Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Time Flies

We just received pre-registration information in the mail for kindergarten. I'm getting all choked up just thinking about it. I can't believe my baby is going to start kindergarten. And going for a whole day. And riding a bus. Wow.

Good thing I have until February until I need to get her registered and another few months until she actually starts. Man, imagine how I'm going to be when Jeremy starts!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

What We've Been Doing

Before the hustle and bustle of Christmas fully engulfs us, I guess I should post some pictures as to what the kids (and the rest of the family) have been up to this month. It's crazy to think that it's pretty much time for Christmas, as evidence by yesterday's first of five Christmas gatherings/celebrations we have going on this year. But that's for another post.

J wearing Daddy's hat.

Riley wanted in on the picture, too.

We started our baking earlier this year, due to a Christmas celebration with some dear friends the first Saturday of December. The kids were as excited as I was, and we spent an entire week baking after each lunchtime. Whether it was Chex Mix or something chocolate-based, both kids (and mom) were ready to help clean up the batter.

Both kids with their aprons.

Jeremy enjoying some batter.

Riley wasn't quite as messy.

We celebrated Nana's birthday a few days after the fact due to another one of Chicagoland's wonderful snowy, gusty days. Papa and Nana came out after a long day of seeing Papa's sister graduate from grad school. Nana came prepared: ready to read books and assist the kids in decorating sugar cookies. We were thinking of D during this, as it was a task he so enjoyed.

It's cookie time!

And if you didn't believe me, this was right after Riley was born in 2003.
Probably the last time D helped make Nana's cookies. Am I right?


We celebrated with some delicious chocolate cake with chocolate icing, and Nana opened her presents. They couldn't stay long, but we had a nice time regardless.

Nana reading one of Jeremy's favorite books: Diego. It's a book
made by my old work that we bought at Goodwill for 59 cents!


The next day, we loaded up the family truckster and bought our Christmas tree. We're old school and do it the real tree way. There's no other alternative for our family. Even for me, the biggest cold-weather hater! We think that in a few years we'll go chop down our own tree since there are plenty of places in our neck of the woods. Everyone's been enjoying the tree, especially the cats, which we're constantly chasing away from its trunk. Reminds me of 2003 when the cats actually knocked the tree (and water) over, all over the carpet. Ever since, the tree has found its home on wood floors.

Our beautiful tree.

The kids by the tree.

The rest of the month was spent shoveling out of the gobs of snow. I'm trying to find a bright side to the obscene amounts of snow, and it's rather difficult. I guess the nice part is that the kids enjoy it. And it's even better if the kids can enjoy it when Dad is home. But the first real snowfall we received, Dad was at work. So I enlisted the kids to help me shovel, which they happily agreed to do. Of course they also insisted on pelting me with snowballs.

Riley loves to shovel!

Look at her go!

I still can't believe December is almost over. I hope you're all staying warm if you're anywhere in the Midwest. If you're elsewhere, can you send some warm weather our way? Please?

A rare photo of me and my boy.

Keeping warm with Dad. The blanket was made
by Phil's late grandmother and is SO warm!


The boys right before their haircuts.
Which reminds me I need an "after" picture.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Snow Day

I'm a little bummed today. OK, who am I kidding? I'm very disappointed. We received 8 inches of snow overnight. That in itself is way too much. (Note to C&D: I don't want to hear any cackling overseas about wearing sandals and shorts right about now....) But then to have Riley's preschool Christmas party canceled is disappointing. All district schools were canceled today, which means that there wasn't any preschool. I'm not sure as to when they'll reschedule the party since she doesn't have school for the next two weeks.

Riley was sad because this meant she couldn't see her "boyfriend" from preschool for a few weeks. Apparently he's become the apple of her eye, and she's constantly making pictures to take to him. He's also supposedly asked her to come to his birthday party in May. Ah, young love.

Anyway, instead of heading to work today, Phil spent 2 hours this morning shoveling. Better him than me! The kids got out in the fun after Phil was able to clear off the driveway, and everyone took turns throwing snowballs at each other. Me, I watched it all from the comforts of where Mother Nature intended for me to be: inside.

