Numbers

2010: A year in review, by the numbers

1 - Kiddo's first birthday, DH's one-billion second birthday
2 - Number of daycares Kiddo attended
3 - Number of "trips" we took via airplane (as a family)
4 - Number of days (in a row) Kiddo had an accident report after joining toddlers!
5 - Number of Girl Scouts who went to the Zoo
6 - Approx # of Doctor visits for Kiddo
7 - Approx # of Hours spent in Car on Holiday trip
10 - Days spent on vacation for the holiday with the family!
11 - Number of months kiddo was at when he learned to walk
101 - Kiddo's temperature (luckily, the max temperature so far!)
263 - Number of posts made on my blog in 2010
428 - Flight number on the way home
799 - Finishing place in Old Reliable 10K race
2011 - The new year!

P.S. This seemed like a good idea when I started, but wound up being way more difficult than I anticipated! I guess my brain is still turned "off" for vacation!
Love: Numbers.
Hope: Health and Happiness to all for the new year!
Do: Think of a resolution for the new year!
Where? Back at home in the "usual" spot- and happy as a clam to be there!
Weather? A little brisk- but it's good to be home!

In Kiddo's favorite words - according to the nephews - "Bye, Bye!"

Music!

One of the themes for this holiday was music!

Most of the kids got some kind of musical instrument, and there were lots of "lessons"!

Kiddo learned to play the bongo drums from his cousin. One cousin learned from DH to play trumpet, another cousin learned guitar from uncle B.

Kiddo also got his very own xylophone!

Along with the music, I've posted a couple of additional pictures. Me doing the computer thing, as usual, and Kiddo riding in the car.

Perhaps the next post will be all about the Ft Worth Zoo! Or perhaps a Flat-Stanley preview! Stay tuned!

Love: Animals! Lions, Monkeys, Zebras and Snakes!
Hope: Tomorrow involes a bit less walking.
Do: Have more pics to post soon!
Where? Covington, Texas (or there-a-bout)
Weather? GORGEOUS! After a rain yesterday, weather was perfect for being outside in long sleeves but without a jacket! The sunset was a fiery red.

The Craziness continues!

We've been in Texas for a couple of days, now, and it's been loads of fun! Since we got the White Christmas last year, we're happy that the White Stuff is staying in the east coast this year- and hoping that we are travelling late enough that the flight craziness will not be quite so bad for the future!

I love kid pyramids! Right now, with 6 grandkids, it's the perfect number for a 3/2/1!

Kiddo is keeping us entertained this holiday. He hasn't been into unwrapping gifts as much, and doesn't quite get the concept - but he is enjoying making monster noises, giving kisses and hugs, and walking, walking, walking!

He's been a great sport with all the family around. He's been enjoying the variety of animals (cows, dogs, goose).

There have been lots of cute quips and quotes. For example, we're listening to the TV in the background, and they are talking about how some individuals in a relationship "hide" or spend money without letting their partner know. One of the top things money is spent on? Online dating sites. If that's the case -- the problem is likely not that someone is "hiding" or spending money without consent!

With 5 kids (age 7 to 13 or so) and 2 adults in the same room, there was also lots of quoting and giggling - like "That's a fact!" - which I still don't exactly understand the story behind, but I know if I tell my nephews that's a fact, I will certainly get a giggle!

What else was new and/or interesting this holiday? The lack of drama. That's right- I feel like this was one of the least drama-filled holidays I can remember in a long time! My sister and I had a fabulous visit. My family enjoyed a relatively quiet Christmas eve- but with great food, presents, and lots of laughter!

I am sad that I did not get to see some family that I see almost every time I am in town- and I had to visit at least one dear relative in the hospital.

Love: Drama-free holidays!
Hope: We continue enjoying fabulous weather in Texas!
Do: Need to figure out a plan.
Where? Hanging out at the in-laws!
Weather? Sunny and just above freezing- with no snow on the ground but just a tad of ice on the puddles!

Happy day!

Christmas past and present - what a blessing each one is!

The gift giving, the food, the holiday spirit - all of which pale in comparison to the family you are able to share with, and the memories you create!

It doesn't matter if the house is clean or the dishes are dirty, the holiday means something to everyone - and hopefully, the only meaning isn't "Stress"!

So - to each and every one - I offer a Christmas wish:

May your heart be full with family and friends,
May your belly be full with yummy food.

May your day be joyful and bright,
May your season be full of delight.

... and of course, in the words of Tiny Tim - God bless us, every one!

Love: Family and friends!
Hope: Smiles abound!
Do: Enjoy family and food and the holiday!
Where: Still in Kansas

Holiday Trip - Part 1

By plane and by car, we are halfway across the country!

We had breakfast with family, then drove many miles to have dinner with more family!

Kiddo slept in his strangest "bed" yet- including under the bed for at least a portion of the night- and now I am beginning to wrap some presents.

I offerred to give my brother a ride- and he didn't even recognize me! I made him get in the car, anyway.

Love: Naptime - and giving presents to people!
Hope: I can get most of the gifts wrapped!
Do: Wrap, of course!
Where? My mama's house in Kansas.

Fortunate

I am feeling very fortunate that I get to head home for the holidays.

