Christmas Suprises

Merry Christmas to all!

This month has been a blur. We've been keeping up with all the festivities... and trying to stay sane in the midst of a WEEK of rain. Its been a test of patience... but the sunshine the last day and a half has almost melted my heart of holiday stone.

Christmas Eve was same as always...

We got all dressed up and headed to Tyson's parents house for fancy family dinner and church...


We didnt get around to Christmas cards this year... but pretend we did and pretend this was the picture on it, mmmmmmkay?

We shook all the presents before we left and tried to guess the best we could what was waiting for us...


Dawson and Anabelle scored! Surprise, surprise.

I spent Christmas Eve SICK. Sick, sick, sick. (Nope. Not pregnant). I'll spare you the details... there was not a lot of sleep involved, and Santa was a little on the distracted side of things...

But he managed to deliver none-the-less.



He even ate the cookies by some miracle (he has a really amazing helper).

Note the adorable festive Disney jammies that KJ's girlfriend Jessica scored the little darlings. Love that girl, what perfect taste for perfect children. Heh.

Also... Carly and Dave are visiting from Seattle!


We are taking in the moments we have them and planning away... more on that later.

This year Christmas is a little strange. Tyson has a new job and a new schedule, there was a LOT of family in town which is GREAT! We LOVE(d) having so many dear faces around... but there are never enough hours of daylight. And did I mention how I got sick on Christmas Eve? Talk about a party foul. The last few days have been a blur and I feel like Im not taking in the moments as fast as they are flying by.

Don't think I'm crazy... but I went for a run today, and I saw this one tree that had knobby little fur buds on the end of its stark naked branches. It gave me this strange bubble of hope... the New Year is coming, and Spring is inevitable, right? RIGHT?!?!? Im tired of being cold, and wet, and feeling sluggish and chunky. Bring on the blossoms and the chirping birds!

Anyways- Stay TUNED! I have big news to report on (I already said Im NOT pregnant)... Kyle is home! Carly is getting hitched! Spring is only a moment away (just humor me)! There is a LOT to look forward to in 2011... we are EXCITED for the new year, and feeling beyond blessed once again.

xo

My True Love

Anabelle has a nasty cough, and since its been cold and wet I didn't want to drag her out yesterday evening to run a shopping errand.

I dropped her off at my parent's house and Dawson and I headed out for a rare moment to ourselves to do our Christmas bidding's.

He was singing his heart out in the backseat his very best attempt at the 12 days of Christmas... and suddenly stops mid-tune and asks...

"Hey, Mom...? What's a 'true love?' "

I explained that a 'true love' is the one that was meant for you to be with forever, and the one you will love for your whole life no matter what happens along the way.

I finished my explanation with "...its usually the person you marry or want to marry..."

and he was quiet and thought filled for a moment and then he said...

"...you know... the song could be talking about a Mom and her kid... thats also kind of like a true love..."


And then I melted into a puddle faster than Frosty the Snowman on a Miami Beach.

I am seriously in tears just writing about it.

I have the worlds sweetest little boy.

And yes, he is absolutely right... this is true love.

Why I Love the Trots

I should probablly begin by saying sorry this is sooooo last holiday season. I've been hoarding it half done for awhile now... and just got around to posting. We're busy in these parts this time of year! Hopefully I'll catch up soon...


I LOVE Thanksgiving!!

I love the food.

I love the smells.

I love the colors.

I love the spirit of family, friends, and general thankfulness that seems to float everywhere around me.

I love the casual prelude to the arriving holiday season.

But MOST of all... (alright not MOST of all... but its up there...)

I LOVE all the turkey puns... they are FAT, they are UGLY, they are creepy and awkward and stupid and beady little beasts with shriveled gonads hanging off their nasty little faces and everything about them just that just BEGS to be mocked!

So what do you get when you add such a lovely holiday to my second favorite past time (which is running... that would be second to eating, naturally)...?

******************NIRVANA********************

...And a perfect opportunity for yet another favorite thing of mine... slightly slanted humor and potty themed puns!

With that... I give to you ladies and gentlemen...

(My) Second Annual Templeton Turkey Trot!

(Group shot of everyone who did the runs. Giggle.)

This was quite an occasion for several reasons.

First of all... exactly ONE year ago... I had the pleasure of rekindling an old spark with my friend (and former team mate...!) Bethany!!!!

So... it was our "friendaversary!"



