Life As We Know It

Moving...

I'm moving.  My blog, that is.  Last summer I decided to switch to Blogger at the beginning of 2008.  I wanted my entire 2007 on Typepad so I could upload it to Blurb and make a book.  So, 2007 is complete and now its time.  I'm a little hesitant, hence the late start on moving over.  The last 2.5 years of my life are on Typepad and once I cancel my account (and my $8/month payment) it will be deleted. 

Just as "backup", and for future reference to link to, I've moved my entire blog over to Wordpress just as an archive.  I don't like Wordpress' format and features so I won't be using them for my actual current blog.  Why didn't I just export my Typepad blog over to Blogger instead of Wordpress like I did?  Well, currently there is no import feature on Blogger (that I know of).  You have to do the good 'ol "copy/paste"... which is what I did with the first 9 days of posts in January.  Not horrible for 9 days, but it still would take awhile for 875 posts I have on Typepad.  Not to mention you can't move your comments over to Blogger (they automatically imported in at Wordpress for me).  Its taking me forever to make my Blurb books (I'm doing one per year, and each year has close to 400+ pages that I need to condense posts onto pages etc...). I hate to delete my Typepad stuff before having the books printed, but I'm thinking as long as they're on Wordpress I'm ok, right? 

So...all this mumble jumble.  For now, I'll be posting at Blogger.com to make sure I'm ready for the commitment.  I think saving the $100ish a year on Typepad will be smart (even though it seems a tiny amount for a whole year, I think... hmm... thats close to $10/month... and we really should cut corners wherever we can and this is one easy way to do it), and I have lots of other blogs on Blogger.  I like that I can create and create and create numerous accounts rather than just 3 that Typepad allows you.  So... it makes sense, right? 

Can you tell I'm nervous about this change?  A whole 4 paragraphs about it!  HAHA!  Anyhow, visit my blog HERE from now on.. until further notice. 

Here I go again...

I've launched another Project 365... version 2008.  Here's hoping I can stick with it this year. 

Chapters

So, I'm sitting here eating some good ol' animal crackers with chocolate cake frosting.  YUM.  Time for little updates.

Chapter 1: My Sick Car
Good News: Nothing is wrong with the engine.  Turns out the heavy fog and humidity was messing with a sensor and my car is A-OK on that aspect.

Bad News: I need brakes and rotors.  Nothing new to us, as we've heard them grinding on our way home from St. Louis.  The price however....  it comes at a nice little tune of $575.  Seriously.  Because only ONE company makes the rotors for my back brakes and the back brakes alone are costing $375 of the total. 

Chapter 2: Weather
So we had some 90* days back in October.  How about some 65* days in January?  Interesting, huh?  When we got home last week we were greeted with a foot of snow.  Within 2 days it had warmed up, melted and begun raining.  Last night and today we had thunderstorms and were under flood warnings. 

Yesterday was 65* so I took Porter to Loomis Park.  If there's one thing Jackson does have for kids it is parks.  I should know.  When I nannied I hunted down every park I could find... big or small... just to get out of the house with the girls.  With Porter, I've pretty much stuck to 2 or 3 parks that are nearby.  Loomis Park, along with another "playscape" park in Leslie (15 min north of us) is one of the larger parks in our area.  I used to take Avery and Aria to Loomis all the time.  Yesterday was Porter's first visit, and it was a nice little visit as there was only one other kid there swinging.  Porter is often a little timid in new situations and I think he enjoyed climbing around and going on all the paths and stairs and walkways with me.

I love this next one of him, even if it isn't really in focus. 


Now, its not like we can get all excited about this weather sticking around.  Within the next 2 days the temp is supposed to drop to the 30's and we'll be seeing snow again. 

Chapter 3: Nicole Barczak Photography wraps up the 1st year
I am happy to say that I have *most* of my bookwork done for my accountant, and all my numbers on my balance and profit/loss sheets match up.  Woot woot!  I'm finally getting the hang of all the bookwork that goes along with "making a paper trail" for the good 'ol IRS.  Now to get my taxes filed and see how much I owe.  Gulp.

Chapter 4: Porter's upcoming birthday
Yes, I know... I still have (according to my ticker in the sidebar) 44 days left. But... there are THINGS TO PLAN!  I'm doing a "truck" type theme... basically centered around a "cake" idea.  Its hard to find un-cheesy truck themed things for kids parties.  And then I begin to wonder... why the hell do I care if he has cheesy themed truck decorations and cups and plates?  *sigh*  I'm a control freak.

