Merry Christmas!

We've scattered our Reindeer Dust in our yard,
we've set out our cookies, milk & carrots ...
we're all ready for Santa.

Poor Daddy got re-routed & wasn't able to be with us as we had hoped. But he told us he'll keep an eye out for Santa's sleigh while he's out flyin' around. Hopefully, Santa won't get re-routed! ;)

Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!

Davis's Christmas Program

The Pre-K & Preschool put on a Christmas Program & Davis was one of the 3 Kings! He even had a line! Which I missed getting on video... I had just set the camera down to grab little sister who was distracting brother by standing in the middle of the aisle 1/2 way to the front fussing & pointing at Davis, who in turn was yelling & motioning "Go BACK, LIBBY! Go BACK, LIBBY!" I finally put down the video camera so that I could get her when I heard "And the 2nd King said..." :( There's only so much you can do when juggling a digital camera, a video camera & an unruly 21 month old.

But Davis did a great job delivering his line. :) I was so proud of him! We then enjoyed mingling with his friends & their parents while eating cookies & milk.

Davis's Bowling Party

When we moved here last year, some things got put in random places. Well, this bowling set was one of those things. :) I believe we got this from my friend Kristen as a "big brother" gift for Brett when Davis was born! The boys have played with it a bunch since then... but it's been M.I.A. since the move of August '07.

Last night I found it! It's kept in a purple bag & I just casually set the bag out in the boys' room, leaning against their toy box ... waiting for them to notice it. (it's more fun that way - they love making discoveries) This morning I woke up to bowling pins being knocked down, electronic giggles from the "Silly Pins", and the boys cheering each other on, etc. I smiled, then rolled over & went back to sleep for a bit. When the boys came downstairs, Davis had a big announcement for me.

"Hey MOM! WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE MY BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE BOWLING ALLEY." [that was one of the ideas for his Birthday Party last April] We don't need to GO to the bowling alley! We can have the party HERE!" then he went on & pointing to the bathroom he said "And if anyone needs to go to the bathroom, they can go in there!!!!! And if anyone gets tired [pointing upstairs to the bedrooms], they can go up there!!!! And anyone who wants to do bowling can do it in the Living Room!!!!!!!!"

Problems solved. Party planned. We all get turns at the Silly6Pins Game! And the bathroom & beds are open to everyone. Just add cake & it's the perfect party! :) [I love Davis & his big ideas!!!!!!!]

BOYS DAY 2008

The boys had a day off school last week ... but guess which day it was? Monday. Libby's only day of the week that she goes. :) I felt bad putting her in school that day... but it was only her 5th time going or so, so I knew it'd be good for her.

So, I decided to do something fun with the boys. I let them choose where to go to lunch by looking at the websites. They passed up the opportunity to go to the T-Rex Cafe & the Rainforest Cafe and decided on Fritz's Train Restaurant. It was a HIT. The boys hadn't been there in a couple years, so it was like new to them.

Fritz's has been around in Kansas City for over 50 years. A man devised a system with TRAINS delivering food, when his restaurant was dealing with a shortage of workers. (so cool) You call in your order using the telephone (which concerned me since I had lost my voice the day before - but it worked out). There's a track system that snakes around the entire restaurant & each table has its own elevator. When your food has arrived, a flag comes down to "bump" your food tray off of the train's carrier, then it comes down the elevator to your table! This place is soooo fun. The boys & I actually stood in a line (about 50 strollers long) for 45 minutes before we could get seated. I was actually glad Miss Libs wasn't with us because we wouldn't have lasted that long. But the boys were anxious & very patient!

Photo of the train delivering our lunch!

(and the other train passing by in our window!)

We lived it up. I even upgraded the boys kids meals to include CHOCOLATE SHAKES! Oh & when the hostess tried to sit us at an interior table (with no "window view") after passing by an empty table with a window view, I politely asked if we could sit by the window (there are trains that pass by the windows, too). Nothing but the BEST for my boys. As I sat across from them watching them drink their chocolate shakes, wearing their train conductor hats, enjoying every bit of their outing ... it occured to me that this was the 1st time probably since Libby was born (March 5, 2007) that I had done something FUN with JUST THE BOYS. I no longer felt guilty that Libby had to go to school that day. :)




We then walked around, took a peek at Santa (didn't get photos taken - HEY I didn't forget we were missing our little girl!), looked at the Gingerbread Village and even went to The Candy Store where I let the boys pick out a treat. Davis got mini peanut butter cups, Brett got green gummi frogs & Mommy got red cinnamon bears. We took our candy outside to eat by the fountains.

