Why He's Hoarse, of Course

We had a lovely but quickity-quick Easter Sunday, thanks to the fact that I cram 25 of my 40 work hours into every weekend, most of them in the night. It doesn't leave a lot of time for holiday activities in the middle of day. Or maybe it just doesn't leave a lot time for me to sleep. Whatever.

Lucas had a lovely day dueling his Uncle Ben with their new light sabers. Like he really needed another one...one that makes action sounds and light displays and hurts like the dickens when it comes in contact with a finger or two. Lately all his days are spent reenacting looong battle scenes he's seen in the movies, and others he's made up on the go. By the time my son's head hits the pillow at night, he's talked himself hoarse...and that's no joke. I call to say goodnight from work and his little raspy voice answers and tells me, "Mommy? I love you a thousand. Here's Grandma." And I have to laugh...because even though he can't be bothered to linger on the phone with me for more than a second, it's because he can't shut off the Star Wars movie that's constantly running in his mind. I can hear him pick right up where he left off in the background, narrating as he goes and begging for his Grandma's attention.

I get these babycenter.com updates every week that offer up ideas of where your child might/should be developmentally for their age. I started getting them when I was pregnant. I lived for those updates and the pictures of how big your baby probably was on that day. I haven't ever figured out how to stop those updates...I'll probably still be receiving them when he's 18; This week's update: Your child is off to college! Today's email told me that in order for my son to become a good listener, I have to model that behavior for him. He needs my undivided attention when telling me something, so that he'll in turn model that behavior towards others. While I agree with that wholeheartedly, there's is no way on earth that I could stare into his eyes and listen intently to his words when they simply never stop. I can't figure out how to redirect him to a silent different activity. He is a man on mission and can not be deterred. I'm thinking kindergarten is going to be tough at first. I'd like to wish his teacher good luck.

Misunderstood

I excitedly told my four year old tonight that if he can stay up until midnight tomorrow we will toast to the New Year and watch the ball drop together. He is now thrilled that I will be making him toast with extra butter tomorrow at midnight. Might have just created an odd new tradition for our odd little family.

The Best Deals

I love a bargain. I can squeeze a nickel out of two pennies, I am that frugal. And I stumbled upon a couple of really good sales this week. Nothing makes me happier than buying something I really love for 80% off. Look at me...spending more money after Christmas. I am such a good consumer. Heh.

Anyhow, we have survived the holidays once again. Lucas was thrilled with all of his gifts and he kept exclaiming over and over and over "I must have been the best boy this year to get all of these gifts!" And he's right. He's been pretty darn good. Every gift he received from "Santa" that wasn't something he specifically wished for confused him, however. And he kept asking me time and time again, "How did Santa know I wanted this so bad when I didn't even wish for it?! Did you wish for this for me?" Not knowing what to say, I just agreed with him, so he told me that I'm the best mom he's ever had. He's made of mighty cute stuff, that one.

Magical

I went to Walmart this evening with my son, against my better judgement but wanting to make peanut butter balls, and as I suspected, it was packed. Navigating weary shoppers leaning heavily on their carts, hearing tired children crying in every isle. It was not the funnest trip.

My mom had made the most delicious baklava in the world and she gave us an entire tray that we snacked on on the way, and Lucas, all hopped up on sugar and honey, could only speak in his MOST LOUDEST VOICE EVER! It was like he had a bullhorn attached to his mouth. Deafening.

We gathered up everything on my list, except all of the things I needed that they didn't have, and headed for the car. As I was unloading the cart my Mom said to me, "Quick, look!" I turned around in time to see my son, light up by the street lamps, with his face turned to the silent sky watching the snow swirl down around him. It made me stop everything, the peacefulness of it after the chaos of the store. He caught us watching and gave a big smile. "I thought I was about to fly," he said, "It was like magic." Oh! I hugged him so hard he told me I was "squishin' his belly." What an excellent way to end my night.

There's Always Tomorrow...

I have a To Do List a mile long and absolutely no desire to get started on it. I am embarrassed to admit how late I slept in this morning while my kid ran around our home in his birthday suit scarfing down fruit-by-the-foot in record numbers. Because he's a lovely little boy who wants his mama to get her rest.