I still need to book the place to have the party, as well as design/make the invites, narrow down the guest list to those people that Porter really "knows", and do a test run with the cake.  Fun stuff!

No, Thanks

Lately Porter is really into saying "No, thanks"... which you'd think is great, right?  It makes him sound like a little gentleman.  Hmm..

Now, the above picture.   I was attempting to take his picture by this cool blue wood wall (actually a river scene).  Here's our little conversation:

me:  Porter, come over here
porter: No, thanks
me: Oh!  Porter look at this wall!  Can you stand by it?
porter: No, thanks
me: Come put your back on the wall.  Try it!
porter: No, thanks

Other examples:

me: Let's change your diaper (not really an option, dude)
porter: No, thanks

It just cracks me up how he says it so matter-of-fact like.  It sounds so polite it almost makes it hard to go against his "No, thanks" wishes.  Almost. 

Beds, School, Mess, Work, Pictures, etc etc...

Just some random things going on here....

• JCPenney has the bunks on backorder that I want.  I'm afraid they're discontinued.  The search for bunk beds at an affordable price continues.   I freaked all day at not being able to find bunks I like.  The ones at JCP have "slats/spindles" on the headboard/footboard so I thought that'd not make the room so "boxy" as a "flat" foot/headboard would look.  I found a black bunk set I really like (I so love black wood furniture!) but I was afraid it'd be too dark/solid (no slats/spindles to let light through the foot/headboard) but then I had a flash of brilliance and thought DUH!  The whole reason we're getting bunks is so that *just in case* we decide we don't need the extra bed, each of the boys can have a twin bed.  So, for now while we're stuck in this tiny house and P is in his 10x10 bedroom, we can just set up one twin and it won't look like the bunk is taking over the bedroom when people come to house showings!


• My check engine light came on in the Fe today.  And it sputtered when you step on the gas.  And on the way home it struggled to accelerate above 35mpg.  Nice. So, Ryan is taking it in to our mechanic today.  Please, please don't let it be anything expensive.  We are flat broke right now.  Not to mention Christmas bills are breathing down our necks.

• I forgot to mention a few weeks ago.... I'm going to be working more than part time this next semester!  I had applied for a Title I full-time teaching position but never got called for an interview. Turns out the Title teacher at our school (who was part time- afternoons) took the job (it was at our other elem. school in our district) and her job was left open.  To compensate her position (I'm assuming this) they are having both Language Arts Specialists (me and another teacher) work afternoons 4 days a week.  We'll basically assist 2nd and 3rd grade at risk students with math etc.  So... instead of only getting 13.2 hours a week I'll be working 25!!  Such a blessing.  I was just thinking last month that I get paid a great amount per hour, but if only I could get more hours.... and look what pops up!
  

• Ryan and I have awesome, amazing families that are so gracious and willing to step in and help us out with watching Porter a couple days a week.  And they are always so willing and "offering" to help out when I have sessions and just need a break.  I never thought we'd be so lucky.  Bless them!!  (ok, I'm sure it doesn't hurt that they just love being around P, though, right? HAHA!)

• I'm pulling my head out of the sand and signing up for Masters courses this fall.  How I'll do this with two kiddos under 3, plus work, plus a house, plus Ryan going to school... I don't know.  Only, Katie kicked me in the ass reminding me that I have just 4 years to complete 18 credits or my teaching certif is null.  I need to just do it.  This topic deserves an entire post in itself... which would outline:
  • How will I afford this on top of my now $50k in student loans (which are costing me $400/month, FYI)
  • How will I find the time to run my photography business, take care of 2 kids and a house, spend time with my family, and do daily mundane "errands" and still have a life?
  • How will the schedule work out with Ryan going to school?
  • Oh, should we touch on the topic that I don't even TEACH yet?  At least not in an actual "teacher-as-a-title" position... which I should get my ass in gear looking for.  I don't want to obtain my Masters before having a full time job... it'd make getting a job even harder I'm sure. 
  • So, the Masters course is 36 credits.  I have 6 years to complete.  So, 6 credits a year. Basically means I have to pile on a class every summer as well as one in either fall/spring EVERY YEAR.  And after that's done don't go thinking I'll be done.  I still have to accrue 6 credits every 3 years to keep my certificate valid. 
  • Gosh, teachers are asked a lot of... not to mention they get paid jack squat in relation to what the job entitles.
    
