Ice Swimming

We are indoors today... schools closed and ice on the roads. Sydney just came downstairs while I was on the computer and said, "Mom, I was hot in my pajamas so I changed into my swimsuit." Sure enough she's wearing a darling black and pink tankini from last year.

Trouble in Paradise

While I was gone Friday night and Saturday morning, Sydney apparently camped out in my room as evidenced by the Polly Pockets, snack wrappers, markers, crayons, etc. Today I asked her to clean up her mess:

Me: Sydney, please get the messed cleaned up in my room.
Sydney: I don't want to decorate your room. It's a MESS!
Me: I don't want you to decorate it, I want you to pick up the mess.
Sydney: I don't want to.
Me: (growing impatient) Who made the mess?
Sydney: (storming off with arms stiff by her side and fist clenched. gruff voice) This damn Sydney made the mess! I don't want to talk to you until this mess is cleaned up.

DOOR SLAM!

Does she think this is the Ritz-Carlton? Honey, this is far from the Ritz. We'd be lucky to call this a Holiday Inn Express.

A Great Man

My grandfather passed away and funeral services were today. I sat in awe as people spoke of him using words like "never uttered an unkind word" and "was a friend to everyone". James V. Thompson was remembered today as a devoted husband, loving father, faithful friend, and servant of the Lord. I couldn't help but think that everyone should be so blessed to have someone touch their lives as my Papa did for so many.

2009

Well, it looks like my 7 readers have spoken. "Exercise more" is the winner of the new year's resolutions poll. I hope you haven't fallen off the wagon yet. I didn't really make any resolutions. I just decided to bring a little more balance to my life (and yes, I decided this before Oprah's big week of why she's fat and how to live your best life). I often find myself feeling guilty at work for not being at home and feeling guilty at home for not working. Unlike Oprah, I don't have a personal assistant that schedules my workouts and lunches for me. Don't get me wrong, the elementary school that I work at is a lovely campus, but I've yet to find the world-class workout room and the personal chef has yet to show his face around school. So until then, I'm sure I'll continue to burn the candle at both ends.

Cool Rider

Well, warm rider might be a better title for this post. We've had some beautiful weather this past week so we took full advantage of trying out the new scooter and tricycle that Santa left. Once again Sydney is workin' her own style these days. She saw these glasses at Gymboree earlier in the day and had to have them.

Santa left Sam this tricycle that is perfect for his size. The helmet, not so much.

Maybe we should have skipped the mini-trike and gone straight to the scooter?

Our neighbor got this red-carpet, stage set up for Christmas. The girls were so funny! They were having a little dance party right in the driveway.

Even the ice cream was trolling the area.

********P.S. You are now able to leave a comment even if you don't have a google account. So all of you ghost readers out there, feel free to leave a comment.

Loving Moments

I thought I would post these loving moments of Sydney and Sam since I'm sure the time is quickly approaching for them to sort of dislike each other in that brother/sister way. They've been really sweet to each other (for the most part). By the way, anyone struggling to replace this phrase - "You better watch it! Santa is watching and he won't bring you anything if you don't change your attitude, brush your teeth, stop yelling, etc."?

Yes, Sam still has the pacifier. I've have passed the point of no return because he will ask for it by name. It's just a bedtime deal, but I so wish I would have tossed it out way before he would say "pap pap" in an ever so precious voice. Oh there's a sucker involved and I'm not talking about the pacifier.

If you look closely at the water you will probably think this is a scene straight from the Perfect Storm. No, just my bathtub (jets off) as monkey see and monkey do get the water sloshing around by splashing and kicking around. Just good times. Remember, I'm acting like the laid-back, cool mom this week because I'm free of school stress.

Merry Christmas to ALL!

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas or 2 as we did. I always struggle to get good pics at Christmas because there's always so much going on. But here a few pics from our Christmas.

Sydney has been wanting this doll from Children's Place forever!! Don't ask...

Sam is going through his ELMO phase.

Sam's not quite awake yet... he's my late sleeper. God bless him!

Hammer Time!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!