Mary (above) was visited by an angel telling her she would become pregnant with the Savior, Jesus Christ! The angel also visited Joseph (below) in a dream to tell him of he and Mary's role for the coming Savior.
Below Mary and Joseph hear the decree to be counted and head to Bethlehem.
In the next scene a single angel appeared (not photographed) to the shepherds in their fields. Then the angels filled the heavens singing "Glory to God in the Highest"!!

Here are the shepherds seeing the angels.

Here is Mary and Joseph in the stable with Baby Jesus in the manger.
Mary and Joseph and Baby Jesus in town when the man saw Jesus before he died. (Can't remember the man's name. oops)
Here are the Magi seeing the star. They are headed to bring their gifts to Jesus and bow and worship Him!
Mary and Jesus beneath the star.

The 3 Magi bringing their gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.
The three crosses remind us that Jesus came to earth for us. His sole mission was His love for us!!But He was not defeated!! He rose again and lives to intercede for us to Father God! He was born and died because He loves us!!
So beautiful!! So fun and memorable! I know my kids did not understand what was happening as I wished they would, but I know it was a fruitful time. I think the next time we read the story of Jesus' birth these scenes will be in their little minds and make the story easier to follow and remember! I am thankful that this Church had such a great idea!! Their props were lovely and the atmosphere was so kind and pleasant! A beautiful night of fun for us all!

The next thing we did after seeing all of the scenes was grab some cups of Hot Chocolate!! :) HC clearly enjoyed hers!

We also ate some yummy cookies!
On our way to pet the animals JB had a little accident. Can you see it?
He was walking down hill and so every step was more exaggerated. Therefore his Hot Chocolate (hear those waiters saying HOT HOT yet???) was bouncy out of his cup and gladly landed on his nice and clean white shirt!!!!! He would not look at me, although after much effort I finally got a good picture. He was devastated and wanted to strip down immediately. It didn't burn him. It had cooled by the time he spilled it!! By the way (to those friends who may go and see the nativity) if you decide to take pictures you may want to try taking them withOUT a flash. I think that is why all of mine are so hard to see. The scenes were fully lit but I think my flash interfered somehow and I didn't get the best shots, as a result.

Overall I am beyond thrilled that we went to the Live Nativity and I look forward to making this a Christmas tradition for years to come!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

P0tty Training Update

Shortly after my post regarding public restr00ms, I took HC to the bathroom and as usual JB was with us. We were p0tty training at home but if we went out I put a diaper on JB. So about a week after my post we were running errands and HC had to go p0tty. HC goes and as she was getting herself ready to exit the restroom, JB announces "I have to go p0tty!". I decided we would most definitely let him try. He had been so fearful, in the past, of the toilet flushing that I knew this was a huge deal!

We put JB in position for his turn and then he was done. Having not p0ttied I wasn't let down! I knew JB was over his fear of normal size p0tty's now!! Yippeeee!!! This was a huge development. This meant we could go full speed ahead and get rid of the diapers!!!! (Can you hear the angels singing??)

As of today, all is going well! We have had our share of accidents but last night really made me laugh. We went to see a Walk Through Live Nativity and as we left the house I told JB he needed to go p0tty. He told me he didn't need to go and against my better judgment I took his word for it. We were about 2 miles down the road when we hear "I have to go tee tee!!! I HAVE to go TEE TEE!!!" Inconvenient timing for sure!! We wanted to get to our destination before a line formed so I did a bad thing. I climbed to the back of the van and unbuckled JB (we were at a red light). We put on a pull-up and told him he could go in his pull-up this time. He began to cry "I CAN'T go Tee tee in my pull-up!!! I need go tee tee IN THE P0TTY!!" (Um.. Houston - we have lift off!!) We told him to hold it and we stopped at a restaurant to pick up a snack for the kids. While hubby and HC waited in the drive-thru I took JB potty!! His bladder was full I tell you! I didn't think he would ever stop going! ha ha

After the chaos of all of that I thought - Wow, my baby is p0tty trained!! He gets it finally!! We've had a few struggles with JB just going in his unders without any concern and here we are with him crying because he was asked to use a pull-up! I love it!! I felt like we crossed a huge milestone!! All we have left is to get him out of diapers at night! I am content with our progress though. I am glad we have a full p0tty trained 2.5 year old for now. The night time training will come. I actually think that won't be long either!! He really doesn't wet much at night!!