    
• Desperate Housewives sucked tonight.  UGH.

• Our house is still a pit.  But, its coming along.  We have made lots of progress in the past few days!  I'm actually excited about all the moving around and rearranging we've done.  We're a little more cramped, but its looking good!

• I am going to vote in the election this year!  I've never voted.  I've never been interested in political things, but I think its something I need to get educated on and be a part of.  So, this year... education begins!  I will vote! I will vote!

• I need a new blog banner. (ETA: ok, so I have a new banner now!)

• I hope Ryan doesn't snore tonight.  The couch is not comfortable.  Note to self:  we need to get P's bed sooner rather than later just so I have somewhere to sleep when Ryan's throat decides to close in at night.  Because, he SWEARS he does not snore.

• There was more I was going to post but now I've forgotten.  I'm way too tired.  I need to get to sleep.

And, if you've made it through my excessive rambling thoughts... here are some pics from St. Louis I finally proofed tonight.  I should mention how green with envy I am that Heather's tub has a huge window behind it.  *sigh*




(^^that is Saw-Man in case you couldn't tell.  Sheesh, they look a bit alike!)



(^^another of Sawyer)

Kids n' Stuff

Today Katie and I took the boys to Kids n' Stuff, a hands on kids museum/playplace about 20 minutes away.  It had been awhile since our last trip to KNS.  Porter is at such a great age to go play now.  I ended up buying a year membership.  Katie and I figured it'd be a great place to take the boys this summer with having two little ones.  Especially on hot, scorching days when it sucks to go to the park with a sticky, sweaty baby in tow. 

Anyhow, Porter and Donnie had a blast at KNS.  They were so into copying whatever the other said, and followed each other around the place.  I don't think either of them knew what to play with first, and once they were playing with something they kept seeing new things to check out.  Too much fun for toddlers, that's for sure!  Now that I have a membership I'll definitely have to take Porter back more often.  He seemed to have a lot of fun. 

Digging in the dirt for "money" (says Porter)

Playing some tunes

Making an art project.  Porter was so proud of this when he came home.  He was excited to show daddy his "Make a ball!"

"Fishing" in the water table

Playing in the snow with P-Man (1.4.08)

Yesterday was Porter's first "real" play in the snow.  The snow was above his knees and he was so funny trying to walk.  He kept saying "BIG step!" LOL.  We were in the dog/human yard and of course we haven't scooped poop lately so I told Porter to watch out for dog poop.  He wouldn't stop reminding me "Yucky poop!  Watch yucky poop!" 

It wasn't the "good" packing snow for snowmen... more like the light, fluffy, fly away when you try to hold it snow.  We walked around the yard, made snow angels, "watched yucky poop", ate snow off of the picnic table, and Porter slid down his snow covered slide. 

Honestly, he didn't seem too fond of playing in the snow.  I think it was mostly because he couldn't move or walk. But, he is a bit hesitant with new situations too. 

I took some pics... braved the snow with my good lens and camera.  EEEK!  (and, I have to say I hate taking pics in the snow... I can never get my metering right without blowing out the snow!)

The last bit of St. Louis

Ok, so I've been super lazy with blogging.  I hate blogging/editing pictures on the laptop and I've been to lazy to go downstairs to use my computer in the office.  Here I am, though, on the laptop... suck it up and just blog!  LOL! 

So, where did I leave off?  I've already forgotten any bit of "time line" we had down there.  Mostly our days consisted of refereeing the boys' never-ending spats (I have never met 2 year olds that didn't like each other as much as P and S don't like each other!), shopping, playing outside, shopping some more, internet surfing, reading blogs (although it seemed like NO ONE blogged all week!), cooking, going to Target numerous times and playing games.  Oh, and don't forget chowing mint oreo milkshakes.  YUM!

Anyhow, I wanted to post just a couple pics from the Morrison's New Year's Day dinner.  I have other snapshots, but I'm too lazy to edit on this computer.  So, I'm going to just post a few of the table.  I could never make it as a food/still object photographer.  LOL!  (I edited these on the laptop so they may be a bit darker than normal.  I tend to be more conservative with editing with the laptop as its uncalibrated and I have no idea how it "really" looks printed out)

Heather and Kasey have other pictures on their blogs.  It was so neat to see how the three of us were in the same room taking pictures of the same objects, yet we each came up with different things.  Kind of fun!

