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December 27, 2010
Every day the same scene plays out when Jeff gets home from work. Pearl runs in for several hugs and smooches from her best friend. Cole squeals and covers his mouth with both his fists in an attempt to hide his excitement. And then the wrestling match (or sock game) begins.
But they aren't the only ones who's glad when daddy comes home!
December 26, 2010
I didn't take this picture, I admit. And it came from yesterday's finale of the Christmas celebrations.
But it was fitting because today it was Pearl's turn to be sick. Jeff said it was a Christmas wish come true to miss church... the heathen. Pearl really is one tough cookie when it comes to having a high fever and feeling miserable. I forget just how tough she is with her whining about random scratches or made-up ouchies that require a new bandaid because when it comes down to the real ouchies, she doesn't complain at all.
December 25, 2010
Ever since I posted about wanting my kids to have a magical Christmas, Jeff has asked me every single day "if it was magical." Random things, like asking me if some TV show was magical or the snowman he built or who knows what else. You get the idea.
Well, today I finally got to say it was magical!
December 24, 2010
Since Jeff's brother was too sick to come over for the family Christmas Eve get-together, Jeff and his mom decided to honor him with the traditional squirt of Reddi-whip. After waiting all day to open presents and then the excitement of opening gifts, Pearl was more than hyper at this point. She laughed and laughed at herself. I think Uncle Roy would be mighty proud to see his rambunctious shinanagans carried on in his absence.
December 23, 2010
I took a few days off from work to spend time with my kids enjoying the Christmas spirit. You know, baking goodies, wrapping presents, staring at the tree in wonderment, reading Christmas books, and just enjoying the time together. What we ended up doing was trying to comfort a sick baby for three days. Three long, sleepless days. I've never seen Cole so sick before. He pretty much screamed for three days straight. Diagnosis? A slight ear infection which was secondary to some nasty virus that just had to run its course. Why does it always happen during the holidays?
December 22, 2010
Some friends brought over a plate of goodies a few days ago and today I finally gave in and let Pearl pick something to eat after lunch. As she started munching off our gingerbread man's head off, she told me, "I wish he could talk."
I couldn't help but giggle. That kid cracks me up!
December 21, 2010
Cole is definitely all boy.
He loves balls. (And yes, both kinds if you were wondering what I meant.... someone please tell me little boys out grow the touching, playing, and grabbing down there!)
Seriously, though the kid has quite the arm. He throws a lot farther (and straighter) than his mom or sister. I'm thinking a future in baseball is coming our way.
December 20, 2010
Our neighbors came over with a surprise for Pearl and Cole tonight. It was a new Christmas book, "The Night Before Christmas." But not just any book. One that you can record yourself reading each page so there's no actual reading involved, just listening. David and Vickie each took a turn recording a page and even personalized the story by inserting Pearl and Cole's names.
It was awesome and Pearl loved it. She's been listening to it non-stop ever since. Every time the story talks about Santa's nose like a cherry, she repeats the line and giggles to herself. And with the number of times she's listened to it, I wouldn't be surprised if she's got the whole poem memorized by Christmas.
December 19, 2010
No wonder we're always late to church.
December 18, 2010
Jeff continues to surprise and amaze me. Tonight, after a long day of being cooped up in the house, he trudged outside with Pearl to get the wiggles out and build her first snowman. She was quite excited about the idea. Until she realized there would be work involved in rolling the snow into gigantic balls, then molding them together, and finding some pretty poor accessories for eyes (two pears I colored black with a magic marker), arms (lacrosse stick), a nose (baby carrot), and mouth (licorice rope with two toothpicks to hold it on his face). Oh and the hat (a big, black bucket).
Let's just say that Frosty is really Jeff's snowman. Pearl was too busy playing on her swings to finish helping her dad. She was however, very, very upset the next day when she saw the rain had melted him. So upset that she told us we needed to go to the Logan Temple and ask Jesus why He didn't want it to snow so we could fix Frosty.
December 17, 2010
Tonight was the Ward Family Christmas Party. As part of the committee in charge of tonight's festivities, we were there early and stayed late.
