Christmas 2010

Wow, Christmas is over?! It came in a whirlwind and left just as quickly, leaving my house in sad disarray. But boy was it ever fun. The kids are still overwhelmed, jumping back and forth to each new toy screaming "play with me, play with me" as if on 'repeat'.

Austin started Christmas vacation much like every holiday started in my house growing up...sick. When I went to his school for his Christmas party the Friday before break and he couldn't even eat any of the goodies, I knew he didn't feel good. That and he was so hot I didn't have to take his temperature to know he was running one. So we left and immediately went to the doctor and learned that he had the H1N1 flu virus, and it quickly spread like wild fire through the house. Thankfully I only ended up with a cold, probably because I am the only one who got a flu shot this year (thanks to my work who was giving them out free on a day I happened to be there). We were trying to get healthy before my mom and dad got here, as they also did not get the flu shot. My dad did end up going home with a cold, which was inevitable I guess.

Here are the highlights of our Christmas season in no particular order, some I have pictures of, most I do not:

1. Watching both of the kids' Christmas programs, which I sobbed uncontrollably through. Aubrey's school put on a music program where she sang 3-4 'choreographed' songs. And Austin was in our church's production of the Back to the Manger, the Children's Christmas musical. We spent so much time at rehearsals we all knew all of the songs by heart, including Aubrey. Well, mostly by heart. I just love to hear Up on the Housetop and Gloria, in Chelsey's Stable over and over. Here is a little private production of one of the songs for your viewing pleasure.

2. Making Gingerbread houses. This is the first time we had ever done this, and we really enjoyed it, my parents included.

The masterpieces

3. Playing scrabble with my mom while munching on chips and my grandma's famous clam dip, a tradition in my family. I may or may not have whooped her booty...twice. She may or may not have whooped my booty the same number of times.

4. Watching Christmas movies. And then laughing every time my kids say "you serious Clark?".

5. Watching my children open up Christmas presents.

6. Playing Hungry Hippo and laughing until I almost peed my pants.

7. Watching Austin walk around in Papa's boots.

8. Exchanging gifts with our best friends and sharing more laughter and stories and good food.

9. Playing games until late in the night, which is our plan for tonight as well.

10. Visiting Santa, who just happens to be a Red Sox fan. We love to talk baseball with him every year. We have been visiting the same Santa since Austin's second Christmas, so all of the pictures of the kids are with him. Which is pretty cool I think. And the kids like to ride the Christmas train after they talk to St. Nick.

And, as it is appropriate and fitting every year, I will refer you here for a little Christmas poetry.

Happy New Year to you all!

My Little Helpers

We are almost ready for Christmas around here. The house is cleaned-well sort of, the presents are bought-um...mostly, the cards are done (and by done I mean purchased and waiting to be addressed and stamped and mailed), and the tree is up and decorated. And thanks to my two cute helpers, the bottom half of the right front part of the tree is especially full of ornaments. Er, it was anyway. You know as well as they do that I "adjusted" a few...ahem...most...okay...all of the ornaments after they were done. Just to even things out a little. You know, so all of their ornaments could be properly presented and seen at every angle. Yes, I do have a problem.

Way Back Wednesday #20

Santa Baby too-Aubrey's First Christmas

Way Back Wednesday #19

Santa Baby-Austin's first Christmas

30 Days of Thanks, Day 30

Thankful for my few faithful readers who give me the motivation to continue posting blogs (although not as often as I should usually) and for any comments you may leave. Thankful I was consistent (mostly) about posting everyday this past month. Any ideas for December?

30 Days of Thanks, Day 29

Thankful most of all for God and for all of the blessings He has placed in my life, most importantly my kids, family and friends. I know I am truly blessed, and I know I need to remember that everyday no matter how much 'crap' life slings at me. Which isn't much in the grand scale of things.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 28

Thankful for our church. I have never really considered us "church type people" but it has become an important part of our week over the past few years. I am thankful that we have found a place that we feel comfortable and enjoy going to worship. And thankful I was able to talk Brian into volunteering in the Sunday school with the little ones, because I think he enjoys it more than I do.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 27

Thankful there is always next weekend...

30 Days of Thanks, Day 26

Thankful that Christmas season has officially started, and that I had a little energy today to get some organizing done, and very hopeful it will continue the rest of the weekend so that I can get my house decorated.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 25

Thankful for our Red Sox friends who have become our Oklahoma family. Without them our weekends would be boring, my house would probably be cleaner because I would be home more, but our lives would be filled with a little less laughter. And thankful that the button on my pants held out today and didn't blow under the pressure of the second piece of pie.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 24

Thankful I got all of my paperwork done today so that I don't have that hanging over my head for the rest of my long weekend. Now if I could just get the housework done...

