Ocean Commotion

Today we ventured to the Seacoast Science Center for Ocean Commotion, a morning activity where we made sock puppets, Joel Andrew whined, touched a shark (a cute little tiny shark), and baby James puked on Mommy.  It was awesome.  The only thing that made me feel better was when I saw the Mom with slightly older than Joel twins, pleading with her daughter to stop whining, while her son was standing there happy as can be with pee down his pants.  See, I am not alone.

Other than that, the class was nice.  It was very similar to the Big Fish Little Fish class Joel Andrew and I did this summer, but it was obviously indoors.  Same teacher.  Same, start with a song, have an activity, read a book, play a game, sing the song type of thing.  For some reason Joel Andrew turns into a monster in this sort of environment though.  He becomes a combination of shy disobedient.  He will not yell or scream or take the attention of the class, thankfully.  But he will run to the side and not pay attention at all.  I was surprised the one time he did pay attention, to pet the shark.  He and I both enjoyed that one.

The timing was tough though - 9am, and 35 minutes from our house.  Luckily Baby James transferred his nap from the car to the crib, or else Mommy would have surely lost it.

It was a tough day for us all around. Right now Baby James is whining in his exersaucer, while Joel Andrew is fighting a nap.  Then what are we going to do?  Joel Husband goes to Canada tomorrow...  I guess I should be glad that they are both going into daycare and I will be going back to work at the end of March...  Hooray?!

Quick and Somewhat Delicious Dinners

Just to keep up with my new year's resolutions, I thought I would share a few additional dinners we have added to our plate.  Ha, ha.

Pulled Pork
You can make this healthier by making your own BBQ sauce, adding chicken broth (that seems to be Weight Watchers answer for everything), and using Pork Shoulder (although I still used pork butt).  Put with sauce in crock pot over low heat for 8 hours, and delicious pulled pork awaits.  Minimal time by you.  Kids may not eat the pulled pork per se, but you can make quick quesadillas out of the whole wheat tortillas and cheese you have to go with the pulled pork.  Serve with avocado and sliced peppers and everyone is happy!

Piergoies
This is kind of cheating, since I already knew how awesome this is.  Frozen piergoies, sauteed with a little bit of butter an olive oil are a suprisingly low weight watchers point treat.  Serve with heated up turkey kielbasa and you have a healthy and complete dinner.  The kids love it.  (just look at the kielbasa as another version of hot dog and they will eat it).

Baked Chicken
A huge Weight Watchers fav, 4 points per breast and super easy to make.  Just put chicken breasts, trimmed, in a baking dish.  Add whatever fresh or dried herbs you like and pour chicken broth to the top of the breasts.  Cook until done (about 15 minutes).  Easy, simple.  Serve with whatever side you like (I like Quinoa) and steamed broccoli.  Lots of variations, juicy chicken.  Add white wine to be sassy, or sliced jalapenos to be spicy.

Steak Tips, drew style
I buy the kind that are not yet marinated, cut them up and make my own WW approved marinade of worcesterchire sauce, garlic, italian seasoning and a bit of olive oil.  Then I brown them, and finish them off in a low oven.  (depending on how you like your meat cooked you leave them in the oven).  Yum.  Similarly, we do the same for Flank Steak which is also a big hit in my house.

Lasagna
The easiest, WW friendly lasagna.  Take a box of barilla no-cook lasagna noodles.  Follow the package directions BUT - use Jimmy Dean already cooked turkey sausage; use part-skim ricotta, and part-skim mozzarella.  Add italian seasoning to the ricotta mixture.  And, just use 2 Pomi crushed tomatoes from the box in place of jar sauce (I have a particular aversion to jar sauce).  Throw it all together, so easy, no cooking of anything in advance and you have lasagna.  Make it the night before and leave it in the fridge. I make it to take up to Sunday River, as soon as we get there oven on and 1 hour later delicious dinner.

All of these things can be made in the time my husband gets home from work to dinner time (when he takes the kids and I have a glass of wine!).  Yum!  Let me know if you have any more ideas!

