That’s the mood I’m in. It was a tough day at work and then I spent an hour writing out a Christmas post and my Windows LiveWriter pooped and I lost the whole thing. I don’t have the heart or energy to write it again. So, I leave you with this comparison of Isabella with Santa from the last 3 years (thanks Heather for the idea)!
Here’s hoping for a better tomorrow!
There was no part of this day that was filled with holiday spirit or inspiring cheer. It was actually a pretty bah-humbug kind of day. So, I’m doing another questions list!
I’ll do the first 5 questions tonight and another 5 later in the week! Here we go!
1. Favorite Christmas Song – hands down, “O Holy Night”. Have loved that song for as long as I can remember. My favorite version of it? Josh Grobans!
2. Open presents on Christmas Eve or Day? – our family opens 1 gift on Christmas eve and then the rest on Christmas day. We’ll do our little family in the morning and then head to my parent’s house for the afternoon.
3. Favorite Xmas movie – “A Christmas Carol”, with George C. Scott. My family would watch this every Xmas eve growing up and my dad always laughed at the exact same part. 2nd favorite would be “Elf”
4. Christmas memory from childhood – decorating the tree. It was always a big deal in our house. We’d have boxes and boxes or ornaments to put up. I loved telling the different stories that went with them too. Playing in the background were my parents old records with Andy Williams and Johnny Mathis crooning carols. My parents always fought while stringing the lights too. At the end, my dad would lift me up and I’d put the star on top of the tree (because I was the youngest). I love those memories!
5. Christmas memory from adulthood – my first Christmas with CJ. I was so nervous about what to get him for a gift! We’d only been dating for 2 months so there was some pressure! He got terribly sick with pneumonia too. He came over to join our family but pretty much curled up on the couch and slept. Poor guy! Another memory is Isabella’s 1st Christmas. We actually got snowed in and couldn’t celebrate with the family. So we spent the day in our pajamas, watching movies, eating cookies, napping and just enjoying each other. Then we got to celebrate again 2 days later when we could get out and be with the family!
Now I’m off to watch the Steelers roll over the Niners!
If you liked this, you might also like:
T-minus 7 days until Christmas arrives! In some ways I’m feeling very stressed and anxious about that. Too many small little things left to do – last minute gifts to buy, food to prepare, work to be done. But at the same time, it’s exciting and fun! So, in the spirit of said fun, I’m going to try and post every day this week about happy positive things that show the spirit of the season.
Today was a good day. It was productive, yet full of family fun and Christmas cheer.
I started the day off by meeting some girl friends for brunch. This is a group of gals who email a lot but don’t see each other as often as we’d like. With our busy schedules it’s hard to find the time and that makes it extra special when we do! We had a great time chatting and catching up, then I ran a few errands and headed back home.
While I was gone, a few elves had stopped by the house and dropped off a holiday basket. The elves were our good friends and Isabella’s boyfriend. They brought over several kinds of cookies, cupcakes, granola, an ornament and holiday soap. It was such a sweet gesture and really made the day that much brighter.
During Isabella’s nap, CJ went out to pick up a toddler bed that a friend was giving us while I worked around the house. I got so much done and it felt great! Emptied the dishwasher, did a load of laundry, switched the car seat around in CJ’s car, hung up some more pictures on the walls, wrapped a few gifts, unpacked a box and even had time to enjoy a cookie while watching the Packers get beat by the Chiefs!
Oddly enough, it was a really nice day out. So Isabella and I played in the backyard for a while. When I say “play”, I mean we picked up Samson’s dog poop. What? Isabella actually thinks that’s fun. And no I don’t let her handle the poop. She likes to point out the piles to me and I scoop them up. Believe me, there were plenty of piles too since we hadn’t been out there in a few weeks, what with all the snow on the ground. With that done, it was time to walk around the neighborhood!
