How Does a Dinosaur Take a Bath?

We are reading a lot of dinosaur books right now. Combine that with PotteryBarn inspiration - voila! It is kind of nice to have the boys think I am the coolest ... for a few minutes at least.

Thinking About It

She is close to walking and I am so not ready. That 3rd arm has still not sprouted. It doesn't help that her walking/running examples move at the speed of light, periodically crash into her and try to "help" her.

Solution

I have spent considerable time trying on jeans in my not-one-size-fits-all life. Now with the skinny jean trend, I have had to try on more. Depression sets in as I try on cute colored skinnies from Target and find myself in a size double my normal size just to get my foot through the bottom and then the waist is gaping open at the back! I might have big feet but they are fairly narrow!? Who is Target using for sizing?! The solution - custom skinny jeans. I took in a pair of my own jeans that fits me and tapered the legs. The best part - I don't have to try on pair after pair in a changing room.

No End in Sight

We are going through a lot of pants these days. Seth puts a hole in every pair of pants he wears. He is really loving the star patch, not too obvious and better than the hobo look he was sporting. Crossing fingers they last a bit longer. Once it warms up he can work on calluses on his knees instead. Loving my new machine.

End of Year Mayhem

The nice thing about having your own business - the Christmas party we get to plan. Instead of a "nice" dinner we didn't get to enjoy, our kids not eating, and it all happening WAY too late - we had fun. Bowling = win-win. Kids and adults alike ate (suprisingly good pizza) and had fun.
Christmas was priceless (well memories at least). Seth woke up and we could hear him thanking Santa and declaring it the best Christmas ever! Who knew scooters and swords would produce heaven. Ben, per his usual, woke up a bit slower. When I got him up and told him it was Christmas, he groggily said Wa...hoo. Ainsley enjoyed all the ribbons and paper and Ben loved her toys. He has since turned her gradated ring toy into a birthday cake with a big candle in the middle. He sings the birthday song, blows out the candle and then gives us each a slice(ring). Too cute.

Merry Christmas 2011

It took some time, effort and photoshopping, but here is our happy family. It has been a great year. Aaron started his own firm and it is going really well. He is definitely happiest being his own boss. He has this really awesome accountant doing the books :) My eyes have been opened to small business taxes, if everyone in America experienced this our tax code would change drastically! Seth and Ben are getting so big and exuberant. I suppose boys will be boys, but do we have to wrestle before 7 in the morning? They are great pals. Seth loves preschool and Ben misses him dreadfully when he is gone. Ainsley has been such a nice addition to our family, a real charmer and a little too advanced. I can't keep up. We are all looking forward to a very merry Christmas and wish you all the same. If you feel inclined to open anything early, Seth gives you permission. He has the hardest time with secrets and waiting. We not only have the chain, but 2 calendars to cross off too.

Peevish

Sleep deprivation has limited my posting of late and made me quite grumpy. With a new firmer policy, Ainsley is back to sleeping at night and so am I, and Seth is sent back to bed if there is no light outside. Much happier all around, but I heard an ad that really let loose my pent up angst in the form of pet peeves. The ad was for Toms, that they are all your kids want for Christmas and then you will be the "cool" parent. I don't understand Toms. There is no structure. Their comfort level is not higher than infinitely more attractive ballet flats. I know the company is really charitable, but even glittered up they are the most unattractive footwear second only to platforms over 1/2". Which brings me to platform pumps. They make the otherwise normal foot look grossly deformed. Shame on Louboutin for disgracing one of woman's best features at an outrageous price. I am fairly tall so maybe I just don't understand, but really, what woman other than Kim Kardashian who foolishly married/unmarried someone 2 feet taller than her, needs to add more than 6"? I can accept shoe distortion for the disabled. Which brings me to peeve #3 - places of business that provide ample handicap parking but fail to install an automatic door opener. What do they think a person is going to do? Wait until someone arrives that can open the door for them? I sound so petty and I am, but I have been hampered by all things teeth this last month (including a root canal) which is my final rant. I am a dutiful dental caretaker but have spent entirely too much time in the chair. WHY do some cities still resist fluoridation in the water?!!! Wish I could send dental bills to the city. I really hate all things related to teeth. I hate the getting of teeth (one reason Ainsley wasn't sleeping), I hate the loosing of teeth (give me a round of flu instead), I hate the sound of the drill. I hate having a vacuum in my mouth. I feel much better now and promise to be on better behavior for the next while- Wishing you all a very un-peeved holiday!

Fall Progress Report

Seth - Such a character, spent all summer wanting to wear pants and now wants to wear shorts in the winter. Sporting argyle sweater vest typically worn on Sunday for everyday wear. He could live on wheat thins and craisins given the chance. Is attempting to do a front flip off his bike by crashing into the curbing straight on, like in some cartoons he has seen. Must snuggle by mom on right side only. Can turn anything into a vehicle. Must wear socks.

Ben - Potty trained - yeah! Favorite potty treat - dum-dum sucker. So into animals and dinosaurs, thinks we should stop at the Dino museum anytime we drive past Thanksgiving Point. Not into sweets, loves jerky, cucumbers, popcorn and goldfish. Not very religious, only says prayers so we can hurry up and get to the part when dad is a horse/rocket ship. Hates to wear socks or shoes, but compromises on rain boots. A bit of a know-it-all/sasser for a 2 year old.

Ainsley - Crawling. Still so pleasant. Eyelashes to die for. Kicks of all shoes. Loves to be with the party. Loves hair - her own, moms (about to cut all off), the boys who complain she is pulling it out. Choice of toy - whatever the boys have, loves the garbage trucks and bulldozers.

Happy Halloween 2011

I never thought I would be into matchy-matchy but it keeps so much peace, if one has it the other wants it too. So the boys were pirates. When I asked what they wanted to be Seth was adamant about pirates, although Ben was kind of a pirate as Captain Hook last year. They are such good pals, Ben is happy to go along with whatever scheme Seth cooks up. They were really into their eye patches until actual Halloween. Of course. My costume had a slight problem with one size fits all tights that were supposed to be up to 6' tall. Not true to size, I had to wear shorts instead of the intended skirt to keep them up. The free-candy-holiday was a big hit, although a spooky haunted house kept our tender-heart Seth up most the night.

Deception

It may not be apparent from this photo but Seth was so excited to start pre-school. He asked me every day for a month if it was time to go. I am not certain but he may have been more excited to wear "talls". This is what he calls pants, it makes sense if you call short pants "shorts". Again he asked me everyday if he could wear them, even when it was over 100. I can't believe how time is flying. He is such a character. He is Aaron's mini me in many respects, including photogenic reluctance. (notice he is on the verge of laughing between frowning)