12 X 12 - December 2011

My morning started off the same as usually does, by making breakfast, and then packing lunch for the kiddies:

After breakfast, Sade consulted her pre-school calendar to see what her "homework" was for the day. It was: "Name all of Santa's reindeer." I am enjoying this picture of her, because she looks just a little bit chubby, and thereby more baby like.

The kids waiting by the window for carpool. I love carpool. I entertain immense amounts of joy on the days I don't drive.

After Megan and Jackson left for school, Sadie and I got ready for her pre-school Christmas party which was being held at our house. Luckily the other moms were in charge of crafts, so I only had to be the host and worry about some of the food. Among other things, they made gingerbread houses:

The aftermath. You may notice someone left the left-over sugar cookies! Not good. Sugar cookies are my weakness!

My house was not even dirty after the kids left. Except my kitchen floor. I sweep my floor at least twice a day, and I swear the pile is this big everytime.

After the party, Sade took a nap, and I wrapped my gifts for a Favorite Things Party I was going to on Tuesday. My Favorite Things gift was green apple gum, and these new workout socks my mom gave me that I am obsessed with. They have built in arch support! Go out and buy yourself a pair. Seriously.

Jackson had a couple of Hershey's kisses upon arriving home:

The kids had a pizza picnic in front of the T.V. for dinner:

Eric and I went to Arby's, and then did a little Wal-Mart Christmas shopping. Deep breath.

On our way there we listened to football on the radio. The Seahawks were playing. We also had a rather extensive conversation at dinner about football, more specifically about Tim Tebow. My knowledge of football is just of the many ways Eric has influenced my life.

After we got home, we put the kids to bed, and then I relaxed on the couch and watched a little T.V.

I won't tell you what I watched. But it includes the words, real and housewives. I can't give it up.

Jackson Said

A Little Background: Recently we donated some clothes to Child Haven, which is a children's shelter home in Las Vegas. As a result we have had a few conversations about why kids have to live at Child Haven, and why their parents can't take care of them.

Sadie owns a shirt like this that she wears to bed:

When Jackson saw her wearing it, he said in all seriousness: "We will never be able to donate that shirt to Child Haven!"

So true Jackson. So true.

It's My 12 Year Anniversary!

I'm sort of the luckiest person in the world. For a whole lot of reasons. But today I am feeling especially lucky because I have been married to Eric for 12 years.

12 Things About Eric For 12 Years

1. He is always nice to me. I was talking with a friend recently who said, "I bet Eric has never even yelled at you, has he?" It had never occurred to me, but the answer is no, he never has. Never even raised his voice.

2. He has never complained about any church calling I have ever had. Young Women's can be quite time demanding. I am gone a fair amount. But, it doesn't bother Eric in the least.

3. A few months ago, Sadie asked Eric who his favorite girl was, and he answered with, "mom." Sadie was a little taken aback by his answer because he makes all of us girls feel like we are his favorite.

4. He is more fun that anyone I have ever met. He is always up for anything. If I want to go on a bike ride, geocaching, ice skating, roller skating, whatever, he is a willing participant.

5. I did not know that men like Eric existed, until I met him and then met his Dad. It was shocking.

6. I can be a bit opinionated and defensive. It's true. But somehow when Eric gives me his opinion on a topic, I am magically able to see another side.

7. He knows about any and all topics. Need to know about photosynthesis, amount of salt in the oceans, how to fix anything, he is the man to ask. It is now occurring to me where Megan gets her brilliance.

8. He doesn't care what other people think. He will dress up like an elf, dance crazy with the kids, color my hair, sing in the car, help me with craft projects (he is the creative force in our family), and not worry about what the opinions of others.

9. I enjoy sleeping in. Anytime I can. If I were Eric, I would hold a bit of resentment against me for sleeping so much, especially since he often has to get up early to go to work, but he doesn't.

10. He kisses me goodbye everyday.

11. He doesn't try and change me. He lets me be who I am. Even when I throw my dirty clothes on the ground. Everyday. And he puts his in the hamper. Everyday.

12. He is my best friend and equal partner in every way. I'm so grateful I have someone to who thinks our kids are as perfect as I do, and always has my back!

Tomorrow I will post a list of all of Eric's bad qualities. Just kidding. Happy Anniversary Eric!

Five For Friday - Have I Mentioned

1. Have I ever mentioned that I am a bulk eater? I like to eat what I would say are massive amounts of food in one setting. For example, today for my quasi breakfast/lunch meal, or brunch meal as normal people would call it, I had 2 french toast sticks, a salmon fillet, and lasagna. And of course a diet coke. I then don't eat until dinner, at which time I eat another enormous meal. Megan eats like me, but Jackson and Sadie are snackers, like their dad.

