Grab a tissue- and get reay to see the BEST Christmas surprise that happened at our school yesterday

I just have to share this because I hope it makes anyone who sees it, feel as happy and amazing as it makes me feel. And I am proud to have my kids be part of such an awesome school!

http://www.shakopeenews.com/video_christmas_surprise-112

Potty potty in the toilet, who's the newest pee-er to get my floor wet?

I knew it... this day was coming. We had a trial day last week that went ok, but I didn't get the feeling that his heart was in it, so I left it alone until I thought he had more interest. Well, that day is today!

After getting Andy off to school, I was giving Justin and Ryan a bath. Ryan said "Oh! There's poopy in there!" My heart panicked as  my eyes darted across that bath tub looking for Mr. Hankey the Christmas Poo... but hmmm. It wasn't there. Then I realized he was trying to say it was IN there and needed to come OUT-NOW!  Well, that was a success... but how about the rest of the day. His biggest hang up with potty training has actually been going potty on the toilet, which is bass ackwards from what I understand is normal. Last week we had a little "trial" day in undies that went pretty well. BUT he wouldn't give up the potty. No way was he about to let loose on that toilet.

So today, when I went to pick out his clothes after his bath, I grabbed him some undies. He denied me...at first. He left the bathroom and came back in with the last diaper in his drawer, and told me he is NOT a big boy. What do I do?? I had to do something to get him out of love with his polka dot diaper. I told him that it was fine and he can wear the diaper today, but it was his last one, and after this one was dirty, they were all gone so he'd have to wear underpants. He looked at me and said ok... and THEN, a switch flipped and he ran out of the bathroom, and came back 30 seconds later with a pair of undies that HE picked out. He smiled at me as he walked over to me and got up in my face, poked his little finger at me so that it was almost touching my eyeball, and said "I'm a big boy now, Mommy!"

I was mush. He won- again. I am a sucker for these little short people we made :) And the best part... we have progressed to letting it all flow freely today... he is a bonafied toilet pee-er! I am happy and so proud of him. And he is just a little proud of himself too :) But, like when Andy lost his first tooth, I am a little sad. I love watching them grow and learn and turn into their own little people with their very own ideas and personalities...but that happening means MY babies are slipping away. Pretty soon, I will have NO excuse to slowly walk up and down the baby isle at Target. Right now I can blame it on the diapers. But soon- we will have 3 BIG boys. Who is gonna be my baby then dammit??

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Here's my new version of a nice golden oldie... "Breaking up is Hard to Do" by the Carpenters

Growing Up is Hard to Do.  By: Mom.

You tell me you're  a big boy.
I can't believe it's true.
Darlin' I'm not "Mommy" without you.
Slow down, dooby do, slow down
Come on a slow-a-down
dooby booby doo, slow down.
Mommy's not sure what to do...

Don't grow so fast, whats the rush?
I'm gonna miss the drool and baby mush.
It goes so fast and now I'm blue
'Cause growing up his hard to do

Remember when I held you tight
And I kissed you all through the night
Think of all that we've been through
Growing Up Is Hard To Do

They say that growing up is hard to do

now I know, I know that it's true.

Don't say, that this is the end.

Instead of growing up I wish that they were spitting up again.

You have lost, that baby smell.
Just one more sniff would sure be swell.
Come on baby, I'll swaddle you,
'Cause growing up is hard to do!

Which would you choose?

Beautiful Bay in Hawaii

Warehouse in perspective

Hawaii OR Ikea...
If you were asked on a very cold day, if you wanted to go to Hawaii, would you respond, "NO!!! I want to go to Ikea!!!" Well, I guess you would if this were you...

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Oh little man, you have so much to learn.

A little Dean Martin...

I am cold from the inside out today. As I type this, my fingers are like frozen little sizzler sausages. Right after I am done here, I will go drink some nummy hot chocolate and sit in front of the fireplace... but just had to share a little Dean Martin first, since it is swirling non-stop through my brain frozen head. God I love Minnesota.

Baby It's Cold Outside

Dean Martin

I really can't stay- But baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - But baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice -I'll hold your hands they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry- Beautiful, what's your hurry?

