Random Information

I was writing a few checks today and found Zach's name written on one of the checks. At least it was in pencil. I think it was a Christmas pencil.

And something else: if you know me well, you know that I often sit on my foot (the right one) when I'm sitting on a chair or the couch. I know it's weird. I've done it for years (at least 15) and feel uncomfortable when I have to sit like a princess ("A princess never crosses her legs in public. Why don't you just tuck one ankle behind the other, and place the hands gracefully on the knees." -100 points for you if you know who said it). Well, my bad habit has finally caught up with me. My right knee and ankle have been sore for a few days now. So I have to quit. Wish me luck!

Virtual Christmas Card

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and hope you have a Happy New Year!

Christmas At The CLOSE Grandma's

What can I say about Christmas at the close Grandma's? Wow, craziness, chaos, happy kids, happy adults (99% of the time), food. And I got a vacuum! Yipee! It SUCKS!

I had to search through 200 pictures, looking for funny ones.

Great Grandma Pilz was there. The kids love seeing her.

Christmas At The FAR Grandma's

We went to the far Grandma's house yesterday (my parent's house; across town) for Christmas and my Grandpa's Birthday.

Apparently I can get that look on my face when I open a present even though I'm a big kid.

We All Get Ready for Christmas Somehow

A few months ago I found this desk and brought it home, even though I had no where to put it. I'll use it when I have more room. It ended up in front of the fireplace since that was the only space left in the house. Yesterday morning I came into the living room to find this:

Zach was preparing for Santa's visit.

Zach Made Cookies

Babysitters are Great

A few weeks ago we had our usual babysitter over to watch the kids for a few hours. Usually she doesn't get to actually see the kids since the go to bed by 6. (If you know me you know I'm not kidding here!) Anyway, this time Zach was still up. So we just told Zach to go to bed when he felt tired. (If you know me you know this is a statement that doesn't usually come out of my mouth...ever.) But we figured we shouldn't stress out a 12 year old with trying to wrestle him to bed if he would rather play Lego's with her. So, when we got back all was well and both kids were sleeping.
When I drove our babysitter home I said, "I hope Zach didn't give you any trouble, I tried to get him to bed but it just didn't work out" (Adults would understand this to mean, well, what it means. To her it meant something different.)
She said, "next time you should try reading him some books. He got tired really fast when I did that."
I smiled and said "Thanks, I'll try that!"

I'm glad she has discovered this little secret so early in life!

This is too Funny to Pass Up

I haven't seen Twilight, and haven't read the books, but still found this quite amusing. Twilight fans read on:

Cast Change for New Moon

And if you think I'm lame for having no clue who these people are, well, I'm lame! But don't really care. Have a great week!

Ba D'oing D'oing!

Sometimes I'm amazed at what Zach can do. But I shouldn't be. We have taught him a little about how to use the mouse and keyboard. This morning we were listening to Christmas music. Zach's favorite seems to be Jewel's rendition of "Rudolph the red nosed reindeer". Here's how I know. He keeps switching the song back to that. No Celine Dion for him! (But usually he likes her bytheway!)

You Would Have to Understand...

Chevy Chase came out of our Advent Calendar last night.

Why Are You Fussing?

Mom: Why are you fussing?
Zach: Cause I'm a kid.
M: Oh
Z: And sometimes kids whine. (Make a whining sound)
M: I see.

Another One for the Virtual Scrapbook

After having a few rough days with the kids (3 days to be exact) I experienced a little ray of joy brought by Zach. To really appreciate what happened we have to go back a few days. On Monday the children had been taken to their room so I could get a few minutes of peace. It seemed quiet, but I figured whatever was going on was worth the quiet. HA! A few minutes later both children presented themselves each carrying half of their curtain rod. (Now luckily this would be a $2.50 curtain rod from Walmart.) Zach had wisely given the bent piece to his sister. And of course I'm no fool.

Fast forward a few hours. Zach was really upset to go to bed with no curtain over his window. I informed him that he will have to buy a new one to replace the one he broke. We're still learning this lesson. During the night I got out an extra curtain rod (yes, I have extras) and quietly put the curtain back up. This was a completely selfish act since I didn't want the kids to wake up with the sun. Zach asked me about it in the morning. I told him I had an extra and I would let him borrow it until he buys a new one.

So here's the cool part: tonight after we read books and were getting ready to go to bed Zach sat on the couch pondering the four pennies he had in his hands.
He said "here Mom, I'm paying." I thought he said praying. He informed me by saying "pay, pay, paying" (this is how we help him to pronounce words correctly, so he thought maybe I needed help?).
I asked what he was paying for.
"The thing I broke" he replied.
My mind raced as I tried to figure out what he had broken. "What did you brake?"
"The thing that hangs."
I was worried he had broken something I didn't know about yet. "What thing that hangs?"
"The thing for my curtain. And Mom, I'm really, really sorry I broke it. I wouldn't do it again."
I dropped everything and went to him so he could pay me. Feeling it unnecessary to point out that four pennies will not cover the cost I hugged him and said thank you. He asked if it would be ok to keep borrowing my extra curtain rod until we get a new one at the store and if he might be able to help me put it up.

What a nice boy!