Museum of Science, Boston (again)

We have been busy!  Read down to not miss a moment (plus I think what I wrote about the Movie Store was pretty funny, I am still in disbelief).  Today we went to the Museum of Science, Boston - I used my Association of Science/Children's Museum card to get us in!  (I currently am at $120 cost/ $70 received).  Did you know it is $22 for an adult to get in there, and $19 for a child over 3 (Joel Andrew was free this time)?  I can't imagine how families can afford this!  And, parking to boot!

Well, I think we figured it out.  Everyone who goes there goes on school trip.  The place is overrun with school groups, who have no concern if you are trying to sift through their crowd with a baby on one arm, a toddler running around and a stroller to push through.  I actually pulled a Hedy (my mother) and found a staff member and told them I would not be coming here again.  The staff member explained that they do have school groups almost every week day, and school vacation weeks are also bad as they offer 1/2 price or free days.  She suggested Sunday mornings, before noon - and swears the place is a ghost town then.  Funny, I work very hard to stay away from public places on the weekends, but she maybe right.  I wonder if this trick would also work for the aquarium.

We met friends Milly and Milly's Mom Amy there as well, and Joel Andrew was having a great time.  He was building things, asking questions, seemed very interested in everything there was to offer.  He kept reminding me he wanted to see the dinosaurs.  When we were in the elevator to go to see where the eggs hatch - a staff member (not the one I yelled at) - asked him where he was going and to my surprise he said: "to see the baby chicks!"  I hadn't really described it too him that much. I couldn't believe he got all that.

Here is the scariest part for me.  All day he kept saying he wanted to see the three dinosaurs. When we were walking towards the wing with the dinosaurs, he was pointing and leading the way.  So much so I made sure he went out in front and I just followed him.  He has only been to this Museum once before, and that was 6 months ago.  What a smartie!  He knew right where they were and pointed up at the big T-Rex as soon as we got there.  And, to my surprise, there were 3 right there.  I had forgotten, he remembered.  I am a little freaked out.  Maybe he has that Mary Tyler Moore thing.  Is that the right person I am thinking of?  Who remembers everything?

When school groups weren't running the place, we did get to tinker with some of the other exhibits.  Most of it was just pushing buttons but some of it was learning too.  He loved to see his shadow and look at the reflections in the light room; touch the ball in the electricity room; and of course climb in and out and in and out of the "space shuttle."

Baby James had a great time as well.  We did start the day in the Discovery Center, so he had ample time to crawl and cruise around.  I think he was just so fascinated by all of the people as well.  We all enjoyed the Gecko exhibit (Joel Andrew wants one).  When asked what was his favorite, it was the space shuttle.  But now a few hours later all he continues to talk about is the dinosaurs!

Movie Store

Today I took Joel Andrew to the movie store - it was my first time taking him though Joel Husband has done it a ton.  We went to see Beauty and the Beast, in 2D.

I highly recommend going to the AMC Theater in Danvers.  This is a part of the Liberty Tree Mall.  You can go early and take your kid to Buffalo Wild Wings, or Panera, and then to Mall Tots (great play space for $8 a child, your kiddo can go in the smallish slide area, the two bouncy houses, or run in their large arena with kiddo-sports equipment.  There is also every "car" known to man there).  Then you can stroll to the theater, and show up just as the movie is starting (which is about 30 minutes after the published start time thanks to the 8,000,000 previews).

We steal a "booster seat" for kiddos which is right by the entrance to your movie; we bring a sippy of juice (and should have also purchased an extra water or juice too), and buy a popcorn.  Joel Andrew is very entertained.  He did get a little bored at one point, but I looked around and most of the other toddlers were also standing on their parents or the chairs.  I think Beauty and the Beast maybe a little too old-school, can you believe it?  Kids are used to the fast-flying Pixar animation!