We had a "Christmas in the Morning" theme. The kids (and a few adults) wore their jammies. We ate Christmas/breakfast casseroles, cinnamon rolls, and fruit salads. And not to be mean, but my casserole really did look the best. Plus it was the only one that didn't have sausage in it... I'm more of a ham-kind-of-girl myself. We had a visit from Santa. And we made gingerbread houses. Well, graham cracker houses. It was quite ingenious on my part I thought - to pre-assemble kits in giant Ziplock bags complete with candy, frosting, and graham crackers. Ok, so it was more that I refused to make actual gingerbread then assemble 50 houses at home prior to the party, which was the original plan. I was actually quite surprised to hear how many people there had never made a gingerbread house before. Jeff included.
Of course, you'd never know this was Jeff's first time he had assembled a gingerbread house after seeing his "apartment complex" and NOT an outhouse as everyone kept calling it. We were, as Jeff dubbed it, "slum Lords" with a two story building complete with a fancy tinfoil roof and two cars. Even thought Jeff disagreed with me, I insisted we bring this masterpiece home. We'll see how long it lasts before someone smashes, eats, or drops it.
December 16, 2010
The anticipation was almost unbearable for all the kids in Pearl's daycare this last week. They all knew a special visitor was coming on Thursday afternoon.
The REAL Santa Claus.
Seriously, he's the real thing. That is his REAL beard. He has a REAL ranch with reindeer, well technically caribou, in Alaska. He has a REAL sleigh. His suit is the most authentic I've ever seen. And he has a REAL sparkle in his eye.
And for the first time in three years, Pearl didn't scream, cry, or refuse to sit on his lap. Although she still had to have one of us right next to her. It must be the magic of Christmas. That or the fact that Santa had brought her a present. Which for the record, were pink snow pants. Snow pants that I didn't want Santa to bring for fear that Pearl was going to be crushed that she was the only kid in her class who didn't get a toy. But Jeff was right... Pearl immediately stripped down and wore them the rest of evening. And this morning I found she had gotten dressed all by herself... wearing those pink snow pants.
December 15, 2010
Thanks to Shutterfly, we are sending out our first official Christmas cards. Well, we usually go with the email update but this is the first year we have an actual card. Granted, most of you will probably just trash them but after reading this post by a photography friend, I decided we were sending the real deal this year. Jeff was a bit upset that I picked a card design with the year on it... he wanted to save half of them for next year. Funny. The only problem with mailing actual cards is that stamps are a lot more expensive than the pdf letter. And Shutterfly hasn't figured out how to find all your addresses for me yet.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
December 14, 2010
Jeff is awesome... he signs us all up for Baskin Robbins birthday club. Which means on our half-birthdays, we get a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream. Luckily for us, Pearl has to have her parents go with her to get her half-birthday treat which means we also get a delicious scoop. Yummm.
December 13, 2010
Any guesses as to what Pearl has come up with now?
I'll give you a hint. It involves sticking your little bum at your mom while saying, "Pssssssst!"
Give up?
Here's your final clue. After doing the above actions, you tell your mom, "Now you're stinky!"
A skunk. Pearl was impersonating a skunk. Seriously, where did she come up with this? Part of me laughed hysterically. The other half bowed in shame thinking where on earth did she come up with this?
After spraying her teacher, Ms. Sara, the next day because she didn't let her do something she wanted to, Pearl finally confessed that she had learned about being a skunk from Curious George. Apparently we will now be banning PBS Kids at our house.
December 12, 2010
I know what you're all thinking... has Jenny completely lost it?
Almost.
I ironed five of Jeff's work shirts, without him begging and pleading with me to do so out of embarrassment because they are so wrinkly. Jeff, in fact, told me I didn't have to iron them. But they were really wrinkly.
Then if that isn't enough, I sewed a missing button on one of them which had been patiently sitting in our room for weeks. Then, I reorganized the man's closet so all his long sleeved shirts were together and all his short sleeve shirts were together (color coded too). THEN, I got him a bowl of ice cream.
What in the world has gotten into me?
December 11, 2010
Here we are at yet another USU basketball game. I swear we're the only people crazy enough to actually consider buying a "winter home" in Logan. It's freezing up there!
Cole did amazingly well at the game, much better than his first basketball game. I actually got to watch all but the last six minutes or so thanks to a licorice rope he found fun to chew on. Fun date with my two favorite guys!
December 10, 2010
My oh my! I know, I can't believe these are my kids either.
Seriously. Wow.
