Ugh

Rough day. Exhausted. I went to a gym class today that was inappropriately called 20/20/20 (supposedly 20 minutes cardio, 20 abs, and 20 something else). It should have been called 60 Minutes Very High Intensity with Extreme Combinations of Dance Moves with Silly Little Names that New People Can Not Figure Out. I either have to go back next week to prove to myself that it can be done or I will hide in shame and embarrassment, I haven't decided which.

We did have a great mail day though. A fun little package arrived from the Sprout Spot bunch. A book, some letter magnets, a cutie pin cushion, and some chocolate covered cranberries (hello, yummy).

Over the last couple days I have been scrappy. A couple of these are heavily influenced by some Ali Edwards layouts I have seen. I still need to add journaling on a couple but I need a new "Archival Pen". Oh I did one other one that I really like of Kendall and Anna but I can't include it because of a last name and city on it.

Busted

So we made it to Barnes and Nobel to pick up Brian's book then we stayed to play a little. Kendall has started to add things to her Christmas list for next year. She wants this book ($25) that has princesses and an MP3 player. She just stared at it for a very long time. Okay, that is a little bit of a lie, she stared at it for a long time and asked for it many many times.

Kate tried to get her sucker around her big coat. Then she found a stage to perform on.

On the way out the guys were sprinkling salt on the sidewalk and I took the opportunity to explain to Kendall how we needed to be careful...at about that moment I went down... hard. Kate was in my arms so she came too, not wanting to leave anyone else out, we took Kendall on the way down. I was laughing, but I had tears in my eyes too. Kendall cried but I know neither of them were hurt because they both landed on top of me. I'm sure the people in the Starbucks window had a good show though. My poor bottom and elbow are hurting though!

Getcha Head In the Game

Sunday Kendall and I went to see High School Musical on ice. Kendall has never seen the movie but we knew that she would love the experience and she did. Most of all it was just a great Mommy/Kendall time.

This morning I took the girls to story time at the library. Kate wanted to run around on the stage so I had to distract her with something...insert green ear muffs (ear 'muscles' still). She entertained a few parents as well.

This afternoon we're just cozying up inside and will probably make a quick run out to pick up a book for Brian.

2008 Favorites

Just want to revisit a few 2008 memories.

January:

My hairdresser tried to convince me my hair was curly. I tried to do as she instructed (but I may have tried to hurry it along or something). The result wasn't so cute.

The shoe obsession has already started. Kendall tries to help the poor girl out.

February:

Visits from two of the coolest people out there and Frank the dog left a little present on our bed for us that day too. My little Chicklet

March:

Our trip to Europe. I ran like the wind in Vienna, my feet didn't even touch the ground...seriously, look at them! The kids on the sideline cheered me on and gave astonished looks at my 20 kph.

Check out that table of desserts in Budapest!
April:

Sadly, this little habit (fingers in nose) hasn't ceased. Even more sadly these park picnics with best pals have ceased
May:

Walk for Diabetes for Logan (!) and a fun day at the amusement park.

June: Trips to Paris for interviews and the house hunt secretly begins

July:
We start to say good bye and Aunt Kim gets married.

August:

Final photo shoots with our favorite photographer (Aunt Lorie)

Last days spent with friends at the pool.

September:The big move. The big first day of school.

October:

My first (and thus far only) 5K

November:

A visit from our favorite photographer!

A visit to the Chick family in Florida!
December:Friends then family and a Christmas to remember.

It has been a great year!

Love It

I love all the attention my Inbox is receiving over this dog gone post. Thanks for all the encouragement, warnings, stories and offers to keep said pup while we are in Paris (Thank you Momma)! I know that I am not ready for a doggy. After 3.5 years of middle of the night wake ups I have reached a point where I am really cherishing my sleep. My night stand is crowded with parenting books that I need to read and learn how to best raise these two little munchkins (who have been having a bit of a behavior hay day lately) before I add in dog training books to the mix.

