Home for the Holidays

Our little vacation to Minnesota came to an end on Sunday. We had such a great time will all of our family, it was very, very hard to leave.

The kids were worn out with all the fun they had. They have 6 cousins on Buddy's side, all older than Hayden by two years or more and both Hayden and Maya kept up. From playing outside, inside with toys, all eating at the same table for dinners (not always all 8), up and down stairs, opening gift after gift, Monday morning was so lovely for me to have silence until after 8.

Sadness hit me a couple times at my family's home. It was the first year there that my Grandma wasn't present. I felt her in spirit and through food, but it tugged at my heart a couple times missing her.

Christmas Eve mass was eventful with Maya unable to once sit in the pew. She was on the kneeler, on the floor, in the aisle, in the pew ahead, grabbing hymnals one after the other, playing by her baby cousin, Maggie, and she even belted out a few notes singing along with a couple songs. Hayden fell asleep halfway through the homily (holy longness) and was a great boy the entire service.

Christmas Day was the traditional brunch and relaxation, followed by saying good by to my family and traveling to Buddy's. Caos, cooking, cards, laughter and fun were had by all.

Presents were aplenty and great, the kids had a blast and we are all thankful we were able to be HOME for the Holidays.

I am rambling all over, but I am tired and wanted to post my two favorite pics of the trip. Both are from Christmas Eve. We tried for a nice picture of the two kids by the tree....

Nothing says Merry Christmas that strangling your sister and, well I am not sure what Maya's hand is doing.

Baby it's cold outside, but they love it!

I made a trip to the Thrift store in Olivia today. I was on a hunt for boots for Hayden as he has been begging for some for three days! I lucked out and found some a little big, but he will be able to wear them next year, so all is good. I even picked up a pair of snowpants for Maya. $9 well spent.

After begging, whining, beggin some more, finally cleaning up toys and stopping whining, we broke out the sled. They loved it and I got a good workout in. Pulling over 70 pounds through snow covered streets isn't as easy as it may look. We had fun though. Totally worth it.

It's obviously not a fashion show here. Red jacket, light pink snowpants, dark pink boots. But do you see that smile?! She loves her little ensemble from head to toe!

Maya's hands were up like this through most of the ride. A few times I caught her with them on the ground shoveling through the snow.

See, I'm here too! Not quite the pic I was going for, but can you tell how cold it is? It was about 16 degrees when we were out. It's Christmastime and it's worth it.

A Snowy Day

The kids literally begged me this morning to go and play in the snow! These two are born and raised Arizonans, but do have that Minnesota blood running through them. Hayden is pretty much begging for a pair of boots, but my little hometown has no clothing store and the little place that just might have them, does not. We may need to venture into "the city" (Willmar) to find some. :)
Surprisingly jackets, hats and gloves went on without a fuss and they could hardly wait for me to get my jacket on too. Both of them dove their hands into the white stuff. Their feet kicked at it and sprayed snow everywhere. They walked into the snow, threw it, jumped in, ran, and didn't want to go inside. I was freezing and they wanted to stay at it.
Then tonight, my dad had to do a little shoveling; he only had one foot in his boot when these two were standing next to him and begging to go watch. Bundled up again, they repeated what they did this morning. This was only day one. Tomorrow, we may take out the sled!

Traveling and backtracking

The kids and I took off to Minnesota today. I'm gonna back up just a hair here and give a slight rundown of the previous couple of weeks:

The floors were finished in the new house, I finally finished up all the painting of the 7 rooms I wanted to complete, and I took a load of boxes/stuff/crap on every run to the house. I had to meet cabinet guys/electricians/plumbers/flooring guys everyday at the house by 8 o'clock when most of the time they didn't show up til 9 or 10. (Although through all that, everything looks amazing!)

We moved out of storage and the rental on Thursday. Basically, not everything in the kitchen is done yet, so it is making it very hard to unpack because without counters and drawers, there are NO PLACES to put things.

I came down with a cold Sunday and my ability and desire to continue to put things away went to a halt. I had to clean out the rental and it took me about 4 hours. Although it was nice without the kids running amuck, I wasn't feeling great and really just wanted to be on my couch. And had to pick up the cooktop because the counters we being put in on Monday.