Go to an early film and that way you are guaranteed to be surrounded by other parents with toddlers too. This way we all laugh when one continues to shout out a funny line from Gaston.  In the end, Joel Andrew said he loved Beauty and the Beast - but I know his favorite part was the Be Our Guest song (mine too).

So, I had to go to the bathroom on our way out.  I did my usual, locking Joel Andrew in the handicapped stall with me and repeating: "Do not touch anything" over and over again until I am done.  Today he replied to me: "Can I touch the floor?" And I said, "Do not touch anything."  Then he replies "Can I touch the air?" - I soon realize he is actually repeating a scene from our fav at home movie - Despicable Me.  I look at him in amazement, first of all how does he remember this?  - he does not even look phased.  Does he know what he is doing?  I laughed and told him he could touch the air.

Cut to us in the front of the bathroom, while I wash my hands.  Same routine with the do not touch.  Joel Andrew asks to touch the floor, and just like Gru says in Despicable Me, I reply yes (to mean that your feet are obviously touching the floor).  Joel Andrew bends down and touches the floor with his hands.  Perhaps he really did not know...

Disney on Ice

This weekend we went to Disney on Ice with Maddy and her parents.  We paid a boatload, but had seats right on the rink.  We left our littles at home (ours with a sitter), so it was time to put all of our attention to the bigs, and for Mommy and Daddy to relax a bit too (life is so much easier with one, and with one that is mobile and understands what you are saying to boot!).

As per usual, Joel Andrew had a great time.  He was very into the whole thing.  He was super-psyched when Mickey came out, so much so that when other characters came out from stories he is not too familiar with, he kept saying: "where is Mickey?"  But, popcorn in hand and right on the rink, he got over that pretty quickly and paid attention the entire time.

Maddy also had an awesome time.  She is a little shy in this photo, but she was smiling away, as opposed to Joel, who has the most serious look on his face throughout the whole performance.  There was a whole segment devoted to Princesses, which he was none too familiar with, but he still enjoyed it just the same.  I think he likes the pretty ladies.

He even got to slap Mickey 5!  The price of the tickets was so ridiculous, we could have flown to Orlando - but it was worth it, to get to shake hands with all the characters at the end.  I keep thinking at things like this though that this is where the kids go who don't get to go to Disney World!  The show was put on by the same people who did the Circus, so we were suckered into buying a few t-shirts again.  But all in all a great time was had by all.

Afterwards, the responsible parents that we are took our kids to a bar (Jillian's).  It was nice to have a few beers and relax until Joel Andrew toppled out of his chair and got a huge goose-egg on his head.  But sure enough my tough man bounced right back and was having a great time for the rest of the meal.  Glad we made it out on that snowy day!

Snow Fun?

Today we tried to get out and have a little fun in the snow. It started out simple enough, it took about 90 minutes to get all of the snow gear on everyone.  I made the mistake of putting Baby James in first, to which he immediately got cranky, or too hot, while he waited for Joel Andrew and I to get ready.  Either that, or he doesn't really like the snow, because come to think of it he just pretty much cried the entire outing, except for one happy moment.

 We got out there, and I had them calm, but then James fell out of the sled.  Clearly Mommy was a little too excited about the photo op, and not paying attention to the fact that the sled from 1979 was not equipped to hold a toddler and baby.  Poor Baby James, but he mustered through it, after a while.  Joel Andrew was none to happy either to be moved out of the sled.  See above and below for the next wonderful five minutes.  Ah yes, it is times like these that make being a stay at home mom all worth it...

After screaming ended, we began to have a bit of fun.  The dogs were romping, Joel Andrew and I were trying to make snowmen, Baby James was chillin' in the sled, warm and dry - but a little bruised.  Highlight of our trip out, really.  This makes the twenty minutes of getting ready all worth it!

We were throwing snow at Angus, which was all fun until Joel Andrew realized he could also throw snow at his brother.  James loved it until the shot below, when Joel Andrew threw snow at James' back, which then was caught in between his hat and his snowsuit, proceeding to trickle all the way down his onesie and onto the skin of his back.  Falling on the driveway from a sled my boy can take, but cold snow on naked skin... Not having that at all!  So, we went inside.

