Christmas in Utah

We have had a fantastic time in Utah and here are some highlights so far:

1. Christmas Eve and Christmas (of course) with people I love
2. The kids had an amazing time sledding
3. We were finally able to give Ben his baby blessing which was wonderful
4. Seeing old friends (which will earn a post of its own at some point)

There is of course much more to come but I'm feeling lazy so that's all for now!

Finally!

Ben is finally crawling! Look at those big, squishy thighs - so cute I can hardly stand it! Oh, and ignore that weird sounding woman in the background. : )

On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Gave to Me...

...a week of sleeping in! That's right, for one week straight Shawn is getting up with the kids which I thought was hard to beat but for the 2nd day (Saturday) he topped himself by sending me out to a massage appointment (which ended up being the best massage of my life)! Today Shawn gave me the third Day of Christmas which was a Mommy/Daughter date to the Lion King at the Detroit Opera House in January. Can't wait to see what's next - I could get used to this!

Ladies' Night

Thank you to Michelle and Elizabeth for hosting Bunko night! I haven't had so much fun in a long time! I have to say that there is really nothing better than a night out with friends (except maybe a romantic getaway with your husband - hint, hint Shawn).

As always there were lots of laughs, lots of fun and, bonus, everyone left with a gift! I have to say, though, that even with all that fun it was not my best rolling night!

Some of you that know me may realize that I can be just a little superstitious (oh, and competitive). Well, here are some of the things I tried: Staying silent through each round (which was the hardest for me and probably everyone else's favorite), sending positive messages out to the universe (the universe was obviously ignoring me!), having the person I was partnering with keep score and vice versa (my least effective attempt), and of course the traditional picturing the numbers in your mind and rolling the dice certain ways. Even after all my efforts I still ended up on the losers table way more than the winners table and I'm kind of starting to think that there might not be much to superstition. Oh well, chances are I'll try it again!

No Love for the Prius

I have many times sung the praises of the Prius; a hybrid with amazing mileage, no hassle with keys, video reverse…the list goes on and on. I have always loved the little car and tried to sell others on the merits of owning a Prius. Well, this is not one of those times!

Yes, this is the Prius parked on the grass/driveway. Good old Michigan’s roads are pure ice right now and this little baby didn’t even have the guts to make it up our driveway! So here’s poor little me all alone walking up my slippery driveway with 2 kids in tow while Shawn’s gallivanting around in Ireland (okay, he’s hard at work but right now I feel like he’s gallivanting!).

When I finally had to admit defeat and tell Keely that we were going to have to get out into the cold and hike up the driveway she said, “No, I want to park in the garage!” When I convinced her that it wasn’t possible she got a little dramatic and got out with a huff saying, “This is the worst night of my entire life!”

I then called our neighbors for help and they explained that they would but that it is so slippery that they were afraid the car would slip back and run over them (yes, we’re still talking about the little tiny Prius), which I guess is possible. So there she’ll stay for the night, all alone in the middle of the grass!

Truthfully, I may not sound it but I am actually very grateful. The roads were so slippery tonight that I was just praying that we’d get home and I guess technically we did!

Selfish or Sensible??

So this is a debate that Shawn and I have had several times and just something I was thinking about today as I was picking the red and purple monkeys out of Keely’s Curious George fruit snacks.

Some of the time when I’m giving Keely a treat, whether it be Skittles, Starburst or fruit snacks, I pick out the colors I like - red, purple, pink…pretty much anything as long as it’s not lime, lemon, orange or banana flavored - and give Keely the remainder, colors or flavors I really don’t care for. I know what you’re thinking, “Selfish!” but just hear me out.

Keely never complains about this and sometimes even says “Here mom, I know you like this color” when I don’t pick them out. I know a lot of parents want their kids to have the same likes and dislikes as they do, and in many ways I agree, it is nice when you feel like your kid is picking up your traits; but when it comes to food don’t you think that having different tastes can actually be very complimentary?

“Here you have this part.”

“Oh thank you, my favorite! Why don’t you try this?”

“Don’t mind if I do!”

See, it just works. In the end, I think that what I do is just creating a more symbiotic relationship which can really only bring us closer, which is really not only not selfish but very loving and sensible. See my point?? Now if only I could convert Shawn to my way of thinking…

Miss Manners

So you know when your kids start saying things, sometimes not very nice things, and then you realize that it’s you that they are mimicking? Okay, so I know you are all very nice people and this never happens to you but it’s been happening to me A LOT lately. Here are 4 actual interactions, all of which took place today.

1. Good Manners. When Keely bumps into someone or someone bumps into her, or if she just feels like you’re in her space you don’t get a polite “excuse me.” Scenario - me passing Keely in the kitchen (really we weren’t even close)
Keely: Watch It!

2. List making. I have a habit of making lists whenever Keely asks why she can’t do something. “Well, number 1 it’s against the rules, number 2 it’s dangerous, number 3 I said no!...” you get the picture. Scenario - here is a conversation between Keely and Shawn this morning when Keely was having a little too much attitude.
Keely: Don’t talk to me!
Shawn: I wasn’t talking to you; I was talking to my imaginary friend Tiger Lily. She’s in a bad mood this morning and wanted to pull you off your chair. I told her that wouldn’t be nice.
Keely: One, she didn’t say that; two, there is no such thing as imaginary friends; and three, she didn’t say that!

3. Ultimatums. Scenario - I’m in the office responding to an email
Keely: All right, I’m going to the bathroom and when I come back you’d better be off the computer!

4. Idle threats. You know the “you do this or no more…” kind of threats? Scenario - Keely trying to get me to come downstairs and put on a show for her.
Keely: Come down here or I won’t play princesses with you for the rest of the day! (She has no idea that this is actually a very strong reason for me not to come downstairs)

Good, good parenting. Just let me know if any of you want some child-rearing advice.