Monday, had to sign H up for preschool, run to the bank/Lowe's/carwash, get gas, feed children, fight a cold all before 1 so the counter guys could put in the countertops. They show up close to 2 and low and behold, they cut the hole wrong for the cooktop and have to redo the dang thing! Still no drawers or doors on the cabinets. Oh and I don't have a sink!

I still have to pack for Minnesota for me and the kids, fight the flipping cold and clean up as best I can, which is very little considering every thing is just boxes and pictures and stuff thrown about.

Tuesday arrives and I am up at four for a 7:50am flight. Buddy gets the kids up around 4:30 and gets them dressed and we are ready to roll right when I wanted at 5:15am. I grab the computer to check the flight status and make sure all is good with weather and all. Then I realize what the *&#@ I have just done. I had looked at Buddy's itinerary the night before, thinking it was odd because I thought I had a 9 something flight but remembered looking at a 7 something flight when I booked.

Our flight was at 9:45! I was up a whole frigging 2 hours early FOR NO REASON! I am thinking I totally need this vacation...

We stayed at home for another hour and got to the airport in plenty of time. The kids ran amuck basically at the gate. I couldn't fight them feeling like crap. Hayden wasn't too bad, just pushing his cars everywhere and going a little to far at times. Maya, she is perpetual motion. Seriously, if anyone knows of something I can give her to just make her pause at times, I will pay good money.

Maya pooped right before take off. The one thing I dread on a flight most is this. Luckily we were in the very last row, so I just changed her there. Thankfully she fell asleep just after takeoff and slept for an hour and a half. She would not sit still in her seat at all. Up, down, up, down, seatbelt on, seatbelt off, slink out of the seat and get seatbelt stuck under her arms and freak, repeat, repeat, repeat, poop again (did she not realize where we were or what?!), and repeat the first parts over.

Hayden was awesome. Best flight with him, ever. He sat great, played, talked, slept the last 20 minutes, just was great.

Anyway, we made it. It's frigging cold here, there is snow over everything and it finally feels like Christmas!! I am feeling better too, the cold is making its way out just in time.

Ya, stop it.

See that face? That sweet looking, adorable round face with the blue eyes and Shirley Temple curls? Well, that little face is about all that is saving her from being shipped UPS to Minnesota early!
I used the "b" word to describe her a couple times in the past week. Demanding, crabby, whiney, intolerable and annoying. That about sums it up. Maya's 2 year molars have decided to come at an inopportune time: moving/packing/painting/stressfilled time.
Hayden was never a bad teether. I hardly knew he was teething until I realized he wasn't quite himself, not crabby, just a little off and bam, there was a tooth. This girl is a bear (not the "b" word I used). She is constantly demanding gum or her NUK and I realize why, but if you could hear it, you would understand. And when you're driving and cannot find a darn thing or reach a thing, it's worse.
I know this phase will pass, as they all do, but this one is dragging on a bit too long for my taste. The only good thing that has come out of this week is she does want to snuggle at bedtime. She gets on the couch and says, "Snuggle Mama." I love when she calls me "Mama", she says it so cute. For Maya, who never, I repeat, never sits still, this is amazing. I am eating that up. The rest of the bitchiness can go back into hiding.
Oops, did I just say that?!

Things are coming along!

Just wanted to do a quick house update since Facebook status is a little limited in space. :)
In November we (finally) closed on our new home! I think it was the 17th. It's been a long few weeks, hardly remember what I ate yesterday. Anyway, starting on the day of close, we started gutting the kitchen, painting, removing flooring and baseboards and knocking out a closet to make the laundry room bigger.
And wouldn't you know?! It's starting to look like a home again. No, we have nothing in the kitchen but a stud wall and the oven we have yet to get out. And the majority of the floor upstairs is dirty concrete and carpet pad. BUT, the wood floors were started yesterday, I finished painting both kids' rooms, the office, the hall, the upstairs living space, the kitchen and the entry; and I am almost done with the guest room, just started the craft room and have paint for the laundry when it's complete!
Buddy has gotten the laundry room wall built and is finishing up the sheetrock on the inside this weekend. He demoed the entire kitchen, so he has done more than just the laundry room walls. :)
Wood laying continues, carpet starts Friday, cabinets start Friday, countertops, not sure when but...
With the way things are heading, we'll be moving in next Thursday!!! Merry Christmas to The Blattner Family! We are two days ahead of when we thought we'd be moving. We just wanted to be in before we left for Minnesota and woo hoo we will be!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Enjoy your turkey, your stuffing, your taters, your bread. Enjoy your wines, your pies, your coffee, your rest.
Enjoy your family and friends. Be thankful. I am.
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Someone's got baby fever!