I thought I would follow up with our progress, since I shared my woes with you. With HC the act of tee teeing in her panties a few times was enough motivation to stop and go in the p0tty. JB could care less if he tee teed in his unders or on the floor or in the p0tty. So I think the method I found and used with him worked wonders for him!! If you want to know what we did, read this book! I will tell you the method recommends focusing on staying clean and dry RATHER than going in the p0tty!! It was really what JB needed!

Christmas Quiz

I have received several emails from friends sharing their answers to these questions. I decided I would share my answers on my blog! So to ALL of you who emailed me... here you go! :)

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I love watching the kids open wrapped gifts, but I usually give gifts to others in gift bags. I rarely have time to wrap gifts, other than at Christmas.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Real!!!!!!! I grew up with artificial trees and I hope to never repeat that tradition! :) There is nothing like the smell of a live tree!
3. When do you put up the tree? We used to put up our tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but that leaves a dead tree come Christmas. So our new deal is to get our tree on December 1st!!
4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Day (or just before)
5. Do you like egg nog? Yummy Yummy!! Love it!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? I cannot remember an absolute favorite but I distinctly remember receiving a Mickey Mouse playhouse. (It was made of cardboard but it was awesome!! It was decorated nicely. I remember that so vividly.)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes! I would love a nicer one eventually. Mine is great, but definitely a starter one. I would also LOVE to own an outdoor nativity set!! I think those are great!
8. Hardest person to buy for? My In-laws. They have everything.
9. Easiest person to buy for? My sweet kids!
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!! I have a hard time throwing away Christmas cards. It just feels wrong. I haven't come up with anything to do with them but... I still can't toss them! Especially if they have photos on them.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Nothing comes to mind. I remember the year I received my 1st stereo ever! It was back in the day of albums (tapes were in but albums were still big too). :) I asked for the Rick Springfield album and my parents bought Bruce Springstein by mistake. But it wasn't the most awful thing ever!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Frosty, Polar Express, Twas the Night Before Christmas, Elf, White Christmas, I love them all!!!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In the past I waited for Thanksgiving, but since we've moved I try to do as much as possible before then. Our mall becomes living hell after Thanksgiving. I cannot take the chaos. Plus, if you have a specific gift in mind for the kids - it is imperative that you buy it BEFORE Thanksgiving or you may not find it!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No. I don't think so.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Candy Canes? I can't think of anything special.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? CLEAR!!!!!! I like colored lights on other trees but I cannot get away from clear lights on mine!
17. Favorite Christmas song? White Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Silent Night, Away in a Manger. I LOVE them all!! Santa Claus is Comin' to Town, Frosty, Rudolph. I could go on. Really I could! Joy to the World. I absolutely love them all!!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home ? Both. Depends on the year.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Absolutely!
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? I love an Angel or a Star on the tree. It depends on the top of the tree. Whatever looks best that year. This year we have a choral girl on top because the star leaned to the side too much and the angel leaned too far back.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Hubby and I open 1 on Christmas Eve. Everything else is opened on Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Crowded malls.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love the classic look. Red, White and Green. I love all of my ornaments. I cannot pick one favorite!!!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Cornbread Dressing.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't know. I am a huge blanket-aholic. I love new throws. When all else fails my hubby can always buy me a blanket and I am thrilled.

I have found that my new favorite thing of all for Christmas is watching my kids open their gifts. Seeing them drink in Christmas this month has been such a dream come true. I am a big Christmas nut and so I am thrilled that they are finally old enough to enjoy it with me!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Um.. I really need to close the computer

OK! I am never on my blog and/or computer like I used to be these days. In fact, by this time of night I am usually asleep. Not tonight. I created a post, read a few email, watched a little TV and then I decided to eat a candy cane AND pour myself a mug of Egg Nog. (all of this after 10 pm too - I am living on the edge people!!!!!!!!) I know I will regret this decision tomorrow!! :) I am just indulging myself for now!!! Too bad a bubble bath would make too much noise!! I might wake my hubby! I just don't want the quiet to end!!!

