Christmas card outtakes and other hilarities

 Getting two kids to look and smile??  Never gonna happen!

But we sure had fun trying.

 And now you know what the boys wore for their Christmas pictures

 Oh these two, they crack each other up

I love the way Owen is looking at Scott like he's nuts!

So big

Redundant?  Yep.  But Scott and these faces were too hilarious not to post

Such sweet brothers

As for the other hilarity:  We hired a housekeeper (because frankly I just couldn't keep up, at first I felt bad about this and felt like I should be able to do a better job, then she came and cleaned our house, now I don't feel bad, I feel like I LOVE HER!) and she came the other morning so we headed out of the house on a walk to get a cup of coffee.  On our way Scott asked me about the zoo keepers and what they were doing, I answered 'Probably feeding the lions'.  This is not an uncommon game for us to play, I'm the zoo keeper, he is the lion (or other animal) and he tells me what he wants me to feed him.  Scott told me 'no, she's cleaning the kitchen'.  He forgot the word house keeper and used zoo keeper instead.  Probably fairly accurate considering the state of our house after Brian being gone for 6 days.

Then today at Trader Joe's Scott was in rare form when it came to NOT being shy.  Talking to EVERYONE.  He asked me what one employee was doing (putting groceries on the shelves so people can buy them) and what his name was (I don't know his name), then:  "mommy, hims handsome."  LOL!  I told him that was nice of him to say, then I said "Scott, you are hilarious."  He says:  "mommy, my harry-ous"

Sorry if it was pictures overkill, I keep scrolling up to see if I should delete some, then I crack up at my kids....and its my blog, so deal : )

Fortitude.

I know I have said this before, but we LOVE our pediatrician.  Owen has his 9 month check up next Monday (9 months?  What?) And you may already know, and if you don't you won't be surprised to learn, that many of our friends see the same doc with their littles.  Last week my girlfriend took her littles for their 2.5 year and 6 month and our doc said something to her that she has said to me in the past:  That she and I have fortitude.  She has told us that she is proud of how we parent and who we are as mothers.  What a huge compliment.

And just like that, we have a preschooler

I feel like I just got hit by a bus.  Today we went to tour my first choice preschool.  I had been looking for some type of MDO (mother's day out) program since last summer.  To no avail.  Apparently they are all over Texas and other places, nada in the greater Conejo Valley.  I didn't feel like we needed full time preschool, or even that much structure.  So I planned on having Scott home with me until next fall.  Fast forward to a few weeks ago, Scott is now potty trained (opening up a whole new world of school possibilities) and he has a few friends who go to school so he asks about it and talks about it.  Then I get a recommendation from the fabulous Robin (of the prenatal yoga, childbirth class amazingness) for a co-op nearby that, despite my searching, I never came across.  So I called last week and set up an appointment for today.  The boys and I arrived and got to observe class, after about a half hour or so I was sold.  Great parents, great kids, GREAT teacher, a couple moms I already knew from yoga and Scott was having BLAST!!!  Plus they have a class pet: a bunny named 'Bun-bun' (I deducted a half a point for the lack of originality in naming the bunny...Bunicula - who remembers that book? best bunny name ever!)  Scott could not have been more excited about the class pet.  He went from being shy to talking nonstop to the teacher about the pet and about his pet at home and on and on.

So I went to the office to sign us up for next semester which starts the end of january and they say, well if you want you can start right now, we can prorate you for the rest of the semester.  Um ok.  So we paid up and went back to class for the rest of the morning.  Here I was planning to have weeks to prepare for school, talk it up, purchase a backpack and lunch box, get snacks all in order etc.  See what I mean, hit by a bus.  So as of 10 this morning we officially have a preschooler in our midst.  My mind is officially blown by this.

We already have homework (preschool is a lot of work for the mommies!) which is to design a placemat for snack.  So there's that, plus paperwork.  And who decides to start school two weeks before Christmas and now has a teacher to shop for? Great job mom. And please oh please God, for the love of all that is holy, do not let the bunny be sent home to different kids houses for a night, a weekend, a week, really any amount of time, I know some classes do this and I simply do not have what it takes to be an adoptive bunny parent, even for 24 hours.  And I even less have what it takes to tell Scott "no, honey, all the other kids get a turn to care for Bun-bun (gag with that name, seriously) but not you, mommy sucks".  So please, let's just avoid that all together, teacher: you keep the bunny.

I kid.  Kind of.

We are really excited about this next chapter for Scott.  I think he will really thrive in this environment.  I'm also excited for all of the parenting stuff they have associated with the school.  Each parent has to work one day a week and some of those time include discussion groups on things like conflict resolution with toddlers, new siblings, discipline etc.  I definitely felt like I was rockin' parenthood until I pushed into the black abyss of toddlerhood with its talking back, attitude, physical violence and having to discipline.  I love how much support this school offers.  My impression is that many, if not most of the parents have a similar parenting style to Brian and me so I hope to learn a lot, right along side Scott.  And one morning a week for 3 hours I will only have one child with me = endless possibilities.  Well not really, I scheduled it to be during my work time, but still.

Here's to preschool, and the next 25 years of schooling for you Scott!!!

Jams

 Matching Christmas Jams.  It happened.  Courtesy of Mimi.  I just had to dress the boys in their matching jams after bath tonight.  Sooooo snuggly.