And it isn't me! Ha!

Hayden has been very inquizitive about babies lately. A couple months ago he asked where they come from. He knew Maya was in my belly, but he finally figured out she came out somehow. I was able to avoid the answer by saying I had to go to the bathroom. Whew.

Then, last week on the way to preschool, the question was asked again.

H: Mom, how was I born?

M: Um, well, you were in my tummy and then you were out.

H: How did I get out?

M: Well, I pushed you out.

H: Pushed? From where?

M: Mmmm, not ready to answer that quite yet, Dude.

H: What does the doctor do?

M: She helped take you out.

H: Did she cut me out?

M: No, Mommy pushed you out, but some babies are born where the Mommy's are cut to get the baby out.

H: You pushed me from where?

M: We're at preschool, let's talk later.

This week was this:
H: Mommy, we should have another baby.

M: Mm, ya, that's probably not going to happen.

H: But we need three. Amy has three, Ryker's mom has three.

M: That's what they want, but Mommy and Daddy just want two.

H: Well, I would like another baby. How do we get one?

M: Ask Daddy.

If these are the questions that are being asked at 5, I don't want to be around when he figures out that he's part me and part Daddy.

Soccer

Hayden is coming up on his last game of soccer on Saturday. It has been a fun season, but our guy seemed to be more interested in his green shoes that the ball.

Buddy and I are hoping it's just his age, he is the youngest on his little team, so we are assuming there is just a difference in his attention because of this. He did have fun being with his friends during practice and games, so I guess there is a benefit there. Hopefully the soccer skills will develop a little more for the Winter/Spring session!

Eco-Friendly, whatevs!

Last night, we took a little road trip to pick a couple things up. Along the way I ran into the grocery store for one gallon of milk.

Grocery stores around here are pushing the canvas bags, which I use happily instead of plastic. This is a sort of recycle/eco-friendly thing to do, right? I didn't use a bag, by the way. So why is it, that when I purchase TWO things: my receipt looks like it has taken the life of a tree? 18 inches of wasted paper for a gallon of milk and cookies?
Can't ya print that other crap on the back instead of repeating the ads that I don't know who actually uses four times on one receipt?

Sigh.

Apparently my hair needs work...

Hayden just saw a commercial for Natural Instincts hair color.

H: Mom, you should get that.

M: Why?

H: Because it changes your hair color.

M: You don't like my hair color?

H: No. It looks goofy.

I stared him down at this point with an evil look.

After a couple seconds he laughs and says, "I'm just kidding. It doesn't change your hair color."

There's one lump of coal added to his stocking.

A Very Happy Halloween!

I was dreading Halloween this year. Why? Because this

was my Halloween last year. Hayden hated his costume (which he picked) and cried the entire time. Maya was actually excited about it and had fun running around in her costume but she ended up eating the pavement just after going to the one and only house we went to and scraped up her nose pretty good. I took the kids by myself, it was hot (I wore a tank top and jeans and was warm) and I had just gotten home from a very emotional trip to Minnesota about 3 hours before heading out to t&t. Needless to say, it sucked.

I was so DELIGHTED this year!! Hayden picked his costume, Luigi, because it was green so he HAD to love it!! This was the third time he wore it and pretty much begged to be able to put it on. Success! Maya loved her wings and tutu and had a blast running around. She's getting to be such a big girl! Daddy was here to take the kids out, so I got to relax and hand out candy in the driveway. See the smiles? Even behind the mustache (which he kept on the ENTIRE night) there is a huge grin.

We were so lucky to have lived next door to these guys for a number of years before they moved last year. Since their neighborhood isn't huge, we invited them to come to our little temporary village to trick-or-treat! Kyle, Mario, is about 5 months older than Hayden and Clark, Luigi 2, is a year younger. They are all best buds and love to be together. Them coming over for Halloween may be becoming a tradition!

The troops lined up so good for a picture! For Maya to be in it is success. She was ready to go!

My Luigi!
We called her a fairy, but most people say butterfly. We just say she's stinking cute!

The wings were the start to the costume. Grandma W. had to get them for her. That left me to make the tutu and hair accessories. I think for the material used, I spent $4. Perfect.

