Thanksgiving Part Deux

Carving the turkey.....
Eating the turkey...and a bunch of other yummy stuff......

Still eating....

Playing the "shocker" game. I. don't. like. this. game.

Evan dressed and ready to play in the snow.
Ro eating the snow.

Xander preparing the throw the snow.

Max throwing a snowball at Darrel (everyone's favorite target).

Getting ready to throw more snow:
and more snow:

Darrel strikes back.
The adults converge to discuss stratedy.

Evan & Ro throw snow at Darrel's truck (Darrel was too far away).

Emmy makes a snow angel. She's a lover, not a fighter.

Games at the cabin:

Playing trucks:

My favorite part (besides playing in the snow) was when Michael offered to get Max a drink and asked Max, "Where's your cup?" To which Max replied, "I'm not wearing one."

We had fun.

Thanksgiving

I spent Wednesday afternoon and evening baking. Here are the results of my efforts: a luscious apple pie (recipe courtesy of Pioneer Woman) and homemade rolls (recipe courtesy of my mother). My boys were so excited for the rolls - they are their favorite.

This morning I ran the Turkey Trot with Lisa and Tricia. Sheez, I look rough - I can't believe I went out in public like that. Oh well, we had fun. Until my knees started hurting. But I still finished with an o.k. time (for me, that is).

Below is a picture of Evan stealing my piece of Meg's homemade cranberry upside-down cake (delicious by the way). It is the only picture I took at our Thanksgiving Feast at Ian's parents house. Man, I am lame. I didn't even jump up and get the camera when Sean and Meg announced they are expecting. I was too busy screaming. For joy. The dinner was awesome, as usual. My mother in law is one excellent cook. I think my stomach doubled in size. And that was before the pie. Mmmm...pie.

Tomorrow we are heading up north to the Lodge. We are all hoping for snow. Happy Thanksgiving!

Counting my blessings

Last year's Christmas card photo

Yesterday I had a breakdown of monumental proportions. It was like every unhappy thought and feeling burst inside me all at once. I couldn't stop crying. For an hour or so. It really scared Ian. Today I'm feeling much better. Thanks to an awesome husband (who can make me laugh while I'm crying), good friends and wonderful & wise parents. And I'm thinking about Thursday. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I love getting together with family, eating and feeling thankful. And then eating some more. It occurred to me that no matter how overwhelming life may be, I am one incredibly lucky person. I am most thankful for family, friends, employment, legs that run and mashed potatoes. And pie (so there Darrel!).

What are you thankful for?

Twilight

Friday night, a few of us girls went to dinner and to see Twilight. I thought is was pretty good. Cheesy, yes. But good. I thought the chemistry between Bella and Edward was perfect. Although the vampires in general (and especially Jasper) tended to over-act. I'm not sure if that was the director's or the actors' fault(s). If you haven't read the book - I wouldn't recommend seeing it. On a scale of one to ten (ten being the best) I give it a 7. I'm hoping the movies will improve - I hear they are already writing the screenplays for New Moon and Eclipse.

Pause

Max has been a little under the weather lately. He hasn't been himself. It's kind of nice because he's been really mellow. Today I could tell he was feeling better. We were in the car, running errands. I turned the radio station to a Christmas music station. BIG mistake.

Max: "Mom, do you like this music?"

Me: "I love it!"

Max: "I think you should turn this garbage off."

Me: "Don't you want to get in the mood for Christmas?"

Max: "Uhhh....looking at toys will get me in the mood for Christmas. (long pause) "What does "mood" mean?"

And on and on. A few minutes later, after arguing about what to eat for lunch:

Max: "Maybe you should just call Grandma. We could go to the mall for lunch."

Me: "I can't - Grandma is at the movies with Kimmy and Stacy."

Max: "So your own mom didn't take you to the movies?"

Me: "Max, you are driving me bonkers with all of your questions and arguments!"

Max: "Mom, you are driving me bonkers. Stop talking! I'm sorry your mom didn't take you to the movies! (long pause) "What does "bonkers" mean?"

Sometimes I feel like I spend my day answering questions and arguing. Max makes everything into an argument. And he's really adept with turning the conversation around. For instance if I say, "Max, please stop kicking your brother!" Max will say, "How about I come over and kick you instead?" Or I'll say, "Max, can we please put this conversation on "pause"? I need a minute to think." and Max will say, "Mom, why don't you "pause"? I can't think!" It literally is driving me bonkers.

P.S. This is totally off the subject...for FREE Snow Patrol tickets to their Dec. 9th show in Tempe, go here. Did I mention they are my current favorite band?

Wish You Were Here

Last week while I was changing my millionth (not exaggerating) dirty diaper, Xander was doing this:

While I was slaving away over a dinner that I was pretty sure no one but Ian would eat, Xander was sulking, missing my cooking....