And father will be pacing the floor- Listen to the fireplace roar

So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful please don't hurry

Well maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

The neighbors might think -Baby it's bad out there

Say what's in this drink - No cabs to be had out there

I wish I knew how -Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell - I'll take your hat your hair looks swell

I ought to say no no no sir - Mind if I move in closer

At least I'm going to say that I tried- What's the sense of hurtin my pride

I really can't stay- Baby don't hold out

(guy) -Baby it's cold outside

(girl) -ah, but it's cold outside

I simply must go - But, Baby it's cold outside

The answer is no -But, Baby it's cold outside

This welcome has been -How lucky that you dropped in

So nice and warm -Look out the window at torm

My sister will be suspicious - Gosh your lips look delicious

My brother will be there at the door- Waves upon a tropical shore

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious- Gosh your lips are delicious

Well, maybe just a cigarette more- Never such a blizzard before

I got to get home- But baby you'd freeze out there

Say lend me a comb- It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand- A thrill when you touch my hand

But don't you see- How can you do this thing to me

There's bound to be talk tomorrow- Think of my life long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied- If you caught pneumonia and died

(I really can't stay- Get over that old doubt

(guy) -Baby it's cold outside

(girl) -ah, but it's cold outside

Tis' the Season

I can't believe it is this time already. When did this happen? It was just Halloween and we were playing in the leaves.  Now today I was driving around in the snow watching cars spin out because apparently, every year Minnesotans forget how slippery snow really is. Then I walk in through the door and our tree is decorated and they are playing Christmas episodes of Dora and the radio stations are playing Christmas music 24/7 now. And we are wrapping presents in Mommy's workshop....formerly known as my scrapbook room. I don't know how it happened so fast, but I love it. I am so excited for this snow but just hope everyone driving in it is careful!

Here's a look at some of the Christmas fun we have had so far...

We went to the Holidazzle Parade the night it opened. It was still fairly warm but cold enough to feel like Christmas. I have to admit, it would have been better with some snow and a nice hot cup of hot chocolate in my hand though :)

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Putting up the Christmas Tree is so exciting...but every year it feels like there is no way it can time to be thinking about it yet. Sometimes I really wish we had a real tree. They smell so good- you just can't fake that smell :) Next year might be the year for a new tree...the little twigs on the big branches are starting to fall off and soon there will just be little holes everywhere. I don't know where we will hang our little handmade ornaments the kids make at school if our branches keep falling off. The trouble is that we peeked quick at Target and all of their trees are little and skinny and just plain weenie. I will take our soon to be Charlie Brown Christmas tree over those anorexic trees any day :) Christmas is all about the plumpness...right?

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Justin is Mr. Science along with Andy lately. He loves to take this magnifying glass and look at EVERYTHING with it. Usually he looks for bugs in my pot of Cuban Oregano (Proud to say there are never any bugs in there- phew!). This time he wanted to see if he could see the electricity working inside of the bulbs. I am guessing he only got a bigger version of pretty color instead. But it is worth a try ;)

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All of our ornaments were hung by 
               

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these 3 little short dudes, so the tree was pretty bare from about 2/3 of the way up... but isn't that what it's all about? And even Molly, the Christmas Kitty had to go to her yearly hiding spot. I like to think that she just wants to be part of the fun and help, but I know she goes there because the boys can't reach her and she can actually get a little nap in down there.

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Andy had his First Reconciliation for school. I am so curious to know what he said, but I guess that's not between me and him. He already knows more on this whole subject than I do! 









I just had to add one more of the tree lit up when it is dark out. It may be falling apart but it's still pretty :)

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Under Construction!  Caution: Hard Hat Area.

Making a village... We have done the same old gingerbread house a few times over...we've even done the train. But this year, we made a village. They were tiny little things- but there were 5, and what do you know? There are 5 of us. So somehow it wound up in my cart and now all 5 mini- buildings sit proudly on our counter...

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And one more thing I almost forgot... The Christmas Party at my neighbors house. I brought my camera, but only took one picture. It is of Justin and his first crush :) Erika. Oh Erika. He is a great little man... and you are a big sweetie... I think you will make a great addition to our family someday. I promise he will treat you like a queen, and thank you for brightening his day and giving him one of your pictures for his bulletin board in his room. :) Puppy love is great... the giggles, the smiles that break through when they try to hold them back...ahhh. SO cute.

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New unit of measurement!