And the best thing is no one is interrupting me and no one is asking for a bite of my candy cane and no one is wanting a sip of Egg Nog. No one!! Because all my sweet no ones are fast asleep!!

:)

Wednesday Hero

This Week's Hero Was Suggested By Louie

Bill Juneau
36 years old from Rush City, Minnesota
November 27, 2007

If there was one thing Bill Juneau loved as much as his country, it was his dog, Jake.

The accident-prone black Lab, who has been hit by two cars, had a toe amputated on his right paw and survived eating 42 candy bars in one sitting, once fell off a dock and through the ice on a lake while Juneau was hunting with his best friend, Dan Bock.

Bock said Juneau jumped into the icy, chest-deep water to save his dog.

"He threw that wet dog on the deck and sacrificed everything to save him," said Bock. "Bill's just that type of guy."

Juneau, a 10 year veteran of the Chisago County sheriff's deputy, was in Iraq helping to train Iraqi police recruits when his convoy was hit by and IED 50 miles outside Baghdad. A spokesperson for DynCorp, the private firm Juneau was working for, said Juneau was driving the lead vehicle in the large convoy that included U.S. Army personnel as well as members of the Iraqi National Police Force. The convoy was headed for a scheduled training mission. An Iraqi translator and a U.S. Army soldier sustained injuries in the blast as well.

His twin sister, Bridget Sura, said he wanted to help Iraqis rebuild their country and create better lives. "He would often sugar-coat the bad stuff, because he wanted us to know about the positive things," she said. "But we still worried every minute of every day." Another reason he joined was because he loved adventure, she said. While with the Chisago County Sheriff's Department, he started and led the country's SWAT team.

Jake, his dog, has been embraced by Juneau's sister's family. "He has more lives than a cat," Sura said, adding that they recently discovered a chocolate stash he'd hidden in his kennel.

"Jake is a part of my brother," she said. "He[Bill] will be missed by a lot of people. This will leave a hole in a lot of people's hearts."

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your blog, you can go here.

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary at Not Before 7 is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday. You should visit her blog for more details on the contest she is hosting as well!! She is giving away a kids Christmas music CD to one lucky participant!!!

Here are things I've overheard this week:
HC: (singing loudly) "Aleese Nabeedab. Aleese Nabeedab. Aleese Nabeedab ...." (I'm not going to try to decipher the rest.) This is her newest favorite song. We played it on our way to buy our Christmas tree. It is Feliz Navidad of course, in case it wasn't clear before.
*****
My favorite thing this year is hearing my HC and JB sing Frosty the Snowman. The song begins and builds up to the point of singing "Frosty the Snowman" and the kids wait for it. Then it comes and they belt out (in full singing voice) "FROSTY THE SNOWMAN". And that is it. They don't know the rest because everytime they sing it, there are different verses. I think it is absolutely precious!!
*****
Overheard HC playing with our Veggie Tale Nativity set.
HC: "Bye, Bye Baby Jesus. Your daddy is going to work! Have a great day Jesus."
*****
Our Veggie Tales Nativity set has a star, that when pushed plays "O little town of Bethlehem". We were listening to the radio and the song (another version) came on. JB shouts "Dat's the Jesus song. Dat's our song for the baby Jesus."

*****

Every time we watch P0lar Express JB has to run and get his jingle bell for the sleigh bell scene. He waits until the exact moment and jingles his bell with the little boy in the movie.

*****

Upon our arriving home this afternoon, I hear (in concerned/raised voice) "The snowman is killt! The snowman is Killt!! He is really really killt!!" Translation = The snowman is dead. ie killed

This was what they saw last night:

And this was the dead Frosty!The dialogue went on "OH, Frosty!! We really really love you! When the moon comes out it will be cooler and the wind will blow and you can get big again!" This dialogue was a combination of HC and JB. They were mourning their favorite cartoon friend! :) Love it!

*****

Thanks again Mary! Merry Christmas friends!

