Christmas Eve

Isaak woke up from his nap cherry. It's as if he didn't get sick at 1 AM. Daddy and Isaak were able to meet up at Aunt Terra's with us. Then I found out Grandpa Spiehs was sick. :( He had to miss all of Christmas Eve. I don't remember a night without him in the picture for a long time.

Hopefully no one else gets sick!

We had 3 or 4 different soups to choose from, shrimp, crackers, cheese and veggies.

Aunt Terra's Christmas Tree loaded with presents.

Unwrapping presents wasn't a complete mad house. The boys are all now old enough to take care of their wrapping paper and were nice about saying, "Thank you!"

Waiting to dig into their stockings!

Mica's eyes lit up with a Kre-O Transformer and Cars 2 Lego set.

Isaak's eyes lit up with most everything. He was the slowest to unwrap his gifts. He couldn't understand why he couldn't take things out to play. We do our best to stash stuff away, so it doesn't get mixed up with the paper or other kid's toys. Plus if each toy were to be played with we'd be there until midnight. Isaak seemed most interested in the penguin gift tag that Grandma Spiehs used for the 2nd year in a row. We had a good laugh at that.

I enjoyed all the cousins, except Emerson getting a face plate from us. I try and find different things to get them. Something they can use, have fun with, but isn't always a toy. Emerson got a squeak Teddy Bear and Tree onesie.

I think I liked the red hand mixer gadget the best!

One highlight of the night was when Mica lost his second tooth. I mentioned to him during church that it would be funny if both Santa and the Tooth Fairy had to pay a visit to our house. He was busy wiggling his tooth to try and make that happen.

We had a busy night.

Santa ate some cookies, drank some milk and left the fireplace open AGAIN. This time there is soot on our floor. He's always messy!

Tomorrow we have our own little family Christmas. Then we get to celebrate with extended family on my side.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I'm Not Sure How Tonight Will Pan Out

Last night, well morning at 1 am Isaak awoke, but not with sugar plums dancing in his head. He was fussy. I took him potty. Thank goodness boys go pee standing up because right after little man had stuff come out his mouth. Woo Hoo, no clean up! Woo Boo a sick kid!

This morning he didn't want much to do with eating. A banana and Jello juice is all I could get him to eat/drink. I put him down for a nap early and he's still sleeping.

I'm not sure if he'll be able to join us for Christmas Eve festivities or not?! Daddy staying home with him, while Mica and I go to church with the rest of the family.

The boys did get to unwrap one gift this morning. Their robot PJs for tonight. I told them it wasn't too exciting of a gift. Mica thought it was great though! He took his clothes off right away to put his new robot PJs on. Isaak didn't much feel like doing anything, but he liked them.

It seems like there is one kid always sick during holidays. If it's not in our family, it's Aunt Terra's.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

No matter what you believe in, have a great winter break and holiday!

Mica drew this. I think it's pretty good for age 6.

It is more Christmas(y) since that is what we celebrate.

Our boys can not wait for Santa to come! They are so excited!!!

We leave out carrot cookies for his reindeer. Last year Santa left the stove open a crack. He seems to always forget to close our fireplace! Santa wraps all his gifts to the boys in paper that has Santa on it.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

We rented this a few weeks ago. It's a really cute and funny family movie. One that adults and kids will like. I have to say that Mica got way more into it than Isaak. I think it was slightly over Zeek's head. He's never been as big of a movie watcher as Mica anyhow.

Mica asked if we own the movie? We just rented it. Mom Spotted is giving one DVD away as well as an penguin ice cube tray.

Bounce

After Mica and Isaak got their pink poodle purses this last weekend, we went up stairs and bounced.

When the boys saw that a bounce house was set up in the YMCA gym, their little eyes lit up like gigantic saucers.

I told my boy's, "Bounce over towards the edge, so I can get a picture!" Five minutes later I heard the guy in charge say, "Don't bounce towards the edge, that's against the rules. You can break the net!" I always feel crappy when I was at fault for my boys getting in trouble!

Then I try and justify my lack of common since with thinking, "Gee wiz you should of told them the rules before going in!" Looking at the above pictures I can totally see why it's against the rules to pull on the net!

They bounced for a very long time! Mica in particular has lots of energy! The boys are with my parents this week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. When Mica gets too wound up, Grandpa Spiehs takes them outside to run up and down the hill (which is steep).