30 Days of Thanks, Day 23

Thankful for 5 days off with my kiddos and the upcoming 'man vs. food' event that will take place on Thursday as I see just how much turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes I can eat without exploding.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 22

Thankful we live so close to a lake where the kids can skip rocks, feed the geese, and hunt for sea shells.

Aubrey checking out Austin's find.

Our haul.

We even found a few crab claws (miniture) and full, closed shells. It is almost like living near the ocean. Almost.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 21

Thankful for my money-pit house, the overwhelming amount of yard work, the never ending chores, the magically self-replenishing piles of laundry, the mounds of dirty dishes, the endless cleaning/putting away/picking up. It all means I have a roof over my head and something warm to wear, and food to eat too much of, and two little monsters who are very skilled in making messes.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 20

Thankful that I can breathe, I can walk, I can run (although not fast), I can dance, I can sing (badly), I can hug, I can love, I can cry, I can smile, I can laugh. Especially thankful that my kids can do all of these things as well.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 19

Thankful for movie night and popcorn with extra butter and snuggling on the couch and the giggles of my little ones as we watch one of their favorite flicks.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 18

Thankful for Austin's teachers, who have all been wonderful and kind and who push him to become the best he can be; and for Aubrey's teachers who adore her and love her and who make her "school" a place she looks forward to going.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 17

Thankful for the guy on the highway who waved after I let him in, because even though it isn't mandatory, it is the right thing to do.

Way Back Wednesday #18

Our little Red Sox Fan at 5 months old. He didn't know then it would become an obsession.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 16

Thankful for my job and the people I have met, the good friends that I have made and the laughter we share. And for the crazy stories from clients that no one would ever believe.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 15

Thankful for the rainy weather that gave me the excuse today to stay in and watch too much TV and snuggle with my little ones.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 14

Thankful that the man in Wal-Mart today, who after seeing me singing into the princess toy microphone and busting a move when I thought I was alone and not being watched, held his composer and waited until going into the next isle to start laughing at me.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 13

Thankful for my sister who is my best friend and who is the one person I can tell anything to and know that it is safe. And thankful that she loves my kids even though she claims not to like children, and that my kids adore her almost as much as she adores them.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 12

Thankful for my mom and dad, who have always been there for me and now for my husband and kids. They are my foundation and who I still look to for guidance and approval. The have helped shape me into the woman I am today, and I am forever grateful for all they have given to me. And I am thankful that my kids have the opportunity to know them and to love them as much as I do.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 11

Thankful for all of the brave military men and women; past, present and fallen, who have served and sacrificed for this country and our freedom. Happy Veterans' day!

Today Austin had an assembly honoring Veterans, and after school we talked about how both of his grandfathers served in the military. Austin was amazed that his grandpas were once 'soldiers', and is so very proud of them. So are we.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 10

Thankful for our zoo where we spend many beautiful days like today hanging out, visiting our favorite animals, and having picnic lunches. It is so much fun to be able to experience the wonder of God's creatures through the eyes of my children.

Way Back Wednesday #17

I love this picture of Aubrey. She was almost 2 years old here. It looks like she is really having a heart to heart with God. Probably begging Him to ask Austin to quit picking on her.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 9

Thankful for the time change because now when I can actually muster the energy to get out of bed in the mornings to go for a jog, it isn't so dark and scary. And especially thankful when said energy decides to present itself.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 8

Thankful for my husband for many reasons, but tonight for always doing bath and bed routines with the kids to give me time to relax, go for walks, catch up on my DVR'ed shows, do paperwork or catch a quick nap before bed.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 7

Thankful that my kids don't see color when it comes to loving people, and that Austin has a diverse group of friends and is exposed to many cultures, and that they know people are just people no matter what their skin color is. And that when we go to church and Aubrey sees the picture of the little African American girl with long curly hair holding up her arms to Jesus' outstretched hands, she says that is her getting ready to hug Him.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 6

Thankful my garage sale is over and I made a few bucks, that the weather was awesome and that my kind and supportive husband has promised to beat me over the head with a garage sale sign should I ever consider having another one.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 5

Soooo very thankful for Margaritas and good friends, stories and friendship and sharing and Margaritas. Did I mention the Margaritas? Yummy.

