Little C Turns 10!

Just like every other ten year old boy, all Little C truly longed for, for his birthday was a fedora and a pea coat.

He woke up in the early a.m. hours to adorn himself in his new b-day digs.

He handed over his old shapeless fedora to his younger brother.

Lou was thrilled.

What is happening in this household? So funny.

He had a pizza party and then his friends played a video trivia game all about Little C. We pre-recorded his answers and then divided his pals into two teams. Each team had their own podium (stool) with a buzzer (bicycle horn) on top, Kind of similar to family feud. I would ask a question about Little C and whoever hit the buzzer first would get to answer. The team who got the answer incorrect or didn't have a chance to answer would have to put a piece of bubble gum in their mouth. They would watch Little C reveal the correct answer on the television. It was fun and I think they had a good time but it was a boy/girl party and... they are getting older. Like, let's flirt with each other older. No, no, no. Just stay little, Little C. You're my baby.

All the b-day attendees pouncing on Little C

Trying his hardest to be a watch collector like The Beloved.

He was super thrilled with his scooter he received from Buckabu and Papa.

His good friend wrapped up a roll of electrical tape to give him because she forgot his present.
You can tell why we keep her around. Super hilarious.

But the gift that took his breath away was from The Beloved.

So Happy Together!

Little C,

Ten years ago I was 20 and I felt like a baby having a baby. I hadn't a clue, my fine little man, on how to be a mother - but you made it so, so very easy.

You were born good.

Good baby, good toddler, good kid.

Life is so busy and time goes by too quickly. I often wish I could go back and hold your sweet newborn self, squeeze your chubby 2 year old hand, and kiss your perfect 3 yr old cheeks.

So much is expected out of the first born; perfection almost.

It can be unfair.

I say this often but thank you for handling your role so well.

I love that once in awhile you'll still let me hold your ten year old hand and once in a blue moon request a kiss goodnight.

You're a talker.

But I'm happy that you're talking to me about life.

About the girl in the fifth grade with the blue fluffy jacket who you adore but can't get the guts to talk for longer than a second.

You're an open book.

I love open books.

I needed you in my life when I was twenty Little C.

You've made me better.

Thanks for being my blessing.

I cherish you so very much.

Love,

Mama

 

 



Put my Feet Up.

Do you ever wish for alone time?

Sometimes just riding in the car by myself can be as relaxing as any spa around.

I don't have to answer any questions or work out disputes  -

I can just be.

 Me and the road, singing out load to any darn music I want

or, I can just sit there, soaking in the quiet.

Glorious.

A couple of months ago The Beloved had a business trip in Portland and thought it would be fun if I tagged along.

I hurriedly, without hesitation concurred with his genius plan.

My parents graciously agreed to watch our four little humans...

and we were off. (Thank you my sweet, sweet folks!)

The Beloved had meetings during the day -so it was just ME.

BY MYSELF.

What the?

Now, I'm a worrier and I really am the kind of mom who misses her kids an hour or so after being apart but, somehow :) I embraced it wholly. (With phone calls home and a constant pray in my heart for my peeps.)



Our rental car looked like the blueberry from Psych!
Made me feel joyous instantly.

On day one I was off to roam downtown Portland. I wanted to document this event with a photo of myself but it turns out I'm not very good at taking photos of myself. So, I'll share 72 of them with you so you can understand how much time I wasted but also, I wasn't interrupted once.Which is why there are a million so maybe interruptions by offspring should be counted as a blessing.

My yellow cardigan really stood out in Portland. I didn't realize dark neutral tones were the status quo. Which I usually really dig, but it made the streets appear a little depressing and overly serious.

But the trees were beautiful.
And so was this -
Powells City of Books!
Books as far as the eye can see -
Up, Down, Left, Right-
6 levels of deliciously bound, scribbled on paper.
Heaven.
(look I took a picture of my favorite fictional book series! bottom row - you should read it.)