Waiting for Santa

We were off to take our Santa picture last week and this was my first time taking the kids alone. When it was just HC, she and I saw Santa without any help but once JB joined us we needed Dad to help distract JB. HC has always been fine with Santa. No tears! No fretting! Just smiled without reservation. My sweet JB was less than thrilled with the Santa factor on his first two meetings and I was so glad that Dad came along.

This year I decided to try the Santa factor alone. My husband is super busy at work and it would really be difficult for him to get away. So we were off. We hustled into the mall hoping the line had dwindled down from the morning line and that our wait would be minimal. HC was under strict orders to NOT mention where we were headed, in case the news sent JB into fits of unwanted resistance. We arrived at the mall and we saw Santa set up in a new area. The line was short and HC had just hit her head on a rear view mirror, while we were walking through the parking lot, so she lost her zeal to walk fast. I was rushing to get in the line before a preschool arrived or worse, they closed down for Santa to have lunch. I get there to find that Santa had breakfast with the special needs kids and he was only taking pictures with those children for now.
We decided to have lunch and ran into friends. After eating lunch, and two runs to the potty, we waited in line for Santa's appearance. We were 1st in line! WooHoo!!! Only problem is we now have an hour to spend in line. The kids were full and playful. We could make it! Plus there was NO way I could get HC to leave without a meltdown. So we waited. A few others joined us in line and the wait became a little more fun! About 10 minutes till Santa's arrival I notice the undeniable signs of a newly potty trained toddler having the urge to go!! I thought 'NO WAY am I getting out of line to go potty!' So I said aloud (to myself) "I'll just get a diaper for you buddy." Ok, sure it SOUNDED like I was talking to JB but I wasn't. So, I reach into the diaper bag and turn to get JB ready for his diaper and I found him with his pants AND underwear around his ankles waiting for me. OH MY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I quickly open the stubborn diaper and try to hide him in the process, but anyone in line was bound to have seen my son in all his glory that day!! Thank you for listening to me the first time this time JB!! If he only listened the first time when I really need him to!!

Santa arrived and I held my breath waiting for JB to respond. At the 10 minutes from arrival point, I began telling JB that he would see Santa soon! I told JB that he would take a picture with Santa and sit on his lap. JB said "I not sit on Santa's lap." I said "OK, you can sit on Mommy's lap and sit beside Santa." He agreed. Santa arrived, finally! HC and JB jumped, screamed and rejoiced with all of the other waiting children! I was elated!! My son was NOT in tears and Santa even gave JB a high five when he passed us!!

We had fun and we created memories for sure this Christmas! Here - see for yourself!

After waiting 50 minutes, the enthusiasm and the will to entertain themselves had passed.

The entry to Santa's world.Posing for Mommy, while we waited, because bloggy Mommies require this!Peeking at Santa with the strangers in line. Don't know the Mom or boy in the photo. This was the best I could take when Santa arrived. I missed catching my babies but you can sort of see the joy. Every picture I took had this sweet boy blocking one or both of my babies! Oh well. Trust me to say they were thrilled!! They were so busy jumping and spinning that most pictures were like this - pieces of them!The end result!! Our first picture JB took with Santa without tears!!! If you look carefully, you can see my sweatshirt behind JB's head and my jeans beneath him. Santa only had his arm around my little guy! :)

The end result was great!! JB took a precious photo and HC was elated!!! Santa asked HC what she wanted for Christmas and HC said "I want a purple baby with a purple pacifier." Santa turned to JB and asked the same. JB clung to me for dear life and said "NO! No, I don't want Santa." So I stood up and let Santa ask him from afar. JB did not answer Santa, so this wise man asked "Do you want toys for Christmas JB?" JB smiled and said "Yes, toys." We had a successful event! HC was upset that we left without her purple baby. That took a little explaining! :) I felt like I had been through a marathon, but it ended well!

(I won't even complain that the workers arrived at the very same moment Santa arrived and took another 15 minutes before we were able to see Santa officially. I won't even mention how dumb that was! Aren't I nice?? If I wait 1 hour with 2 little ones, another 15 minutes IS a big deal! That's it! I'm done! Merry Christmas to all, even to the "elves" who made us wait.)

MorningSong