30 Days of Thanks, Day 4

Thankful for 7-11 French Vanilla Cappuccino which, even though I have sworn it off, is a nice treat every once in awhile, and a 'must have' when driving around looking at Christmas lights in December. (Also thankful that it won't be long before we get to do this!)

30 Days of Thanks, Day 3

Thankful for Sesame Street and the hour in the mornings it gives me to get stuff done around the house, play on the computer, or take a nap snuggled next to my little girl who loves to watch Elmo and Grover and Abby Cadabby.

Way Back Wednesday #16

Are you ready for some Football??!!

(Austin at 2 yrs old, watching the Steelers)

30 Days of Thanks, Day 2

Thankful for fall weather and hoodies and football in the yard.

30 days of Thanks

I saw this elsewhere and thought I would do something fun for the month of November. Gonna try to post something I am thankful for daily. It just might help keep me from focusing on the negative which is what I have been doing a lot of lately.

Day 1: Thankful for my beautiful babies, who are healthy and strong and loud and independent and active and naughty and wonderful and smart and kind and exhausting and sensitive and creative and ornery and...perfect.

Happy Halloween!

The kids had another fun and candy filled night of Trick-or-Treating, which around here was last night instead of tonight (to avoid kids out on a school night I assume). Aubrey was very willing to dress up and participate in Halloween this year, and we only had one incident of scary candy givers that made her cry.

I had the cutest little Witch and Ninja around.

Here is Aubrey's Good Witch pose.

Trick-or-Treat!!

In addition to the traditional Trick-or-Treating fun, we took the kids to the Storybook Forest last week, which is a really cool Halloween event here at a lake/park. They set up scenes from traditional stories along a lighted path in the trees, and the kids follow the path to get candy at each scene. They also have hayrides and games, and then afterward there are fire pits to drink hot chocolate by and roast hot dogs or s'mores. We had done it once before 2 years ago, and loved it. This year it was packed, so we didn't stick around to do much of the extra stuff, but the kids had fun.

Entering the Storybook Forest...

The Old Women Who Lived in a Shoe...she wasn't around but she left some candy for the kids!

Aubrey getting candy from Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater's wife.

And the dish ran away with the spoon...

October in a Blur

This month has sped by as fast as the previous months and is a hazy blur to me already. I am in shock that there are less than 2 months until Christmas.

Here are the highlights of this month:

-Austin's baseball team went 6-3-1, and Austin was a superstar. His best little friend Kaehler played with us and he and Austin are a force to be reckoned with when they play together. The last few games Austin played at pitcher and Kaehler at first. After one spectacular play where Austin fielded the ball and from his knees threw the runner out at first, the home plate umpire asked if this was a little league team or the Texas Rangers. It was a lot of fun. The season was tainted slightly only by another coach's hissy fit, but in the end it turned out well. (Long story short, the other coach was the coach of another team in the spring, who we combined teams with for the fall as neither of us had enough players. He has 3 kids on his team who repeatedly asked to sit the bench and who have no interest in playing, doing cartwheels in the outfield, sitting down, picking grass. One of those happened to be his son. They got benched at least one inning per game, and this coach felt like Brian was only benching his players and none from our Red Sox team. So he quit with two games left trying to take all of his players to leave us short so we couldn't play. We were able to fill in with neighbors/little brothers to play anyway, and played well).

The boys like getting their drink tickets for a soda after the game almost as much as playing.

-We took a few trips to the zoo (our favorite outside place to visit). We enjoyed beautiful weather, saw our favorite animals and even got some exercise. We only had one minor mishap where Aubrey fell pushing her stroller (which she would rather do than ride in it) and scraped her elbow. We came home and put a band aid on it, which made her day. However, the next day daddy was home with her, and her band aid came off and it started bleeding. He put on another one, and told her to keep her arm up. Which she did. Until bedtime. And it took me 4 days to coerce the band aid back off.

Pushing her stroller. We could do this at home...

-We did our annual Race for The Cure (breast cancer) walk with our good friends. It is always so much fun, and such an emotional day for me. There were tens of thousands of people downtown who came out to walk/support the cause. We walked and then had our traditional greasy burger and fries.

Aubrey and her best little girlfriend holding hands during the walk.

-We got ready for Halloween fun by doing our annual Painting of the Pumpkins. The kids love to do this, and I love to watch them.

Both kids concentrating very hard on creating masterpieces.

-We went to the cheap showing of Back To The Future, which was at the theater for two days only because it was the 25th anniversary of the movie. Back to the Future is one of Brian's favorite movies, and has fast become a favorite of Austin's too.

