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Jason was missing the ones I'd get so they're back (starting now) for anyone interested.

Sorry I didn't get around to blogging yesterday. I was on the phone with a place about Easton's birthday party and then chatting with a girl from high school. We've reconnected via Facebook and I might be getting a little job with her but don't really want to talk about it yet.

Anyway, I realize I've got some days to catch you up on. Back to Tuesday, our snow day, after quiet time Easton wanted to play in the snow. He played by himself:


Well, I take that back, he played with his brother too:

That picture is also a link to a video of their "game" so you can click on it if you want to see the movie.

Yesterday (Wednesday) was one of my very lazy days. We didn't leave the house at all and I was just so blah and unmotivated to do much. Boy was I paying for it at the end of the day. Those two boys were so squirrelly. We were having discipline issues and they were driving me crazy with whining and crying and getting all over me and each other. I decided it was a good night for take out and even though the Old Chicago I called doesn't do curbside To Go orders the guy who answered the phone offered to come out to my car anyway. He must've sensed it in my voice or something. So with the boys in their p.j.s we went to pick up our dinner and I made sure to tip "Nick" the nice To Go man.

It's not like we didn't do anything at all, but we didn't do much. We did a small art project. Festive door hangers:




Dalton didn't do his at all. I made it:


Easton did his, though. I would just put hot glue the piece and hand it over. He even chose what to write on the sign:


In the afternoon poor Easton was trying to come up with stuff to do. He must've been so bored, the poor guy. He was like, "How 'bout we do Playdoh?" So they did:


Today I resolved to have a more active, less lazy day. It's Thursday but it wasn't a typical school day for E. Instead the entire preschool/pre-K classes showed up all at once for an hour to practice for their Christmas program. It was an hour and a half after school normally starts so first I took the boys to McD's for breakfast and playing to make up for not doing anything fun at all yesterday.

The Alabamaws sent the boys McDonald's gift cards inside their Thanksgiving cards(Thanks, Maws!) and so we brought those and a coupon for a juice and one for apple dippers and had our breakfast. As soon as we got into the play area Easton made a beeline for the sign. You know how he is with the "No" signs and wanted to check them all out:


Dalton sported the look that is oh-so-popular amongst the under-2 crowd:


And Easton impressed me with his improved dribbling skills. He's been able to dribble a bit in the past but somehow with age (not practice!) he's gotten even better:

He's nowhere near this girl, though.

I bet he might kick the pants off of her in a climbing competition, however:






And I was thrilled to see Dalton willing to slide again. He loved it as a wee person, then he's been scared of sliding for awhile lately. But he did it all on his own a bunch this morning:


After breakfast we headed over to E's school for practice. I dropped him off in the basement to line up then went up to sit with many of the other parents in the sanctuary. I found my neighbor (Ben's mom) and Diddles and I sat with her. Dalton was a bit of a rascal. Especially when I took my cell phone away after he figured out how to make an "emergency call". He was quite loud and I'm a little nervous for how he'll do tonight. I'll have to bring a bunch of stuff to keep him busy, but when we tried that with church awhile back he threw stuff at the people in front of us. He's a rascal and he knows it:


We came home for some lunch, Easton spread his strawberry cream cheese on his bagel all by himself he did great until he was climbing down from the counter and put his belly right into the cream cheese. Oops. Good thing he'll be changing into fancy clothes later.

It's time for Q.T. now, I might go snuggle Easton watching his shows and do a little reading of my own. Ta ta!

No Post Today

Been on the phone for the boy's quiet time so I'm not going to blog today. But things are fine...just making plans and catching up with old friends.

Till next time...

The Quiet Observer

So I had to wake Diddles from his nap yesterday to take him back up to dermatology. The P.A. we've been seeing was perplexed and so she had to bring in the M.D. who is fabulous at his speciality, but lacks a bit in the bedside manner arena. No matter.