The ride home was almost as great as the ride down.  Porter, again, was a super good boy.  We left the Morrison's around 3pm (MO time) and at 5:30 (MO time) we stopped for dinner.  Porter finally fell asleep at 9:30 (our time, so 8:30 MO time) and only slept for about an hour and a half.  He woke up around 11 and was awake until we got home at 12:30am (our time).  So, the trip home took a total of about 8.5 hours home.  It seemed like the trip home was much longer than driving down.  I hate how that works LOL!

Porter at 22 Months

I'm a little behind in posting this.  I started making this list just before Christmas.  So, some of these things are things that were going on in the last month or so. 

• He says these things a lot:
  • "HEY!" as in... "Hey!  My trucks over there!"  "Hey, my zebra!"  "Hey!  My cup onna table!"
  • "Almost".  "Almost done?"  "Almost ready?"  He adds this in a LOT.
  • "Found it!".. he says this a lot of times when he finds a toy that he hasn't played with in awhile.  Or, when I was looking for a cd to play for him, when I found one he says "Mama found it!"
• He's been a stink pot with taking naps lately.  He plays around in bed for the whole 2 hours he should be napping.  At least he plays happily and give me a break.  However, he's a huge grump by bedtime.
• He's weird about his long sleeve shirts.  He always wants the sleeves pulled up to his elbows.
• He has such good manners.  Makes me so proud.  He's been into saying "No, thanks" a lot lately.  He's so good with saying "Thanks" and "Please" for things.  Often we have to say "Porter, what do you say?" but thats all the reminder he needs. 
• He has finally hit 25lbs after being stuck at 24lbs for quite some time
• He can count to 10 (however, doesn't get the 1-1 relationship yet... but he can count in order 1-10)
• Would sing "Jingle Bells Jingle Bells Jingle all the way!" around Christmas time.
• LOVES Cars... the movie, the toys, anything.   His favorites have been Sally and Mater. 

Some funnies lately:

>He dropped part of his bagel in the car.  He said to me "Piece Bagel Fall!"  I picked it up and handed it back to him. He says "Thanks, Baby!"

>We brush our teeth together.  When we're done, he always says "YAY Mama and Porter!  YAY!  Brush teeth!"

>

 

(ok, pics are from Thanksgiving... so technically he was 21 months in these pics... but really, who's counting?)

And, a more recent pic from our trip to St. Louis.  (Excuse the overblown conversion... I'm on the laptop and its not calibrated).

New Years' Cleaning?

Sorry I haven't updated about New Years or the end of our trip.  Yesterday we woke up at 8ish and Ryan and I set in to purge and clean this house... top to bottom.

We unpacked from the trip, put away all our Christmas stuff (and went through it and took out things to get rid of) and then began on the house.

For P's birthday I want to get his new room all done and decorated and beds bought.  The only problem... we live in a 900 sq ft. house.  It has 3 bedrooms (and an office in the basement) but we're so cramped for closet/storage space.  So, currently, Porter's "new-to-be" room is the playroom.  Full of toys, a long dresser, and Ryan's school computer.  The closet is our coat closet as well as full of games and gifts for upcoming holidays/birthdays. 

Our room does have two closets (thank you for being right about keeping that little closet Ry!!).  Our goal now is to move the coats into Ry's "little closet" and move Ryan into my closet.  And then we're going to move the long dresser into our room and store the tall dresser (or I guess use it in the basement for storage in the drawers).  That way Ry's computer can sit on our long dresser in our room. 

If you'd have stopped by our house yesterday you'd probably have passed out.  It was a pigsty!  We went through junk drawers and closets and cabinets and clothes drawers.  I moved P's clothes from the changing table into only his tall dresser (he currently has two dressers in his room, but one is going to be moved into his room and the changing table will stay in the baby's room).  I also went through his clothes and pulled out close-to-too-small clothes.  He has way too many to even wear or keep around things that will be too small in another month. We cleaned ALL day.  From about 9am until dinner time.  WHEW!

Our house is still a mess, but at least its a work in progress.  It looks so much better without the Christmas stuff.  As much as I liked Christmas this year, I am always happy to get the decorations down and the house back to normal.

Anyhow... I need to go take a shower and take Porter out to play in our 11 inches of snow.  I have a session at 12:30 today so I'm going to try to not be slacker mom this morning. 

I'll update later about our trip!

We're home!