Great Scott!!!

You Know You're Tired When...

-You start getting ready for bed at 8AM.

-You start thinking things like, if I put my contacts in inside out, would I be able to see backwards?

-You get out of the shower and dry off only to realize you have shaved only one leg. Or still have soap in your hair.

-You go all day wearing your undies backwards and don't notice.

-You get to work and can't remember the drive there, or if you have dropped off your children at school/daycare. Or even where your children are.

-You have no energy to eat (HUGE deal in my case).

-Your 15 minute power nap turns into 4 hours.

-Even the thought of getting off of the couch exhausts you.

-You let your children have Doritos and gummy snacks for dinner, because they can reach them.

-You don't have the energy to change the channel on the TV, even when you are holding the remote.

-You find popcorn in the couch and just brush it on the floor with the plan of asking the hubby to vacuum soon.

-You sit on your daughter's donut at church, EVEN though you are the one who put it in your chair during the standing up singing part, and EVEN though you swore you would remember it was there (PS, not a happy little girl after that, and Aubrey was pretty upset too).

-The makeshift coffee IV you have made does nothing to keep you awake.

-You forget what you are saying in mid sentence.

-The promise of an afternoon nap is the only thing that gets you out of bed.

Way Back Wednesday #15

Austin's first Porsche...3 mos old

Haircut

Before...

This picture doesn't do him justice, he had just gotten out of school and was all sweaty and disheveled. His hair was getting pretty out of control though. I do love his hair longer. However, he has been wanting it cut for a while now so he can 'spike it', so I finally gave in.


After...

I was very sad to see his curly locks go. But he is a handsome boy either way...

Way Back Wednesday #14

Austin at almost 2 years old, refusing to eat.

Huh. The attitude started this young.

Umm....I Guess It Is Time For An Update

HOLY CRAP!! Where the heck did September go??? Has it really been over a month since my last real post? And what has happened to the Way Back Wednesdays? As my few faithful followers, you must be really disappointed in me!

Our world is much the same, just busier. Austin is doing well in the 2nd grade. He was invited into the gifted program at his school, which is a huge deal (at least for me, so very proud of my little man). I always knew my son is brilliant, but is nice to know others recognize it too. He likes school, and likes his teacher. I like her too, she seems to know her stuff even though she is only about 12 years old...

Austin is doing well in fall baseball, and is adjusting to the pitching machine as opposed to the T. He has hit a few home runs, and is kicking booty playing first base. I so love to watch him play ball, but tend to be a bit hard on him when he isn't the superstar I know he can be. I am thinking that I need to take some kind of sedative before his games to keep me a little calmer...

Aubrey is doing well also. She has new teachers again this fall in Mother's Day Out, and she adores them. She loves going to 'school' and is learning all of her numbers and letters. She is always asking what 8+8 is (or 9+1 or any other numbers that come to her head) and how to spell any word that she hears. I think Austin's weekly spelling tests are rubbing off on her. She is also learning the days of the week, and asks everyday "Is today Sunday or Tuesday or Saturday?". Those must be the days she remembers the best. She knows Sunday is church day, and looks forward to that (I think it is the donuts before church that she loves). She is such an affectionate little bug, and often tells me she loves me out of the blue. Which melts my heart every time. I could hug that little one forever.

I have been busy trying to get my house cleaned (spring cleaning deep cleaned) and things organized. I honestly did NOTHING over the summer, so my house has been sadly neglected. Which, who am I kidding, is really nothing new. Work is busy so that means paperwork at home too...never enough time in the day. And as if I wasn't busy enough, I volunteered to make copies again this year for Austin's teacher on Thursdays, and volunteered to help teach a children's class to Kindergarten/1st Graders at church (which I totally got coerced into; I had signed up to take some positive discipline class at church and the class got cancelled. So the teacher, who also does all of the children's programing at church, asked if I would help out with the K-1st grade class since I had planned on being there on Wednesday nights anyway). I really need to learn how to say no.

Other than that, we haven't done much new. The summer is coming to a close, the swimming is over and it is about time to pull out the hoodies, which I am excited for. I love fall, and fall nights. We plan on enjoying the fall nights much like we did the summer nights...with lots of playing and laughter with good friends.

Mornings are hard for us around the Miller household. Austin and Aubrey trying to wake up and get started on their day.