One of the main attractions in Portland is the Gerding Theater at the Armory. The Beloved and I enjoy seeing plays and the two shows playing were A Midsummer Night's Dream (which is not going to happen because The Beloved is not a Shakespeare fan)  and another called, The Original Santaland Elf.... 

which sounded safe and cute.

The Beloved walking down the stairs at the The Gerding Theatre

NOT SAFE, NOT SAFE!

NOT CUTE!

Our smiles lasted but a moment. I am notorious for picking out bad movies and now... plays.

Some parts were funny but mostly I couldn't relate.

It turns out this play is about a homosexual elf or actually a man who really needs a job and grudgingly jumps at the opportunity to be one of Santa's elves in the mall.

.... weird.

The oddest/funniest part of the whole shindig was when the very large man sitting in the aisle in front of us raised his bum cheeks ever so obviously and let one rip.

The people he attended with didn't say a word.

 I look at The Beloved and he whispers, "Did that really just happen?"

We busted up.

We're just not mature enough for Portland I guess. :)

Afterwards to make up for my ticket purchasing mistake I took The Beloved to Powells where he fit in immediately; searching through the rows of art books. 

I pretended to fit in... by buying hot chocolate and flipping through Jimmy Fallon's Thank You Notes.

He's my bud.

On Day 2 I slept in, played the guitar, told the maintenance man yes, when he asked if I'd jam with him the next time I was in town (What? No.... not going to happen but I appreciated his kindness)  read, blogged, and planned out our day.

The Beloved  got off work early and we went to check out the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Beloved had never toured a submarine before so this was our first stop.

The section we inhabited the longest was all about

Grossology. 

We came across this game where you take a sniff and then have to determine what part of the body the smell is coming from but...

once we discovered the answer options we declined playing this fragrant game.

Learning about toots. 

The Museum had a model of the large intestine.

Maybe my favorite sign ever:

It was very nice to have alone time, one on one time with my spouse of love, and to get out and explore Portland. I loved driving on the freeways and looking out at the lush, green landscape.

The Beloved commented that he'd never seen me so relaxed.

Thinking about it makes me sleepy.

I loved being reunited with my chillens though. I missed their guts.

We brought each one of them home little surprises. Some fun books from Powells and the best gift ever, or so we thought... fake poo from the gift shop at the museum.

Lou cried.

He was offended beyond belief.

How dare we? :)

The other three rejoiced.

Lou decided to be our friend again after opening his real gift,

A Ninjago book.

The End.

Cuddling Cousins

Lou and his cuddling cousin D.R.
Ahhhh... very tender.

 

Lou is looking over my shoulder while I'm entering this post. He asked what it said.

I told him.

He said,

"No, we're not cuddling... he just rolled toward me. Gosh."

Bear Award

Little C with his Pack Leader

Little C  received his Bear award!

He worked really hard, mostly with the diligent help of his Papa.
Good job Buddy!



Prep for Christmas

Poor Little C :) -

in preparation for Christmas I begged him to try on a dress I had purchased for his female cousin; I was worried it would be too short.

So he grudgingly obliged...

and I, being a stinker - had to take advantage of this photo op.

Here he is walking around the corner, unaware I have a camera in hand.

 

Trying to get away once his eyes discover his traitorous mother's intentions.

Sorry Little C... My stinker-ism-ness is anchored deep within my core. :) I love you - and p.s. you looked adorable in the dress. Kidding. I'm Kidding.

 

Proof - that I am not a baker  -

I'm not even a NO - Baker.

I made no bake cookies for those we love and adore...

they're not fool proof.

Here's my failed attempt at being domestic -

they never hardened.

Grrrr....

I gave in and drove to the store to buy my favorite Betty Crocker chocolate chip mix.

Yea!

 

Kathy was about as photogenic as Little C in her holiday attire.

But, it really was calming to her....

I think she felt pretty.



Party 2012

I have posts to publish clear back from the beginning of November to Christmas but I've decided to post them in reverse order...

not sure why -

my brain just thought it made sense.

