Fast, Faster, Fastest

2012 is coming to a close, and I've had so much on my plate that I've hardly had time to taste what life has thrown at us this year. We bought a house (unexpectedly). I went part time at work (unexpectedly). We took the vacation of a lifetime (expectedly). I've cooked, cleaned, steamed, diapered, clipped, snipped, and wiped. The year has gone fast. Faster. The fastest year ever.

We celebrated Christmas. I tried to slow time and enjoy it. I made sugared pecans. RJ, GiGi and I painted at the kitchen counter. We celebrated at school and at church.  We played and rested. Tomorrow, I end my holiday from work (I do actually work from time to time--even now). It has been a blessed, wonderful, fast, faster, fastest Christmas.

We took advantage of our beautiful 50 degree days with a slide for GiGi. She helped. 

But most of the credit goes to her Poppy, our own personal assembler and slide monitor. 

GiGi spent some quality time in her drawer. And by "in her drawer," I mean, in her drawer. 

Completely unrelated to her drawer, GiGi is learning about timeout (she has a matching set of gophers now and has learned to use them defensively--we are not a vampire baby and there will be no biting).

RJ celebrated with his class.  He asked to wear the elf hat to school. I assumed he'd lose interest and toss it in his cubby. I was wrong. He owned it. Wore it all day, complete with the remnants of his Rudolph nose that he wouldn't let me wash. He's a little politician with a touch of show choir thrown in.

RJ kicked off the Christmas weekend by convincing his daddy that I needed roses. He ordered that they be pink. Not red. Pink. He was right. Thoughtful little guy. 

We headed to the children's service on Christmas Eve. I am thankful for a little Lutheran church that understands children. Even when they're in the front row and put on a show. We sang silent night, not with candlelight, but with pink glowsticks. It still made me feel warm and Christmas-y.  RJ got lost on the way back to his seat after the children's serman, so Mommy had to step in. When I sneaked up behind him and touched his shoulder, he asked, "How did you know?" Mommy knows. She's magic.

This was the best shot I could get of them. They were a little bit excited. And this was before they knew Santa was coming during church. 

RJ didn't know quite what to think. Santa had come, but he was a little unsure. 

GiGi, on the other hand, was very sure. She was sure that Santa's cookies were delicious. 

It's Diesel 10! (For the un-initiated, he's the only evil train on the otherwise peaceful Island of Sodor and demands a premium because of that. Little boys love him.)  Santa brought RJ remote control trains. Fisher Price knows little boys. The trains have three speeds: fast, faster, fastest.  I feel like this is the definition of my life right now. I'm on the track running fast, faster, and fastest until the batteries give out. And then, I'll rest (kind of like I did today--we all napped and spent the day in PJ's--'cause some days are like that). 

A balance bird! It balances everywhere!

I got a baby doll! Oh my gosh!

RJ shopped for us at school. He got me an eyeliner pencil, his grandma eye shadow, and his Poppy some tools (a keychain with drill bits).  He also got himself a slinky, a pencil, and a dinosaur eraser. When I asked him about it, he told me, "The big kid said I could. I didn't break any rules, Mommy." But the best gift, "I know you like Ok-a-homa State Daddy." Someday he'll learn, but until then, this is officially the logo of Oklahoma State 'round this house.

GiGi took over photography.

And showed off the shoes her daddy picked out. She has a minor obsession with shoes. She caught a glimpse of my shoe rack last week and nearly danced with excitement: "Shoes!" She's my girl. No doubt about it. 

 GiGi loves her new teacart. She and her brother have served a hundred cups of tea so far. 

Pour some tea, stir it up, take a sip, from your cup.

We got a family Wii game. Our little go-cart driver is one happy camper. 

GiGi has the boots with the fur. And a Spiderman shirt. Because she wants to be just like Bubba.

Batman! (GiGi has a new word this weekend--Batman!) This photo is priceless: Batman and Spiderman together. 

Santa brought the boys remote control helicopters. The big boy is more excited than the small one. 

And the small one is pretty excited too. Although the time to charge the helicopters was a little much: "Is this gonna charge until God takes us to heaven?" 

Seriously happy with her tea cart.

Very, very serious business.

The best part of Christmas--they like each other! A lot!

After nearly 12 days of an upset tummy and a mewling "No" accompanied by a head shake, GiGi finally started eating again.  Lasagna was a full face event, and for once, I didn't mind a bit. (And yes, she is wearing a Tinkerbell sundress over her Christmas shirt. She liked it and felt pretty in it. Who am I to challenge her sense of style? My mom let me wear skirts made of neckties when I was younger.). 

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Best Wishes, and Cheers to a New Year. 

Here's hoping that the train slows down--without running down the batteries. 