He recommended a different lotion which is $15. The Eucerin we normally use on our dry skinned boys is "only" $10 for roughly the same amount. Anyhoo, they also gave us a script for yet another steriod cream which is supposedly stronger and greasier. We'll see...

While we were hanging in the room waiting for the doctor I noticed the P.A.'s diploma on the wall...she graduated from the same school as me, with the same degree, the year before I did. Made me feel slightly inadequate but perhaps she's looking at me with my two kids feeling the same things? I dunno. We chatted about professors and how they've changed the name of our major. Good times.

We left the doctor and had a few errands to run. The snow came while we were inside Babies R Us. We stopped by the Redbox for Wall-E on our way home and Easton watched that while Dalton bothered me as I made dinner.

At bedtime Dalton acted like he wanted Jason to rock with him before bed. Normally it's me that does it, but Jason does it plenty and obviously does it when I'm not here. Dalton is so cute because he likes to smooth out a "Cuddles" to lay on and tells you he wants it "nice". Then we snuggle, sing some songs, whatever, and before he's ready to fall asleep he either says, "Bed" or "I ready". Sooooo cute. Then we'll put him in his bed and that when the "Nigh nigh. I yuh you!" comes. I love that part of my day. And last night Dalton asked for Daddy by refusing to come to me waiting in the chair. Apparently he changed his mind however and cried and cried for awhile. However, I'd snuck out in the storm to go to the library before it closed. I drove all the way there with 15 minutes to spare till closing...only to find they were already closed!!! I was super bummed because I was rushing over to get the copy of Breaking Dawn (4th in the Twilight series) that was finally on hold for me. Argh! I came home and did nothing instead. Actually, I was on Facebook for a bit and then entertained myself by putting random words into the search feature on my blog and reading the old posts that came up.

This morning Easton and I had big plans...I sat in on his class today and observed. They warned me it was going to be a screwy day but with Jason already home with D I wasn't going anywhere. They all started with their works and it continues to amaze me how calm and organized the Montessori rooms are. I mean, it's a room full of 3 and 4 year olds but you'd never know it from the noise level. It's great. They did their works independently as all the kids arrived. Once they were there they sat for "line time" and took attendance and sang a good morning song and did the pledge of allegiance and such. Then at 8:30 they all lined up and went into the church to practice for their Christmas program. First they had to get in order of height and out of the 17 children at class today (2 were absent) Easton is smack dab in the middle height-wise. 8 kids on either side of him. That's fun. Sometimes I feel like he's short. Jason feels like he's tall (probably cause he's taller than Jason was). Then all the preschool kids in the other classes joined them and they praticed their songs and hand motions. I was really glad I got to see because I'm afraid for the program Easton will pull the same thing he did at church a few weeks ago. Oh well.

After practice it was back to the classroom where they had works and snacks and a special art project all going on simultaneously. The kids just know what to do. They know they take turns at the snack table and so every once in awhile you'll see a kid clean up after themselves and go back to doing work and another kid, having just cleaned up his work, will go get his snack stopping first to put on a smock and then wash hands. They pour their own juice, they serve themselves, they clean up after themselves. The teachers don't have to stand over them and coach the whole time. It's amazing to see them being so responsible.

Easton did a few works that were rather impressive. He was the only one doing the spindle box which is a mathy lesson. It introduces the concept of zero and seems easy enough but you have to do it right and even though the kids are 3 and 4, they're not all there yet. I saw Mrs. M giving a lesson on the "bead stair" to another kid and was surprised that the student found it challenging. At his conference in October Mrs. M told us that Easton was one of just a few in his class who could do it properly. And what is funny now is that Easton stacks his bread crusts like that anytime he has bread. I whispered that to Mrs. M today. She was amused.