Way Back Wednesday #13

Brother's Kisses

Way Back Wednesday #12

Austin Crockett-6 mos old

Way Back Wednesday #11

Brian's law school "prom" 1999. Look how young we were. This is when we were getting a lot of sleep, didn't have to share our bed with kiddos who sleep sideways, spent our money on frivolous things, and had no responsibilities. We slept in until 11am and ate at 10pm (mostly take out). We stayed out as late as we wanted, went to the movies every weekend, and didn't know anything about which diapers prevent the most blow outs, or which nursery rhymes are the most fun to sing at the top of our lungs or how healing and wonderful sticky kisses could be.

Happy 7th Birthday To My Little Man

Dear Austin,

Today you turned 7. Seven years seems like such a long time, but they happened in the blink of an eye. What a handsome, mature, caring, kind, grown up little boy you have become.

You are still all about baseball. You would pick playing baseball above anything else on earth, and are so good at it. I love to watch you play. You would play all day every day if you could, and often do, getting in trouble for hitting balls in the house. You even make your sister play, and get mad if she doesn't play "right". And if you can't play baseball, you are watching it or playing it on the computer.

You are so smart, and although you don't really like to read much yet (at least not as much as you like to be read to), you are very good at it. Math is your favorite subject so far. Your teachers love you and say that you are so well behaved and smart and a good friend. I couldn't ask for a better, more well rounded son. You are amazing, and I so often forget that you are only 7, having such high expectations for you, but you so often meet them. You are kind hearted, and kids love you. You are every one's friend, although your loyalties still lie with your best friend Kaehler, who shares your love of all things baseball. You are still daddy's boy, and daddy often says he wishes you were around when he was your age, because you would have been inseparable...much like you are now.

You have lost four teeth, (front top two and front bottom two), and enjoy seeing what the tooth fairy brings to you hoping that the coins will fill a spot in one of your coin books. You are the youngest member of the coin club here, and enjoy collecting and going through coins with your daddy. You are still a little shy in doing the 'show and tell' part though. You love to watch movies, and still love Scooby Doo. You are into Bakagans, and have several although we still haven't figured out how to play the game yet! You like Monopoly (and other board games), and are getting almost as good as your daddy, which is bad news for me. You love to draw and color and make lots of pictures for your dad. You also love to swim, and can dive better than mommy can. You can go all the way to the bottom of the deep end to pick up the toy divers we throw down for you.

Most of the time you are very good with your sister, who loves and adores you. I know she can get on your nerves, and I know that you are often very ornery towards her, but I also know you love her very much and would do anything for her. You are her Nahnie, her best friend. My hope is that you and she will forever be close, and that you will always look out for her.

I love you Austin, and I am so proud to be your mommy. You have brought so much happiness and smiles and laughter into our lives. You will forever be my little boy.

Austin letting Aubrey help him open presents.

Austin's new Bakugan.

We had Austin's party tonight at Chuck E Cheese's with most of his good friends. I never did get a really good picture of him there; he was so busy playing he hardly stood still except to open presents and blow out his candles on his Bakugan cake! Oh well, he said he had a great birthday, and really that is all that matters.

Way Back Wednesday #10

Austin's first baseball. He still plays with this ball daily with his sister, they take turns batting it around the front room (it doesn't quite look as nice and clean anymore).

First Day of School

Austin on his first day of second grade. He was probably smiling at a cute girl as she walked by. Definitely too cool to pose and smile for his mommy. What a handsome, grown up little man.

Way Back Wednesday #9

Austin's first t-ball and bat. He was barely one in this picture.

At The Park

Aubrey and I went to the park (or pahk as she calls it) the other night after it cooled down a little. She wanted to take her bubbles, so she entertained herself with those for a while, then we had to feed the ducks. She was excited to learn that ducks like leftover pancakes in addition to stale bread.

Catchin' Some Baseball

We are getting geared up to start fall baseball in a few weeks. Austin is pretty excited, as am I. He is going to try pitching machine, so it should be interesting. His best little friend will also be on our team, so that will make it all the more fun! Fall ball runs through October, so more baseball posts to come...

We are also protesting, refusing, reluctant excited to start school next Thursday. I think I am still in denial. I am so very sad this summer is coming to an end, but am looking forward to all that second grade will bring for Austin. We have been trying to cram as much fun as possible into the last few weeks of summer vacation, including finally catching a RedHawks game. Here are the kids enjoying some baseball that is not being played by Austin!

Way Back Wednesday #8

Peek-A-Boo

Aubrey at 4 months. I just love this picture of her. What a cutie!

Way Back Wednesday #7

August 2007, Aubrey was less than a month old. She is checking out Austin's nose.

Aubrey at 4 months old, still infatuated with Austin's face.