Thanksgiving Part 1

Having divorced parents has it's benefits.  One of them is that each holiday is celebrated twice and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday!  I mean, what's better than stuffing your face with tons of delicious food and then taking a nap??  Nothing.  Today was Thanksgiving at my dad's house.

It began with some conflict.  Since it is the Saturday before Thanksgiving, it is also the same day as the Ohio State/Michigan game.  Last year was the same and I hardly saw any of the game so when I realized my dad and step-mom wanted to do it again this year I was slightly put out but Jason was extremely annoyed.  First of all, he is from Michigan, so he's obviously a Michigan fan.  And he HATES watching the game with all Ohio State fans.  I don't blame him.  I can't even imagine watching the game with all Michigan fans!  Second, we have this very nice, large flat screen TV and my parents don't. 

Well, Jason immediately said he wasn't going and I became defensive (which is a nice way of saying I was pissed!).  It's Thanksgiving and it's my family and he would get over it.  Besides, if he didn't go then I would be stuck taking care of the kids by myself and I wouldn't get to see any of the game!  Why should I be the only one that has to suffer?

After bitching to my sister, she convinced me that I was being selfish and I should let him stay home.  Jason was very grateful and he's going to make it up to me by taking care of the kids all day tomorrow.  (Not that I get to do anything fun...I have a ton of reading to catch up on but that is beside the point!)

While Jason was watching the game in peace and quiet, Ella, Seren, Grace and I were hanging with my dad, Linda, Amanda (my step-sister) and Gary (Amanda's husband).  We had a great time, even though I missed most of the game...again!  (I did manage to catch a majority of the interceptions Michigan threw, hehe).  We ate a ton of turkey (my all time favorite thing to eat) and all of the traditional Thanksgiving sides.  The kids behaved themselves, although Seren was slightly grumpy towards the end.  Gammy (Linda) took Ella and Grace to the park and they had a great time.  I guess there was a stage there for local bands or something and the kids sang for Gammy.  It was their favorite part.  They are both the biggest stage hams! 

All in all, Jason and I have a lot to be grateful for, even though he deserted me today.  It all evens out in the end...Michigan hasn't beaten OSU since we started dating.  HAHAHAHA!  I get bragging rights for another year :)

Before we left.

Chubba!

and the Bear!!

Gammy, Scratchy, and the grandbabies.

Aunt Amanda and Uncle Gary

My babies :)

Sesame Street Live!

Oh what a day!  Yesterday morning started out slightly hectic and continued that way for the remainder of the day.  First I had to get up early so that I could be showered and ready before the kiddies got up.  (Usually I don't shower until mid-morning - it's not like I have somewhere I need to be!)  Then, instead of the typical cereal for breakfast, I made Ella a high protein breakfast of eggs and sausages to keep her full until lunchtime.  After rushing Grace to school, I rushed home to gather all of Seren's things together for her morning stay with Nana.  I got all the way to my mom's house before I realized I left the tickets on the kitchen counter.  So Ella and I drove all the way home and managed to get to Nationwide right on time.  At least, that's what I thought was happening...

Before we left, Ella asked if she could wear her new shoes.  I didn't think that would be a problem, so she did.  Five steps out of the car and Ella started complaining about how her shoes were hurting her feet.  I took a quick peek and sure enough - she had blisters on her heels!  I ended up carrying Ella several blocks to Nationwide Arena.  This included going up and down stairs. 

Anyway, we get there and I'm slightly out of breathe from power walking with an extra 30 pounds attached to my hip.  I unzip my purse to hand the guy our tickets only to be unable to find them!  Like the flake I am, I had left them in the car.  Well, I definitely didn't want to run Ella all the way back to the car, so I asked the guy if there was any chance he could look up our tickets.  He could not, but the people at the box office might be able to help me.  The box office was alllllllll the way on the other side of the HUGE building.  By this point, the show has started and I am sprinting!  Meanwhile, Ella's shoes keep falling off of her feet.  I am running approximately 50 feet before having to backtrack 10 feet, bend over (all the while, holding Ella), putting her shoe back on, running another 50 feet, etc. 

We finally make it to the box office and they were able to print me two new tickets.  I tried to get Ella to walk for a little while but I could tell she was in a lot of pain.  I picked her back up and high-tailed it back to the other side of the building.  This included going up more stairs, running through the building, and going back down stairs.  We managed to get there and only missed 10 minutes of the show.  As soon as we sat down and Ella saw Elmo, she became very excited and it was all worth it.

I was afraid that Ella would be slightly disappointed with the show.  I remember when my parents took me, I thought I was going to the actual Sesame Street and that I would get to hang out with Big Bird just like the kids on the show get to do.  But I explained to Ella before hand that she wouldn't be able to talk to Elmo and that he was just going to sing and dance for her.  It must've worked because Ella was completely captivated the entire time.  She just stared at the characters and became especially happy whenever Elmo was on stage.  She clapped after every song and danced in her chair.  During intermission, I was going to buy her a t-shirt but they were selling these ridiculously huge Elmo head balloons.  As soon as she saw it, she wanted it so that's what she got.  She has been carrying it around for the last two days.

