It's a Candyland Christmas

Mallie and True's daycare host a Christmas program every year. I will admit that I totally look forward to this spectacle. Maybe it's just the holiday spirit in me or maybe it's just because I'm mean and I LOVE collecting embarrassing pictures, etc. to use as bribery when the kids get older. Either way, I'm so excited that my kids get to participate in these types of "community" events.

This year's theme was:


Unfortunately, we got into the auditorium a little late so we had to sit behind Amazon-like people. I mean I'm short, but seriously every one in front of us was about 6 feet tall (they all decided to sit on the first two rows). See what I mean?


Anyway, the program was very fun. Each of the classes came out and either ran through the auditorium or sang a song. True's class dressed up like Christmas trees and paraded through. What more can we expect of toddlers? I'd post a picture, but they are all on the camera in the car. So will get one up at a later date.

But Mallory's class ... well, they were something else. Take a look at the video below. Oh, and please disregard Amazon-woman's dancing. I love me some Jackson 5 too ... but I don't do that in public (you'll see when you look at the vid). My munchkin is the one with the red/pink stripes on her sleeves. I think she inherited her rhythm from Daddy!



On another note, this video forced me to learn how to compress files. YEAH! I think I may have created a monster so lookout for more vids. The one bad thing about compression is that I've lost a little quality (which wasn't great anyway since I took it on a camera). But this is so worth the memories.

Sleeping arrangements

When Mallory was 18 months old she gave up the crib cold turkey. She took a nap in her "big girl bed" one day and forever after screamed when you tried to take her near the prison that was called crib. True on the other hand has well ... been a handful when it comes to transitioning to a big boy bed.

The first try at sleeping on the twin came at nap time a few months ago. Yeah, that lasted about 5 mins before I moved him to the crib. Then, I decided to try again one night that he was exhausted. Jackpot! He fell asleep on the bed. I was giddy (and proud too). But, about two hours later I checked on him only to find he was rolled into a little ball on the floor NEXT to the bed. Yeah ... bust on that one.

But, I have promised our crib to our nephew for their new baby, Lauren, who is due to arrive in Feb/March 2009. So you see my problem. I have started to feel the internal clock ticking in my head. So the last few nights we've made an effort to go to sleep in the big boy bed. It hasn't worked. But you know what has? Going to sleep in the big girl bed.


See those stripes? That's little man hugging the wall. I'm not complaining and neither is he. It works. However, I've lost a little free time in the evenings because loss of prison (aka crib) also means that bedtime is extended. You give and you take, right?! Poor Jill is the loser here ... she's lost prime sleep territory.

Add architect to my job description

It's been a VERY busy weekend. It started on Friday with a run to Costco (and an outlay of $400 for random stuff; how do I do that?). Then, I headed off to the regular grocery store. Stayed up late doing some projects for Christmas. I'm not sure why midnight is a standard weekend bedtime but something's gotta give soon or these bags under by eyes will have their own airplane.

Saturday we had planned to visit Santa. Mallory needed to tell him what she wanted you know. I had planned to get there when they opened (9a), but somehow I was just waking Shawn up at that time. We finally got there at 10:30a and waited in line for 45 mins. I got to do a little shopping while Shawn held our place. Good thing the Stride Rite store was right there cause True NEEDED a new pair of shoes. Mallory busied herself in the play area and then stood like a statue in front of a clown making balloon animals. Yeah ... he had a little sign up that said "$2 tips" but wouldn't give out any animals without cash in hand. Mallory suckered us into two greenbacks to buy a heart shaped balloon. Tip not included.

When it was finally our turn to see Santa Truett was having none of it. He yelled, cried (or screeched as Mallory says these days) and arched his back. Wouldn't even get close. Mallory on the other hand couldn't wait to jump on the big man's lap and tell him what she wanted. A dollhouse. I hope she gets it (LOL). After Santa, we walked around the mall to ride the kiddie train and then ran up to Borders to buy a book for Mallory's school exchange. Good times.


Sorry for the fuzzy pic ... I took a picture of a picture! We came home and I started wrapping gifts for those friends and family who must be mailed away. Got almost all of them done. Maybe we will actually get them in the mail/overnight mail tomorrow (Monday). But, if I were a betting girl, I wouldn't bet on it. After that, it was time to get ready for the annual Buck holiday party. I really wanted to take a nap instead, but it had been two years since I made an appearance so it was a required event for me. We had an okay time. That's all I can say about it. I'm not sure it was worth the $20 we paid for babysitting.