My uncle who owns a photography business, Robert Dyer Photography, had a great deal on kids' pictures so we took him up on the offer. No appointment needed, no session fee, and a package of awesome photos. And if you hurry, you can still capture your spunky, little girl's "I'm being shy" picture with gorgeous almond-shaped hazel eyes and your baby boy's toothless, slobbering grin and sparkling blue eyes too! Check the deal out here. The hardest part about it, well besides getting your kids to take a great shot TOGETHER or having meltdowns because they are hungry and tired, is deciding which pictures to pick!
December 9, 2010
Remember when I mentioned that up until this year, Jeff and I would argue about how all the pieces in the Nativity should be facing? Jeff wanted everything facing the baby Jesus and I wanted them to "look nice" which means some face outward? Well, I noticed tonight that my other nativity had been moved. The wisemen were all turned around and the donkey and sheep were practically kissing baby Jesus. I immediately accused Jeff of such doing. He didn't touch them. So we both asked Pearl if she had done it. She said "yes" with this innocent, yet worried that she was going to get in trouble, little voice. It broke my heart. We told her we were so proud that she had done that which brought a happy, sweet smile to her face. Jeff said if he had been there he'd want to be looking at baby Jesus too. I couldn't help but hold back a few tears at the thought of why Pearl had moved my nativity around. Under all that spunk is a really tender spirit.
December 8, 2010
I thought it was going to be Pearl who I'd have to keep my eye on with the presents... like last year... but apparently I was wrong.
Cole rolled and wiggled his way over to the new pile of presents I spent two hours wrapping last night and almost ripped one right open. He slobbered all over it and almost used it to pull himself up to standing position too. Luckily, his big sister was there to tattle on him before irreparable damage had been done.
December 7, 2010
Jeff took Pearl to the USU basketball game tonight. She was so excited! The first thing she yammered to me about this morning was how she needed to wear her Logan shirt, just like daddy. Then when we got home she just about lost it waiting for her best friend. She jabbered on and on about all the things Jeff was going to buy her at the game... popcorn being the prize pick (if you know Pearl, that shouldn't surprise you in the least). I asked her if she had any money to buy some popcorn at which point she ran off to her room shouting, "I do Mom! I have a dollar! I have monies!"
Later, as I was rocking out to my Celine Dion Christmas CD (it's the only time I get to listen to Christmas music without the wailing from Pearl or Jeff) and wrapping presents (all but one, yes, one gift is wrapped... go me!), I got a text from Jeff saying he had spent $30 and had only watched 3 minutes of the game. I laughed. Apparently Pearl's dollar wasn't quite enough for their daddy-daughter date.
December 6, 2010
I almost can't believe it but we finally got text messaging on our cellphones. Neither of us wanted to fork over the extra $20 for texting. Sure we got made fun of, missed out on a few things and pictures because EVERYONE has texting apparently but we held firm. Until today.
I almost fell over dead when I saw a text message from Jeff on my phone. To which my first ever text back was "r u sure about this?" Jeff said we were on a "trial" basis to see how much we, really meaning I, used it. Because our current plan is as old as the dinosaurs, the best we could get was 250 texts a month. Well, once I sent my sister a text message - to which she replied "Holy crap!" - the rest was history and I'm afraid Jeff will be upping our plan to unlimited texts shortly.
I feel so cool now. Just don't text me and tell me how cool I am now because I think I've hit my limit for the month already!
December 5, 2010
Remember when you were a kid and couldn't wait to use up all the wrapping paper so you had a cardboard tube to play with? Ok, so more like beat your siblings with until they or the tube was smashed beyond recognition?
Well, after eight years we FINALLY used up some of our Christmas wrapping paper. I guess we need to buy bigger presents. I frantically wrapped some presents this afternoon while Cole was napping. Pearl was my helper until I unwound the last of the paper at which point she abandoned her wrapping duties to play with the tubes. The next thing I know, she's got them shoved up her arms and is trying to pick stuff up with her new hands. It was pretty funny to watch. Then she instinctively, like all kids do, began beating on her dad who was trying to nap on the couch. This followed beating me then getting yelled at to watch out for her brother and finally, having her dad smack her butt with the tubes as she giggled and screamed at us in delight. I'm not quite sure where those weapons are now but I do know it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas under our tree!