That took 6 minutes.  20 minutes to get ready for 6 minutes, which included an injury, a few tantrums, and only a moment of fun.  Then there was another 10 minutes of stripping down, of calming big Baby James, and then 10 minutes more of hot chocolate time fun.  That part was actually a joy.  I hope the outside thing gets easier because I might just skip it otherwise and just make hot chocolate...  We would all be 8,000 pounds though.

Moral of the story, I am trying to keep them occupied when it is all three of us at home, and not watch TV all the time.  But perhaps I should not also catch the "kodak moments."  It is a lot of work just doing an activity.  I wonder if I should leave the outdoor play to school...

This guy totally forgot about the driveway and the snow down his back and he is all set.  Even though it does look like an iron fell on his head...

Sick

We have been sick. James has croup and an ear infection and Joel Andrew's eczema has been flaring up big time, and he has an ear infection as well. I have to say that James is tougher than I thought, as he made no sign of his ear bothering him, until now - after we have given him the medicine.
Other than that, the usual. We went skiing again, and this time Joel Andrew went up a lift. I wish Daddy would write about this.
I am trying to resurrect my old Mommy group on Facebook, and plan some events. I feel in a funk lately and like we have not got out enough at all. Maybe it is just wintertime, but can you even call this winter a winter? No snow on the ground, and sometimes very mild temperatures. At least in normal winters you can get out and go sledding!
Here is hoping for some more activity!

A Few Degrees

You have heard of six degrees of separation? Pretty much everyone on the planet is connected through each other. Two degrees away from James and I sits a 9 -1/2 month old boy. He lives in the next town over and has had a very similar life to James in many ways. We most likely met him in a play date over the summer or fall, but I am a flake and I do not really remember. But I am sure after today I will not forget about him.

Yesterday his Mommy died. And I am sad to think what the little boy will do without her. I know she loved him, and I know he depended on her. He will not remember her, he will have some pictures. Someone from the family will no doubt end up raising this boy, but will it be the way his mother had wanted?

I am sad. It was a sad and tragic situation in which she passed, which will make it even harder for this boy as he grows up and learns more about her. I hope he can look past it and know that his Mom loved him. I hope that if he does stay in town, one day he and James will be in class together, and he will be happy. At the very least we should all take from this situation that it is a blessing to be with our children, to see them grow, to be the ones that raise them.

This morning, when I could not take my toddler saying the same thing for the 15th time, while changing my baby's blowout that was all over the carpet, while being exhausted because he woke me up at 5, while wishing my husband would get home from his business trip, I did not have this perspective. No matter how bad the day is, no matter how terrible it all feels, it will pass, there is help and the reward will be to see your kids grow. I am so sad for this woman that she has missed out on that opportunity. But most of all, I am very sad for this little boy.

Oh, Canada

Husband is now back to frequently traveling out of the country for work. I should probably note this is a slight exaggeration, as he just hops on up to Canada and not Japan, but I will take "Oh, poor you, at home all alone with the kids" as much as I can get it.

I can't complain, Joel Andrew goes to school three days a week which really helps with the single parent time. I am pretty sure I would go stark raving mad (is that the term?) if I was home alone with the kids for three days and nights straight. God bless the Moms and Dads who do it alone while their spouses are at war for months on end. Not even taking into account the whole they are at war thing, just thinking of the time that they have to be a single parent. And then, there are the single parents. Wow.
Anyway, less about my incompetencies and more to - what do we do? Well, on the one hand it is kind of nice. I can make what I want for dinner (and generally make Joel Andrew grilled cheese). I can watch what I want for TV at night. So, that works out.

But the big bummers include, I get terrified at night all alone in the house and put the alarm on. Which inevitably I forget is on and I set off when I go to let the dogs out the next morning, thus waking the children and then starting the day off awesome. I do not enjoy a glass of wine, as I should after a long day. It is just me in the house now, and god forbid anything happen I do not want to be labeled as the parent that drank all alone while her two young children were sleeping.