A Weekend Travel Review

I can't talk about what happened last week. Not now. Maybe never. For now, I'll hold my babies tighter, treasure every moment more, and try to make sense out of the unfathomable. I'm not ignoring what happened. I woke up Saturday morning with tears on my cheeks and couldn't think why until I remembered the news. Someday, maybe, I'll be able to formulate a reaction, but for now, I choose to pray for the families, hope for the future, and focus on my family. Because family is important. The little things are important. When I was about 11, my mom took me and my friend on a mini-vacation to a Holidome. It was awesome. We swam. We giggled. We generally escaped.

I had the chance to take my babies on a mini-vacation this past weekend.  I put the document reviews on hold, celebrated a settlement, and enjoyed my babies and my bestie. We visited the country music capital, the home of Shoji Tabuchi, Waltzing Waters, and some magnificent rock formations (if you listen to my bestie): Branson!

This wasn't my first trip to Branson, my second, or third either. It was probably my fifth, or maybe sixth. Not my first country jamboree.  It was, however, my first time to visit the Grand Country Inn. I bought a Groupon that entitled us to two nights, unlimited access to an indoor water park, four buffet breakfasts, miniature golf, and all the iced tea we could handle. The Grand Country pretends to be a resort. It's really a gathering of parking lots broken up by single story entertainment buildings housing a theater, a sprawling carbohydrate buffet, and an indoor arcade. Add in an indoor water park crouching down on the hillside, an indoor pool in a single story self-contained structure, and a smattering of motel rooms--all with the same green roof and twinkle lights, and you've got the Grand Country.

Our room was clean. Not impressive, but certainly clean enough. And, I found the real metal keys on real  plastic key chains invoked that sense of nostalgia that I craved this weekend. The beds were soft if worn a bit, and the tv was functional.  We had a view. Of the parking lot. Which was fine with me since it allowed us to keep our eye on the swagger wagon (it was her inaugural voyage!).

We went primarily for the indoor water park, which was unfortunate. I had illusions of grand cedar beams with that cedar-y smell, pleasantly warm water, and at least two or three slides plunging into pools--all of which were accessible just by a short walk, preferably inside. The reality was biting chemicals inside an older wooden building, which housed its entrance down three outdoor ramps--not at all pleasant in December with two small children.  The main attraction--a treehouse kind of play system with a huge bucket that periodically dumped ice water on those unfortunate enough to be standing under it--was scary for RJ. It scared me. The one slide was enclosed and shot its riders into a trough of water--no warm pool. The kiddy area had been unfortunately repaired multiple times with colored duct tape. And the restrooms were, well, just gross. (I swam on swim team for 10 years and managed a public pool. I know gross when I see it.).

An hour was all it took for us. It might be fun for older kids. The indoor pool was at best average for a hotel pool. It was clear enough, though not entirely clear. It was warm, and we were able to enjoy a good hour of swim time.

We did enjoy the mini-golf (though $7 a person seems steep to me) and the breakfast buffet (I'm a carbs for breakfast kind of gal--French toast with a side of toast please!).   And, RJ totally rocked the mike during the pre-show at Amazing Pets. His joke? "A tree walking!" "Ha!" He thought it was hilarious. I thought he was hilarious. And, he was so proud of himself: "I did it!" The audience couldn't help but give him a chuckle too.

The best parts of our trip were not at the Grand Country. We stumbled upon the Branson Railway and the Polar Express. We weren't able to get tickets, but my little guy was tickled all the same: "It's James!" He's convinced Thomas lives there too. We built a bear and a bunny too. We ate at Lambert's Cafe, home of the throwed roll. (I ate at the original, and Norm did magic tricks at our table. For real. He's probably the most famous person I've ever met.).

So, the Grand Country wasn't the water park adventure I had hoped. Not even close. But, it was the weekend I needed. I hugged my babies close. I smelled their hair and wiped their noses. I spent hours talking with my bestie. I didn't watch the news once. I giggled. I escaped. It was, in fact, a perfect weekend:

We're on our way! A one-year old. A four year old. A five hour drive. We're crazy!

We made it to the big McDonald's over the highway. (It's every bit as dirty as I remember it--even RJ was a little concerned.)

Three and a half hours into the drive...things are getting a little wild in the swagger wagon. 

GiGi is ready for the water park. I don't have picture of the water park because I didn't want to risk my camera. Suffice it to say, she was the best looking thing in there. 

Mini-golf! It's indoors and has a thundering rain storm every 15 minutes or so. Pretty exciting. 

Auntie Amy got caught in the weeds. 

GiGi played along. She had a ball for each hand and caddied for big brother. 

It's James! He was so excited.

We spent a lot of time this weekend snuggled like this. RJ seemed to know that I needed his little boy hugs and snuggles. More than once, he pressed his cheek to my hand and gave it a kiss--he loves "The Kissing Hand." (It's a terrific first-day-of-school book if you ever need one). 

It's blurry, but our photographer is only four. I think he did pretty good. 