Have you ever heard of a militater? No?... I didn't think so. But tonight, as I was pouring my first cap full of Tylenol for the season, Andy was reading from the other side of the cup. I had the teaspoon side and he had the milliliter side facing him. He was shocked as he read along and said, "Woah! Ten Militaters?!?!" I don't know what my response was other than laughing and tilting my head to the side like Lucky (My dog nephew) and wishing I had thought of that one myself! I will be using that one later on if I get the chance :)

This was a big day here too! This is the first time we brought all 3 boys to a movie!! It was so exciting. We haven't been able to go to a movie without finding a babysitter for the boys, or one of the boys, or any combination of boys in between. And it was Ryan we were worried about because he has the energy of a 2 year old boy. (It helps that he fits the profile!) About 10 minutes into the movie I was sure one of us would have to go wait in the van or in the play area...but he actually made it through the movie without too much trouble. Do you know what this means?? DO YOU??? We have hit a new milestone and are one step closer to big boy land. It was fun, but I can feel my little baby slipping further away... man, what will he be doing next? Wearing underpants?? I am just not ready to not buy diapers... I have had to for the last 7 years...why stop now? :)

Pictures from summer to fall

Here is a little bit of what our summer turning into fall was like :)

Andy played baseball this summer, and Jake was a proud papa and coached the team :) Great Grandma came to a few games. They were having some sort of conversation here about why Andy cried when he got out at first base ;)

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I loved this shot of the "guys" with their numbers on the back of their shirts... They played baseball while visions of Major League danced in their heads.

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Justin loves his tomatoes :) Here he was just tickled by the "baby" tomato that was soooo tiny next to the normal cherry tomato

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My 3 little heroes at Night to Unite :)

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Ryan was the only one of the 3 to be brave enough to wear the fireman's helmet!

Back in August we brought Andy and Justin to a Twins game. This was the last time the 4 of us will ever see baseball in the Dome... "Dome sweet Dome"

My mom finally got talked into getting her hair done since it grew back after chemo. She was hesitant... she thought we were going to try to talk her into a spiky do that screams butch! :) No Mommy, a nice pretty style, just like you...


BEFORE:

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               AND                 AFTER

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Then, about 2 weeks after I had surgery, we got dealt this hand...

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But, really. Who would let a broken arm stop him from playing the wii? I am just brought to tears by his determintaion. (Hopefully you caught that that was total sarcasm!!)

At the beginning of October, we took one last trip to the cabin for the season. Next year, I hope we get up there a lot more! Ryan will *hopefully* be a little easier to handle so that should make things a lot easier :) Fall up there is awesome....

Miranda Lambert came to town, and my Father-in-Law won tickets to go... he had no idea who she was, so he gave them to me :)  I LOVE her...sorry all you country music haters. I have 2 of her CD's now, and I am the biggest dork and belt them out when I am in the car alone. It is great stress relief- almost as good as cleaning!  And not only that... I fell for her pink guitar ;)

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For any of you who pledged Andy for his marathon, thank you! Here is proof your money wasn't for nothing :) We were out there in that marathon, cold and WET...but we did it!!!  (DISCLAIMER... the 3 boys did it while I shopped the gym for the silent auction baskets and stayed dry**)

Next was a fieldtrip for Justin's preschool class. The annual trip to the apple orchard! It is the same place we always go- and it is just the best!!! I love it- it makes fall a whole lot more fun!

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Mommy and her goofy faced little buddy :)

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"I am on a bus... and it is really moving!! This is great!"

This is so out of order!!! But we had a 5th anniversary party for my sister and Raul :) She deserves it and I wish that I could have made it even even better and made her feel like a princess for the day! I love you seester :)

A few days after the apple orchard field trip, we went back just the 5 of us for some apple pickin...

Finally, the big day 6 weeks in the making.... drum roll please....

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THE CAST IS OFF BABY!!!!

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Although the thing still looks broken to my untrained eye...















Here I am thinking "Hmmmm, it still looks broken man! What are you thinking taking that cast off?" And Andy is thinking " My mom is a paranoid, over-protective crazy woman. I am fine- DUH!!!"

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Every year we go to Taylor's Falls, but usually in the summer. This year it was too crazy of a summer, so it got pushed out to the fall...which was a really nice change of pace. For the first time, we rode the river boat and got a tour- and saw about 4 Bald Eagles and tons of gorgeous fall color...

And then true to Minnesota weather, it snowed the very next day. Yes,
even for us,  snow in mid- October is early. We enjoyed it though! The
snow was perfect for making a snowman! And finally, another BIG deal
for Andy...He lost his FIRST TOOTH!!!!!  And really, I was feeling a
little bitter sweet about the whole thing. That is HIS baby tooth. He
cried trying to pop that mother through... and I cheered him on from
the sidelines and so so excited for one of those first milestones with
my first baby...now that little pearl is gone. (I know it's another
milestone- back off. I am just a little torn at my baby growing up. I
guess I have no choice though, so I will cheer on the losing teeth bit
too.) He is SO proud :)

So there you have it. Lots of fun, laughs and milestones from late summer till now!