Additionally, there is no one to fall back on with help, and no one to watch the kids when I make dinner. Currently, when Joel Husband gets home from work he whisks the kids away and plays with them for a 1/2 hour while I make dinner. I love this 1/2 hour. I pour a glass of wine (because there is another responsible parent in the house), put on my tv, and cook. The whole family wins, a nice home cooked meal, and a calmer and recharged Mommy.
When Joel Husband went to Canada almost every week back when I was still pregnant with James, Joel Andrew and I got into a routine of sorts. But I still thought I should change the name of my blog to "waiting for bedtime."

But, since it looks like travel for work is back in our life, and although it won't be every week like last time, the kids and I should get a new groove.
And, just a note to say I am trying to keep up with my new years resolutions - Joel Andrew made Ama and Nana their birthday presents this year - I can't wait to post the final picture (an idea I got from Pinterest) - must wait until after Nana's birthday in February though. Joel Husband saw it and instead of saying "Wow, that is awesome," or "My Mom is going to love it," - he said: "You have too much time on your hands." I guess that is a compliment? I am achieving my goal of becoming a more crafty Mom?
And look, forever in print (if not forever on the blog since I have a feeling one day the blogs will either erase our posts or start charging us for space) - my blogs. Already separated into two books! I just copied and pasted them into word (I did not include the photos because that was a formatting nightmare, plus we have many photo books we can peruse simultaneously if you are really into it). I printed them out onto nice, heavier stock paper, and had them hardcover bound at Staples for $8.95. Total cost per book, probably 1-1/2 hours of work and $12. Nice!

Sunday River

This weekend we went up to our condo at Sunday River, in Maine with Auntie Jennie and Uncle Jeremy. I still cannot get over how much work it all was. There was so much to pack, so much to bring, so much to prepare for. We needed to share rooms with kids, so sleep is at a minimum. My favorite (sarcastic) part of the weekend is when I unpacked the kids room and just as I was finishing Joel Husband told me I did it wrong and I should move everything around again. Happy weekend.
It wasn't all that bad, we did have a good time. We figured out how to corral Baby James into an area with lots of toys to keep him busy and out of trouble. Before we figured this out, however, he had eaten soot, almost hit his head on the fireplace bricks, grabbed at wires, and almost had a kitchen chair fall on him. That was in a span of five minutes.
Joel Andrew did a great job skiing. We bribed him with Gummy Bears, which if you ask him, is his favorite part of skiing. It was beautiful out, and only about 35 degrees, so he was not cold. We walked him up the bunny hill and just kept going down. Mommy wore skis too so that he did not feel like odd man out. The less we helped him, the better he did. If he sensed you there, he would lean back and fall. So - the "leash" thing was quite a blessing the next day. We could guide him and follow him and keep him safe, but he didn't depend on us as much. When he was skiing down like this, he was a pro. Sadly he didn't enjoy it as much though, he was a little scared...
We bought him a helmet and the next time we go we will be trying him on the lift. Joel Husband wants to go next weekend, but I think I need a lot of time off. He is not the one planning the meals, packing, doing the laundry, buying the groceries, organizing where everything will go, making sure we have every last thing that we need from baby socks to spoons to sippys to toddler ski stuff to stuffed animals to gloves. It is a lot of work...

Baby James Morris, 8 Months Old

Ok, so I am posting this a few days shy of his 8 month birthday, but it is fitting - because the kid is a bit ahead of most things. This all goes along with my original story that he should have been born two weeks sooner. He really should have. I basically had a one month old ripped out of my tummy.

Anyways, that was almost 8 months ago, time to get over it already.
Baby James Morris is awesome. He is funny, smart, kind and a little bit of a devil. He continues to be just enthralled by his brother. Big brother Joel Andrew can do no wrong and is mesmerizing. Joel Andrew loves him right back and I am hoping - thinking that they will be good buddies. I know, I know, they will fight (we have already witnessed the starts of this when Joel Andrew continuously takes away ANY toy James has in his hands...) but I hope they will always make up and be good friends, not just brothers.