Bethany is SUCH a blessing to have in my life. I love when the circle of friends expands and she has gracefully become such a natural part of my life that I can't imagine how I ever lived without. I AM THANKFUL FOR BETHANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND.

I am also thankful for KARI... you all KNOW how I rave on and on about our Hammies... they are our sister tribe... I didn't set out to make this blog about all the wonderful things my friends add to my life because honestly, I don't think theres enough space on the Internet to say all there is to say... but on a superficial note... know this. The circle has gotten smaller... Kari and Bethany go to the same church, and Kari has arranged and juggled her hectic post-third-baby life around in such a way that she has now re-joined our running fad, and with that said...

...feel the point building (T.W.S.S!!!!!)...

...with our peer pressuring powers combined...

We (finally!) got Bethany to RUN a RACE... IN A PINK TUTU!

(If you know Bethany... you are now stupefied~ 'nuff said).

The SECOND reason this was a momentous occasion was... not only are we running pals... we are all official proud owners of ghetto fabulous (that's code for 'last season's model') Go Go Gadget Garmen running watches!:



Kari was the latest to join the legacy... hers came on Trotter's eve, courtesy of her adoring, assertive, doting, and wickedly SMART husband, who wisely didn't force her to wait it out til Christmas. ;) Awwww!

The THIRD reason is... well, err... this is awkward.... I know its a little braggie... sorry bout that... I'll say it fast so we can move on... I ran at my fastest pace ever, and set a new personal best. Average pace was an 8:24 mile... for 6 miles!

I'm not generally into my times like that, but there is some substantial progress there, and I feel good about it. Weee!

The FOURTH reason is.... I got to make 'trotting' jokes to my hearts content allllllllll over facebook, and to my girlfriends, and to anyone else who (foolishly) cared to mention the upcoming event beforehand... AND... I got to gobble obnoxiously all morning long which leads me to...

The FIFTH and really most substantial reason I LOVE the Templeton trots (heheheheh!!! Yep. Still funny. )...

I had a wee little co-gobblet in tow this year. There is a 1mile kids trot. And... my sweet little turkey boy happened to be old enough and have an interest in participating.

He did amazing.

And in the perfect picture of an epic finishing moment... just as I rounded the bend for the home stretch to the finish line in the 10k course, oh what to my wondering eyes should appear?! BUT these cute little turkeys gobbling toward me for their very own finish in the end of the 1mile loop... and we met up, fought the good fight, finished the race, and crossed the chalk line together hand in hand.

Yep. It was a moment. I love that kid, and I am SO proud.


And of course, I'm proud of our Kailee Bear too...who was also participating in her first race, and actually did quite well for herself with her graceful long leg advantage. Don't let the Star Wars helmet at the after party fool ya... these are some cool kids.


And last but certainly not least... my sweet husband was there to cheer us all on... take pictures... be our (my) tech support... and just generally rule the world. ONE DAY I will drag him across that finish line with me... but until then, its nice that he holds down the fort, exercises the camera, and makes me signs.



I may be way late in posting this... but I am one thankful little turkey in a tutu. And that's true all year!
xo

Touche

No apologies this time, I blog on my terms now.

:)

Here is a holly jolly little conversation I had with Dawson the other night on the way home from Grammie's house...

****************************************************

Dawson: "Mom... why don't kids have any money?"

Me: "Well, because they have grown ups in their lives to take care of them and make sure they have everything they need... "

Dawson: ...."I need some new toys."

Me: "Nice try. You dont NEED new toys. You want new toys. Do toys keep you warm at night? Do toys put food in your belly..."

Dawson: "Well... you could buy me an Easy Bake Oven..."

Touche.

(Somebody save me... theyre getting smart.)

The Arrangement

My son has a sweet admiration for the loveliest little girl... and always has. He just really adores her. He would follow her straight into an active volcano infested with bad guys and pumpkin slime. And she tolerates him so well!

I wouldn't normally encourage or nurture any such spark at the tender age of six... except that I completely understand how he feels because his mother happens to be one of my most favorite people that I would run thru a desert and leap over cars with fire coming out of them for. HA!