It was nice watching some of the work the kids do, it was nice to see how Mrs. M is with the kids. You can tell which kids are more challenging for her. She is less patient with them. I was kinda surprised, to be honest. Luckily, Easton does not seem to be on her bad side at all. And I don't think it was just because I was there because she still had to correct him a few times, "Stay in line, Easton" or "Did you forget something?" when he didn't put his rug he was working at away.

The kids worked on art projects for the parents. They had a choice of a wreath, snowman, or mitten. When it was Easton's turn he said, "My dad likes to make snowmen with me" so that's what he chose. I haven't seen it yet, though.

About a half an hour before school was over Mrs. M turned on her music box and the kids know this means to put their work away and clean up their spots and go sit on the circle rug. Again, that was majorly impressive to me. They just know what is expected of them and they do it. While in their circle time Mrs. M led them in a few songs. They each got a few jingle bells to play. Then she turned on a CD and they danced to a couple of songs that had instructions in the lyrics "move like a spider" "wiggle one foot"...that sort of thing. That is when they get to let loose and be normal, silly, 3 and 4 year olds. I got the impression they did the dancing instead of going out onto the snowy playground today. Soon it was time for pick up and Easton got dismissed first. I was so glad to be a quiet observer today!

After school some of the mom's converged and discussed a group gift for Mrs. M for a Christmas gift. Eek! I hadn't thought about that one yet. And then the room mom told us about the upcoming Christmas party for the class. Easton and some of the other kids played nearby in the snow while we talked. Easton was the only one laying down in the snow, though. What a goob. He's in jeans and a sweater...not waterproof and we had to stop by the 'brary so I could get my book finally! Oh well. We got home to Jason and Diddles and J decided he needed to go into work rather than working from home the rest of the day so that's what he did.

Easton had a couple discipline issues when we got home and I hear Dalton had put himself in a time out earlier this morning after Jason told him no and that he was being naughty. I think it's the snow. It makes them extra rascally. :)

I need to start dinner in the Crock Pot and then Easton and I will be watching a movie. Well, I'll probably sit next to him and start my book, honestly. Sorry for no pictures today. Maybe next time.

A Storm's a Brewin'

The weathermen are predicting some more snow for us this afternoon. Typical, because it was in the high sixties over the weekend.

And speaking of the weekend, ours was lovely. Starting with Friday afternoon the boys and I headed up to the mall. We had some shopping to do before we met up with Jason in the line to see Santa. But Easton needed to pick out something for his friend Max's birthday party. Easton wanted to get him something Toy Story-ish which is interesting because when I called Max's mom for ideas she said he was newly into Toy Story. Perfect! So we headed off to the Disney store...


Then to do a little more browsing, from the second floor we were able to look down and get a little Santa preview! He looked right up at my boys and gave them a wave:


We also like to stop by the window of the pet store, of course:


Then it was time to get in line. Santa takes a break to feed the reindeer and we hopped in line about 15 minutes before he was scheduled to return. Jason met us there and took the boys to walk around for a bit while I held our place in line. They came back and showed me how they were going to smile:




Just then Santa came back through the doors from his break. He was bumping knuckles with all the kids in line. Until Dalton. Dalton shouted "No!" right then. Fun. So this is how our actual visit went:

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I'll share the picture later...you know how we are about sending them to the grandparents first. :) The picture makes me laugh. Easton told Santa about the Bat Cave he wants and told Santa that Dalton likes Elmo. I was glad he spoke up for his brother like he did.

Here they are waiting for the pictures to print:


And then waiting in line for food court pizza Easton took a looksee too:

(That's as close as you'll get to seeing the pic for now.)

My oh my...is the food court always so busy on a Friday night or is it just that it's Christmas? Sheesh. Jason, the boys, and I all got something from different places. Busy busy.