We built a bear. RJ gave him his first "bath" and dressed his in underwear and Skechers. He named him Bear, last name Bear: Bear Bear. I call him Bare Bear (hee hee). He made a wish on Bear Bear's heart: "I wish I could give Bear Bear a heart." His wish came true. Sometimes he's still such a baby it makes my heart hurt. This growing up thing is hard work. (I dropped my camera and lost the picture of him hugging Bear Bear that evening. At least I didn't lose them all!). 

We saw Santa at the Branson Landing too.  RJ told him he wants a remote control helicopter. That is all. Santa's elves need to get busy. 

Can  you believe he'd never been to Krispy Kreme? I couldn't either. 

She's a first timer too. 

We made it to the outlet mall. The best part? The dump truck, of course. 

My little bathing beauty queen--the best part of our water park experience. 

Someday she'll be Miss America. 

Or not. Can you believe she did this? In a restaurant!? For shame. For shame. 

This is not acceptable for Miss America, GiGi. 

 Can you believe she used to look like this? I miss those little baby-doll wrists. 

RJ is pretty pleased with Bear Bear (Bare Bear--heehee). GiGi built a bunny. Her name is Bunny Bunny. We're creative like that. 

And, we are happy to be home. Happy to be with each other. And, happy for hugs, snuggles, a little nostalgia, and a lot of fun. 

Fun, Food, Family (Catching Up on the Family Photo Album)

It's the holidays, and by holidays, I mean that six week period from mid-November to the end of the year when my house looks like a clothing bomb has gone off, my van is a rolling rummage sale of tied up Target and WalMart bags (have to hide those presents somewhere), and the lights are blazing at midnight while we try to wrap one more present, bill one more hour, and survive one more week.

Hamilton Hank Holidae, our elf, has sugared the tablecloth, toilet papered our kitchen, and turned the milk green. I'm about ready for him to fly back home for another year.

In the meantime, we've found time for food, for fun, and for each other:

We're exhausted and running on fumes. Or love. All you need is love, right? We're punchy, silly, and generally happy to see the holiday season: 

GiGi is obsessed with her holiday Hello Kitty shirts. She wears one every day. Every single day. They make her smile. This makes me smile. 

She also has found a particular affection for waffles. 

It has been unseasonably warm. And we've taken advantage of the lovely weather. (And I'm happy to report that my big boy still loves George. This makes me smile too.). 

GiGi's not sure about the leaves. We have a lot of them. More than we thought. About 48 bags worth. I think. I lost count when we were out in the dark of night stomping wet leaves into the "just right" greenie bags for pick-up. The neighbors must think we are some strange cookies. 

GiGi started to get the hang of it. 

Just another night at our house. GiGi has learned to accessorize. RJ has learned to zerbert her tummy. They both find this hilarious. 

Look closely. She's wearing one Hello Kitty sneaker. If you sit in one place long enough, she'll bring you a shoe. And you'd better put it on her foot. Or you'll be sorry. Everyone will be. GiGi has an affection for shoes and a hot little temper. 

We've been cooking. RJ and his nanny helped make chocolate pie. 

GiGi helped make Thanksgiving dinner too. In her own special way. (That's 100 packets of Splenda in case you're wondering. And yes, she picked out her own shoes and accessories.). 

How GiGi does Thanksgiving.

Poppy's girl. 100%. 

I wanted some super special, super meaningful picture of sibling love for Thanksgiving. He stole her cracker. And ate it right in front of her. That's meaningful. 

My mom made us aprons. RJ actually loves to cook, and he wears his apron regularly. But someday, this will make an awesome addition to his wedding slideshow. 

He still lollipops. 

GiGi is learning to lollipop. 

She's sunshine most days. But every once in a while, we get to see that little temper.

But, the just right pair of shoes makes it all kinds of better. These were Mommy's tap shoes. And they entertained my baby girl. 

She still has those thighs. Those adorable thighs.

 I hope she always eats the cake and never loses those thighs. 

And she's learning to step it up. 

We actually made it to a fly-in breakfast. We used to go nearly every month. It was cold and windy. But RJ still managed to get his Poppy out on the runway for a walk. 

Grandma made aprons for more than just the grandkids. She did a whole show! 

Completely gratuitous. I just can't resist this smile. 

Some other things I can't resist: pink corduroy jumpers, ruffled socks, and baby dolls. 

RJ performed in a Christmas show at his little Lutheran school. 

The boys were shepherds, and the girls were angels. This little angel didn't have a part. But she stole the show nonetheless. 

Pretty baby. Pretty daddy. 

We finally got the first ornament hung! I've missed this smile from my RJ. 

And, a week later, we got the whole tree decorated. 

She's thinking this holiday season is about to get really interesting. 

And with that, I'm caught up. Until next time, enjoy your families. Enjoy the food. (Forget the laundry. Forget the dishes. It's the most wonderful time of the year!)