The kids in front of the house.

Jeremy the invincible.

Riley with her monster snowball.

Friday, December 12, 2008

What's Up?

Kids are so impressionable. For your Friday enjoyment:



Monday, December 8, 2008

Engraved

About a month and a half ago, Phil lost his wedding ring. We searched everywhere. To this day we have no idea where it could be, as it took him a few days to actually search for it--all during that time he thought it was in the kids' bathroom after he took it off giving them a bath, or in Jeremy's room where he took it off before putting lotion on Jeremy. Nope.

So as part of his Christmas present, he ordered and picked up a new wedding ring this past weekend. He found one that was perfect, and with the banker's permission (me), he went out and bought it.

The jeweler had been in the business for 30+ years, so the two of them were talking about what Phil wanted engraved on the band. Our original rings said, "Put it back on. 8-11-01" So for the new ring, Phil wanted something a little different but along those lines. The jeweler said in all his years, he's never laughed so hard at what a couple wanted engraved. So what does it say?

Keep it on this time. 8-11-01

Let's hope it works.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Preschool Thanksgiving

Last week (yes, I'm a week behind!) Riley had her Thanksgiving celebration at her preschool. The hats the kids made were simply adorable. The festivities began at 11:15 with the kids singing several songs. I never noticed how many girls are in her class, but from the pictures and video you can see for yourself.

Looking less than enthused.

A little happier.

After the kids sang, they had a late snack for the kids and families. It was a wonderful celebration. The kids even made drawings of what they're thankful for in their lives. Some of the kids had pretty funny items, from the letter E to recycling to their streets and teachers. My child was thankful for sun, grass and her brother Jeremy. I'm going to remind her of that whenever he's bothering her!


Sorry for all the videos, but Phil had to work and wanted to see what the kids did.



The first song of the celebration.




Song number two. Good use of the cowbell.



Song number three.



One of the last songs.

The rest of our Thanksgiving weekend was quiet for once. We stayed at home for the first time on Thanksgiving day, watching the parade and eating way too much food. Then the entire family braved Black Friday, again for the first time. We scored some great deals at Target and Meijer--the only two shops we attempted. And then on Saturday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my mom's extended side of the family where the kids played with my cousin's kids. We had a wonderful time, and both kids conked out on the ride home. It was fabulous to see great-grandpa, look at my cousin's ever-expanding belly (Kim, you are SO cute!), and to catch up with my other cousin who lives in California. She's going to visit Derek and Casey for Christmas, and although I'm jealous, I'm grateful that they will be surrounded by family during the holidays. And for that, I'm thankful.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Birthday Party Wrap-Up

I know it's been roughly 12 days since Riley's birthday party, but, as I've mentioned before, life tends to get in the way. I've had a huge deadline to deal with for work, and on top of that I got sick yesterday. We've had a bug going around the house, and have I said how much I hate cold weather? Bah humbug!

Anyway, Riley had a wonderful birthday party, and we appreciate everyone who was able to come. It was rather low-key, as are all of our parties. Guess that's what happens when your kids have birthdays during cooler-weather months--you can't really have a celebration outside.

Bella, Riley, Dad and Uncle Steve

The party didn't really have a theme. Riley tried to go for the third year of having a Princess party, but I convinced her to take a look at the party store with me to try to find an alternative. After determining that most of the options there were too young (Dora, Backyardigans, Elmo) or she was unaware of them (Hannah Montana, Bratz, High School Musical), we decided on no real theme. I gave her some choices on what type of cake, and this is what she chose:

Riley's cake of choice. I used a cake pattern from my late grandma
that my mom found. It included my grandma's handwriting, too.


We let everyone play and chat for awhile--all the guests at the party are regulars, so it was nice to catch up with everyone. I enjoyed getting some snuggles with my newest nephew who's 10 months old!

One nephew, Ethan.

Nephew number two, Caden.

Riley and Ethan eating.

We ate dinner and then opened presents. Riley was blessed by all the wonderful gifts, including the movie Enchanted, which Riley is opening below. I think Jeremy loves the movie just as much. Both kids enjoy hearing music from the movie, and Jeremy refers to it as "That's How You Know" based off one of the songs of the movie.