Just a quick post... we're home.   Lots of stuff to  unpack, lots of Christmas stuff to put away.   Busy busy!  I'll write more later, and call to catch up with those of you who I need to call :)   

Twas the Month After Christmas

*Disclaimer: I did not write this.  I found it online. 

Twas the Month After Christmas
Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.
The cookies I’d nibbled, the eggnog I’d taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).
I’d remember the marvelous meals I’d prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I’d never said, “No thank you, please.”
As I dressed myself in my husband’s old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt—

I said to myself, as I only can
“You can’t spend a winter disguised as a man!”
So—away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
“Till all the additional ounces have vanished.
I won’t have a cookie—not even a lick.
I’ll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won’t have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I’ll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.
I’m hungry, I’m lonesome, and life is a bore—
But isn’t that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

New Years Questions

A fun little questionaire to reflect on the past year.  I found it on All & Sundry's blog and I think it'll be so fun to look back on it and read the previous years' answers. 

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?

Take a road trip with an 18 month old.  8 hours in the car.  Alone with him.  Even more... we took the trip again (this time both of us are driving both ways LOL!)

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I had to look back on this.  My first resolution was Project 365 v.2007 but that photo blog only made it a couple months (if that).  My other resolution was "Be positive and try to find the good in everyone."  Hmm... have I kept it?  Not sure. I have tried to be a little better, but I still realize I fall back into my negative slumps a lot of times.   

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Leslie had little Reyna, who is practically a toddler now!

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Samson :(

5. What states/countries did you visit?

No out of country visits (darn!) but we did take trips to Florida and Missouri. 

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?

Spend more quality time with Porter.  Do more family things, the three...err... 4 of us.  Go camping!!! 

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Dates that I can remember off the top of my head:

Feb 4th: Porter started walking (I probalby only remember that because I scrapbook.)

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Hmm... I'd say maybe getting my business off the ground and grossing more money than I could have imagined in my first year alone.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Probably communicating with my husband about the "big" things.  And probably remaining rational when I know I'm being irrational.  And losing my temper with Porter WAY too often.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Hmm.. is pregnancy an illness?  You know... 3 months of daily nausea, vomiting, loss of bladder control, backaches, hip pains, constipation... HAHA! 

11. What was the best thing you bought?

I wish I could say a house... but hmm...

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?


13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?


14. Where did most of your money go?

Mortgage, business expenses, utilities, gas, groceries... the usual. 

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Having another baby

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?

Snow Patrol "Chasing Cars" and Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

            a) happier or sadder? 
Hmm... probably a bit sadder than last year.       
            b) thinner or fatter? 
fatter, for sure!
            c) richer or poorer?
neither

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Gone camping.  We didn't go at all this year. 

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Yell at Porter

20. How did you spend Christmas?

On a credit card.  Oh, you mean... where did we go, what did we do?  HAHA!  Christmas Eve we went to my SIL's house to spend the day with his family.  Christmas day we stayed home in the morning and in the afternoon went to my mom's to spend the evening with my family. 

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?

a little bit more everyday with P-man

22. What was your favorite TV program?

Without a Trace, Desperate Housewives and Real Housewives of Orange County.  Oh, and Cold Case and House. 

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

Not that I can think of.  At least, no one permanently.

24. What was the best book you read?

Sadly, I'm not sure I really read a book!!

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
 

26. What did you want and get?

another child, although he's not fully here yet LOL!

27. What did you want and not get?

to sell our house and be able to move

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

No favs stand out to me. 

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 26.  We went out to dinner with the Huff's.. Applebee's.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more
satisfying?

Selling our mother freaking house.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?

Hmm... beginning of the year I'd say I was trying to "get back into the groove of being halfway stylish".  Now... uhm... anything that fits and doesn't accentuate the huge boobs. 

32. What kept you sane?

my husband being understanding when I needed "girls days" scrapbooking and "girls nights out".  Also, having great friends to lean on and an awesome blogging community to vent to.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

I've never been a swoon-over-celeb person, but I like watching "Danny Taylor" on Without a Trace.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

As always, the abuse of government assistance programs. 

35. Who did you miss?

The Morrisons after they moved in June :(

36. Who was the best new person you met?

Hmm...  probably LeeAnn!

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.