I took the picture after eating most of the lasagna, and half of the salmon.

2. Have I mentioned that I am also a bulk cleaner. I don't enjoy cleaning up as I go (which Eric can't understand), which means at times (like 10 am) my house can get really messy. I will not tackle the breakfast dishes until after lunch. I don't want to have to do dishes twice!

3. Have I mentioned that large school projects tend to stress me out! We just completed the science fair project, and had to follow it up this week with a Spanish project. Oy vey! They are so incredibly time consuming. I took this picture long before the poster was completed, and before any color pictures were added, but you get the drift:

4. Have I mentioned that this year instead of doing 12 or 24 days of Christmas, we are doing a different project. My kids were not thrilled at first, but soon realized we would still be doing most of the same activities, just not in the fun 12 or 24 day format. We have already made snowflakes for the windows (my favorite Christmas project!), and wrote our letters to Santa.

This is the first year Sadie wrote her list all by herself! And when I mean all by herself, I mean I told her what letters to write, and she wrote them. But wouldn't it be cool if I said she wrote it all by herself, and everyone thought that she already knew how to spell and read? I mean she is brilliant, just not savant brilliant.

5. Have I mentioned that we also got all our decorating done last weekend. Woo-hoo. I am ecstatic for Christmas this year!

"Are you a bulk eater, or cleaner?"

Disasters In Geocaching

Well....I think it can officially be said that we are the worst, most horrible, embarrassingly bad, geocachers EVER. And I'm not kidding. This past weekend, we spent 4 hours, over 2 days, searching, and we found a total of ZERO geocaches. I have determined that it must be an equipment malfunction. We really can't be that bad. For example, one geocache was found by all 128 people who searched for it. Which means, We were the only ones not successful!

We first started off quite close to our house. Eric and Jackson finding the exact longitude and latitude:

Jackson was mostly in control of directions. Hmmmm.....maybe that was our problem?

We searched for about an hour before giving up. We then moved about a block away to search for another, so called easy geocache, at Tropical Breeze Park. I have no pics, but as you can ascertain, it was another searching fail. At this point it was dark, so we stopped for the day.

Day 2: 2-15 and Pecos area. The information on this geocache said it would be a short walk into the desert. I was hopeful. I believed yesterdays disaster was an isolated incident. We started walking:

After about 1/4 a mile, we were directed to walk off the dirt road, and directly into the desert:

At this point, we realized we had quite a ways to go, so we did a bit of running:

We finally reached the destination, and found nothing.  But the trip ended up being more than worth it. It was dusk when we finally got there, and the light and sunset were gorgeous.

The sunset:

We did not want to give up, but alas it was becoming pitch black outside. So we abandoned our efforts, and started the long hike back to the car. Picture us walking dejectedly, with our heads down.

But wait! On our way back Eric discovered we would be walking right by another geocache. I had high hopes, but they were soon dashed.

We were using an app on Eric's phone, and I believe that was the cause of the failure. I am sure it was not human error. I will not give up!!!!! But next time I am bringing official equipment.

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving.......Although not quite as high maintenance as Halloween, still full of parties and activities.

Sade's had 2 parties. The first at her friend (as she calls it) pre-school. They made butter:

And it totally worked!

Plus played games, and made Pilgrim hats:

She also came home with this adorable Indian hat the week before. Sorry but I am including every picture I took because I love them all:

Especially this one:

And of course she had the traditional Thanksgiving feast at Kiddie College. I was so excited when Sadie was able to bring her Thankful Feather. This is the 5th Thankful Feather I have helped decorate! (2 each with Megan and Jackson, and Sadie's first):

On Wednesday Sade was beside herself with excitement over Thanksgiving being the next day. She informed me that Thanksgiving was her very favorite holiday. When I asked why, she replied, "Well on Thanksgiving you get to eat lots of food, and I LOVE to eat!" So very true Miss Sade.

Jackson also had a big party at school with all of the 2nd graders. They made Pilgrim hats, ate lots of food, played games, and made a craft:

The big day finally arrived. We spent the day with our good friends, and ate a lot of seriously good food. The turkey was grilled, and came out so incredibly moist. Probably the best I have ever had. I made the green bean casserole, with fresh green beans, and homemade sauce, which was actually pretty awesome. Plus we brought the sweet potato casserole (which Eric made, and I especially enjoyed), and the rolls. Now I find rolls fairly intimidating, and have never made any! But they turned out just fine, thanks to the recipe and Bosch my good friend Nancy let me borrow. Thank you Nancy, you saved my bacon!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!