Then we browsed the sporting goods store a bit for ellipticals, they had a Skee Ball home game display out:


We came home and discovered that Easton knows how to button! At school the teachers want all the kids to obviously be able to do their own zippers on their coats. You can imagine trying to get 20 kids ready to go out to the playground in the Colorado weather can be kinda time consuming. So, if you can do your zippers on your coats all by yourself you're in the "Zipper Club". Easton is a member. I thought that was pretty cool...I mean, it's kinda tricky to start a zipper yourself sometimes, am I right? Well, somewhere along the way he's also learned to button and can do the buttons on his old man Christmas jammies all by himself too! Next he'll be tying his shoes, I'm sure. Because Easton is so big, he decided that he was going to read their bedtime story that night and that was the most still I've seen Dalton sit for a story. Since E really can't read, he'd tell what he remembered from each page and each time he'd turn the page he'd continue the story with, "And also..." So cute.

The boys cuddled up in bed together for the rest of our bedtime routine:










Look at the love on Easton's face:


We actually tucked Dalton in with E and "left". Then Easton called out, "Mom? I actually don't like how Dalton is moving" so we took D out of the bed like we knew we'd have to do. Only Dalton was not fond of going into his own bed. He kept crying out, "Bubba! Bubba!" Sweet.

Saturday morning found Easton hard at work on making a card for one of his oldest pals, Max. We printed a Buzz coloring sheet from online and got out his Buzz at a model for what colors go where and he went to work:




He kept saying, "Max is gonna love this!" He did have a bit of coaching as far as, "Oh look, he's got some green here...you want to color some green here?" but he did all the actual coloring himself. I kinda wanted to keep it I was so impressed, but it was for Max all along and so I just took a picture to keep, like I like to do:

I cut out the Buzz and glued him onto some black construction paper and Eastie added some star stickers and an "E" so he'd know who it was from. Then just E and I went to the party:

You couldn't even tell Zannah put beets in the cake. She always hides veggies in things.

E wanted to wrap himself up as a present with the wrapping paper scraps:




Then we went home. Jason had what we were calling "me time" scheduled but he had an eye appointment and then I encouraged him to start some Christmas shopping (for me, hee hee) so it wasn't truly "me" time. So, once he came home we let him have the house to himself for an hour and a half or so while the boys and I went out and did a bit of shopping and errand running ourselves.

Look what I picked up on sale!

Goob.

On Sunday after breakfast I had to run out for Cokes and sippy cups. Dalton chews gigantic holes into his cups but refuses to use the harder plastic ones. I'm thinking Santa will need to bring some super cool hard ones because we're going through the soft ones like they're disposable. Jason hung with the boys while I was out:


When I came back I showered and we all got all ready for our Christmas card pictures. We took those and we weren't sure how they'd turned out, I was almost afraid I'd have to send you all Christmas cards with my festive "mistletoes" on them:


But, it looks like our card is gonna work. Whew.

After we took pics I headed off to a baby shower for one of my oldest friends, Tonya. I've known her since we were 6 or so. And our other long-time pal Kelli was there. Kelli and I were total besties growing up and we still fall back into our silly ways when we get together giggling and whispering during the party. When it came time for everyone to decorate little onesies for baby Emma, Kelli and I did one together with our sons' names:

(It was Kelli's idea)

The shower was held right by my mom's house so I stopped by there for just a few minutes after the party just to say hey and then came home for dinner and bedtime with the boys.

This morning Dalton got to take his maiden voyage in his brand new Radian, exactly like Easton's. They need the straps in the exact same spot too!

Our whole way to Krispy Kreme, Dalton kept saying, "I yike it. I yike it!" We ate our doughnuts then headed home. Dalton entertained Easton and I with his singing:

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He'd started singing along with that high note in the car the other day and Eastie and I just found it hilarious. That video isn't quite as funny as it's been before but I still yike it a LOT.

I've gotta wrap this up now as I'm talking Diddles to the derm again this afternoon. One of the spots on his face was totally bleeding yesterday from him scratching and such. We've got to get this figured out!

So, yeah, that's that. Hope you all enjoyed your weekends, too!