And when all hell broke lose and I might have raised my voice a teeny bit to get the youngest two to behave (toothbrushes do NOT go in the toilet! and sarcasm counts as back talk!) Xander was crying on the inside, missing me terribly, but putting on a brave face so as not to seem ungrateful.

At least that's what I keep telling myself.

*Photos blatantly stolen from Kim's blog. Thank you Kim, Brian and Joe...Xander can't stop talking about it...(and how he cried himself to sleep every night because he missed me so much...)

Turkey Trot

Tricia and I are doing the annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. It's a 10K - easily doable. Let me know if you want to join us. I do it so I can eat pie all day and not feel guilty. Mmm...pie.

http://www.getsetaz.com/event-detail.php?item=402560

Weekend in Pictures

Saturday was the boys' last soccer games. Xander was out of town, so we only had Ben and Max's games to go to (and their end-of-season parties). Ben had a great season and showed lots of improvement at the end. He loved his coaches and the players on his team. After Max's game, Max's team headed to Peter Piper Pizza. You all know how our family feels about that place. I think we would eat there for every meal if we could.

Max received his first ever trophy. To say he was excited was an understatement. I had to pry the trophy from his hand and convince him to put it in a safe place (safe from Evan that is). Ian said that at his last game the coach from the opposing team kept telling his team to "Run down field!" and Max would yell, "don't run down field!" Then the opposing coach would yell, "Kick it to the goal!" and Max would scream back, "Don't kick it toward the goal!" I'm sorry I missed that.
Evan has become even more attached to his binkie lately. I should care, but I don't. That binkie has saved my life (or rather kept me sane). The boys and I were cracking up and what he was doing with his binkie at Peter Piper. It almost looks like he's using it to pick his nose.

Tonight we all chilled out together and watched "Kung-Fu Panda". Xander made it home safe and sound (yeah!). I find it interesting that all 4 kids want to sit by me. I guess I should be flattered instead of annoyed. Ian had the big couch all to himself - the lucky dog.

After the movie, Evan was acting goofy. I heard Ian say, "Where are your pants and diaper?" and the next thing I knew Evan was on my lap, half naked and threw his diaper on me. We might have to bust out Ian's duct tape to keep it on. He hates wearing a diaper.

It was a good weekend.

This is just a random picture of Evan - it has no relevance to this post.

I was in a little bit of a funk today, missing Xander, stressing about money when my mom called and invited me and the boys to dinner at Serranos. Woohoo! The only problem is, Evan is horrendous whenever we go out. Think lots of throwing with tons of screaming. But Ben and Max were way too excited for us not to go. When we approached the entrance to the restaurant and Evan started screaming, I felt myself sinking deeper into my funk. Drowning, if you will.

As the hostess was leading us to our booth it occured to me to let Evan sit with us in the booth instead of wrestling him in the highchair. It was the best idea I've had in a long, long time. He was so good! I mean he did stand up the whole time. And he did drip salsa everywhere. And use the back of the booth as his own personal table. And he did grab a chicken tender out of Ben's hand and eat it. But those are little things compared to the throwing and the screaming. Which there was none of. Too bad I'm a lame-oh and didn't get a picture.

Thank you, mom. You are the best!

I'm going to Disneyland

This is my baby. He is such a great kid. He's funny. He's smart. He's responsible. And a quick learner. I met with his teacher last week and she told me that if she had a son, she'd want him to be like Xander. I was blown away. Then his soccer coach e-mailed me this week and told me that the coach from the opposing team at their last game went on and on about what a great defensive player Xander is. That's my boy.

A few months ago my sister Kim called asking if they could take Xander with them to Disneyland. At first I said no because I didn't want him to miss school. But after discussing it with Ian, I changed my mind. I didn't, however, know when I told him "yes" that he'd be gone for 6 days. 6 days. I think it's going to be harder on me than him.

Xander left this morning and I already miss him (even though I hugged him for atleast 5 minutes and even managed to get a kiss or two in). I'll miss him coming in my room at night and telling me about his day. And about the girl he has his eye on. And how Michael caused one sort of mischief or another. I'll miss him stalling at bed time - begging for a bowl of cereal. I'll miss watching "Biggest Loser" together. Or him reminding me that "The Office" is on - and then trying to sneak in to watch it too. And o.k., I admit it - I'm going to miss him babysitting. Because he does a great job (95% of the time).

I'm thinking about going to California, hunting him down and bringing him home.

Letting go is hard.

Thanks to Kim

Here is Evan at his birthday party. I stole this picture from Kim's blog. She takes the best pictures. We just had a little get together at the park and it was perfect. All the kids had a blast playing, and there was minimal clean up or stress. Note to self: Never buy balloons for Evan's birthday again. He is terrified of balloons. This was confirmed at many different times and by many different people on his birthday.