Kailee is just a sweetheart. She is patient, kind, nurturing... and bossy in every best intention! I'm just sure it reminds him of his mommy, and that has to be why she is his (third) favorite girl to be around (I am his first, naturally and I will give his sister the silver medal... or she might make me sorry...). :)

Dawson started going to Good News Club that a local church sponsors after school one day a week. Kailee brought him the first day, so they gave her an In-N-Out gift card! Being the sweet soul that she is, she immediately offered it to Dawson (see why I like my kid to hang out with her?! She's teaching him to give! Priceless!!).

Dawson in turn didn't think it was fair that she give up free In-N-Out since clearly she had earned the burger. So he told her they should go together and share it.


She agreed!

Then, he suggested they go for frozen yogurt afterward using the gift card the Hunters gave him for his birthday.

She agreed!

The kids both came home and explained the plan to their over protective mothers who would normally never condone such an arrangement... but when we realized it would mean we get to hang out together and spy on our kids enjoying their childhood... and then have a blackmail story to taunt them with when they are teenagers and that is, like, SUCH an embarrassing story... we were as good as there.

Plus... we had it chaperoned by the best bouncer around (Kailee's little sister and Anabelle's BFF!):


And of course her trusty yet fearsome sidekick (little bro), Joshua-bear!, who's only known weakness is the sweet distraction of his first taste of frozen yogurt heaven.

Who could blame him?

These kids kill me with their cuteness.

...So Im hoping I'll be invited on all his dates yet to come since I set such a careful standard this time around. And hopefully it doesn't happen again for at least another decade (and a half).

xo

Passive Aggressive Much?

"MOOOOOM! (tears)... Minerva just BIT me and SCRACHED me, and ALL I WAS DOING WAS LOVING HERRRRR!

(sniff) ........... "maybe if I draw her a picture she will want to be friends with me...?"

~A few moments of silence followed by pitter patter down hall, SLAM of front door...

"Well. The picture idea didnt work out so... I just went ahead and threw her out in the rain."

Oh, Anabelle Lee.

I love you.

A Glimpse Into the Heart of Six

I'm going to try really hard to start doing this at every birthday, and I'm sad I didn't start doing it earlier. Here is my son's first exclusive interview as a six year old... you should consider bookmarking it. It may be worth money some day when he publishes his first medical journal. ;)




What is something your Mom always says to you?
I love you. And don't turn 6.


What makes your Dad happy?
He's proud of my homework at school.


How does your Mom make you laugh?

She tickles me. A lot.

What do you think your Mommy was like as a little girl?

You liked Daddy.

How old is Mom?

22. ( Daws: But how old are you really? Me:...27. Daws: "Oh. can you write that instead?") ~ Ha.


How tall is Mommy?
28 inches.


Whats Mom's favorite thing to do?

Tease Dad and snuggle and watch movies

If our family became famous, what would it be for?

You and Dad would be movie stars.


What is something Dad is really good at?
Playing Nerf guns with me.

What is something Mom is NOT very good at?
Shooting guns. Because you're scared of them.

What is your favorite thing to eat?
Artichokes.

What are you the best at doing of anyone you know?

I spying with my little eyes.


What do you want to be when you grow up?

A police officer.


Who is your favorite person to hang out with?

Kaeden (across the street).

If you could go anywhere in the world right now where would you want to be?
Somewhere beachy... Hawaii maybe? Or else Washington state.

Whats your favorite animal?

Snakes and spiders. Because they're insects.

Six Six Six

I've had a day.

Its been the best sort of mom insanity I could have ever hoped and dreamed for, and its every bit as fun as I imagined it to be...

But I am overjoyed, none the less, that it is now the end of the day... and its just me and my iced cold beer sitting mindlessly at the computer amongst the smoldering ruins of streamers and jelly beans gone astray from perpetual party weekend.

My son is 6.

He had his first sleepover. There was just one other boy that spent the night.



It was quite a hit.

And THEN...

We took 5 kids to Chuck E. Cheese.


They all had a blast.

We managed to have a good time too... thanks to BOTH SETS of grandparents that made the 45 minute trek to lend their eyes, ears, and helping hands (BLESS THEM).


I can guarantee you that it was hundreds of times more pleasant than a good majority of the day I was having 6 years ago to the day. Yet there is still something distantly painful about these little anniversaries of the first time I became a mom. It just goes by faster and faster every moment, and it doesn't seem to be slowing down at all...

I just recently found the opportunity to playfully beg Dawson not to turn 6.

He shot right back "Oh, so would you rather I get sick... and die?"

Thats right, folks. My kid is old enough to be witty. My reputation for being the class clown is feeling a little threatened...


