Ready for Christmas

The day after Thanksgiving. The day we stay in our pajama's all day long, eat leftovers, drink flavored coffee and pull out the Christmas decorations. This year is the first year that both girls took ownership in their tree. For those of you who don't know, we set up two complete Christmas trees. Mommy's tree is in the dining room, complete with glass ornaments and matching decor. The kids tree is in the basement, with a mismatch of colors, ornaments that have been bought and/or made over the years. Normally the tree has almost all of the decorations on the bottom 1/3 of the tree, but this year, they got smart, and used stools to decorate the whole tree! I was very impressed!! Each decoration we pulled out we commented..."this one is from Grandma Ringger when you were 2", "this one is from mommy last year," "this one is very special because its the first ornament you made in school" and so on. Needless to say, you don't have to guess which one is dearest to my heart. Has almost 6 years already gone by since I first had kids? Is that possible? I know Christmas isn't Christmas without Christ, but I truly believe Christmas isn't Christmas without kids.

Feast Day

Each Thanksgiving the Kindergarten (Indians) and Pilgrams (2nd Graders) celebrate Feast Day at CLS. They make their own costumes, partake of games and get to "feast" on a fun lunch of turkey, popcorn, grapes, brownies and much more. It was so fun to see these little Indians sing songs and play games for a few hours. I was thinking...next time Carlie does this, she'll be in 2nd grade...and Lucy will be an Indian!!

I Love My Family

This is the week of Thanksgiving, and I spent my weekend with my family. I am just here to tell you, I love my family. I listen to others in my life complain about their siblings, their parents, their in-laws, and you know what - I cannot relate. I am so blessed with such wonderful parents, siblings and in-laws. This weekend we spent some time together, but it wasn't enough time. I actually truly miss everybody so much when we are not together. We had our first CLS skating party, and Dustin & Emily came to help out, and Lacey came with my two incredibly beautiful nephews - I was so proud to introduce them to everybody. I just wanted to take a minute to let everybody know how much I love them and am so proud of our family. God has blessed each of us in so many ways, I just want to say - I love each and everyone of you!

Garage Sale Grandma

We were at Target last night looking for stuff for Grandma Ringger's birthday. After much looking, and many ideas, Carlie informed me, "...mom, Grandma doesn't really like new stuff, she likes more stuff from garage sales, maybe we should give her money..." Ha, that cracked me up - I think Carlie knows her Grandma well!

Can I Get Some Respect?

I get it. Being a mom you don't get much respect, but COME ON! My morning starts around 6:30a when I quickly shower and get dressed, waking Carlie up at 6:50a, so Miss Princess can "sleep in" for 10 more minutes before getting up. Then I coax her up to get dressed, brush teeth, etc. Then each morning I try to make breakfast healthy and nutritious, only to be told, "that's all you have for breakfast?" I am talking her options are: French Toast, Pancakes, Cereal, Oatmeal, Yogurt Drinks, Toaster Strudels, Toaster Swirlz, Omelet, Bagels...you name I have it for breakfast!!! After breakfast, I make sure so looks cute (which normally isn't too hard), drive her to school, only to be told she wants dropped off (I am beginning to think she is embarrassed of me). After working for 8 hours, coming home and getting dinner on the table, I am told dinner is "gross" or "not a do-over", then while getting them ready for bed, I am scolded for not getting more mouth wash, or tonight Carlie informed me that her "laundry was over flowing, when was I going to do it?" (my laundry lady took a day off on Monday..hee hee). Seriously - the girls is FAR from running out of clothes. After they are in bed, I pack lunches for the next day, unload book bags, sign papers, check homework, make sure Chapel money is in check, double check the calendar in case I forgot something for school, make dinner for the next day, and then finally my glass of wine. Sigh - again - I see many ugly teenage years ahead. And to boot - guess what the virtue is this month in Sunday School - GRATITUDE. It's almost fun doing her God time at night when I get to point out all the things she ISN'T thankful for. You know what? I should be thankful for her, shouldn't I. Good point God. If I didn't have Miss Princess, what would I do with all my free time?

Our Sweet Lucy

Okay, God fed me some humility. Tonight we went to Lucy's PT Conference, and again, Jeff and I had a hard time leaving with the GIANT heads we had due to our pride. Miss Jeanie used words like "sharing", "helping others", "so polite", "so sweet" and very good at cutting and can even write her name! Although Lucy likes her scheduled routine (who can she get this from...Aunt Lacey?), she adjusts very well to a change of routine. The only point she needed work on was going potty by herself (she needs Miss Jeannie in the restroom because she gets scared). Hey - that's understandable! Never know about those school bathroom monsters. How did I ever get blessed with two beautiful and smart girls when I was such a stinker? Oh - I can hear all of you now....they aren't teenagers yet.

Lucy's Field Trip

Recently I went on a field trip with Lucy's class. Maybe its because she is my baby, and we tend to baby her, but she was a StInKeR on that field trip! She cried often (see class picture) and continually wanted held. Miss Jeanie informs me that "this isn't the Lucy I know!" Well, Miss Jeanie, this is the Lucy when Mommy is around. I hate the thought of not attending her field trips or class events, but she honestly acts better when I am not around!! What's up with that? She did do better after I pretty much had to ignore her -- but what kind of parent is that? Oh my Lucy...I just can't figure that little princess out!

Weddings Are Fun!!

We attended the wedding of one of our neighbor's daughters tonight. Receptions were once upon a time for dressing up, drinking, dancing and stay out late....now they are about dressing up, eating a free dinner, dancing with your kids, and getting home at 8:00p - even before they cut the cake! This evening the girls learned the wonderful thing known as the "chicken dance" - luckily, mommy didn't have to do it with them (see video below). Yes, I have done the chicken dance many, many times before...but I was in a "different" state of mind you might say during those times. I knew children would change my life, but I honestly had no idea!

Type A Personality

We had Carlie's PT Conferences last night. And I walked out of there wondering how I was going to get out the doors, because my head was so big. Carlie received glowing reviews from her teacher. Not only was Carlie academically smart, but she indicated that she had a very large heart, and often times, Miss James looks to Carlie to help the others who aren't behaving, or aren't learning as fast. She even admitted sometimes she relies on Carlie a little too much. She used words like, "leader" and "artistic" and "well-behaved"...we are so proud! She even mentioned that she can really tell Carlie loves the Lord, and has a very strong faith for a 5 year old. Those last words meant more to me than any of the above. She also indicated that Carlie has a very strong "A Personality"...sheepishly, I think she gets that from me....or perhaps her Aunt Ginger...or Grandpa Ringger! Miss James could see Carlie in a teaching role some day, a leader, very creative and loves to help people. I just thank God for our little blessing every day!! I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for her!

Happy Halloween!

I hope everybody is coming off of their sugar buzzes...I know I am! So much yummy chocolate, not enough time! Grandma Barb was responsible for the adorable costumes you see above. I don't think my girls understand quite how lucky they are. For some odd reason, Lucy picked Stephanie from Lazy Town, and she actually kept the wig on longer than I expected!! Carlie was a Pink Fairy, and the costume was beautiful. While going through old costumes and reminiscing, we came across Carlie's Piglet costume, from when she was just one, and well, you know Lucy and her thing with pigs...well, she has wore that costume every day since we "re-found" it. Mind you that the legs on the costume are shorts on her, but she looks so cute in it!! How can you tell somebody that they can't wear a Piglet costume, complete with a hat with pig ears? It makes me smile just thinking about it. Hope everybody enjoyed their Halloween!! Can you believe its November already??