That weekend I learned that most outsiders think our boys are older than they are. They can't believe Mica is 6 and Isaak is 3. Santa thought Mica was in first grade. He could have been (he has an August birthday). When I signed them up for swim lessons, the lady at the desk said, "Ok for a 7 year old and 4 year old?" I'm like, "Nope!" Later we went to a gallery and the lady there said the same thing. When I tell people how old our boys really are, they look at me and say, "Really?" Our kids are tall!
 

My Aunts Are Great!

My Aunts (Great Aunts to the boys) volunteered their time last week to go over to my sister's house (Aunt Terra to the boys) to wrap all of her Christmas gifts.

It's pretty hard wrapping gifts when you have this little baby around:

Kind of an old picture, but it's the most recent I could find.

My nephew Emerson (Cousin to the boys) is doing great this week. I say this week because he sometimes gets sick and doesn't do as well. Then he's back to doing good again.

He now smiles. Terra just asked to borrow my exersaucer. He plays in it. They recommended him being in one to help build his neck muscles.

Little Emerson is almost 6 months old! No one thought he would live, so this is pretty big deal. I'm so glad he's around to celebrate Christmas with us!

Holidays at Tropical Traditions

I wanted to let you, my readers in on the fact that Tropical Traditions has a 32 ounce of Coconut Oil for free. Just use this link to get it for free. It's usually $40. It's a Christmas gift from them.

Just to warn you, you do need to buy at least $16 worth of other stuff. I bought more Citrus Lotion and Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. Mica's in love with their Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter. I'm in love with their Citrus Lotion! They have a lot of other stuff to choose from; if lotion and peanut butter are not your thing.

I use their Coconut Oil almost every time I bake. It's yummy and is much better for you than butter! When I first got it to review, I had never heard of it. Now it's a staple in my kitchen.

Now if only they would get their Coconut Peanut Butter back it! I'm addicted to this soup!

They did not give me anything for posting this. I just wanted to let you in on their holiday special.

WW Santa and Pink Poodles {Linky}

This past weekend the boys and I got to eat breakfast with Santa at the YMCA.

Mica sort of dominated the conversation. LOL Isaak just sat there really nice; waiting for a turn to talk.

Mica wants EVERYTHING! When you ask Isaak what he wants he says, "A present."

Then a nice YMCA lady offered to take our photo. Mica has a cheesy smile (he's probably thinking: You mean I have to shut up and look at the camera!) and Isaak has no smile at all (he's probably thinking: I'm done with this already!)

They called off Mica and Isaak's names to pick a prize under the tree. There were cool red bags that they could of used for their swimming lessons I had just signed them up for. NOPE, they both decided that they wanted pink poodle purses. I just had to laugh.

The Tape Dispenser Ran Away!

The other day I did what I only do while making dinner; that is using the TV as a babysitter. My kids watch very little TV. I needed to wrap presents in the worst way.

Mrs. Claus got all the gifts from Santa wrapped and hidden.

Then I was on to wrapping family gifts. During this time, is when the tape dispenser ran away.

Mica took it to hang up Christmas drawings in his window. It's the only spot I'll let him hang things. The tape can't peel off glass, but it can peel off paint.

Over on Mica's window sill, under the blinds was the tape dispenser. This is why Mrs Claus bought Mica tape to put in his stocking.

This Morning I Cried

I've been in a really good mood. Last night I was giddy. Maybe Christmas coming up finally hit me in the face. Daddy thought I had something to drink. I'm like, "NO!" I can't even drink alcohol right now. I'm on antibiotics from the silly sulfa reaction. Meds + Alcohol = A Bad Idea. Yep, I'm just in a good mood. Imagine that! :)

Well I was. Until I read this. Then I cried. A mom blogger went Christmas shopping with her baby. She was walking on the sidewalk around a corner. A tractor-trailer truck was also going around the same corner. It went up on the sidewalk and caught the babies stroller. Yep a mom's worst nightmare! I can't even imagine! The mom's feet got ran over by the wheels, but her feet are ok. The stroller was demolished. The babies rectum was tore. All the soft tissue: skin, muscle, tendons, ligaments of his butt had been ripped from the bone! He will be in the hospital for 2 weeks. I know it could have been worse; it is bad!