Never take a toddler on a plane at their bedtime and expect them to "fall asleep in your arms".  HAHAHA!  Uhm, also that Florida is fa-reaking HOT in June.  And, I'll ditto what Heather said... kids grow WAY too fast.  I about choke every time I refer to Porter as "a two year old" (even though he's not quite two... good Lord why am I trying to make him older than he is?!)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Blanked on this one.  I'll add later if I think of one. 

Pictures

Not much to blog about.  We've had a pretty relaxing trip thus far.  Heather and I have done quite a bit of shopping.  There are a lot more stores around here that are a good 30-45 minute drive for me back home so we've made a few afternoon trips out while the kids nap.  The Ryan's went out last night to Dave and Buster's for a "Guys Night Out".  Heather and I made Mint Oreo Milkshakes and played In a Pickle and Ticket to Ride and then got hooked on this blog. 

Today we went to the St. Louis Mills mall.  It is a huge mall with lots of great stores (some outlet and some not) and is decorated so colorful and fun for kids.  It also has this huge PBS kids area for kids to play in.  Fun stuff!

And, on to the pics...

Playing hockey in the garage.  Saw-Man is quite the little hockey player!  The Ryan's, Savannah and Sawyer played for a good half hour.

Porter, on the other hand, was not interested in hockey whatsoever.  He was more interested in doing this:

Pushing around the car

Playing in the last little bit of snow

Blowing a "dandelion" (aka clover flower)

Savannah and Sawyer being silly at lunch

Porter trying to be silly like Savannah

Porter's first visit to Cabella's.  He loved looking at all the animals. He'll have to have Papa take him to the one in Michigan!

We're here!

Just in case you're all on the edge of your seats waiting to hear from me... we made it here safe and sound last night.  We left around 1:30 for our 8 hour drive to St. Louis.  We thought Porter would take his nap in the car but no luck.  He finally fell asleep at 5:45 and slept for a whopping hour.  He continued to stay awake for the rest of our trip.  Even though he was awake for 7 hours in the car he did SO SO SO well.  There was barely a time whined for more than a couple minutes.  I am very proud of him and very thankful that our trip was relatively uneventful and quite pleasant!  Porter did, however, watch "Lightening Movie" (aka Cars) two and a half times and Little Bear Movie once.  While the addiction to Cars drives me crazy, I sure was thankful for it yesterday! 

We drove up to the Morrison's shortly after 9:30 (MO time) and still had time to sit and chat for awhile after putting Porter in bed. 

Today we went to Boone's Crossing and Chick-Fil-A for lunch (all of us).  I had two $20 "certificates" to World Market (they send them to card holders to use during the month of their b-day on minimum $20 purchases. This year I got a bonus and they somehow sent me two!!) and I wanted to use them.  I had quite a few issues with the employees there but we finally got it resolved and I purchased a calendar for $2.50ish, some cute juice glasses, a throw pillow for my couch and two stuffed animals for the baby's room (that match perfectly!).  We all headed home as the kids were tired.

Once the kids were in bed Heather and I headed back out to the Chesterfield Mall.  We didn't have very much luck finding anything (I was really hoping for some cute baby clothes at H&M but was really disappointed). 

By the time we got home around dinnertime I was completely whooped.  My legs ached and I felt like I'd run a marathon.  After dinner and putting the kids to bed I took a quick bubble bath and then we played a few games (this one and this one).  Now we're just hanging out, blogging (after procrastinating!) and getting ready to head to bed. 

I'm sure I'll update more tomorrow.  Have a great start to your weekend!

It's almost time.

In just a few hours, we'll be leaving for St. Louis.  This time we're attempting to drive straight through.  Wish us luck! 

Obviously, I'll keep this blog updated.  What else do Heather and I do when we're there visiting?  HAHA!

New Blogger Alert!

This one is sure to be a funny read.  If you like Zoe's stories, I think you'll love Carrie's blog.  After our girls night out last week, I convinced her to get a blog. She was CRACKING us up with her stories about her kids.  I chose her blog address: iwishyouwerebald.blogspot.com after one of her stories.  Her 4 year old was mad at her about putting on pants and after Carrie told her she needed to be more respectful to her parents Emma yelled at her "I wish you were bald!"  like it was the worst thing in the world LOL!  (of course, Carrie's in-person version of the story was MUCH funnier, but you get the drift...).

Anyhow, Carrie's already up and at em with blogging and has a few posts already.  Check her out here:  Life is like a box of chocolates

Twas the Day After Christmas

*Disclaimer: I did not write this.  I found it online. 