I couldnt be more proud of my little legacy in the six years I've had the pleasure of knowing his beautiful face.

xoxoxo

Halloween

I know, Halloween is, like, SOOOOO last month.

I'm behind.

Apologies.

I'm more than a little embarrassed to say... with my darling children gaining independence, they are exercising some interesting liberties.

I am a firm believer in choosing battles. Bedtime? Non negotiable. Homework? Non negotiable. Halloween costumes? Alright fine. Be whatever you want...

Dawson wanted to be a skeleton, of course, because I think they're icky and scary. Anabelle? Well. She's got one foot in the powder room... and one foot in the grave apparently. What do you get when you mix the most feminine Disney princess wannabe alive with a burning passion to "one-up" the awesome big brother?...






Why, that would be a skeleton MERMAID, of COURSE!!!

(AKA: Mom's worst nightmare).

Her second choice was Lady Gaga. In the meat dress. I think Skeleton mermaid was actually the less morbid option! ...and... the attire does kind of have Lady Gaga award show written on it. So maybe she got to have her meat suit and eat it too... either way... I'm pretty sure I lost. But whatever. Kind of funny? Later maybe?...after the condescending and judgemental glares of the neighborhood as she parades around proud as a peacock are faded from my short term memory...?

These are some of the sweetest girls we go to church with. HOW EXCITING! We all have matching costumes!... er. Kind of. Look at the expression on poor Eva's face. Oh, my my my.

Anyways. My parents kindly were the candy dispensers once again this year. They're quick studies... no use closing the door and gettin cozy between the greedy little goblins that troll this here neighborhood. They pitched their camp on the front porch and even managed to smile the whole time. Thanks, guys! :)



Ty had to work (bummed.), so we didn't make any huge plans. We didn't have to tho... our neighborhood is kind of insane on Halloween. Some neighbors reported going thru 20lbs of candy. WILD.

Anyways. That said... I was sad to be 'alone' with the masses... so my sweeeeeet friend Bethany not only showed up to be my better half for the night... but in costume no less!

I was actually really excited to dress up to take my kids trick or treating, because I scored this great flapper costume at a yard sale a couple months ago... for $2. Including the boa. WEEE!

My kids, of course had NO idea what a flapper was.

I explained it to them, of course, like a good mother ought to...

Anabelle, in turn, innocently made sure to let people know that her mother was dressed as a "flasher."

Awesome.

We were just about finishing the candy loop and thinking about calling it a night. We found our beloved Hammies who were handing out candy and chatted for awhile...

It was getting cold, and since it was a school night we were contemplating a return to the home front instead of attending the free carnival that a local church sponsors right across the street from our development....

And then Bethany's phone rang.

It was her childhood bff, who (small town!) ended up being my neighbor and knew we were together that evening. Bethany hung up and said "YOUR BROTHER IS AT THE CARNIVAL!!!"

And sure enough....

The Grizzly boys in the 3rd platoon were kind enough to oversee the evening, and among them was our beloved Cadet Harkness!!

My parents, of COURSE, immediately left their candy post and headed up the hill for a family reunion~!!! It was a brief visit, but a visit none the less, and how cool is that!?!?! I can't believe we almost skipped it and missed out...what a bummer it would have been to have him so close and not see him... and Im SO THRILLED my neighbor recognized him! He was probably 5 years old at one of my softball games last time she laid eyes on him.

Who say's the Holy Spirit hides on Halloween?

:)

~"Not I," said the Flasher.

The Stores A Bawt Dawson

My son is officially an author.

Yah, that's right.

He wrote a book.

On his own.

Behind my back.

JUST FOR FUN!!!

DO YOU REALIZE WHAT THIS MEANS!?!?!?!?!?!!?

The boy IS related to me after all! He may look, talk, stand, sit, eat, smell, laugh, scratch, burp, and be every other physical likeness of his father... but the boy has blogger blood, I can smell it!

Anyways. The book.

Its a juicy autobiographical TELL ALL about a young boy's most intricate inner workings... and I am absolutely head over heels about it. Add it to your Amazon wish list ASAP. Its sure to be in most high demand once Oprah catches wind of it.

Since he is spelling phonetically, and his spellcheck was clearly not functioning on his MacBook the day of publication... (Yah, Tyson, that's right. I know what a MacBook is.)... you'll have to use your own translating skills. But I bet money he gets his stroke of literary genius across to you juuust fine thankyouverymuch.