Opening Enchanted.

Opening her new coat. She loved the scarf more than anything!

Showing off said scarf.

We then had cake, and kids played, balloons were popped, and people started to leave. All in all, it was a wonderful party, and we thank everyone for all their presence/presents.
Sorry the video below is a little dark, but that's what happens when you turn down the lights!


Sunday, November 23, 2008

I Should Have Known

I know I'm behind on posting about Riley's party, which I promise to do once this nasty freelancing deadline is over on Wednesday. But then I'll be behind on posting about Thanksgiving! So bear with me. Anyway, life is good at the C household, despite the cold weather and the fact I freeze in my own home. Such is life in the Midwest. But here's a funny story to tide you over until the next posting:

Jeremy and I were enjoying some Mommy/son time while Phil took Riley out to buy a new cordless phone (ours apparently can receive phone calls and we can hear people talking, but alas, they cannot hear us back. That could be a problem.). We were going over animal sounds since lately all he wants to do is pretend certain animals are either in the house, at the store, in the car, you name it.

Then we started talking about favorite animals. Riley started this tradition years ago when she was learning her animals. She used to ask people what their favorite animals were, and she'd put that in her memory bank. Jeremy is the same way. So here's the conversation:

Mom: What's your favorite animal?
Jeremy: Eee-eee (monkey).
M: What's Riley's?
J: Fah-mingo.
M: Mommy's?
J: Dolphin.
M: Daddy's?
J: Bear.
M: What does Uncle D like?
J: Giraffe.
M: What about Casey?
J: Zebra.
M: What does Papa like?
J: Hockey.

Yeah, that's my boy. And these are my kids, in their matching hockey jammies no less:

Monday, November 17, 2008

Happy Birthday, Birthday Girl

I've been feeling melancholy all day today. Five years ago today I entered Mommyhood for the first time. My life changed completely; some days better than others. The little girl who entered the world only to be given antibiotics since I ran a 101.9 fever during delivery is now a sassy five year old. No longer a baby. No longer a toddler. Almost a kindergartner.

We all have our days, and days with Riley are never dull. She struggles with wanting to be able to do activities well and correctly. She wants so badly to read now, but she struggles with it and gets easily frustrated. She loves coloring, activity books, games, cards, you name it. Of course most of this stuff has to be done when Jeremy's not around, as evidence by him already throwing all her checkers over the house today.

She's my little helper, always wanting a hand in things, "helping" Jeremy with stuff and wanting to cook in the kitchen. I love that about her, even if sometimes in hinders the process or Jeremy doesn't want to cooperate. There have been far too many times I've asked her to help me out with something, and she does it willingly.

This has been a challenging year in a lot of areas, but through it all, she loves her brother immensely, oftentimes telling me that he's her best friend. Today, while out getting an ice cream treat (than you Baskin Robins!), she shared her scoop with him, and he said, "Happy birthday, I-ree." She leaned over and gave him a hug, and said, "Thank you, bud."

It's hard to believe it's been five years since she entered our lives. These last 2.5 years with her at home, I've had a chance to watch both kids grow, molded by what I've taught them. I'm so proud of Riley and the girl she's turned into. I love her with all my heart.

Thank you one and all for all Riley's brithday wishes today, from whatever avenue. We've had phone calls (one from Lebanon!), postings on message boards, cards, and emails. Riley was so touched (as was I) that so many people wanted to wish her a wonderful day. We're truly blessed.

So without further fanfare, here's Riley through the years:

5 years ago yesterday:




5 years ago today:



4 years ago today:


3 years ago:


2 years ago:


Last year:



And here she is now:


Today, birthday #5:

Thursday, November 13, 2008

So I Have This Friend*...

I don't really talk about stuff like this. It's not that I'm fully embarrassed--I just think it's not something I particularly advertise. But I wanted to let others know about my friend.

Back when I was newly engaged, I became a member of an online site that connected brides-to-be with each other. You could post with other girls who were getting married on your same wedding date or you could locate brides by region. I didn't really post much on that site; I was still new to the whole online forum thing.