Twas the Day After Christmas
Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurting–even the mouse.
The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor,
While upstairs the family continued to snore.
And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
Went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.
The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said “U.S. POSTMAN.”

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.
Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

“Now Dillard’s, now Broadway’s, now Penny’s and Sears
Here’s Levitz’s and Target’s and Mervyn’s–all here!!
To the tip of your limit, every store, every mall,
Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!”

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.
He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
“ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT…YOU’LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!”

Christmas Morning

I heard Porter babbling in his room and elbowed Ryan to get him up. It was Christmas morning! Porter was still laying in his crib chattering, half asleep, and I said ‘Porter!! Santa came to our house and he left you lots of presents!!” He shot up in his sleepy state and wide eyed said “pesents?! OooooOOOOoohhH!” I hyped it up good. He was so excited to see his tent and his stocking and little pile of Santa gifts. He loved the balls in the ball pit of the tent. I asked him “Porter, did Santa bring all this for you?” He says “Bring balls!”

Santa brought:

 

Every present he opened when I asked “hmmm I wonder what it is?” He’d say “fire truck!”

He opened his shoes from us (something he needs) and acted happy “tennis shoes!” and then said “In box!” put them back in the box and then said “Top on!” and put the top on and went back to all his trucks. 

Porter loved his tent and play balls.  He got lots of new trucks and cars (as if he needed anymore!) and a Fisher Price Garage along with some puzzles, books, a Candy Land game and some other misc. stuff. 

This afternoon we went over to my mom's house to have Christmas with my side of the family.  My grandma, aunt, uncle, cousin, sister, brother and niece were there.  We had a yummy ham dinner, sat comatose while Porter napped, ripped into presents and then played a couple rounds of Apples to Apples.

I think Porter's favorite toys here were his hammer and this weird weasel-ball toy.  Aubri was freaked out by it, although she tried her best to be "nice" to it LOL!

As usual, Porter was wound up and acted like a freak once it was way past his bedtime.  I swear... this kid doesn't get slow and sleepy when he's overtired.  He just cranks into overdrive.  He was a one-kid show spinning around and being goofy with everyone.  He kept spinning until he was dizzy and would fall down, saying "YAY!  Spinning!"

Christmas Eve

I didn't have time (err... energy) to post last night.  I wanted to recap our Christmas Eve.

We celebrate Christmas Eve with Ryan's family.  This year it was at Lori's house.  Before going to Dearborn, I wanted to run to the mall to get one more quick picture of Porter with Santa.  The one I took on Sunday was horizontal and I wanted one that was vertical (tall) so that eventually I could do a comparison of all the Santa pictures and they'd all be tall (showing Santa's full body vs. just his waist up). 

Here are the Santa pics this year:

And... retardo me.... I was able to crop my original Santa pic and make it vertical.  (Yes, Ryan, you were right.) 

Look... same Santa!  Porter is even less thrilled about seeing Santa this year.  I prepped him so good before hand... we talked about going to see him, sitting on his lap, telling him what he wanted him to bring him for Christmas.  He wasn't scared of him at all until I sat him on his lap.  I just hurried and took a picture.

Again, not so thrilled to be seeing Santa.  He was  more interested in the Porter-Sized penguins all around Santa's set.  Note the yellow tipped beard Santa is sporting.  And the sign that says's Santa's Beautiful Beard by JCPenney Salon.  And the near empty bottle of sore throat spray sitting next to Santa's chair.  Hmmm...

Anyhow, after my brief meltdown over Ryan taking another horizontal picture, we made our way up to Dearborn.

The kids had a blast playing with all the Cars cars, and finally the youngest three went down for naps around 2pm.  Us adults (and Lia) played Apples to Apples for awhile and then ate an early dinner of Mr. Chicken, french fries and salad.  Afterwards, the mayhem began.  Present time.  Present time with 4 kids under the age of 4.  EEEk!  Let's just say we made it alive, and all presents (and people) intact. 

Pictures from the evening:

The kids decorating the "Gumdrop Tree".  Lori is starting this as a tradition each year. 

Porter, Brenna and Lia seemed most interested in eating the gumdrops.  Shae, however, took her job seriously.  She was so into it!

Brenna, Shae and Lia

Porter thought the girls' Dora ViewMaster (is that what those are called?) was a camera.  He kept saying "CHEESE!"

The tree:

Like I said yesterday, the roads home were horrible.  I won't recap that again.