Testing, one, two three...

*Ahem*

Is this thing on?

Yeah, sorry for the delay. I have so much to say and post, but the time seems to go by too fast. Or then in a day like today when Jeremy is at school most of the morning, all I did was catch up on the DVR and work on cross-stitching Riley's Christmas stocking. (It's all part of my goal to take time for myself.) I've been enjoying the down time, and I've made a vow to not turn on my computer until around 3 each day. It's helped me spend more time with Jeremy especially (that kid is a serious pro at Uno), and not make me so stressed. I still feel that I'm on it too much in the evening, but I need to fulfill my 15-hour per-week work requirement. But I have been making time for my husband as well--we actually had date night last weekend! The sad news is that by 9 pm, we were both ready to go home. My, how times have changed!

I want to update here more often, especially since I've somewhat dropped the ball on updating the kids' baby books. But for now, this little "tease" post will have to do. I'm off to the parents' house tomorrow for a little R&R. I'm not bringing my laptop, which means that Phil could get started on the taxes, if he so desires. We're still awaiting two pieces of documentation, and knowing our luck, they'll arrive after this weekend.

I always try to leave a little something funny in my posts, so I'll include this: I told the kids that I'm spending tomorrow night over at Papa and Nana's, to which Riley asked:

"When can I go to Papa and Nana's to get away from the kids?"

Kids. They keep you laughing, that's for sure.

Embarrassing Mom

I usually make fun of the rest of the family, but I will prove that I am not immune to a little fun at my expense.

We recently bought new bookshelves for the family room, and since Phil worked from home today, he helped to put them together and decorate them. He found a picture of my dad and I that was taken on my first day of college, right before I headed off. Riley asked me how old I was in the picture. I said 18. She took one look at the picture and one look at me.

Then she noticed that I am wearing the exact same sweatshirt as I was in the picture. I've been outed. Nothing like wearing a 15+ year old shirt. I guess it could be worse--she could've made some comment about my age! I think I'll save that for when she makes fun of Phil.

Funny Guy

While playing our 300th game of Cars Uno today, Jeremy asked me if I knew what his favorite vegetable was. I said I didn't know. So he said:

"All of them."

And the truth of that answer is that he's pretty much spot-on. The other day he asked for vegetable soup for lunch. The boy is an awesome eater. For lunch today, he requested and ate chili, peaches, pickles, strawberries and pineapple. He is so going to be bigger than his sister in less than two years.

Jeremy's Christmas Program

Jeremy's ready to sing.

Phil was never able to attend any of Riley's preschool parties, so it was a real treat that Phil was able to make it to Jeremy's. For those of you who've talked to me recently, you know that we're rather unhappy with Jeremy's teachers this year. In the three years that we've been going to the preschool, they've had three separate groups of teachers for the 3s classroom.

I got a nice front-row seat.

Jeremy was more concerned about me than singing.

Cheesing it up for the camera.

The teachers helped the kids make presents for the parents, which was a nice surprise. Jeremy was so proud. The kids even stamped the wrapping paper. The teachers even gave the children gifts--Jeremy received some coloring stuff and a paperweight with his picture inside.

Handing mom his present.

Showing off his paperweight.

The kids made ornaments covered in glitter.

Christmas Cookies

The kids helped tremendously with this year's cookie making. I tried to make 1-2 batches per night, and we worked on them for a week straight. That's a lot of cookie dough! I tried out some new recipes and some old standbys, and I think (*hope*) that everyone enjoyed theirs. And don't worry, D, Casey and Dawn, your batches are keeping cold. I hope to have them either en route or in your hands by the end of the week.

And here are some pictures of the day when we made sugar cookies. Again, ignore the fact that I'm looking less than perfect. I tend to wear more comfortable than fashionable clothing, especially in winter when I don't venture out of the house!

Jeremy helping with the cookie cutters.

At least they're taking turns.

Hamming it up for the camera.

Riley getting in on the act.

Nana's Birthday

I finally took pictures off the camera the other day, so be prepared for an bunch of outdated pictures. You know, whenever I get around to posting them!

For Nana's birthday (back in the beginning of December), she takes the entire birthday week off. She spent a few days down visiting her dad (who turns 93 next week), and then she wanted to come out and teach me how to make jelly. We spent Jeremy's quiet time making raspberry jelly, which I gave out to a few people for Christmas. She decided to stay for dinner, which was a really nice surprise. And we even gave Nana her own birthday cupcake, which Riley proclaimed that we actually received from a neighbor!

But perhaps the funniest sight, which I wish I had pictures of, was when she played with the kids and our neighbor, out in the snow, making a snow fort. It was snowing, and here she is, lugging large pieces of snow/ice to build the fort. I practically had to drag everyone inside, but they had a blast.

Ignore the fact I'm wearing my lounging around clothes!

2009 in Review

Currently my lovely husband is snoring on the couch. On New Year's Eve. And it's 8:45 in the evening. That's a little sad, dontcha think? Good thing I love him.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before? I let go of my little guy and sent him off to preschool and sent my daughter off to kindergarten. It was a difficult transition, as they are my buddies during the day. But I've found that it's nice to have the one-on-one time with Jeremy, and Riley and I need the separation some days.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made any last year. I'm not big into resolutions, but in 2010 I'd like to make more time for myself and not feel guilty for wanting to do so. And lose a few pounds.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My cousin gave birth to Samuel on Jan. 2. They made their town's newspaper as being one of the first births of the year.