December 4, 2010
Pearl doesn't quite grasp the idea of our advent calendar. The only thing that matters to her is that she gets a piece of chocolate after dinner. I admit, this has come in handy to get her to eat ALL of her dinner but am dreading December 25 when the nightly sugar rush stops.
When my sister and I made these last year, I figured I'd stick in some M&Ms for our treat. That way all of us would get a piece of chocolate. However, the request both years has been Dove chocolates... two of which fit perfectly in my muffin tin advent calendar. One for Pearl and one for Jeff. Which sort of leaves Cole and me out. And Pearl knows it.
Tonight she told me, "It's a Daddy-Pearl thing. NOT a Mommy-Cole thing." Apparently I will be making another advent calendar next year.
December 3, 2010
This picture is super blurry but it documents that we did something festive as a family this holiday season. "The girls" from Jeff's work headed downtown tonight for dinner and a walk around Temple Square to see the lights. Thankfully it wasn't as freezing cold as it has been the past week. I'm pretty sure Cole stayed the warmest of everyone in our group seeing as how he was stuffed inside my coat with a hat, coat, and blanket wrapped around him. It was perfect for me too - well, minus the fact that neither Cole or I have mittens on - because I was warm as could be myself. He hung on to the bitter end, finally falling asleep when we were walking back to the car. Pearl was pretty interested with the big Nativity scene and program which made me think she just might be listening to me after all. Of course Santa is still the big draw at Christmastime but at least she finds the nativity story exciting.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed with the lights this year. It seems like in years past there were gigantic trees in red lights right next to the temple. Budget cuts?
Oh, and sorry Kimmy if the missionaries call you! But they were so nice and Pearl said she wanted to give the pass-along-card to her Aunt. I always feel immensely guilty if I don't tell them SOMEONE to call!
December 2, 2010
I'm on the Activities Committee as part of my churchly duties. Basically a fancy title for chair-setter-upper and poster-maker-so-everyone-knows-when-and-where-to-show-up. But I'm not complaining... ok, so I do complain. But in addition to my poster-making duties that I am usually assigned, tonight I was asked to pick up 200 rolls for our Adult-only Christmas party because I have a Costco account. Don't get me started on the Adult-only thing!
Ever since "the incident" that Jeff and Pearl had at Costco in October (imagine a toddler running off not once but I believe twice and then proceeding to throw a hellatious fit), we all dread going to Costco. When I told Pearl we had to go their on our way home from work, she immediately told me she wasn't going to scream and she was going to sit in the cart. Yes, "the incident" was THAT bad.
Well, she stuck to her word. Not a single complaint came out of her mouth when I refused to go down the isle loaded with toys or wander the store looking for free food handouts to her liking. And she was pumped to get to sit in the cart next to Cole... although this picture doesn't show her excitement or Cole's awe at all the people in the store. But it was the best in the bunch with both kids looking somewhat in my direction.
If only errands could go this smoothly every time.
December 1, 2010
When a friend at work asked me how I handled working with kids, my honest reply was that I have to pretend I don't have kids. It sounds horrible I know, but it's the only way I get through the day sometimes. If I sat at my desk and thought about these two cuties all day I'd go crazy or end up in tears. Most likely the latter. Today I really missed my kids. More so than usual. It nearly broke my heart to leave Cole after I went down and fed him. He is getting old enough to know his mamma isn't there anymore and he just had this look in his eyes like he was pleading with me to not leave. But with little faces like these, can you blame me for not wanting to be without them?
November 30, 2010
Cole sure loves bath time. And so does mommy and daddy because that means bedtime is just around the corner!
November 29, 2010
We had a lot of snow last night. But I didn't realize how deep it was until I got to work.
Rumor has it someone ticked off the snowplow guy so he left. Without plowing the parking lot... well, just the parking lot the daycare uses. The one parents lug two kids, a lunchbox, blankets, baby food, and a stuffed animal through... not that I would know or anything.
When I got there I didn't think it was THAT deep. Apparently I need my eyes checked because when I stepped out of the truck I had snow up to my knee. I should have just gotten back in and gone home (the furnace wasn't working either so I worked with my gloves and coat on all day). But instead I lugged two kids and all the previously mentioned crap into work. Did I mention Pearl fell in the snow and was freaking out too? It was loads of fun. Thank heavens I didn't wear heels today.
December 27, 2010