Kim took this picture on Saturday at Max's game. He was in a little bit of a "mood". Here is he doing a little dance. Max was so excited that Kimmie and Grandma were coming to his game. When he saw them pull up and they didn't get out of the car immediately he asked, "What's Kimmie doing...eating pie?" I don't know where that came from, but he was so happy to show his soccer skillz to Kimmie.

Isn't it sad that this whole post wouldn't have happened without my sister's pictures? I really need a good camera.

Playing the Game

My mom and I went to Max's dance concert today. In all my wildest dreams I never thought my little boy would be in a dance concert. But he was. And he was great. All the kindergartners gathered in the multi-purpose room for some square dancing and the chicken dance (my personal favorite). The best part was when Max had to "swing his partner round and round". Oh, the look on his face. Something between disgust and awe. Priceless. Too bad I didn't get a picture (or any pictures) for that matter - but I do have a crazy 2 year old to keep track of, you know.

It gives me such pride to watch my kids do things well. Like watching Xander play soccer. Watching him play with his team is like watching a well-oiled machine. I've never seen a team play with such team work. It's awesome to see. And Xander is right in there, running and pushing toward the goal. I can see him taking it all in, strategizing on how to win. He's an integral part of the team. And he loves winning just as much as playing the game.

And then there's Ben. Half the time he's biting his fingernails, barely paying attention to what's going on. But every once in a while we get a glimpse. I see the look of determination and watch, jaw dropped open as he steals the ball from another player and turns it around. What just happened? I don't get those glimpses all that often, but when I do I can see that although Ben is content to sit on the sidelines, if he wants it bad enough he'll fight for it.

Max is an altogether different breed. I see Xander analyzing and pushing forward through life, and Ben waiting and choosing his battles carefully but I see Max rushing forward - all or nothing. He's like a machine when he wants something. The look of determination on his face is scary. He doesn't give up...and heaven forbids when he fails. Because all hell breaks loose. Max plays to win.

Like watching him dance today - he'll give everything his best effort - even if it means linking arms with a girl.

My Baby

Tomorrow at 4:26 am Evan will turn 2. My boys keep telling me that when Evan turns 2 he will officially be a toddler. And not my baby. They just don't know. I try telling them that all of them are still my babies but they think I'm being silly. Until I pick them up and hold them like a baby and kiss their heads...and then they think I'm just plain weird.

Evan has brought so much joy to my life. When I see him lying on his stomach with his hands craddling his chin - I want to stop time. Or when he grabs my face and kisses me sloppily. Again and again. Or when his arms clasp around my neck and he holds on tight when he is frightened. I love the feel of his little hand in mine. Or the way his chubby cheeks jiggle when I plant a kiss on them. There are so many things about him that I don't want to forget. I love that he has bonded with each of his brothers. Xander is his protector. Ben is his comforter. And Max is his playmate.

Evan is full of energy. He is 110% all day long. If it is too quiet I panic. And find him in Xander's Halloween candy with a blue mouth and wrappers clinging to his chin. Grinning. Or in the bathroom. With a truck in the toliet. Or on the kitchen counter. Emptying chocolate chips on the floor. And as frustrated as I get, I can't resist his giggle at being caught.

I don't want to forget how he says, "Max! Where are you?" or "Truck!" or "Infinity...beyond!" or "Max hurt!" (meaning Max just hurt him). He is talking a mile a minute, learning new things all the time. Sometimes I just want to freeze time...and hold him like a baby.

P.S. In the time it took me to write this post Evan emptied out all of Roxy's food (our chinchilla), shoved 3 d.v.d's into our VCR and started to take apart the downstairs refridgerator.

Halloween

This is the only photo I have of Halloween this year. At the last minute, Alexander decided to be a Jamaican dude and I managed to snap a picture while we were at my Grandmas. We had a very busy Halloween night - and to make it more stressful Ian had to work late (think 9:00 pm) so I had to do it solo.

My problem is that we try to do too many things. We went to my grandmas (Tempe), Tiffany's ward carnival (Gilbert), Trick-or-Treating (Gilbert) and to Ian's parents (Mesa). Next year I will simplify! But the boys had fun and so did I. That's the most important thing.

After speaking with some other mothers, I'm astonished by how many moms ration or take away their kids' candy. Am I a bad mom for letting them eat their candy whenever they want? They all still have 75% of their candy left - and I've been eating it too. There's something about knowing they can have it that kind of takes away the allure. Out of all my kids, Ben is the one who has eaten the most and yesterday he suffered a stomach ache. He's learning the hard way. I think.