4. Did anyone close to you die? My great-aunt passed away in November. That was difficult to deal with, since she was so involved in my life. But she lived such a full life in her 89 years.

5. What places did you visit? Nowhere in particular, other than to visit family. We took the kids on an overnight excursion in March to a water park, but otherwise we just stayed local.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Energy. I don't know if it's the cold-weather blues, but I have been lacking in energy. I'm hoping to get back into an exercise regime so that maybe that can boost my energy level.

7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Other than my great-aunt's passing, the day that Riley started kindergarten was August 21. And the day she lost her first tooth: Christmas!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? That I learned how to make jelly. And that I survived Jeremy leaving the nest and me.

9. What was your biggest failure? Getting too stressed about things because I work too much. I don't give myself enough time off, and as a result I snap at people (i.e. Phil). We're trying to spend more time together, too, since after the kids go to bed is when I start working. He gets up early to go to work, and I'm such a night owl that it makes it difficult some times to connect.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? A few months ago I came down with a sinus infection, ear infection and bronchitis. Good times.

11. What was the best thing you bought? I can't think of anything in particular, but my parents bought the kids a tee so the kids can play T-ball. It's a lifesaver in the summer because both kids can hit line drives if you pitch to them. Both Phil and I suffered bruises over the summer from playing ball with those kids!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Jeremy for finally getting potty trained. Riley for excelling in school and learning how to ride a bike on her own in 2 days. Phil for tolerating me and buying me ice cream to cheer me up. And me for holding the family together and keeping the kids alive.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Going to plead the fifth here, but those who know me well know the answer.

14. Where did most of your money go? New appliances. Our house is about 15 years old, so we're slowly replacing the appliances. 2009 was the year of the hot water heater and refrigerator. It was going to be the washing machine, too, but we're waiting for the appliance rebates to hit in April.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Attending Jeremy Roenick night at the Blackhawks game.

16. What song will always remind you of 2009? "I've Got a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas.

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

a) happier or sadder? Happier overall.

b) thinner or fatter? About the same. Still have about 10 lbs I'd like to lose, but I'm still skinner than when I was pregnant with Riley.

c) richer or poorer? Richer. We were smart and are paying 1/4 of our mortgage every week, so we're making an entire mortgage payment extra per year. Plus we're saving on interest each week. I just wish the market was better and we could refinance, but at least we have a home.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? Chilled out in general. Gotten massages since they are pure heaven. If we had the money, I'd go more often. I wish I'd taken more time for myself, whether it's have dinner with girlfriends, spent the night at my parents or taken Phil up his offer to go chill and he'll take care of the kids. Gone on overnight excursions with or without the kids.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Stressed out. I get so stressed about things that sometimes I forget that there are two adults in this house. I don't need to take on the world.

20. How did you spend Christmas in 2009? We went to BIL's the weekend before Christmas. We spent Christmas day with my parents and spoke to my brother and SIL. It was a perfect celebration and we had a delicious meal prepared by Phil. And then Sunday we're going to the ILs.

21. Did you fall in love in 2009? I didn't fall in love, but I'm still in love with everyone in my family, especially my husband. As my mom would say, I may not like what you do sometimes, but I will always love you. And that's how I feel.

22. What was your favorite TV program? We've been watching Community with Joel McHale. He's hilarious and not an episode passes where we don't bust out laughing.

23. What did you do for your birthday in 2009? Nothing in particular, that I can remember. How sad is that?

24. What was the best book you read? The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. Total tear-jerker. I just wish they weren't making a movie about it with Miley Cyrus. Still Alice by Lisa Genova was an excellent book, too.

25. What did you want and get? I lost two freelancing gigs earlier this year, both with no notice. I located another gig on craigslist, of all places, and it's turned out to be rather profitable. I was worried that I'd have a hard time committing to 15 hours per week (that's the minimum), but for the most part it's been doable. Let's see, though, when I try to take time for myself and my marriage!

26. What did you want and not get? A bountiful garden. This crappy summer was not good for the produce. My tomatoes suffered tremendously. The peas enjoyed the cool weather. And the stupid Japanese beetles infested my raspberries and green beans. Ugh! And I didn't get my front-loading washing machine, but that was my doing. We're waiting for the rebate.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? We didn't go see any movies in the theater (second year in a row), but I did enjoy The Hangover. Total stupid humor, but I thought it was funny. And I was enjoying Up, until we had to return it to the library, and I didn't get a chance to finish it!

28. Did you make some new friends this year? I made stronger bonds with people I already knew of but didn't know well.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To not be so worried about our finances.

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009? Total casual. I could care less about fashion.

31. What kept you sane? Immersing myself in a good book, catching up on my DVR with a large M&M Blizzard.

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Rob Thomas still makes me swoon. And he came out with a new CD, which of course is awesome. But my recent heartthrob is Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks. Which reminds me, Jeremy announced the other day that his favorite Blackhawk is Patrick Sharp because, "He's hot." Oops.

33. What political issue stirred you the most? Any kind of publicity given to Sarah Palin. Seriously, she's giving women a bad name.

34. Who did you miss? D and Casey.

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009. Just as my blog says, there are days I have to remind myself that I will miss the fighting and the way the kids talk to each other. Then they laugh and play so well together and it makes my heart melt to know that right now they're each other's best friends. Kids don't stay little very long. We spend so long wanting them to grow up, to do things on their own, but when they do, you mourn the change because it means they need you that much less. Time flies by, and I'm just trying to make it stand still just a little bit longer.

Here's to 2010. Hope your year was as good as mine. Thanks for reading along.