Animusic

Jason and I saw this video right before Lance Burton came out when we were in Vegas. The other day we saw it and a bunch of others on PBS and we and the boys find them quite enjoyable, but this one is the best. You know...in case you have nothing else to do on this Sunday in the midst of the Christmas season...

Friday Already?

This week flew by for us...not quite sure why, though.

Yesterday with Jason home, he took a break from his working-from-home to go play in the snow with Easton:


Spi-D stayed inside with me:

We did laundry and watched Dora.

It was super chilly outside (20 degrees or so) and when Easton came in his poor face showed it:


Easton and Daddy weren't the only things cooling off...we had baked some cookies to decorate. Jason went back to work and we went to work decorating cookies. Who's ready???


Easton did great frosting and decorating all by himself:


This was the best I could get from Dalton once he finally stopped slapping his hands in the frosting or eating all the decorations:


I put a cookie in front of him to decorate and he gobbled it all up then asked to go watch Wiggles instead. Goober.

But Easton and I did quite a few...you'd never know they started out as leftover Halloween cookie dough:

(You can see the pumpkins in that first "who's ready?" pic...hee hee!)

We had talked about going to see Santa last night but the mall is on J's home from work...and since he was working from home we didn't want to all drive out there. So instead we just went out to dinner (steaks at Lone Star) and put off Santa for this weekend...looks like tonight's the night!

Anyway, once we got home from dinner the boys wanted to have a cookie for dessert. Apparently Dalton was trying to climb the handles on the kitchen drawers to get up on the counter and he fell onto the tile floor busting his lip. He was bleeding so much and with the tears, slobber, and blood he started sputtering and blood was going everywhere. It looked like a total crime scene around here. Jason cleaned up after us as I worked on both comforting my little guy and inspecting the source of the bleeding. My hunch was that he tore his frenulum just like Easton did last year. My exam revealed no more chipped teeth however and I'm still not exactly sure where all the blood was coming from but since it stopped we assumed no stitches would be needed and we carried on with our night.

Dalton shows us where his "hurt" is:


Just look at him, poor guy:

From the looks of things we assume the lip is cut in there somewhere.

He's still quite fat lipped today but he's eating and drinking just fine...and playing too:


Easton has grown quite fond of wearing two costumes at once these days:


He's a goob.

But he's so super sweet. One of my favorite things each day is to hear Easton's prayers...to hear what is on his sensitive little heart just warms me to the core each time. He usually starts off with "Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Dal-eeston. (He combines their names.) Help us have a fun day..." and then he goes off on whatever additional prayer requests he has. Like last night was, "Thank you for God" followed by "And help Dalton be as good as new" after his injury as well as some other random Christmasy themed prayers. Recently his prayers have included, "And help Dalton be brave for Santa" or "Help Lauren come back soon" when she'd been here to babysit. It's not usually things we've just talked about or just prayed about ourselves...like the Santa thing hadn't been discussed since the day before, yet he apparently thinks about it. I love his mealtime and bedtime prayers. What a great way to end the day with him! Although last night I apparently forgot to turn off his lamp when I left his room and so he had to call me back in and said, "You forgot to turn off my light, you silly rascal". The closer he gets to 4, the better he gets. The same cannot quite be said for Dalton and the closer he gets to 2...at least as far as some of his behavior is concerned, but for the most part he's a great kid too, it's just what happens in toddlerhood as we all know too well, am I right?

Anyway, it's time for me to watch Grey's Anatomy online. We sat down to watch our shows last night only to discover we'd had no satellite signal so none of our shows recorded. Jason went out to the dish with a broom to try to get any snow out of there but that wasn't it either. Somehow our TiVo upstairs was still working fine...they get the same signal. Very bizarre. Anyway, we'll likely be watching Survivor and The Office online tonight after our visit with Santa! Have a great weekend, everyone!

Old Navy

They're doing their $12 jeans again this Saturday (tomorrow!), everyone...