James is quick, he is attracted to danger like no other, and he is well - a big, BIG, baby. I know, he is a baby - but he really is a big baby. If he even slightly bumps his head, if you put a shirt on him and it takes longer than 1 second, and worst of all - if a tooth dare try to poke through, he is in hysterics. Big, BIG, baby. Only with physical "pain," which I say in quotation marks, because the big baby can't stand a tap... I do not see this changing anytime soon. I think we will be nursing every last boo boo forever. He must have gotten this from his Dad, while Joel Andrew got his toughness from his Mom.

The big baby thing is unfortunately combined with the attraction to danger thing. Ironic, because my other son who could take a punch (form of expression here) is a bit timid when it comes to trying something new. Baby James sees an open door and run-crawls to it. Just learning how to cruise? Sure, I will lean two feet too wide from the couch to the coffee table and see if it will work... He will play with anything, and anything, anything seems to be edible at this point.

I can just picture it now. The two of them on top of the leaps (Frye's Leap on Sebago Lake, big jump into the lake, very scary - I will not allow it or be there to see it but it is inevitable it will happen whether I like it or not). Joel Andrew will be crying at the top. "Pa, I am not sure" he will scream down to Pa and Uncle Jeremy in the boat. Meanwhile, Daddy will be at the top just trying to hold Baby James back from jumping and trying to make him understand that he needs to run out and then jump down. Joel Andrew will eventually jump in the water, and be fine - think it was the time of his life: "Pa, let's do it again, one more... last time!" James Morris will jump. He will come up to the surface crying. Everything hurt hitting the water. He will be fine, not a scratch, but he will cry. Then, after he is calmed down, he will want to do it again.
Getting back to my 8 month old at hand, above all- James Morris is sweet, and not shy at all. He is the star of the supermarket, or any outing really. We were getting Mommy Thai take-out the other day and the ladies grabbed him from me and brought him behind the counter, offering him noodles. Mr. Not Scared was super excited to be with those ladies, I could have walked out. He is very easy going, and will play with toys you put in front of him for hours (just watch out, because if something is more interesting in his line of view, he will go for that instead).

He is crawling, climbing, standing, and in the beginning stages of cruising. He crawls like a champ and can make it across the room in no time. Not even 8 months old. Crazy. He eats like a champ too, and is indifferent whether you feed him from the spoon, or if he feeds himself, as long as it is getting down. So far his favs include shredded cheese, mushy pear, and hummus and pita.

He is a delight to be around and I can't wait to see him grow more and more. I am just not looking forward to the next tooth that comes in, as that turns my baby inside out (see sleeping posts below).

Here's to you, Baby James!

Eating

Last night we tried out a new family go-to dinner. It was sort of a success.

My toddler has not eaten meat willingly in a few months. He is generally a big eater, but something happened around Halloween and he is totally turned off to meat. Whether it be hot dogs, hamburger meat, meat sauce, etc. The only exception - Chicken Nuggets.

My family is particularly challenging. Husband does not like anything "weird" Toddler does not eat meat now and is starting to not like anything "weird." And, I have a Baby who wants to eat everything, but because he is only 8 months old I need to keep it simple, but at least let him try some new tastes. I like to eat everything, and miss eating things like fish, other veggies besides green beans, cucumbers and peppers, things with flavors like curry, etc. The way I formerly dealt with this was just to make two separate dinners, one for my husband and one for me. This turned into three separate dinners when Joel Andrew started to become difficult, and now four with the baby? I do not think so. I need to get back to one dinner, eat it and like it. And, Mommy should have stuff we like too (plus, the food list that they eat is boring, and not very long).

So, last night I tried Taco Dinner. Like the kind you buy from Old El Paso. Others have this in their repertoire, but we did not because Husband was not a fan. But he is now. It is simple, easy, and everyone can customize their own meal from the few things I made. I found that for the most part, the dinner worked well for all of us.