We had a great time. We still had one more fun thing left, though, and that was to pick up little sister from school. :) The boys thoroughly enjoyed seeing Libby's school for the 1st time! They might have even liked that as much as their chocolate shakes! :)

My Sister - Better than Martha

Our Little Romeo

This past Thanksgiving, my sister's mantra was "Martha doesn't live here anymore". :) She just meant that this Thanksgiving, things might not be decorated like they would've pre-Roman, she might not have been able to make the 32 appetizers & 9 gourmet side-dishes as she could have pre-Roman. Yes, Roman has taught my sister many, many things ... and one of them, is when you become a parent, a lot of life's PERFECTION goes to the wayside.

My sister is ultra talented with cooking & decorating - she really is a Martha. This is their 1st Christmas with Roman ... which is super exciting [don't worry we're not missing the point of that], but it also means Becky's Christmas decorations had to be altered. Because, let's face it, not all of us are blessed with children who mind their parents when they say "No no touch. Those are Mommy's pretties." Not my children, not most of my friends' children & not Roman.

Roman is not the quiet, reserved type who quietly reads books, or imaginatively acts out scenes with his Fisher Price Little People Parking Garage [that we got him last year when he was still just a twinkle in his parents' eyes], or watches a movie from beginning to end, or a 22-minute episode of Handy Manny for that matter.

What Roman is, however... is a BOY, that's TWO, with enough SPUNK to share with the rest of us [& he'd still have enough for himself]. He is adorable, so fun & so confident ... as my mom says, he's a "born leader". He will go far in life... and we all know that. He will go far, he will get there quickly & faster than an adult man in full stride. So sometimes, it's just easier to strap him down in his 5-point harness strap on his stroller. [Which I think he can still get out of? Did I mention he is clever?]

My sister Becky is not the type who 1/2-way celebrates the holidays. She lives & breathes the holidays with all of her 5 senses. She doesn't want anyone to come over to her house for a party or get-together and not enjoy themselves, nor does she ever want a guest to feel like the red carpet wasn't rolled out for them. [see Exhibit A]

But what my sister is, however, is a new mom, super-creative, and is someone who is learning every day to pick & choose her battles. One of which is... giving up the Christmas Tree this year. Does that mean giving up Christmas Decorations? Oh hale no. [as she would say]

See here... and Martha, eat your heart out!

P.S. for a funny Roman story, check back soon!

Making Lists for Santa

A few weeks ago [yeah - totally catching up...] the boys had sooo much fun going through toy catalogs looking for fun things to put on their wish lists. :) I taught them how to do it... circling what it was they wanted, then putting their 1st initial by the item.

Funny, I didn't get any pictures of them circling items that they themselves wanted... but there was certainly a lot of items picked out for B & D. But what I loved... was that they found stuff for their dear sister & circled it, putting an L on the item.


And they even found stuff for me, giving it an M for "Mommy". [so sweet - it was a jewelry box with tons of jewelry!]



Davis cracked me up... what a tease. He circled a girls' Bratz bike & put a B {with a total smirk on his face}. This did make Brett mad. Ahhhhh somehow reminds me of how I often teased my older sister. :) Davis is so much like me sometimes, it scares me.


Anyway, this was so fun watching the boys making their 1st real wish lists. In years past, I've always just written down what I THINK they'd enjoy. But this was so much more fun!

P.S. Here are some pics from our 1st Snow... Sorry, had to spread the wealth around the blogs. Click here.

Finally, at long last...

Here is Davis's Turkey you've ALL been waiting for.

Sorry...

Long time, no post.  Sorry!  :)  Busy busy busy... I will post some fun Thanksgiving pics soon!

Also - we sincerely apologize to Mr. Brett Twenter & Mr. Davis Twenter... we mistakingly gave Davis credit for the "Potato Turkey" & it has been brought to my attention that it was indeed Brett's creation.  Expect a new turkey a la Davis very soon.  :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Some turkeys from our turkeys...


by Brett (age 7)

by Davis (age 4 1/2)

and by Libby (age 20 months)

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

Life with Me

Go to my mom's blog...

She photographed a book my sister Becky (aka Reebs/Rebecca) wrote (in the '80s) called "LIFE WITH RACHEL".   <--- click here

[p.s. I still like fruit roll-ups & granola bars]

S'mores AND Hot Chocolate

(Here I think Libby looks like a grumpy housewife having her morning coffee to perk up)

I love a good challenge... I love trying out new recipes just to say I've done it. Well, I bought a box of Hershey's Cocoa Powder about a month ago [getting ready for Christmas baking] & I saw a recipe for Hot Chocolate. I'd never made it from scratch... and for some reason I really wanted to try it. You know the saying "1/2 the fun is getting there" ... well, I just wanted to take the time to measure, stir, heat, etc. I can't say it tasted better than the packets... but it was delicious. Actually... it was REALLY GOOD before I added all the milk. It was hot, rich Hershey's syrup. YUM. Anyway... I've just been on a "making it from scratch" kick. (Remember my pizza?) It's nice to s l o w d o w n & enjoy it every once in awhile!



Then, Friday morning when I took the boys to school it was 20. TWENTY degrees. Davis got on the topic of S'mores... so I promised him after school we could build a fire & have some S'mores. They were yummy... but mysteriously the chocolate disappeared in a flash.




