The 10 Best Gifts I've Received

Today I received a two gifts that made the list. These are in no particular order.

1. My dear friend asked me to be at her house at 9:30 this morning. She didn't tell me why. If she would have, I certainly would have tried to stop her. She dropped me off at a fantastic spa for a massage and took me to lunch.

2. When leaving my parent's house after a nasty snow storm I went out to my car. My step-dad had been there first. He scraped it and warmed it up for me. This is my least favorite chore. I felt very grateful.

3. Logan's first real smile was on Mother's Day.

4. Once when I was out of the house for the day (and very pregnant), Topher cleaned the whole house (oven, microwave, did all laundry, scrubbed showers, etc.) and made dinner.

5. When I was six I got an electric keyboard.

6. The Christmas after my dad died, someone left a little Christmas Mouse on our front porch with $100 in it. My mom gave my brother and I each $20.

7. My friend made us a hand crafted Settlers of Catan game. Any Settlers fans out there? You've GOT to see this!

8. On my 26th birthday my sister-in-law wrote a list of reasons why she loved me.

9. My mom has spent her whole life sacrificing for me.

10. This one is under the tree. I'm reserving a slot for it. I think it is going to be fantastic. I'll be posting about it if it is everything I hope it to be.

Another Bedtime Negotiation

My aunt with 6 kids has been giving me some parenting advice.  One of her great secrets is to teach her children to chew gum from a very young age.  She thinks it helps them be quiet in church.  We've tried this a few times with Logan.  He will now chew for about 30 seconds before swallowing.  He continually opens his mouth  to show us that it is still in there.  We haven't done chewing practice for weeks. 

Last night after bath, jammies, brushing, reading a story, and hugs:

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."

Logan: (Starts gnashing his teeth...pause...thinking) "Piece of gum?  I'll chew it?"

Mama: Laughing hard (I always try very hard not to do this.  I know.  It reinforces.  Sorry, sometimes you can't help it!)

Who Needs Disneyland? Costco is Just Around the Corner!

I went to Costco last Saturday afternoon.  Whoa!  For anyone planning a trip to an amusement park soon, you may want to try Costco instead.  A weekend December trip to the warehouse includes crying children who are in serious need of naps, very long lines, and at least a $100 bill.

Costco also has the added benefit of closer parking and free food samples from smiling elderly folks in aprons.  Honestly, I'd way rather have free food than an autographed notebook from mute caricatures.   

Our Beach

My favorite holiday tradition is going camping on the beach between Christmas and New Year. Since before my infancy aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins have all packed up the day after Christmas, and taken off for the sandy, sometimes sunny, shores of California. 

Spectacular sunsets

Long sandy beaches perfect for a friendly football game

Caving for the brave

Tide pools for exploring

Only 23 more days!

  

Bedtime Negotiations From a 1 Year-Old

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "One more minute?"

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "Hold you?"

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "No. Playing with toys."

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "Rocking in the chair?"

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "Crackers? Yogurt? Strawberries?"

Mama: "Logan, it is time to night night."
Logan: "Daddy's pillow?"

Mama: "Logan, it is time to go night night."
Logan: "Mommy and Logan cuddles?"

Yogurt?

Good News Bad News

Thanks to the time change, the clock in my car now displays the correct time.

Unfortunately, Logan didn't get the memo about the time change. He is still getting up very early.

Thanks Grandma

Perhaps it was teaching on Halloween that made me dislike it. I loved teaching most days of the year. The big exceptions were Halloween and Valentine's Day. Anyway, even though it has been two Halloweens since leaving the classroom... I still haven't recovered.

Poor Logan. While all of his friends' and cousins' mommies were purchasing darling costumes weeks ago, I did nothing of the sort. I was going to put him in a cowboy hat, give him a plastic gun, and call it good.

Grandma vetoed. Logan got a cute little pumpkin suit. Please notice the sucker slobber on the collar. It is my favorite part.

Likes

1.  Eating hawaiian pizza

2.  Camping on the beach at Christmastime

3.  Painting my toenails

4.  Walks on summer mornings (Curse the dreadful season approaching!)

5.  Talking to Logan about animals, bugs, toys, and tools

6.  Evening outings with my girlfriends

7.  Helping small struggling students with their math

8.  Having a warm rice bag in bed with me

9.  Brownies on Sunday

10. Great jeans

What are yours?

Language Problems

Logan is experiencing a little confusion.

He is frequently calling Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, and I by our first names.

My mom got him a big black truck to play in outside.  He loves it.  He calls it his #%$@.  You guess.  We're working very hard on the "tr" sound.