Of course I had to carry Ella all the way back to the car after the show was over.  Needless to say, my arms, legs, and back are KILLING me today!  This morning, right after breakfast, Ella informed me that she wanted to go see Elmo today.  I told her we would go visit him next year...and she will be wearing tennis shoes!

She couldn't believe she was seeing Elmo!

Elmo!

Ella and her balloon.

She was so excited!

Zoe was greeting everyone in the aisle.

It Figures

This week marks the official start of the holidays for me.  Friday I am taking Ella to Sesame Street Live (something about Elmo having a green thumb) for her birthday!  Saturday we are celebrating Thanksgiving at my dad's.  It is also a holiday b/c it's the Ohio State/Michigan game.  Usually I'm pretty pumped, but Michigan is really bad this year and OSU is definitely going to the Rose Bowl whether we win or not.  I don't feel the pressure, hopefully the players don't feel it either!  But I digress...

So after our faux Thanksgiving, that Thursday is actual Thanksgiving.  On Friday, my sister is coming over to make some lasagna.  It sounds odd, but I have this recipe for a sauce that is delicious.  I don't make it that often because it takes all day but it is completely worth it.  Saturday is Ella's family birthday party, then Tuesday is Ella's actual birthday, and it goes on and on like this until New Years!  (Whew!  I'm exhausted just thinking about it!)

I spent the weekend cleaning and shopping.  Yesterday I hit up Easton.  I started at Baby Gap.  I live in there.  Then since it has been my goal to try all three holiday flavors from Starbucks, I headed that way.  There are only three flavors but I love peppermint mocha so much it's hard for me to order anything else.  Yesterday I finally tried eggnog latte.  It is my least favorite.  The other two are way better!  I also met up with Bryan for some lunch.  (Yes, he's still alive.  No, he hasn't met his stalker yet.)  I bought some great stocking stuffers at Restoration Hardware.  I have to buy a ton of stuff because our stockings are pretty long.  I browsed around Pottery Barn Kids for awhile until I realized the OSU/Iowa game was about to start!

Today, Jason and I went to Toys R Us to try to find Ella one of those cars that she can drive around in for her birthday.  The only one we really liked was a black Cadillac Escalade but they were out.  Now we will have to hunt for one.  We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Polaris mall trying to find Christmas dresses for the girls.  I found the cutest little Burberry dress for Chubba but I couldn't justify spending that much money on something she would only wear once.  Needless to say, neither of them has a dress :(  I felt like I did a lot of shopping with very few results.

On a side note, while Jason was hanging a curtain rod in Ella's room he had to use a drill.  The first few times he started it, Seren would look slightly frightened but seemed okay.  Then he started actually drilling into the wall.  I was holding her but I could see her reflection in the window...it was not good.  She went from scared to completely terrified and then rape screamed and buried her head into my chest!  It was so sad and so funny at the same time.  Poor thing!  She never cried though.  She's so tough!

Here are some pics of this weekend:

This is how Seren fell asleep last night...trying to escape. 

It might be time to take out the bumpers!

Ella was ready for the game.  (She posed like this all on her own!)

She's such a camera ham!

Ella says, "O-H!"

My smiley baby :)

Creeper

This post is for Bryan who just realized that I have a blog and was very excited (although I'm sure he won't be once he reads it!).

Okay, so either I am really out of touch with what is going on outside of my little world or I'm really naive.  Either way, did you know that there is a section on Craigslist called "missed connections"?  This is where stalkers post to people they are...well...stalking.  And cute little Bryan is being stalked!  This guy has been watching him walk to work and back, has stared him down on the corner, and figured out his name, all without Bryan having a clue this was going on!!  How creepy is that??!!!!  And then, instead of talking to him face to face, he posted his stalkings on Craigslist and asked Bryan to contact him!  I am dying.  I just keep reading it over and over.  I didn't know this was happening.  A part of me is worried that someone is out there posting about me and I am clueless, but I'm too afraid to check!

Good luck Bry!  I'll be sure to call the police if I don't hear from you for a couple of days :)

Here are a few pics of Bryan so that maybe others can stalk him as well!

Ella and Uncle Bryguy at Shan's wedding.

Who wouldn't want to stalk both of us?!

This is how we used to rock it in college.  If only the creepster could see him dance...we probably wouldn't have a stalker situation anymore!!  haha, love you B!

Where Have I Been??

I am happy to announce that I aced my exam last week!  I thought that I would have some spare time after the test but I think I have less!  I added three classes to my schedule and need to have them completed by the end of January so I've been more frazzled than usual.  (I don't know why I do this to myself!)

