An identity crisis and other ramblings.

Here you have the Red Monster dressed for our Christmas Eve service at church. He wasn't sure whether to go with business casual, formal, industrial...it was all just too much. GrandPinkie got Sam a set of gas station/work shirts with his name on the name tag. Yes, he is quite the happy child now, and he can't be persuaded to take them off. Even for church. (Notice the pencil in the pocket? HAHA)
We made good time today on our way home from Austin-ish. We all had yeehaw fun, and I just hope the Pinkie family members don't move without giving us their forwarding address. We can't be easy to live with. Hehe.
There was just enough daylight left when we got home to begin Phase I of my new garden. Well, ONE of my new gardens. It felt good to get really dirty and do something physically challenging. I took before pics, but I'll wait to show them until I have the AFTER pics to show with them. Sophy and I are planning a Fairy Garden. It will have fairy lights and lots of nooks and crannies for a little fairy girl to play. I am watching some fairy lights on ebay, but they're not cheap (at least not the ones I can find), so I'm giving myself a little time to win them. I've missed my garden, and this is my favorite part of gardening....ideas!!
PDaddy just showed up with Chili's burgers....ta.
(Billie! I just got your pic of Freddie-Li! Congratulations! I've missed the whole adoption saga. Update me! She is adorable! Love the hairy pups, too!!)

Be back soon.

I'm taking the kids to my bro/sis-in-law's house this weekend for a family gathering of sorts near Austin. PDaddy has a rehearsal dinner to shoot tomorrow evening and a wedding on Saturday, so he'll be holding down the homefront while we're away. Thank goodness I have one more week off because this one was a vapor. Where did it go?
Say a prayer for me tomorrow. I'll be in the car with three kids for 5 hours. EEK.
Later!

Shameless Product Endorsement-Christmas 2007

Sophy:
Sophy received most of your usual girl toys that require no explanation....Barbie, Barbie car, dance clothes, jewelry, bobbles, clothes, make up etc. Her favorite, and mine, is the Rose Petal Cottage by Playskool. I was afraid that she would be too old/big for the likes of this cottage, but she (and Sam) have played in it all day today. It's a really pretty, little house. All three of the kids got a Plug n' Play video game. These were a cheap compromise to any of the more expensive video games...plus, they're old school. Ha. Sophy got Ms. PacMan......I am happy to report that I have not lost my PacMan touch!
Sam:
A favorite toy for Sam....a security system for his bedroom. Due to how cheap inexpensive this set was, we figured it would be a joke and cause nothing but heartache. However, it really works....and it works really, really well. I now wave my hand past the door threshhold before entering to ensure that I do not get pelted by a barrage of missiles triggered by the laser beam trip wire. Yyyyeah. It works. Sam also got a cheap, kid version of skateboard along with every piece of safety gear one might need to hurdle himself down the driveway. The GrandPinkies from Hot Springs brought the guys each a RC controlled monster truck that is capable of driving 30mph...or so it would seem. Of course, his favorite gift came from Auntie Pinkie. 500 pieces to add to his old bucket of parts and pieces. Overall, these were a few Sam's fav things. Oh, and this. I am thankful I read the reviews and did not get the Fisher Price version like I had originally planned. This seems to have been a much better buy.
Jack:
Jack begged and begged for a Rip Stick. We caved and bought him one (along with all the safety gear.) Now, the endorsements all say for ages 8 and up. Jack is an extremely proficient Razor scooter rider, but this little baby is gonna take some serious skill and practice to even be able to mount. He's an agile guy, so I guess he will eventually manage. I just assumed it would be something he could jump on and zip off into the sunset. Not so. Still, he was so excited to get it, and I guess it will be something to challenge him. This was not his favorite gift, although he has played with it a lot already. For a Hot Wheels item, it is suprisingly fun. We've wasted a lot of money over the years on Hot Wheels items that aren't worth the box they're sold in. This one had a little more bang for the buck. A little. Jack loves Hot Wheels, but I'm not sure if he is too old for them or not. Oh well! He also got several DVD's, lots of books (happy boy), and the subscription to a train magazine that he really, really was hoping for. OH! And his very first bottle of cologne. He asked for it!! It made me weepy just paying for it. Hehe.

