Best Friends

Just look at these cuddly creatures, aren’t they the cutest!

 

Ok, maybe second cutest next to this little guy.

I can say that, he’s my baby :-)

Yes, those would be Pillow Pets. We gave both boys the one thing they’ve wanted for like the past 8 months…or maybe it just seemed that long.

 

Little did I know how much joy my boys were going to get from them. And no, I’m not being paid to say that (I wish!)

 

I snuck this shot of Sprout. He’s in a “I don’t want to smile for the camera!” phase. But I assure you, once the camera is away, he’s all smiles about his new best friend. And yes, he still has his blankie too (under left arm.)

Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

If I Had Your Address…

and an unlimited number of stamps

I would mail

each

and

every one of YOU

our Christmas card…

Most of the pics are from our little getaway this past fall. I made the card on Snapfish.

Ok, now I’m off to go get a Lego mat, a gift bag to put my in-laws gift cards in, and groceries. Wish me luck with the crowds!

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas eve and Christmas day! Tomorrow, along with opening presents and eating way too much food, we will also celebrate the REAL reason for the season…Jesus’ birth.

I Lived in the Projects

Second unit in from the parking lot

They all looked the same, except for the numbers on the front

Swingset at the end of the sidewalk with tattered black seats

That is where I played with Rossi, a white kid like me, and

Jessica, a skinny little Hispanic girl.

Mom brought home orange welfare cheese and generic peanut butter.

My older sister got jumped for her cotton candy, walking home from the rec center.

My older brother got jumped for being white and loud and maybe not the brightest.

I walked to Head Start and learned how to dribble a basketball.

At night, my sister made us watch boring TV shows while mom was off bartending.

We never knew when or if mom would make it home.

Sometimes, in the morning, she just wasn’t there.

My sister would wake us up,

mix the powered milk with water

and pour it over our King Vitamin.

* * * * *

Author’s Note: When I read The Busy Dad Blog’s post titled, “My Middle Name”, I was impressed with his honesty about growing up and how eloquently he wrote about his tough experiences. His post inspired me to write this post today.

Watching Daddy Out the Window

Yes, this is Cubbie watching my DH snowblowing our driveway this past weekend during the blizzard. That look…kinda says, “Mama, weeve me lone!”

If you look closely, you can see the plastic on the windows. Yes, that’s what we do here in the Frozen Tundra! :-)

Linked up to:

Swimming in a Snowstorm

When your deck looks like this...

 

and your husband is outside doing this...

 

and your kids have already played Connect 4...

 

played with their Cars cars...

 

and they've burned through the Toy Story Memory game

that was supposed to be a Christmas gift...

 

What's a mama to do???

 

Pull out their swim trunks, life jackets, and make a pretend swimming pool out of a beach towel! (Yes, I was desperate.)

As I write this on Sunday evening, we have been cooped up inside for 48 hours straight, since Friday night. The blizzard that hit this weekend was the 5th worst on record, for a grand total  of 17 inches of snow. It’s currently 0 degrees outside. Yes, I’m afraid it’s going to be a loooooong winter!

Peanut Butter Blossoms!

Yes, it’s FRIDAY! And I have the day off. So I figured I would join in with Mama M and do a little 5 Question Friday. Here we go…

1. Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?

Christmas day, of course! First thing, like 6 AM, both boys are wide awake and ready to tear open presents.

2. What is your favorite Christmas cookie (or candy)?

Well, if you haven’t figured it out yet by the above scrumptious picture above taken by Dan4th, I love Peanut Butter Blossoms. And since it would be criminal of me to post such a delish pic without a recipe to go along with it, here’s a link to one at Allrecipes.

3. What's the worst Christmas gift you've ever received?

Leg warmers….’nuff said.

4. Christmas songs that you love? (Ok, I made it plural, I couldn’t pick just one)

“Last Christmas” by Wham (don’t laugh, I’m a 80s kid, remember :-)

“Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid

“Happy XMas (War is Over)” by John Lennon

5. How many trees do you put up?

One. The day after Thanksgiving. You can see it here.

If you want to join in, hop on over to My Little Life and link up.

* * * * *

So what are YOUR plans for the weekend??? We are supposed to get up to 12 inches of snow tomorrow! I’ll be sure to post some pics.

I’m Breathing Again

Dare I say, today at work, I had a small window of time where I was able to

take

a

breath.

Things are finally starting to fall into place and I’m getting in my groove. At the end of my shift, I’m leaving my work at work. Once I get home, I’m HOME, present, and ready to love up my boys.

Now, if I could just convince them to stay inside when it’s 12 degrees out! Burrrr!

Um, yeah

The day after Thanksgiving, we put up the Christmas tree. And here's the best pic I got of the boys...

Sprout was yelling “Coconut” (don’t ask) and Cubbie, well, I don’t know where his left hand was, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know ;-)

* * * * *

PS. Thank YOU for all the kind comments on my last post. I really appreciate all the advice and support! Sometimes, getting input from other moms (and a few dads) helps put things into perspective.