What have we been up to this week?  Quite a bit actually.  Our house only has three bedrooms which has left Seren bedroomless until recently.  We have a bonus room upstairs that was serving as a playroom/family room but is now being converted into the largest bedroom in the house!  I guess big Chubbas need big bedrooms!  I hate to lose the bonus room but we don't really have any other options right now.  None of this was supposed to be a problem.  Originally, we were only planning on living here until Ella started Kindergarten but with the housing market in crisis, I don't think we'll be moving anytime soon.  So Jason moved all of the toys down to our actual family room, which would be fine except Ella loves to make a mess!

Now I need to pick out new paint, find some new curtains, order new lighting and some shelving, and see if we can have a door frame/door installed.  This sounds like an after Christmas project to me...

Speaking of Christmas, I almost fell over on Saturday when I got in the car and heard Christmas songs playing on the radio.  It seems too early for that, however I am almost done shopping!  Ella and Grace are ready to go.  Seren still needs a few things but I know what I'm getting everyone else.  I'm so relieved!  I plan to be completely finished before Thanksgiving.  I also have most of Ella's birthday shopping done too including tickets to see Sesame Street Live!  Ella is really excited to see Elmo.  She mentions it everyday!  Thankfully my mom wanted to have Ella's party at her house this year so that will save me a lot of cooking, cleaning, decorating, etc.  All I have to bring is the cake!  ...oh, and Ella!

I can't believe my baby is going to be three in just three weeks!!  The good news is that Seren will be turning 6 months just a few days before Ella turns three so I can take them to the doctor for their check-ups at the same time.  At least Ella doesn't have to have any more shots for a few years.  They are so funny together!  Seren just loves Ella's craziness and Ella is constantly checking on Seren and trying to get her to laugh.  Ella has been especially helpful during tummy time and is very good about sharing her toys (except when Seren tries to eat them!).

The weather has been exceptionally warm the last few days so we have been spending a lot of time outside.  I took the girls to the park yesterday.  For whatever reason, Seren was not impressed with the swings.  I think she was afraid that Ella was going to fall off or something.  It was the only time she fussed. 

While we were there, Ella started telling me this long story about how she's not supposed to talk to strangers and that if one tries to talk to her she should start screaming, "Daddy!"  I thought it was pretty funny and I asked Jason about it last night thinking that he had talked to her about strangers but he had no idea where she picked that up.  Somebody must've said something to her about this.  It definitely wasn't me.  Ella would sooner die than run off with someone she didn't know.  The other day she began screaming at Easton when she couldn't see me (I was directly behind her).  If someone ever tried to take her, they wouldn't get too far.  She would be in hysterics!

On Saturday Ella, Seren, and I went for a long walk around the neighborhood and played on the little community playground.  It was the first time Ella has gotten her hands dirty without freaking out.  She's such a priss!!  It was very windy and Chubba didn't appreciate not being able to coo.  Every time she tried, the wind would blow which would startle her and stop her in mid-coo.  It was fun to see her frustration!  (Does that make me a bad mom?)

Chubba trying to coo.

Eventually, she gave up.  Poor baby!

Ella was enjoying the wind!

She's going to miss being outside...

My biggest project this week is trying to get Ella to stop saying "I can't."  If she is having trouble doing something, she immediately stops trying and gives up.  I don't know where this came from but it's driving me nuts.  Especially when it's things I know she can do - like dress herself.  I've been telling her that it takes practice and to keep trying and to work hard but it's very frustrating that she gives up so easily.  Jason thinks it's just a phase...I hope so!!  I just wish I knew where this was coming from so that I could put a stop to it!  Any advice is welcome!

Happy Halloween!

Last weekend, Jason took Grace and Ella to a pumpkin farm in Galena while I had to stay home and study.  (He always gets to do the fun stuff!)  They picked out their pumpkins, went on a hayride, and (Ella's favorite) got to pet some farm animals.  When they came home, the only thing Ella wanted carved into her pumpkin was her name, so that's what she got.

Thursday was our trick or treat night.  My dad and step-mom came over, along with Jason's best friend and his son, Carter.  My step-mom, Linda, stayed at the house with Seren to pass out candy while the rest of us took the kids door-to-door.  They had a great time collecting candy and I have to say, Ella looked especially cute.  Since she was born, I have referred to her as "The Bear" and every year I look for a bear costume.  This year I found a very cute one at Pottery Barn Kids.  I was very excited!  Especially since this will probably be the last time I get to choose her costume for her. 

Poor Seren was stuck in Ella's old spider costume.  I kind of feel bad about not getting her an original costume, but it's a lot of money to spend on something she only wore for 20 minutes.  She still looked adorable!  Maybe next year...

Grace, Ella, and Jason on the hayride.

The cutest cat I've ever seen!

I love that they both look super annoyed!

So many legs!

A jedi, a bear, and a batarina (cross b/t a bat and a balletrina)

I think the tail was the best part of the costume!