(Wiping her mouth with her shirt...)

So, it was a good week of chocolatey warm goodness. (You're wanting some chocolate now aren't, you?)

Ten on Tuesday

Too much to fill you in on... luckily it's TUESDAY!

1) Kyle & the boys went to the happenin' town of TULSA on a quick little get-away. They really went there because Kyle knew they had a hotel there with an awesome indoor water park. (well, for a 4 & 7 year old it's a water park) Here's a link to the hotel's pool... Leapin' Louie's Lagoon. Not bad... and it was just a quick 45 minute leg via SWA! They had so much fun!!! They sent me many text message photos & it really looked like a good time!!!!!

2) I was just going to spend those 2 days & night in Kansas City with Libby & Daisy... but my mom had sent an e-mail describing what her house looked like & how much work she had to do after getting her BRAND NEW CARPET earlier that day... so I "put it out there" that Libby & I were available to come if she wanted it. She took the bait & WITHIN AN HOUR I had me, Libby & Daisy packed up, the house secured & we were on the road.

3) Libby cracked us UP. She really loved the chance to have all eyes on her... this was her on Saturday night right before bath time. She danced & pranced around the living room, spun in circles 'til she got dizzy & we all watched the many close-calls careening into the furniture & fireplace after she was all dizzied up. My dad, mom & I got many belly laughs from her.


4) I really wish we had before & after photos of all the rooms we worked on... but it started out as just the Family Room. We put away about 62 CD's, 43 DVD's, 951 VHS tapes (most are just being used as "fillers" to bump up the DVD's to the front of the cabinet), all the frames & knick-knacks and I would hate to forget to mention the 9,537 books we put away & arranged. Oh no, make that 9,564 - I forgot we found that other box when we thought we were done. Leah & Becky - I am protesting buying ANY book for mom & dad off of their Amazon wish lists... I was told all those books they're keeping are because they haven't read them yet & are waiting to. Here's a photo of Libby helping... big helper loaded up the rolling cart with what looks like 9 drink stirrers, a pair of ice tongs & a cork screw. Apparently, we put the toddler on liquor cabinet duty.


5) Working on the Family Room, also turned in to arranging furniture, moving out furniture, swapping out wall decorations & picture frames, organizing drawers & closets, and of course vacuuming, dusting & sweeping in almost EVERY SINGLE ROOM in the house. It was fun - sort of like musical chairs. But at some point on Sunday (the day I had to go back) my mom looked around & said "Maybe you & I weren't the best ones to do this... you & I are so ADD we can't finish one project before we start another!" It was true. There was a time where almost EVERY SINGLE ROOM in the house was a disaster zone. But I promised I wouldn't leave until we got it all done. Finally, it took a turn & things started finding their place - and I think we were VERY happy with the results!!!

6) Helping organize the house had its benefits... I got paid in the form of a new lamp, new bookshelf & new quilt for Libby's room. Truth be told - none of it is new. All of it is probably more than 30-40 years old.

6a) The lamp used to be in mine & my sisters' room when we were little. It's milk glass... so pretty & dainty.


6b) The quilt my mom got at a garage sale, I didn't ask when, but it is handmade. And it is BEAUTIFUL. I'm going to have some mending to do... one of the hot pink fabrics hasn't aged well, so those might have to get replaced. But it is sooooo beautiful & bright & perfect. It even has RED which we all know I love - especially when paired with bright pinks & purples.


6c) And the bookshelf was my grandma's, but before that - it came out of her SCHOOL. Which makes it almost 100 years old. I have come so close to buying those laminate white particle board type bookshelves... I am so glad I held off.

7) Last night Brett had his Thanksgiving Program at school. I think it was my proudest moment yet. He NAILED all the songs. Tune, words, hand motions... We were in the 3rd row & he was on the end nearest us, so we got to read his lips & hear his voice. I had tears in my eyes, and if anyone saw me they probably thought I was a bit dramatic over a 1st grade performance... but he just continues to impress us. To watch him perform with his peers & do as well as them, singing & pronouncing all the words, all while BEAMING with this adorable, ear to ear grin on his face... it was a proud moment.




8) Unfortunately, Libby spiked a 102 degree fever while we were there. She was burning UP. She's still not feeling so great... bless her heart. Libby couldn't look more pitiful if she tried.


9) Last night I made a homemade pizza for dinner... made the dough in the breadmaker (hadn't used it in about 3 years), made the sauce from scratch... YUM. YUM. and 1 more wouldn't hurt... YUM.


10) Here's one more photo... Davis & Kyle at the performance! :) Davis always loves going to these things... all his buddies have older brothers in 1st grade, so he gets to see all his best buds. [This is photo attempt #3. The tiger truck kept getting shoved in front of the camera... and Kyle - always my photo sabotager - kept telling Davis to do it.]