Someone's Tired

Remember a few posts ago I mentioned Hayden falling asleep on the stairs? Here's the event of tonight:

He was again falling asleep on the couch so we sent him up to get PJ's on. Buddy and I were watching a movie and began to notice that we heard no noise and Hayden had not come back down. Buddy decided to take a break for ice cream, so I started to head upstairs to check on Hayden. I was picturing him lying on his bed, half dressed and passed out. Just as I move from the kitchen area to the next room with the stairs, Buddy says, "Now watch, he probably fell asleep on the stairs again."

At that exact moment, I burst out laughing because this is what I saw:In the twenty minutes or so he was here, he had moved his head; see the carpet imprint?!

Seriously, he was there at least twenty minutes! The Dude was out.

From Cute to Fab!

Family pictures are coming up and in July (ya, July) I start to ponder what we'll wear, what colors I am in the mood for and how we can coordinate, but not be the "look at the goons in the teal shirts" family. It didn't rule my thoughts for the next 4 months, but when I clothes shop, it's at the back of my mind. If you didn't catch it, the color I am playing with is teal. I got the idea from a shirt I found for Hayden this summer and which he will now be wearing for pictures. I found this dress for Maya and thought I could put a teal ribbon around the middle and it would be fine. H's shirt has white and black in it too, so it could work. I do like the dress...
I tried the ribbon thing and it didn't work quite right. So, I spent awhile online looking for something else. I found something, but it just wasn't what I was thinking. I went back to the dress and thought I could just get some teal fabric and make a skirt that could be sewn right in between the white and the black of the dress.
It worked! It's a satiny fabric and I think it adds just what it needs. Plus, I can take it out because I didn't stitch it completely in. Then, after I took this pic I thought, "Crap, it's crooked!" I started to look closely and yes, it's crooked, but it's not because of my intermediate sewing skills. The black fabric is longer on the (your) right side. Another idea came...
I cinched it! I figured it wouldn't look fabulous as is and I pondered a bow or a flower so I started checking out Etsy. Of course I found just what I was looking for!
What'dya think!? I think it looks better in person. :) The flowers came in a group of three, so Miss M is wearing one in her hair and I am even thinking of wearing one. Somewhere.
I think we're ready for our shots!

I don't make this up.

Hayden in the car today:

H: Mom, when is Maddox's birthday party?

M: Next Saturday. About two weeks.

H: So it's not tomorrow?

M: No.

H: When are we moving to our new house?

M: I don't know yet, Bud. We've got lots of work to do on the inside, so it'll be a couple months.

H: So, not tomorrow?

M: No.

H: How come I can't see my eyeballs?

M: Really?

10-21-2000

10 years!! Buddy and I got married ten years ago today! The day was perfect, warm for October in Minnesota, a little windy but lovely. Everything went perfect, except for me kinda crying up the aisle. Tears of joy, of course. This was the only day I have called Buddy by his real name with a smile on my face. (only called him Christopher John when he doesn't listen...HA!)

I love you, Babe! Thank you for the last ten years. I look forward to the next ten and more!! As your father-in-law said in his speech at the reception, "I am just tickled" (to be your wife)!
Man, we look young!! Oh the hair and makeup of the year 2000... Obviously the digital age had not arrived yet. :) My scanner is not compatible with my laptop so I was left with taking a picture of my pictures.

Sleeping Patterns

I know my parents did this to me a couple times as a kid. They took pictures of me while I slept if I happened to be in a funny position. I used to line up my Cabbage Patch Kids every night on the pillow next to me and they would rotate every night so they all had equal nights sleeping by me. I remember doing this and I know there is a picture out there that proves it too.

My kids don't do this, yet. But I do find them in some funny/crazy/cute positions. Tonight Hayden fell asleep on the couch next to me and I woke him up long enough for him to make it to the landing on the stairs and fall asleep again. On the stairs!

Because of this, I thought about all the times I have taken pics of the kiddos sleeping and I think I have taken a good compilation of these throughout the year, the latest being Hayden last night.Yes, his room is pink and brown with red sheets. Don't judge, it's a rental and I am not gonna paint! I might add that the ceiling is the same lovely shade of pink. Not so lovely.

The other night I found Maya sleeping with her shirt half off and her legs tucked up as so. Her eyes started to open because of the beep my camera makes when it locks onto something.

Hayden often falls asleep before he goes to bed. Case in point:

Maya just looks so cute sleeping cuz she's still little.