Despite my cuddly baby time 'needs' I REALLY know I'm not ready for that again. Maybe I can talk a sister into having another one so I can just cuddle hers, or Jennie...I think you are about due for another one aren't you!?

Right now we are just focusing on our family of four. Enjoying this new little 'village' and soaking up (and recording) all of the toddlerness that we can. We're loving the now and looking forward to our Paris adventure down the road. I can't wait to see our little family grow closer by learning about the new culture and banding together. We'll be exploring (and probably stumbling) around a bit and creating more memories.

So tonight, I will crawl into my bed and sleep until the morning. Tomorrow I won't have to walk out in the cold and snow and try to convince a four legged creature to potty or rush home from an outing to let him outside. Life right now is good.

P.S. Just an afterthought: I wasn't really in the market for a doggy. I dropped off clothes at the used clothing store and had 45 minutes that I had to entertain the girls while the lady looked through the clothes and so we walked to the pet store next door. But, I did love that little doggy, he was super cute and has provided lots of fun conversations around the house today.

Oh Baby

The need for a little baby has kind of sky rocketed lately and it has nothing to do with Kendall's requests for a little brother. Actually, I'm not completely convinced that the need is there but I have been noticing tiny widdle babies everywhere and missing that stage. It's not going to happen, not a good time at all. I do not want to have three kids living in a tiny Paris apartment and I really don't want to have a tiny widdle baby in Paris either (subways and strollers, wake up calls for all the neighbors...).

Anyway, I thought of a way to quench that baby need. Today Kendall and I fell in love with this little guy. I can not even explain to you how adorable this fella is. He was just separated from his Momma yesterday, he is so tiny (and widdle). He's a little Yorkie, seriously, how cute are they!? We're still working on Brian. My brain goes to cuddling on the couch and cute little doggy sweaters and Brian's brain goes to pee on the floor, chewed up NEW furniture, middle of the night potty training, and of course the hefty price tag this little full bred is hefting with him. Oh, he also mentioned a fear of what Kate would do to such a fragile little puppy. Actually, Kate was there looking with us. She is my doggy lover but she showed ZERO interest in him. I had to call her over and make her pet him, and even tried to let her hold him (while sitting) but she just didn't want anything to do with him really. Kendall was so sweet and gentle and has been telling Brian how the puppy is looking for a good home and how he is scared because he misses his mommy. What a good little mommy she is.

On a completely unrelated note. Operation Healthy Chick made an attack today. I have put off going to a gym class since our move due to being intimidated by being the new girl. I jumped in with both feet today; I tackled the scariest class of them all (to me)-- Cardio Kickboxing. I wouldn't even do this class when I was working out 4 days/week. But I totally kicked butt and stuck with all the 'high intensity girls' in the class. Conquered my fear of joining the new classes too.

2*0*0*9

Well, I didn't scrapbook. I actually went to bed early but we had a bit of a rough night. Sleeping kids, fireworks, and loud music (where was that coming from!?) aren't a good mix. I felt like I had a newborn since I got out of bed no less then five times last night. My hunky hubby got up with them this morning though and let me sleep in. He also spent a good deal of time outside with them yesterday. He's a good dad.

Last night as I was cooking dinner this was the family room scene. But, to keep it real, my mom-in-law called two minutes later and she heard screeching in the background.

I am doing some cooking today. Homemade chicken stock simmering on the stove. It will be used for a chicken and veggie stew and a chicken spaghetti and there is Beef stew cooking away in the kitchen now too. I'll freeze some and share some with a special lady we know. The girls are playing in the basement. I think I'll get crafty during their nap.

I gave the people in our village a bit of a show today. I went to the grocery in yoga pants, knee high polka dot boots, an orange coat and green ear muffs (or as Kendall calls them 'ear muscles'). I actually think it was kind of cute but when Brian saw me he said, "Oh brother" and I admit I got a few second glances.