Shameless Product (and food) (and movie) Endorsement of Christmas 2007 to follow

I plan on updating later on with a few shameless product endorsements from some of our favorite gifts of Christmas 2007. PDaddy's father and step-mom are here for a few days from Hot Springs, so I'll update when they leave tomorrow. PDaddy has them out of the house for a few minutes to make a quick grocery run and to pick up some lunch, so I'm trying to get a start getting the Christmas decorations down and the house put back to rights. I love decorating for Christmas, but I can not stand Christmas decorations that are left up for too long. Pet peave!!!
Anyway, we had nice Christmas dinner (ham, sweet potatoe casserole, green beans with tomatoes, etc.) and fire last night, while the kids played with their Christmas toys that PDaddy's father brought (he made them guns that shoot marshmellows...yay.) It's raining and cold today, so the kids are a bit restless and over-stimulated from 3 days of family gatherings and present openings. Not a good combination!! I'm hoping to UNstimulate them as fast as possible!
I think for dinner tonight we'll have white chili, guacamole, pico, etc. Dessert?? Hhhmm. Oh, last night with dinner I made the Olive Cheese Bread from Pioneer Woman's site. Heavens to mergatroid....it was delicious and so simple! Check it out....and then make it for someone you love (and yourself.) In other news, have you seen Alvin and the Chipmunks? Cute movie for kids. We met PDaddy's sis and little girl on Sunday to see it, and the kids loved it. I wouldn't have seen it without the kids, but it was enjoyable (unlike some kid's movies we've been tortured with over the years.) Jack LOVED it so much. And now he wants a chipmunk. Uh.....no.
Better run and get back to my Christmas break-down before they get back from town. Hope you are all well and HEALTHY!

Yuletide Virus

Pics from Sam's book parade and Sophy's Christmas program.

True to form, we're knee-deep in the same virus (I assume) that ravaged through Jack's poor body for 13 days. Sophy came down with bronchitis, a double ear infection and a throat infection. After 10 days of antibiotic, we took her back to the doctor to learn that the antibiotic had not worked. At all. So, now we're on to a different type of antibiotic to see if it has more luck. The girl is 6 years old and has never had an ear infection in her life. She's paying back double for that now. On Thursday, Sam had his book parade at school--dressed as a taxi. He designed his taxi and was so excited that he got to read a book of his choice to the class and parents. It was a nice little program, and he promptly came home that day with a 101 degree temp. YAY! By Friday a.m., his temp was 103. By Friday p.m., it was 104.4, and he was delirious. Didn't know me from Adam. Or Eve. I worked like mad for 2 hours (tepid bath, cold rags, popsicles, motrin, tylenol, etc.) and finally got it down to 102. After that, he started slipping down under the 100's. Sigh. Of course, it's a holiday, so you'd think I'd be expecting this. I've learned that my hopes renew every year. Maybe it's the holiday spirit, but every year I (mistakenly) believe that we're gonna creep by.....make it through one major holiday without someone being violently ill. I'm sure it will happen one year. It just won't be this one. Ha! However, I am thankful that my kids have something that can be treated with meds from a pharmacy when so many moms and dads are hoping their kids just make it through the night. I'll take a virus every holiday. Gladly, if it means we're healthy otherwise.

Sophy had a kindergarten Christmas program on Friday. It was too cute for words. I love how she loves to perform in front of people. She's not exactly shy and retiring. Hahhaa. Wonder why?

PDaddy is about 6 hours away today watching a local high school team play for the state title. He and my dad left really, really early this morning, so the kids and I went to town and bought PDaddy's Christmas gifts. I let the kids pick out a gift each for him, and we wrapped up the day (no pun intended) by riding the Christmas train at the mall. That made the kids very, very happy. Then I popped into Long John Silver's for the first time in about 4 years for my yearly quota of grease and sodium. And THAT made me very, very happy. What is it about those little crunchie things? What ARE those little crunchie things?

Tomorrow, I hope to take the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks before we go to my folk's house for Christmas festivities. Or should I say Festivus activities. Hehehe.

Pam!

Of course I remember you! How are your kids? I can't reply directly to guestbook comments (because I'm a techno retard), so I had to make a quick post to say hello! If you want to sign my guestbook with a private comment and leave your email address, I'll email you! Glad to hear from you!

Say hello to Fred.