But alas, the tree and ornaments are far too distracting to pose for pictures.  To a baby and toddler a Christmas tree is basically just a tree full of small toys.  Oh the joys!!!  And is it just me or do they seriously look like they are the same size?

Playing snowman and Santa together.  LOVE.

"That Christmas Guy"

 And now the story of meeting Santa.  I tried to get pictures of the boys our Christmas card, again, today.  This involved some bribery.  And I still don't know if we have a good one yet, I'll post outtakes soon.  So I promised Scott ice cream (ah hem, dairy free frozen yogurt) if he would get dressed up and sit with his brother again.  So we did our thing and then headed across the street to the yogurt shop (if you are curious we have a pinkberry, yogurtland and a menchie's all within walking distance, a bit overkill no?  but only yogurtland and menchies have dairy free, like you care. ha)  We went to the side that has more fountains and the big Christmas tree so we could spend a little extra time wandering.

Well what do you know that this was also where Santa's cottage was set up.  After we looked at the tree Scott asked if we could see if Santa was there (which I didn't actually think he was) so he ran up and peeked in and turns out Santa was, indeed, home.

So Scott immediately got shy and walked out.  HAHA.  The most hilarious part is he loves to tell people he is shy.  He told Santa's little helper "elf", "I'm a little shy right now!"  So after some coaxing and a candy cane Scott decided he should chat Santa up a bit.  Sorry about the terrible quality phone pics.

 These two pictures are Scott explaining to Santa about light up shoes.  Above: "Your shoes don't light up"  Below: "See, mine light up" and he proceeds to stomp and show them off.  Santa tells Scott he really wants a pair, Scott is thrilled.  I'm a little nervous he is going to want to go get Santa a pair to leave with his cookies and milk (actually, cocoa, Scott learned in one of his Christmas books that Mrs. Claus serves Santa hot cocoa so now he insists that is what we must leave him in lieu of milk.  Santa is high maintenance).  Mommy is not sure they make Santa sized light up shoes and if they do they're not gonna be cheap (I know because I bought the toddler sized ones, much to my continuing horror).

Then the moment of truth, Scott agreed to stand next to Santa for a picture.  I debated having Owen join the fun.  I unbuckled Owen from the front pack.  So far so good. Stepped closer.  Still good.  Santa talked to Owen.  Owen reaches for Santa.  I figure ok let's try this so I plop him on Santa's lap.  WORST. MOMMY. EVER.

I think Owen just wanted to touch Santa's hat/beard/clothes from the comfort and safety of my arms.  I plucked him right up after the kind elf shot this picture.  Typical Santa picture right?!  I think all kids have one like this.

And as for the title:  Scott has a hard time remember Santa's name, so when we see a Santa decoration up he says "Oh mom, look, that Christmas guy!"  "There's the Christmas guy again!"   I say "Oh you mean Santa."  "oooooh YES! Santa!"  Scott has also played Santa several nights and brought me presents (his toys and books) one by one for hours (awesome pass time if you ask me!).

Oh and he asked Santa for an airplane.  Tonight in the bath tub he told me he asked Santa for a "superman airplane", not quite sure what a superman airplane is or does, but I think Santa is gonna have to follow through major on this one because Scott thinks he is the bees knees right now.

And of course immediately following our visit Scott ate the entire candy cane.  I don't know how you can say no to a kid who just got a candy cane from Santa himself.  So ice cream and a candy cane after 3 pm made for an awesome afternoon/evening sugar high and a crappy dinner for Scott.  We called daddy for a post game Santa discussion and Scott didn't say a word about meeting the jolly man, he immediately told daddy he got a candy cane (priorities).  Later we called Mimi and Grandma, also highlighting the candy cane first.

We ran to whole foods on our way home and if I was still writing my thanksgiving month posts I would tell you that I'm thankful for their precooked rotisserie chickens (free range and organic, no less).  I had that and some garlic stuff olives for dinner and it couldn't have been yummier.

So, better luck next year Owen, I hope I didn't scar you for life!

December

 I can't believe its December already.  We are decorated.  Music is playing.  Drinking lots warm holiday beverages.  Christmas books galore.  Our elf has visited.  Its magical!

 Owen is loving pulling on the tree.

Scott is enjoying learning about all things Christmas.  And teaching Owen in turn.  For example, "Owen, this is Mr. Jesus."  Talking about his little people nativity set.

Although I feel a little behind this year with some of my holiday plans (gingerbread house decorating party, Christmas cards, shopping), I'm trying not to worry about it too much and just enjoy the little moments with the boys.  This time of year (and life in general) goes by too fast.

Thursday, Friday and Birthday Thankfulness

Thursday:  I'm thankful that my boys have a great daddy to look up to and learn from.  Scott was being a bit of a bully to his cousin and nothing I said or did seemed to sink and make him understand how mean he was being.  When Brian got home and before I left for work (our typical Thursday is that Brian walks through the door between 4 and 4:15 and I walk out within 5 minutes and see evening patients at my office that night, romantic huh?) I told him what was going on and that he needed to have a man to man heart to heart with his oldest son.  I'm so thankful for the relationship they have and the respect the boys have for their daddy.  Its very sweet!

And with that, today I am thankful for my awesome husband.  I'm thankful that 32 years ago TODAY he was born so that 22 years later we could meet, fall in love and have sweet baby boys!  Happy birthday to the guy who keeps a smile on my face all day, everyday!  I love you so much!