This year was our turn to spend Christmas with my Fam.

It's a little chaotic but I dig it.

I love the noise and the love.

Below my dad is directing the gift exchange celebration.

The Beloved's gift from the V Fam.

The Beloved and our brother-in-law have an inside joke about one of my Dad's golf clubs they've dubbed "sexy".

Lou received a tracing set from Buckabu and Papa... he has played with it endlessly since.

Says, "If Zombies attack....I'm totally tripping you."
Our brother-in-law has an affinity to  Zombies... or maybe it's the opposite.

Ruckus received a LEGO sticker book from the V Fam. Super Cool!

Little C LOVES his Angry Birds Pillow....
need I say more?

Not sure if Bro in law  is having as grand a time as Sister #1.... but I could be wrong.

Sister #3 with our Mama and baby A.R.

The Baby is thrilled with his Turtle Coaster he received from  Buckabu and Papa.

The eyes say it all!

Woo Woo!

GAG GIFTS!

When I was little my mom's siblings and spouses would give each other gag gifts.  This year our own little family decided to continue this tradition.

Family members could choose whether or not they wanted to participate...

The Beloved and Bro in Law F.V. declined...

BOO...

but we respect your agency. Mostly.

Sister #1 delivering her gift to Sister #2.

How to get organized tips magazine.

I think I was camera happy at first and then just enjoyed the displays of humorous love. (Pictures get fewer and fewer)

Below my brother-in-law J.J. is giving me a turn in the hot seat.

Scandalous! They gave me coke.... because I've stopped drinking Pepsi.... and now I consume their competitor - Shameful and pointless...I know.... hence the joke.
It's something I'd rather not talk about. :)

Sister #2 teasing Sister #3 about  being a germ-a-phobe. 

Bro - in law J.R. gave Sister #1 a very large over the should boulder holder.... we all tease her that she secretly got a boob job.
( she's pleads not guilty - we practically believe her.)
No, we do. :)

My mom gave this son-in-law a hard time about being a tight wad. Ha ha.

We had a joke going on that everybody needed to smile with their chin up because we were having a few double chin photos. 

.... somebody below is  rebel... :)

My Dad giving his gift of hilarious-ness to bro-in-law J.R.

The Beloved helped my dad out with his gift by busting out this funny caricature.

Sister #3 teasing our Dad about loving his treasures.. aka collectibles... aka ... junk. :(
Super funny!

And I had my Mamacita, who I serenaded with a song to be accompanied with a shirt stating,

"I spill things".

 

I changed the lyrics to the love song,

"When You Say Nothing at All".

(This is for all of our relatives who know my dear mother, and her klutz ridden daughters :).

 

(sing the tune in your head)

(Verse 1)

It's amazing how you are so very bright

Professor of Communications, grading homework all night

Try as I may it is hard to explain

Why you must be attached to a drain

(chorus)

That glass in your hand looks tight and secure

Then all of a sudden it spills on the floor

The contents spread vast

You spill things so very fast

She's not a putz

Just an intelligent klutz

(Verse 2)

Your whole life you developed talents galore

You can dance, cook, sing, teach, write, and so much more

Old Mister Webster can easily define

Dawn Craner and liquid means spill every time

(Chorus)

That glass in your hand look tight and secure

Then all of a sudden it spills on the floor

The contents spread vast

You spill things so very fast

She's not a putz

Just an intelligent klutz.

 

(and she can also take a joke - I love you Mom!)

 

 

A week before Christmas The Beloved's youngest brother blessed us with his company.

One of their family traditions is to serve Sparkling Cider with their candle light Christmas dinner.

See the little candle?

And of course they're toasting  -

Hurray!

Merry Christmas to my in-laws - we missed you this year!

Here is our actual Christmas dinner.

We have carried on The Beloved's family tradition of having a candle light dinner, serving ham, funeral potatoes, and of course sparkling cider.

Our friends, the Horton's, joined us for our Christmas Eve Celebration.

Merry Christmas 2012!