I know it's just like with exercise, in that I'll feel better after I get started, but oh! The getting started is the hard part!

But! Tomorrow is a new day...albeit with a very long list of things to do, and if I can get through a load of laundry and setting up the tree I'll be a happy camper. I have half a mind to post my phone number here so you can all call me every 5 minutes beginning at 9am and tell me to get my lazy behind off the most comfortable couch in the world. (I'm lazy, but not crazy...I'd like to get a little sleep! If you do know my number please don't call me before 9am...I'll be sleeping.) ;)

Winter Wonderland

It's snowing so hard that it's a total whiteout. First whiteout of the year. Feels much more like Christmas now. Off to start wrapping presents...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well, we've successfully stuffed ourselves to the gills at my mom's house, and now we're back home resting up for round two at the home of a friend. We are indeed lucky and blessed. And also very full. Hope you're all having a wonderful day with family and friends! If you need us, we'll be the two sacked out on the couch in the corner...

Awwwww....He's No Dummy

Lucas and I were sitting in the car waiting to pick up my mom from work (on my way to work) (doesn't it seem like a lot of my stories start out that way?) and I handed him a toy catalog and pen and told him to have at it. Go wild. Start making Your List. And then he sent the world crashing down around me by announcing that THERE IS NO SANTA CLAUS. I'm sorry, but 4 is simply too young to be so jaded. So I started gushing about how OF COURSE there's a Santa Claus if only you BELIEVE! I begged him to tell me what he wanted for Christmas. I offered to write his letter myself, so sure was I that Santa was REAL and that he NEEDED that letter. He said all he wanted was an xBox360 but Grandma was going to get it for him. There was nothing he was willing to ask Santa for. And also? If you say your wish out loud it won't come true.

It was like being on the losers team during a major debate. Not fun.

"Okay, we won't talk about it anymore for right now", I told him, "but Santa most definitely is real but only if you believe...and also, he's not a mind reader so we should just play it safe and make a list." I faced front and pulled out a magazine and turned up the radio a little so he'd know I was done pestering him about for the time being. It was then I heard a tiny little whisper from the back. "I believe. I believe." And that, my friends, is how you melt your mother into a puddle of goo with just four little words.

"Did you just hear me say anything?" he demanded from the back seat.

"What sweetie? Were you talking to me?" I replied, all nonchalant.

"Nope...I didn't say anything...but you can help me make a list, if you want."

Happy New Year and Rabbit, Rabbit!

I ended 2007 and started 2008 dizzy and a tad miserable. I don't know what my problem is...but I'm sure it will pass. Thus begins and ends my New Year's celebrations. Yahoo!

Christmas Day: Sunday Xmas Extension

Yep...still opening gifts today at 2pm...he finally realized that the pile of gifts still under the tree might actually be his. He doesn't rip and tear his way through presents...after opening one, he's done for a good long while. I was planning on re-wrapping everything that was left in birthday wrap...but he opened them all this afternoon. 'Bout time.

Christmas Day: 6:45am-12:00noon

We finally had to peel him off the couch and away from the television to eat some lunch and open some gifts.

Christmas Day: 6:30am

The Xbox has been unwrapped and hooked up...we will not see him again for a while...

Christmas Day: 6:15am

Still bleary, but we have made our way off the couch and have started opening presents.

Christmas Day: 6:00am

No, he doesn't looked please that I already have my camera warmed up and ready to go...but I was not pleased that Christmas morning started at the ungodly hour of 6:00am...so we're even.

I'm Hooked

Okay...beautiful, wonderful Christmas pics are important and all that...but let's take a moment to talk about something else. I am addicted to Guitar Hero III. My brother got an xBox 360 for Christmas, and we rocked out from 6am until noon. Because we are rock stars...especially me. And now I'm sore...but happy. Actual Christmas pictures to follow.

What We Did Over Christmas Break...

Or the week before Christmas, to be more precise...


Looks like a happy little house, huh? Lucas *glued* every single sweettart in place with his own two little hands. Good enough to eat!