Ahem.

The Stores A Bawt Dawson.

By Dawson.

Illastrated by Dawson.

Wuns a pon a thear wus a cid namd Dawson and he liced gowing to the prck.

One day Dawson fowd a black widoo.

The necst day Dawson saw a plan.

One day he saw a costoom and he ask his mom if he culd buy it his mom sed yes!


**************************************

TAH-DAHHHH!!!

Were you hanging on every word?

Do you like how the climax was clearly the "black widooo" (a nod to his dear Auntie who is deathly afraid, I am certain!), and were you not completely riveted at the end, when you waited to hear his mom's response to the "costoom" proposal (which technically *didn't actually happen* but clearly it was slightly elaborated for dramatic effect to keep the captive audience guessing)??!?

I dunno. I think Clark Kent may have some competition over at the Daily Planet one of these days in the not-so-distant future.

Move on over, Superman, here comes your kryptonite in the brave human form of Dawson Matthew! You can use one of these empty boxes from his book signings to clear out your desk...

(I just totally had one of those Scrubs moments where I stare past the heap of dishes stacked on the counter in front of me and daydream peacefully about all of that Dailey Planet crap actually happening. What a happy place to stay awhile....)

Ah, reality. Highly over rated.

Speaking of reality...

Here's a sobering thought:

The boy is six years old... in six days.

Six is the devil's number.

He can't really be that old.

...HoLy CoW, I have a six year old, and he writes books. This is heavy. Superman, maybe youre not fired after all... stick around awhile longer...?

Little Pumpkins, Big Pumpkins

I'm really trying hard these days to relish the moments that pass with my babies...

who currently adore nothing more than reminding me constantly OUT LOUD! of all the ways they are, in fact, no longer babies.

I can still hear my mom and dad laughing and joking around as my very own 6 year old self frantically tried to choose just the right pumpkin in an overwhelming patch of opportunity... "you can have the biggest one you can carry back to the car all by yourself!!!" they would say.

This year, they tagged along to the patch once again. As the grandparents.


Evidently that whole "biggest pumpkin I can carry" crap doesn't apply any longer (!?!?!?!?). But you know what? I happened to be wearing my big girl panties that day.... and didn't even throw a tantrum. They rewarded my good behavior by purchasing my kids the biggest pumpkins they could carry each.

WEEEEE!

So ya. I'm trying hard to drink in every cup of cocoa these cold Fall mornings.

Every first candy-apple making experience.


I'm trying hard to just run with the idea when my daughter decides she wants to be a "skeleton mermaid," and my son can't decide if he wants me to hand make his skeleton costume, or just "buy-this-one-RIGHT-NOWWWW!"


At the end of the road, I want to remember every Taylor Swift/ Kelly Clarkson dance party in the living room, and the look in my daughter's eyes when she learns ~from her mother of all places!!~ that a hairbrush can double as a super awesome lip-syncing microphone!

I want to remember how my little boy utterly despises the feel of pumpkin slime, but he forces himself to be a little more convincingly brave each year for the sake of the carving cause (and the excuse to use all the awesome sharp toys the task involves!).

I want to remember Anabelle's disgusting Lady Gaga fetish (try not to judge me), and her hysterical giggles as she proudly belts out "He ate my heart!!!...he ate-ate-ate my heart...." at the dinner table... as we are eating artichoke hearts.

I want to remember each of these days like they happened only moments ago, even decades from now...


Each of these beautiful,


...wacky!...


...crazy!...


...and really, just plain old lovely moments that are whipping by faster than a kid on a sugar binge.

Tonight at Target, Dawson was rather impressed with the pair of black stilettos he spotted, and thought I should most definitely have them.

"But MOM!" he said... "EVERY witch needs a pair of black heel shoes!"

..."But Dawson!" I whined back... "I'm not dressing up as a witch tomorrow night, remember? I'm going to be a flapper!"

(evil grin spreads across dirt-smudged and snot crusted face...)

..."I know you're not dressing up as a witch, mom...."

I just cant believe how big my little pumpkins are. And how funny they are. And smart. And perfect in all their imperfect ways.

What a big responsibility this parenting gig is! And what a complete joy.

Alright. This witch is tired. Better get some shut-eye... I've got a hot date to make over a skeleton/mermaid tomorrow in hair and makeup!

xo