This one looks like he's sleeping with an imaginary friend. His arm/hand are curled just so...Miss is all cuddled up with her bears.

I just can't resist taking pics when they sleep. They can't run away, they can't make a goofy face. They look so peaceful, serene and sweet. Plus, they are growing so fast I have to take them while they still want me checking on them!

Bowling for Hayden

We FINALLY got to have a birthday party for Hayden! Moving at the same time as your child's birthday is happening is very hard! We typically do a party at home, but since this rental is a bit on the small side, we decided to do something super special and went to Brunswick Zone for a bowling party.

Best decision ever! All I had to do was bring a cake, a candle and a camera. Brunswick provided 2 pizzas (which were very good I may add), 2 pitchers of pop, plates, napkins, cups, balloons, glow necklaces, a special bowling pin cup (actual size of a bowling pin) for Hayden and a special real bowling pin that all the kids signed and gift cards for the arcade for all the kids worth $5 and one for Hayden for $10! Along with that, they get all the shoes ready, put everybody's name in the system and provide a Party Hero for the entire time. The Hero even cut the cake and handed them out. I could have just sat in a chair the entire time and watched it was so great!!

(Hayden is a HUGE Transformers fan. He had a Transformers cake last year and insisted on another this year. )

The kids had a blast cosmic bowling, doing two dances with the entire bowling alley (there were about 10 other parties going on) and hitting the arcade when bowling, food and presents were done. So fun.

Kyle, Ryker and Hayden in the conga line.

Best Buds! Kyle and Hayden

Hayden was very thankful for his special party and I am such a proud mom! He was such a good kid and I could tell how appreciative he was for his special day. All the kids invited to the party were super. All so well behaved and happy. Both Buddy and I were amazed at how good everyone was.

Thank you Kyle, Clark, Ryker, Chase, Max, Charlie, Gunner, Carter, and Maddox for celebrating with Hayden! He is a lucky kid to have you all as his friends!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, HAYDEN!!! We love you sooooo much!

Pretty girl, Naughty mouth.

Maya has picked up a new phrase and we have no clue where it came from! We don't say it, not to to say we don't say things we shouldn't, we just don't say this particular one.
Maya and I were in the car today, just us and it was quiet (for a second). She blurts it out.

Maya: "Piss off, Mommy."

Me: "Maya you know you shouldn't say that."

Maya: "Oh well."

Me: "Miss, you don't say that."

Maya: "I'm cute."

She got me there.

Maybe because it's Fall?

I've caught the crafting bug. WOW! That's sounds very "country craft lady"! Anyhoo, I don't know if it's the Fall air that is finally blowing down here or if I'm getting a little more settled in our rented little bungalow. Either way, I am having fun.

A friend of mine took some tissue paper and those crafty carving pumpkins you can get at the craft stores and made some adorable Fall pumpkins. I have been thinking of these for the last month and wanting to do them. Do you know how hard it is to find fun, classy, decorative tissue paper that is not birthday/baby/wedding/crazy/holiday themed? It's HARD! I finally found it and finally made the pumpkins I have been wanting! Thanks for the idea, Shannon. =)

Without further ado here are the before and afters:

The other little one didn't turn out so good. Don't attempt stripes if you attempt this.

Then, I got the itch to do more mod podge tissue paper covered things. I took a peak around the abode and came across this frame that I was never really enthused about. The tan part is actually a suede and it was one of those "it'll work for now" finds. I think I've had it around for four years now...

Anyway, I like it alot better now!

Sorry for the last few crafty, kid free blogs. They are still being adorable and fun and fab I assure you. Mommy is just taking over for a bit.

Is there anything else I have done? Why yes, yes there is...

I have been looking for decent trick-or-treat bags and have yet to find them. There are cute ones out there, but I am not paying $9.99 for something used once a year for candy I will more than likely eat most of and then throw out the remaining 25% of. So, I figured I could make them. And I did.

Maya's on the left, Hayden's on the right. H's favorite color is green and he spotted the green bats. Skull Damask for Maya!! Fabulous!! I thought of actual handles, but thought a drawstring was more fun. I am not whipped on the ribbon, but I didn't have rope which I think might be a little better.
And, they are lined! They could be reversible if I wanted to. These will last until their trick-or-treating days are done!

And they only cost me about $3.00 worth of fabric each. =)