Party Like It's 1999

We had our first annual Holiday party last night at a very fancy hotel by the hospital. Apparently in years past the unit has had parties, but hasn't in several years, and a couple of our nurses decided to organize one this year. Oh. My. Goodness. I've never wanted to go to work parties before, and now I never want to miss one. Let's just say fun was had by all and we closed the place down at 12:30am when the (good-lookin') waitstaff kicked us out. I woke up this morning feeling just fine but by noon, I felt like I had been hit by a mack truck. This means I either need to forgo dancing for the rest of all time, OR start going out dancing more often. Hmmm, let me think, let me think...time to dust off the old dancing shoes and start shaking my groove thing on a more regular basis. I had the best time. I knew this was a great group of people, but I had no idea they were so much fun! I laughed so hard and for so long that I woke up with a hoarse throat and if that's not a sign of good party, I don't what is.

I'm Back!

I must say...although my job isn't really fun or glamorous, I get to work a lot of hours in a short space of time, and then I get a lot of days off...and we had ourselves some FUN in all of our days off this week.

Let's start with the fancy schmancy dinner party we got invited to on Tuesday. I think YUM! sums it up. We were all served a delicious salad as the first course, and I wondered if Lucas would touch it...not being a big bowl of iceberg lettuce and all. But he dug right in and ate his endive and well as some of mine. He was a little disappointed that the potatoes weren't mashed until he tried them...so tasty! He raised his glass and toasted the table to good behavior at dinner, and thoroughly enjoyed many, many, many glasses of ice water out of some very fancy crystal. I was so incredibly proud of him at the party. I think he did a very good job keeping all of his energy in check, the food could not be beat, the other party guests were wonderful and the hostess outdid herself with food and drinks and decorating. We do not often...lets say never...get invited to such grownup occasions, and we loved it!

I got all of our Christmas cards done and mailed...this is a very big deal for me. There have been years past where I've gotten everything written and stamped and then never mailed, so...yeah! Done!

My Christmas shopping is all done...but not wrapped...and is currently sitting all over my kitchen in a gazillion store bags...even the ones for Lucas...because he is not a snooper, something he definitely did NOT get from me! *wink*

I went to a cookie party in a blizzard on Thursday night, and even though my poor old car couldn't make it up a very steep drive covered in very deep snow, I had a blast and came home with some seriously yummy cookies.

I made a killing on Friday at the mall cashing in the rest of my Black Friday $10 free gift cards. I got Lucas a pair of Vans sneakers, the only brand that really fits his wide feet well, for the low low price of just $2.00 with tax. You can't beat that...really, I'd like to see you try! ;-) Also, three free Disney cars...brand new hard to find ones...'cause the eleventy million we already have just aren't enough...no sir...must buy more.

AND...the best, most awesome moment...I was walking through the lobby of the hospital with Lucas and he saw Santa. Apparently we have a volunteer on staff that looks like the best Santa in whole wide world. He was sitting behind the reception desk with a red sweater on and snow white hair and gold rimmed glasses (and a volunteers vest) and as we walked by Lucas caught sight of him and stopped dead in his tracks. The man said "Ho, Ho, Ho young man, have you been a good boy this year?" All Lucas could do was whisper, "I want Thomas pieces." over and over again. Poor child. He was starstruck. He has never let me take him up to the mall Santa, or the mall Easter bunny for that matter...so it was big deal to see this man so close after watching a string of Christmas specials this week. So fun!

Not His Christmas Pic...But Still CUTE!

TGIF

It's Friday! Well...it is for me anyway, and thank goodness. I'm ready to be home and be lazy. Preferably in my pajamas. With lots of icy cold diet Pepsi...and chips. I have a ton of After Black Friday shopping to do with all of the free money certificates I earned while shopping on the Actual Black Friday...so watch out mall, here we come. My efforts to have a China-Free Christmas are coming along nicely, with just a few exceptions...I decided it might be fun to try and buy all of our gifts made from places other than China and Lucas has ended up with some really fun stuff that I might not have sought out otherwise...so that part has been neat. Of course, some things are only made in China, so I bought them anyway, and we'll just hope they don't poison us to death before Christmas rolls around again.

Last year I shopped like a madwoman to earn all of those $10 dollar off store certificates and then worked the next week straight and they all expired before I could use them...but not his year. Oh, no...this year we shop...ten dollars at time.