Santa sent us an Express package from the North Pole earlier this week. Inside the box, was our very own scout elf from the ranks of Santa's finest. Santa, ever-efficient, also sent us a book that told us the job of this elf and our duties as well. Seems that Santa's best kept secret is his useage of scouts. Have you heard? Your first duty is to give your new elf a name and fill in his certificate that dedicates him into your family. The elf, in our case it's Fred, watches and listens. Fred listens and will always hear about news in the car, the park, or at school if a rule is broken. Then. THEN! Each night while you are asleep, the elf flies to Santa by way of magic. Yes, magic! He chills with his pals. He reports to Santa. He eats and takes a nap. In the morning (after the elf returns to your house), you have to find the new spot where the elf is sitting. The kids wake up earlier and earlier every day to see who can find Fred first. So far, at our house, Fred has perched in the kitchen, on the ceiling fan (see photo above) in the living room, the boy's room, and just this morning....amongst Sophy's glass elephant collection. There is only one hang-up. One rule you have to obey. You can NOT touch the elf lest he loose his magic. Fred can't speak, but we can talk to him. You can tell him your wishes, apologize for being bad, plead your case as it were. Of course, Santa has the executive decision on all things toy-ish. In the end, Fred will hear the sleigh bells on Christmas Eve and say adios to the Pinkie family. Take heart. Next year, he'll be back when it's Christmas-time again.

The info above is from a book by Chanda Bell and her mother Carol Aebersold, The Elf on the Shelf~A Christmas Tradition. The book is so neatly written, and my kids love it! The illustrations are really pretty to boot. The book comes with the Elf, and my only regret is that I didn't have this when the kids were younger. Nonetheless, they have eaten this up--even at their advanced ages. ((Smile))

Shopping, weather, thanks, and a movie

Shopping - We're finished! HOOHOO!!! ((Except stocking stuffers!))

Weather - Is it cold or what? Yikes! It was nice to do Christmas shopping in cold weather. East Texas Christmas shopping usually means you wear shorts and flip-flops. We commemorated the cold snap by having, as planned, lunch at my tea place. Yes, it was nice.

Thanks - Tricia, thank you for the recipe! I will definitely give it a whirl! Sounds really tasty!

Movie - Also as planned, we saw I Am Legend.....and....Wow. Uh, it was good. Creeppppppy, in a Doom's Day/end of the world kind of way. Nonetheless, wow. Didn't see it coming.

Now that I've spent an entire day shopping, wrapping and eating, I must make up for it by doing laundry tomorrow. Haha...or should I say, WAH-WAH!

Friday Night Fever

Today, we learned that Sophy has infected ears, an infected throat, and the beginnings of bronchitis. Honestly, she doesn't seem THAT sick. Then again, she has the constitution of a horse....so there ya go. Anything else that knocks the boys off of their feet, she just takes in stride. My back is still hurting like nobody's business, but I think it's something muscular...and not anything big. I just really thought it would be better by now, or maybe I was just HOPING it would be better by now?
PDaddy and I are going Christmas shopping tomorrow, and I really hope we get to see a movie. It may not work out in our favor, but it would be nice if it did. I imagine we'll be in town all day, so I may get supper at Caraba's out of the deal. HOO-HOO. At least I know I'll be eating a scone and having hot tea. Is it just me...or am I really obsessed with food at the moment? Heehee.
I think we'll make some sugar cookies tonight. A sort of pre-Christmas dry-run. For some reason, Shepherd's Pie sounds warm and yummy. I only know one way to make this. I'm curious if anyone out there has their own recipe for it? Anyone? Anyone? I wonder if Pioneer Woman ever makes Shepherd's Pie? Can you imagine? Maybe I'll get that going for supper with a salad....some rolls.....slurp.
PDaddy just came in and made a fire. Niiiiiiice.
Thanks for all the lovely Christmas cards! Jack is scoping out who has cute daughters and inquiring as to their names and ages. Pah!

Parade & Recital pics

Here we are on the parade float waiting our turn in the processional. Our float was pulled by an 18 wheeler with a giant guitar on top with a sign that said, GIRLS ROCK! Hahaa. We only thought we were dead once on the parade route when the giant, electric guitar pulled down a power line. Were we frightened? Uh-yeah. I'd say we were a teensy bit scared. In the end, our float placed first for having the "Best Lights." I guess that is unavoidable when there are 78 little girls wearing flashy-light Santa hats on board.

The girls wore their regular dance leotards for this little program, but they had the option of wearing antlers while they danced for us. I can't wait to see the program in May. They spend August through May learning the 3 dances for the recital, and they sure are working hard. Their tap routine is to Material Girl (heheheee). One of their other dances is to some Hannah Montana song (try to control your gag reflex...ha!) It's all very cute. The ballet dance will be the last one they learn, I believe. There are 12 girls in Sophy's group. Here she is with 3 of her partners for the tap dance.