Christmas Eve, I will be surrounded by my family. The last time I was home (in Kansas) on Christmas Eve was a few years ago - and I have never been to a Christmas Eve in Kansas with my new family!

There will be plenty of people to see, and a few days to get it all in!

There are so many things I enjoy about the holidays - spending time with family, eating the "familiar" foods (things like Spinach Dip, Sausage/Egg Casserole, and mini-cherry cheesecakes, just to name a few!) and sharing stories and traditions.

For me, giving is also part of the fun!

To avoid over-packing for the holiday, we did our own Christmas today. Kiddo, of course, was a bit sick, so that was unfortunate.

My laptop will not be traveling with us - so I will be at the mercy of family for future posts!

Love: Holiday traditions, old and new
Hope: The travel goes smoothly...
Do: Need to finish packing! We leave in less than 48 hours!
Where: My usual "spot" on the sofa.

Blog Trend..

So my current trend in blogging - aside from not adding pictures (since my relationship with my camera has been on the rocks) - has been actually writing my blog from interesting places.

Today, I'm sitting in an office building (not the one I normally work in) on a day where many schools are closed because of the snow. So at least when it's applicable, I think I'll be adding a Where to the bottom, with my other daily (less often than daily lately) updates.

Along with the snow, the holidays bring business with gift shopping and trip planning. This month has also brought a bit more work than typical!

I have a feeling my camera and I are about to get back together. My niece has sent me "Flat Stanley." He's a character in a book they read in school. I have a feeling I'll be sending a whole lot more pictures back with Stanley than typical. I'm thinking I might actually journal his adventures. At the very minimum, I have the feeling that Flat Stanley's picture may be making it my blog one day soon.

We have plans for Flat Stanley, but we're also taking ideas. What does Flat Stanley need to see/do while visiting the coolest-aunt-ever? I think today's picture playing in the snow is just the "tip" of the iceberg. Or maybe it was the top of the slide on our swingset.

Love: Snow!
Hope: Everyone drives safely today!
Do: Work a little, but then leave early!
Where? Today's blog brought to you from inside the "beltline" (a "Loop" - or interstate - that goes around the center of Raleigh, for those not from this area).

Dance!

I'm sure I could fill an entire blog of filling in the sentence "My kid is so cute when..."

But today, I'm going to attempt to focus. So let me tell a story.

After our normal "breakfast" routine this morning, and a quick diaper change, Kiddo went to the TV to "push buttons" - his favorite thing. I usually think he just likes watching the lights! But this morning, he turned on the music! We've got a kid CD that we have and play on occasion..

Anyhow... My kid is so cute when he dances! And this morning, he was "feeling" the groove! I even got a video of some of it- and one of these days, I'm going to figure out how to upload video.

As a friend once explained- dancing is something that's inherent. Of course, I'll dance a little with Kiddo but would never do it outside the house. I think it stems back to being in 6th or 8th grade or something and being told by a friend that I should never attempt to dance again. I was crushed. Maybe I still am, a little.

However, Kiddo loves to dance. He'll dance to the TV, or he'll dance to music, but he's got his own moves- - -and it's abundantly cute and entertaining to watch!

Love: Watching kiddo dance
Hope: He's never told to stop!
Do: Fly out in just a bit to Florida!

Holiday

It wouldn't be a holiday without..

Taking Kiddo to see Santa.

Baking cookies with friends.

A little Holiday Shopping.

Some Christmas music.

All of that was done.... today!

There will be more baking, and more Christmas carols. More time with Kiddo and more wrapping and decorating.

But for now.. It feels like 'tis the season.

Love: Watching kiddo around others - in the mall, at friends, etc.
Hope: The weather doesn't get too icy overnight!
Do: Leave for warmer weather tomorrow!

Quiet

Every once in a while, there is a sense of quiet that passes over the house. Some days, it's after kiddo goes to bed.

And then, for a few minutes, I can sit in a room with the tv off doing absolutely nothing.

Not that I couldn't find something to do! It is the season to be busy - but take a few minutes to enjoy and find peace.

Hope: Everyone can find a few minutes of peace!
Love: Quiet times
No "do" today, just peace.

2 years!

Tomorrow, DH and I will celebrate our 2nd anniversary!

How will we celebrate?

By getting up early to go to Kiddo's first parent-teacher conference (which, for the record, is optional!) Then, I've got a work dinner, and won't be home until late - almost bedtime.

The good news is that daycare has a Parent's Night Out this week, so we do have a date night planned this week! I'm looking forward to that.

Love: DH
Hope: The week goes easy on me!
Do: Need to study, exercise, or both.

Family night

Family night is awesome!

As an aside, I think it's the Yo Gabba Gabba that has reintroduced the word "awesome" into my vocabulary.

Tonight, DH, Kiddo and I headed out to a quick dinner (Panera) before moving on to the main event: the SPCA!

Tonight, the SPCA hosted an "Art" show - - which consisted of 'paintings' done by the shelter animals! It was SO MUCH FUN!

Not only did all the money go to charity, but we got to have Mark around lots of doggies and kitties! He had a great time - and was really well behaved.

All in all, a fabulous family night out!

Love: Family night
Hope: Kiddo continues to be an animal lover as he gets older!
Do: Plan another family night someday soon!

HAPPY HANUKKAH! (Which, btw, has my vote for the hardest word-of-the-day to spell!)