This morning we slept in until 8:30a. What a treat. I even stayed in bed until 10a. An even better treat. That was where the fun stuff ended. I spent the next 9 hours picking up the house, making food for our work holiday lunch on Monday, making dinner, folding 4 loads of laundry and putting it up, etc. But, the best part of the afternoon was the art project I did with Mallory. Behold my newest talent (LOL), gingerbread architect:

While it doesn't look perfect, we had a fantastic time putting it together and deciding how to decorate it. I defnitely think this will be an annual tradition from now on. And I can only thank the powers-that-be who designed and marketed the ready-made gingerbread house!

So, off to have a bath and bed. And then we get to start another week all over again. I really need vacation.

In the presence of celebrity

On Thursday night, we went to Serendipity. Oh the deliciousness (in more ways that one!). On our way in, I looked up and saw this man coming out of the door. I instantly recoginzed him but couldn't place him. All of the girls thought I was crazy because they didn't get a good look at him. And of course, I was too chicken to pull out the iPhone and start snapping away to show them. I was content to know that I had run into a famous actor ... but would never be able to place him.

So ... Mello showed me a pic she had taken of the famous restaurant and lo and behold, she unknowingly got my "celebrity" in the frame!

It's Nestor Carbondell. He was in Suddenly Susan, Lost and was even in The Dark Knight. Yes, we were in the presence of greatness!

New York (city) state of mind

Ahhh ... as I write this I can still feel the chill of air rushing through the corridors of buildings and worming its way down my double tucked scarf. The double socks on my feet that kept me warm and toasty. And the sore muscles that come only after one walks about 60 blocks in one day. Oh the thrill of NYC!

We left on Thursday and jetted off for a four day Girls' Getaway. No husbands, no kids. Just myself, Tracy, Melody and her sister Treena. A gaggle of crazy women out for a good time. Here were are at the beginning of the trip (at about 6:30a no less):


There are so many details about the trip that I could write about ... and show you, but all of the good pictures are on Tracy and Melody's camera. Until I get all the good pics, here are a few highlights.

1. Rockefeller Center on Thursday night. Wow is all I can say.


2. Treena and Melody waiting for our table at Serendipity (yummy frozen hot chocolate). We had a celebrity sighting here ... but I can't think of his name! Tall, skinny Latino actor. I'll think of him.


3. Our hotel room and series of capers that ensued (how many rooms could we move to in one weekend?!). Damn smoke.


4. How close we sat at Wicked, my most favorite musical in the world.


5. Ice skating in Bryant Park. I only fell once (haha to Reggie!).


6. Being silly in Central Park. I can't wait to see the Charlie's Angel-inspired pic from Melody's camera.


7. Crazy Russian lady's hair at the NYC library (how did she do that Jetson do?).


I'll post more when I get pics from Mello and Tracy. Until then, I'll be dreaming I'm still in NYC with my girls.

Happy (late) Thanksgiving and what I did this weekend

Another Gobble, Gobble! day has come and gone. I managed to sufficiently stuff myself to the gills. My pants won't hardly button anymore. I think it's time to go back on Weight Watchers (really, no joke here). While our vacay to Gilmer got off to a rocky start (Shawn was sick on Tuesday) we managed to get up on Weds and hit the road.

Came home on Saturday afternoon and did five (yes, let me repeat, five) loads of laundry. My parents are smokers so we have to wash EVERYTHING when we come back home or risk smelling like an ashtray for weeks.

I got an itch on Saturday evening to start decorating for the holidays. So, my dutiful husband climbed into the attic and dropped about 20 boxes into the garage for me to peruse. It was actually fun this year because Mallory oohhhed and ahhheeedd over each and everything that came out of a box.

We started with the Christmas tree. We put on a PBS special about Glenn Miller and danced around while we put it all together. Mallory and True loved it. Shawn stayed in the other room because he's not so crazy about Glenn Miller (or Christmas, except the present part!). I wish we had a real tree ... but the fake version is just so much easier these days. To tell you how lazy I am ... it's even pre-lit. Just add ornaments and voila, you have a tree.

Still have much left to do inside the house. See that mantle with no garland? It looks so naked.

Yesterday, I didn't get motivated until around 4p. At that point, I decided it would be a good idea to put the outdoor lights up. Yes ... crazy, but it's the life I lead. Shawn had already put up the icicle lights on the eaves. He was motivated much earlier in the day than I was.

I meant to take a picture for the blog ... but I was too tired. Another day.