Inspired by our “elf” friends, I decided to make up some cookie bags for our neighbors. We’ve met most of them but in many cases it was a quick wave across the street or something brief like that. What better way to make more of an introduction, and leave behind some holiday cheer, then to deliver cookies! The 3 of us went door to door, to our immediate neighbors, and played elves ourselves. I had planned to just say “Merry Christmas”, drop off the goodies and go but every neighbor invited us inside to chat. That was totally unexpected and super nice. Not only did we get to know each other better, I also got to see inside all their houses! Hey, you already knew I was nosey! However, there was one awkward moment. One of the husband’s answered the door wearing only shorts. No shirt. He mentioned something about how he would have been more decent but he was in the middle of working out. Um, really? You couldn’t grab a t-shirt? Or else just don’t answer the door! AND he invited us in! So we’re standing there in the entryway, chit-chatting, all the while I’m trying not to stare at his bare chest or stomach that were right in front of me at eye level (he was a tall guy). Awkward! Other than that, it was a great experience and Isabella loved it!
Then we ate dinner and it was off to Target for me, to do some quick grocery shopping and buy a few gifts. I also had to get cough syrup for CJ who’s come down with a cold. The check out kid asked me for my birthday in order to ring up the cough syrup. I said “November 14th, ‘76”. He just stared at me. Then he said, “Um, what number is November?” Seriously? So I changed it to “11/14/76”. He slowly typed in “11” then “14” and then said “Um, 1976?” No kid, 1876. YES NINETEEN!! Not sure whether to be insulted that he thinks I’m 135 years old or appalled that he couldn’t figure any of that out on his own.
Now we’re winding down for the night and I’m hoping to get some laundry folded and put away before heading to bed. Tomorrow I am starting my workout routine back up and I can’t wait! I haven’t worked out since Kosama ended on 11/30 (that’s November for those of you who may not know). I’ve really missed exercising.
‘Til tomorrow!
If you liked this, you might also like:
I need parenting advice.
Isabella refuses to cooperate when it comes time to brush her teeth. She loves to hold her toothbrush and suck the toothpaste off of it. She’ll go through the motions in her mouth, barely moving the bristles over her little chompers. But it’s not much more than that. And if I try to help, she screams, runs, wiggles and cries.
I read an article that said if your child needs a stool to see in the bathroom mirror, then they need your help brushing their teeth. *sigh* So I can’t just let her do it and call it good.
I’ve tried everything. Singing (belting out the “brusha” song from Grease), treats (if you let mommy help you, you can have an extra stuffed animal sleep with you!), threats (if you don’t cooperate I’ll take away your oobie!), teaching (look at mommy do it!), the gross factor (ooh look at those cookies in your teeth! Better get them out!), imitation (look at Elmo brush his teeth. Don’t you want to do that too?) and force (grabbing her and holding her still while I brush away). None of them have worked.
It’s getting to the point where I dread bedtime because it means a fight. I’m afraid she’ll pick up on my negative feelings about it and start hating it too. CJ hasn’t had any better luck. My mom says she’s a little angel for her but I think that’s Grandma painting a rosey picture, as grandmas do.
I don’t want her to end up with bad teeth like me. Anything that can go wrong with a mouth, I’ve had. Braces 3 times. 3 root canals. Several pulled teeth and cavities. They even wanted to do that surgery on me where they break your jaw, realign and then wire it back shut for many weeks. I said no to that one.
I don’t want my daughter to go through all that too.
So, anyone have tips or advice for me? Anything that worked magic on your kid? Am I over-reacting?
Isabella: What’s pee mommy?
Me: It’s liquid that comes out of your body when you go potty. Sometimes you pee and sometimes you poop.
Isabella: It goes in here (pointing to her diaper)
Me: Yes it does. Soon you won’t need diapers and you’ll sit on the toilet like a big girl!
Isabella: And I’ll flush it.
Me: That’s right and then wash your hands (figure it’s never too early to start teaching that lesson!)
Isabella: And then I’ll get in a red car and drive off to a meeting.
Me: To a meeting?
Isabella: Yes, to a meeting like mommy does every day.
Me: Why would you do that?
Isabella: Because I’m a big girl!
What can I say, she’s 2 going on 32. Look out corporate America!
If you liked this, you might also like:
Team Trader Mom 