I made it with ground turkey, which significantly cut the weight watchers points. I also added whole wheat tortillas as an option. Low-fat sour cream, cheese, and sliced avocado. As well as chopped tomatoes, peppers and onions. Finally, salsa for Mommy. It took some pleading, but Joel Andrew eventually at the meat. Baby James had some great finger foods from this meal: turkey (before I added the spices, though next time I think I will give it to him no matter what, new research suggests spices are great for baby), cut up tortilla, shredded cheese and of course avocado. 10 points for Mommy, and happy and fed family! New on the list for us. Next time I might not buy the whole kit though and just get the tacos and come up with my own seasoning from stuff I have.

2012

I am a list person, so I figure why not make a list of To Do’s for 2012. They are not resolutions, per se, but they are more things that I need To Do. Perhaps if we look at it this way, and it is in list form, I will get around to checking them all off. So, here is my extra long list of To Do’s for 2012. I am stressed out already.

1. Aunt Pat needs to meet Baby James.
2. My camp friends need to meet both my kids.
3. Make $2,500 by selling all of the things that we do not use, do not want, do not need and are collecting dust in our house. You hear me, $2.5K. We have that much stuff. Donate or toss the remainder. Decrease possessions by 1/8.
4. Find a craft hobby and keep with it. Previous attempts at sewing and knitting have not gone so well.
5. Create Blog Books, paper copies of all previous blog posts.
6. Create Yearbooks. Photo scrapbooks and DVDs since the kids were born.
7. Go places with the kids: Bronx Zoo, Zoo in Chicago, and all the area usual’s at least one trip each. Try to double our money on the Science Museum/Children’s Museum membership I bought.
8. No more cursing as Joel Andrew has taken to repeating everything we say.
9. Add 25 more go to, easy dinners to the family repertoire.
10. Be Better. Start to take care of my skin, get the lasik, and loose 20 MORE pounds, and keep the previously lost 20 off.

11And, most importantly, try not to stress out too much, enjoy the year. This will be the last year of cute little babies so we need to savor every moment.

Happy New Year 2012

Oh boy, what a Happy New Year it was! All of the kids stayed sleeping when they were supposed to, and all of the adults stayed awake when they were supposed to! (as opposed to last year...). It has become an annual tradition to have the McCrensky-Hardings and the Kings over for a New Years bash, and it was a good time. 6 adults, 3 toddlers and 2 babies (and 2 dogs too). We did some room shuffling but most babies had their own rooms. We snacked on food all night and all the next day long, and we may have had a beverage or two as well.
Two things I was surprised about with the kids - not one made a peep after they went to bed until after 6 the next morning. Baby James did his usual 30 second noisy shuffle in the crib a few times but other than that, they were all golden. Thank you, kiddos!

Also, the second and most surprising thing to me, they did not want to watch any TV. We adults had already talked about being the worst parents ever this New Years and pumping them with a movie before bed and maybe one or two New Years day morning, but they weren't having it. They just wanted to play, and have fun. They did such a great job playing that the adults were also able to recover and enjoy as well.
We all went in the hot tub at various segments of the weekend. And the Solso family joined us for the football game the next day. Go Patriots! I was glad it was so warm out, the ladies went on a nice stroller walk and the boys got to run around outside. All in all a perfect way to ring in the New Year.

But, after everyone left after the game (with Solso addition that then made it 8 adults, 4 toddlers, 3 babies and 2 dogs), the house was trashed! Everyone did a great job helping clean before they left, but you know how I roll... So husband took the kids upstairs and I went crazy for four hours straight. Since each kid, and most adults had some form of bug or another, I sanitized and washed all the toys. I feel like it is probably a good idea to do that once a year anyway, so now I am covered.

Today the last of the holiday decorations are going down, this week the kids toy room transformation with be complete, and we are ready to roll into 2012. I am looking forward to a great year! Still working on my resolutions and will post that shortly.