This is horrible! The thing is, is I can see how it could happen so easily. Trucks like that are so long and the sidewalk didn't have a curb. How scary.

If you have the time make a comment on her blog please. Send positive thoughts her way.

Update: Her post about the accident had to be removed. I'm assuming because of legal issues with the truck driver that hit her and her baby. Her blog is here.

Girls VS Boys

Some people have asked me if we will try having a girl? The answer is, NOPE. We're done. Two little beings is a lot to take care of. I know if we would have had more, we would have found a way and we would have loved them just the same as we do our boys. We decided that with the crazy economy, our bad luck with having sick babies, what seems like a full house, and busy lives that we were done.

There was one time I wished I had a girl. I thought for some reason, Mica was for sure a girl. I had all sister's, Grandma Spiehs had all sisters and Daddy had a sister. I just thought it was in our genes to have a girl. Our girl name was Savannah Claire. I still love the name.

I realized awhile ago that boys can at times be similar to girls. They are very different to.


Here are the similarities:

•Mica loved playing with Fisher Price The Little People. Really they are just small versions of dolls. They all have names that I remember. They have movies and books with these characters in them.

We have 3 Sarah Lynn's and 3 Eddie's with his Frog Freddie.

•Isaak carries around a small bowlful of these babies:

I collected them after my cousin's baby show in March. Isaak keeps them in a blue bowl and just walks around with them. Sometimes he lines them up on the coffee table, sometimes he transfers them to a small case he has and other times we step on them. It hurts just like stepping on Lego's. One day while at work, I found one of these babies in my coat pocket. Isaak had tried taking one out of the house. I put it on the front desk at work. A student that happens to have my name had picked it up and claimed the baby as her own. Where did it end up? In her paint water of course. :) A floating baby:

•Isaak loves stuffed animals. He likes them just as much as I liked my dolls when I was his age.

•Mica in particular loves to play dress up! Sure it's not fancy lace gloves and purses like when I was his age. Instead it's a super hero, a pirate, a doctor, Santa Claus and every week he claims Sunday as Sheriff Sunday.

•This last Saturday both Isaak and Mica sat down and watched The Sound of Music with me. No complaints. Mica just rolled his eyes when I wouldn't stop singing along. LOL

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They sat through that musical better than a football game. Sorry Daddy!

They are all boy in other ways:

• Everyday there is rough play.
• Sound effects take over most conversations. 
• Balls are thrown throughout the house. Nope, we never made a rule not to throw a ball inside. Possibly a mistake. Nothing has gotten broken yet.
• They love to camp.
• They love to jump.
• Isaak loves cars.
• Mica loves Transformers.
• They both love to build.

Nothing is ever dull at our house. I love my boys! 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Books!

I just love books that have an extra special touch added to them! When I grew up my Mom read a story to us every night and my Dad came in to tell us a made up story.

Mica and Isaak love books to. Last night Isaak picked out 5 books for me to read and Mica 1 longer book. Mica's been wanting to read The Gingerbread Man. After we read it, they run around in circles taking turns being the Gingerbread Man. One has to chase the other. Their imaginations are truly amazing. I do have to say that sometimes for the adults it's a bit much. I'm talking about the running, laughing, high pitch squeals and sometimes one falls and than there is crying. They carry this imagination everywhere to. The grocery store cart is the Polar Express. Isaak shouts out to Mica, "Stop the train! Pull on the break!" I have a love and frustration with their imaginations.

I'm getting ready for spring classes. Illustration is one of my next courses. I can't wait! I love when we get to the Children's Book Illustration project!


These are a few of my favorite children's books:

The Very Hungry Caterpillar By Eric Carl

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - A Pop-Up Adaptation By Lewis Carroll and Illustrated By Robert Sabuda

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Bembelman's Bakery By Melinda Green and Illustrated By Barbara Seuling (My favorite from when I was a child)

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The Stinky Cheeseman By Jon Scieszka and Illustrated By Lane Smith

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David Gets in Trouble By David Shannon

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I have many more that I like! These are just a few that came to my mind first. I can't wait to check out this new book, Can You See What I See? Toyland Express By Walter Wick!

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I love the go behind scenes in books and movies! Here's the one on this book:



 

Go Graham Go! is giving away a copy of this book along with a $50 Visa Cash Card!