See this guy?

This poor kid. 11 pounds lost and a horrible case of pneumonia....I don't think I've ever seen him so sick. He's slowly getting better. Still no appetite to speak of, but his energy level seems to be on the upswing. Sam took this picture of Jack last night at Sophy's Christmas dance recital/party. The Grandpinkies came to watch, and the boys were surprisingly supportive of Sophy despite the fact that they were at an all-girl event.

DaddyPinkie and I plan to take the whole day Saturday while the kids are with my folks to get our Christmas shopping started and finished....all in the same day. We probably will be in town all day, and I'm hoping that we can catch a movie while we're in town. DaddyP. says that if he gets to pick the movie, he'll let me pick where we eat lunch. Hehee....I am dying for some cheese scones and chicken salad at a cutesy-girlie tea room that I love. It's not much of a man-food place, but hey! he said I could pick!! Besides, he usually isn't one to turn down a fluffy, hot pastry...and their scones are rather tasty. Maybe I'll get really lucky, and he'll drop me off at the nail place for a pedicure while he does some shopping. HAHHA. Never hurts to plan.

Nutcracker

We had a swell time at the ballet. Sophy and Pinkiecousin are always excited to see the dancers, and it's neat to watch how they experience it over the years. This year, Sophy was more taken with what the dancers were wearing. Pcousin follows the story and watches every move the dancers make. She's a diehard fan!Both girls came away with a ballet slipper ornament. Here are some pics. For some reason, I look pregnant in the pic below. I am not. At least, I think I am not. Here are the gals after the show. Is this not a sweet shot?

Pay no attention to the dead bush behind us or to my bad hair day! Here we are...on our way to the ballet!

Week before last, this week, next week, the week after that....

1. Jack had a fever of 102+ for 10 days. A plethora of tests, 4 doctor visits, a CT scan, and a chest xray....well, we discovered he has pneumonia. Yeah, it was a CRAZY week. In the process, Jack lost 9 pounds and is soooo weak. Today he is feeling a good deal better. I hope this is the end of it. Until the other 2 get it......of course, that's what Christmas Eve is for, right?
2. Week before last, we went to see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Imporium. It is super cute and brings up a lot of questions about life/death. It's a sweet, sweet show. It made me cry....and then we went to have choc. chip, Mickey Mouse pancakes and hot chocolate at our fav pancake place. Maybe I've already posted about this? Can't recall...
3. Yesterday I did something insane to my back. It's called standing up. I have no clue what happened, but I've been in extreme pain ever since. As I type, I'm sitting in bed with an ice pack on it. Sophy and I are meeting our Pinkiecousin, PinkieAuntie, and GrandPinkie to go see the Nutcracker. If I am properly medicated, I should make it through. Pics to follow (not of me medicated..har-har!)
4. Sophy's dance group rode on a float in the Wonderland of Lights parade last night. It was fun, but we missed seeing the coll things in the parade. Daddypinkie and the boys (and the GrandPinkies) were in a good spot on the parade route, so they got to see the riders, bands, twirlers, clowns, firetrucks, etc. After the parade, we met up at our new neighbor's house for our cul-de-sac's annual post-parade party. We are the youngest of the group, but everyone seemed really nice.
5. Yesterday we went to S'port to JulieAnne's bakery to get Christmas cookies to take to the cul-de-sac party. We stopped in for lunch at Jason's deli on our way home. It was so yummy. I stuffed my face like a wild woman.
6. Next week we have a dance recital party and showcase. The girls get to invite their families to their dance class for refreshments, and they show off all that they have learned for the big, Spring recital.
7. 2 more weeks of school. Oy.
8. Our Christmas cards should be in tomorrow. I hope they turn out cute.
9. Have you read/heard of/or do you have The Elf on the Shelf book? I saw this book in Southern Living magazine this month, and I love the idea of it. It's this story that comes with this elf that you set on your shelf. The story explains that the elf (by magic) goes to the North Pole every night to report on how the children of the house have behaved to Santa. Each morning he is mysteriously in a new spot. The kids have to search to find him. There are also rules. You can't touch him with your hands, etc. I loved this idea! I'm bidding on a couple on ebay in hopes that I will win one, and thought I'd make it a new tradition for the kids. I wish so bad that I could've started it when they were much younger! Still, it will be fun for as long as it lasts, and then maybe to pass on to their kids.
10. Better try to get moving and see if this back will work. I'll try to post pics of the N'cracker this eve.
**Ter-Have you made a Santa yet?