Shortly after my wedding, they offered a spin-off site on babies. So I joined. But I didn't post for awhile. I "lurked" around, seeing what other newly married women were going through. After I became pregnant, I ended up finding a group of women due within a two-month span together. We shared stories of weight gain, feeling our babies kick for the first time and then birth stories. It was a great group of women. Then, during my maternity leave, the site shut down completely.

Two spin-off sites formed from there. I didn't really look at the larger community; I was drawn to the smaller one. Since then, we've become a very close-knit group of women (along with a few token males). We've seen each other go through some rough stuff and some pretty fabulous life experiences. We're all over the country with a few across the seas.

I remember my first few posts on the site and a woman named Lynn wrote a little note in my journal. We became "journal buddies," sharing our life's thoughts and pictures of our kids. She has a beautiful little boy whose smile lights up the room and is just a few months older than Riley. I oftentimes refer to her as "my friend in Grand Rapids," because, really, how do you explain to your friends that you have online friends? I mean, without garnering some nasty looks? How do you explain that this woman has become one of your best friends? Oh, and you've never met.

When she told me there was a possibility of her hitching a ride to Chicago last weekend, I immediately became giddy. How fabulous would it be for us to finally meet? For her to meet the wacky family that I call my own? I received the excellent news just a few days later that she would indeed head my way! Luckily Phil didn't have any reservations, as he knows how close she and I have become. And the kids were ecstatic for the arrival of "Mommy's friend," which sounded a little too that-time-of-the-month for me!

She arrived late due to wonderful downtown Chicago traffic. But we enjoyed a delicious dinner of Giordanos and spent the entire evening chatting, watching Grey's and chatting some more. The time together was perfect, until it was ruined by a nasty creature that fell in our window well! Yeah, I shrieked like a little girl and decided it was time for bed.

Gross, disgusting creature. Nothing like seeing paws
against your window to know there's a creature there.


Riley gave up her room for Lynn, and the morning began with chocolate chip waffles and pancakes with hash browns and cinnamon rolls. Both kids enjoyed giving Lynn haircuts at the beauty shop and checking out said nasty possum. Gross. (FYI: The possum did make it out of the window well thanks to a plank Phil placed down there. Thank goodness--dead possum is never a good thing. But how would we know he's dead and not playing, well, possum?) Anyway, I was so sad to say good-bye to Lynn as she had to return to her little man, but it was a wonderful visit.

It goes to show that you can have friends all over the world. And yes, I have a very dear friend of mine I met online. She no longer is the best friend of mine that I've never met.

Oh, and she's good for taking a family picture for us. I didn't post a picture of Lynn, though. You'll just have to believe me in that she does exist. :)

Jeremy's forming the word "cheese".
So which kid resembles which parent?


*Disclaimer: Lynn wrote about her visit on her blog first. But I was planning this post as soon as she left. Work/life just got in the way.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Falling

Before the weather decided to turn back into fall-like temperatures, the kids fully enjoyed helping in the yard. They're both at an age where the love to help raking leaves, which is something I hope they continue to enjoy for at least a few more years.

Jeremy in the house.

Raking the leaves.

We have a tree in our backyard that I adore, as much as one can adore a tree. It's large for our newish neighborhood, probably 25+ years old compared to our subdivision, which is 17. We have the oldest tree around, and its foliage in the fall is breathtaking. The red hues are beautiful to admire when the temperatures begin to plummet.

Said beautiful tree.

The weather was awesome the beginning of the week. Who would've thought on November 3rd the kids would be wearing shorts and sandals? We spent as much time as we could outside, basking in the above-normal temperatures (it reached 74 on Election Day!), hanging laundry outside and opening the windows for probably the last time. Oh, and Jeremy enjoyed helping me vote on Tuesday. Riley had a field trip to the fire station for preschool, and Jeremy experienced his first Presidential election.



As for the weather, wouldn't you know that it snowed yesterday? Midwest, how I hate your ever-changing fall temperatures. Is it summer yet?

Friday, November 7, 2008

Girlfriends

This week has flown by, and I blame most of it on the unseasonably warm weather. The beginning of November and I had my kids in shorts and sandals. What can I say, I'm a sucker for beautiful temperatures. Now we're back to the harsh reality of the Midwest with the threat of snow tomorrow. Ick.

Riley has off of school today for parent/teacher conferences at the elementary schools. Since her preschool follows the district's school schedule, she's home with us today. And terrorizing her brother and the cats, not necessarily in that order.

As for me, I'm having a week of reconnecting with girlfriends. It started on Sunday when my college roommate found me on Facebook. One of my girlfriends from high school persuaded me to join about a month ago, and it's been enjoyable to locate people I've lost touch with over the years. Anyway, my roommate arranged for us to have lunch with our third roommate, who was in my wedding seven years ago. I lost touch with both girls, and I was so grateful to have them find me again. We had lunch in the city, catching up on the last few years of our lives. It was interesting to see us, so many years later, each in different stages of our lives. Me with two kids, one roommate recently married and the other still enjoying single life in the city. Who would've thought?

And then tonight I'm meeting a close girlfriend for the very first time. Thanks to technology we've become great friends online, and I'm sure this face-to-face meeting can only strengthen our friendship (and if it doesn't, you're not allowed to tell me that!).

I know I don't oftentimes think of myself first (or even second or third) when it comes to my family. But this week I have, and let me tell you that it sure is wonderful to have times with girlfriends. I think it makes me appreciate my family that much more.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Halloween Festivities

We got a late start on our pumpkin carving this year; I'm not sure why. I think life just seems to get in the way at times. We finally got around to carving it on Tuesday--the day Phil was home from work. The kids seemed lukewarm to the idea, especially about helping to gut the fruit (BTW, who knew pumpkins were a fruit?! Or that Illinois is the top-producing pumpkin state?!). And seeing as the man of the family loathes this task, SuperMom came to the rescue, digging her hands into the muck and removing the seeds. Notice that not one picture was taken of this greusome task...

Dad ready to cut off the top.

The kids surround the finished product.

Then the kids had to wait. But on Thursday the 30th, the kids got dressed in their costumes to attend the library's costumed storytime. It was so much fun, as always. I love this particular library, even though we're not technically library card members. Our library is less than stellar, so we go to the drop-in storytime at this library. After the stories, the kids did a costume parade around the library to the "Monster Mash" playing on a portable CD player.
Posing before we left for the library.

Waiting for the librarian to begin storytime.

Friday came, and Riley dressed up for her preschool festivities. Unfortunately, I didn't know they asked parents to come early and see the costumed musical chairs. I was able to catch the last 2/3 of the game, and luckily Riley was still in the mix. She made it down to the last 5 kids.

Riley is in the middle. The kid on her left, she told me,
was dressed as Count Chocula. Uncle D should enjoy that.


Posing for the camera.

She brought home more candy than she really needed; we were asked to bring in candy for the kids, but moms that didn't sign up brought candy. She brought home enough that we really didn't need to go door-to-door!

We had to wait until after naps, though. And for Dad to come home. Phil dressed up a bit for the occasion, and Riley wanted in on the photo op.

Dad and his girl.

We all went to our close neighbors' houses--about 4 in all. And then the kids and I met up with some neighbors, and off we went. Phil stayed home and "manned" the house, but I think he just stayed outside and socialized with our neighbors. The weather was beautiful (upper 60s), so I guess I can't blame him.

Obligatory Halloween step photo.

Ready to go!

We hit quite a few houses, and both kids did great. Jeremy walked most of the way, although I brought the wagon just in case. He was slower than Riley, of course, and a few doors he knocked on the door because he couldn't reach the doorbell. He'd say, "Happy Halloween." There was one house that had a bowl of candy near the door, and he proudly proclaimed, "M&Ms, Momma! Your favorite!" And then he became equally excited for "Papa treats," aka Tootsie Rolls. We made it home about 6:15, so about an hour's worth of trick-or-treating. The kids, of course, came away with quite the stash of candy, which, as my duty, I will attempt to help them eat. The things mothers have to do!

Heading inside the tent to the house.

Jeremy returning with candy.

Riley (in white) and the neighbor girls.