Santa Visit

Growing up, we never did the Santa-in-the-mall pics. It just wasn't part of our repertoire. So, naturally (for me) we have not made Santa pics a regular part of our holiday. Today I decided to try. I even warned Sammy that if the line was too long, we would have to leave. (Is that bad?) There was ABSOLUTELY no way I would even attempt to brave a REAL mall three days before Christmas so we went to Country Club Mall. The main stores are Macys and Gottschalks and there is not a whole lot in between. It is a tiny, unexciting mall that happens to be very close to home. We got a great parking spot, walked right up to Santa, had a little chat, took our pics (Abby was even fairly agreeable), printed and bought the pics and were completely finished in about 7 minutes! I'm not exaggerating -- I was amazed! The pics are even pretty cute!

Success! Quite honestly, not what I expected. 

First Haircut

On Friday, Abby got her first haircut! It wasn't quite the occasion it usually is, but her hair looks cute! Here's the story:

She is a finger sucker and as she sucks those little delights, she pulls her hair. Not a gentle little twirl, no, our girl rips her hair right out of her pretty little head. So she was growing long blonde curls on the right side of her head and a little bald on the left. She had that lopsided 80's look. It was getting really bad. I felt like I should start dyeing it blue and giving her dangly earrings. 

One of the wonderful daycare moms is a stylist and she fixed Abby's hair for us (for free). Thanks Kim! It is still way thinner on the left, but it is far less noticeable now. No more comb-over attempts! Yay!! It looks like a little curly wedge cut to me. I love it! 

Normal is sometimes good

So Sammy's blood work all came back normal which is very good news except now the illness is still a mystery. It is not cyclical neutropenia which I suspected it was.  We will keep reporting symptoms to the doctor and see what develops. The next big step would be to see an infectious disease specialist. We'll wait for now...

Sammy is sick....again.

My poor boy gets sick soooo much. He is like clockwork. Every 4 - 6 weeks, his fever starts and stays with him for 3 days. It usually spikes to nearly 104. His current doctor is the first who suspects that it may actually be something other than "viruses." Really? Does it take a doctor to figure that out? I think it is neutropenia, but that is unconfirmed until I take him in for a blood draw while he is running the fever. Last time he got sick, he was so miserable, I just couldn't bring myself to take him to have them poke him with a needle...poor boy. Especially when the poke will NOT lead to him feeling better. 

Anyway, we were supposed to go get pics with Santa tomorrow. I don't think that will be happening now. It looks like I'm in for a day of TV and lounging on the couch (Sam lounging, not me). He'll play a little bit when the Motrin kicks in, but the rest of the time, he'll be down. Poor boy.

Sammy Stories, Volume 2 -- Backseat Driver

Sammy has always been a backseat driver. Since he was 2, he was telling me things like that I turned the wrong way.

One morning when Sam was in his early threes, we were driving down Whitney on our way to Nana's and this was our exchange:

"Mommy, you are driving too fast."

"No, Sammy, I'm not. Does it feel like I am going fast?"

"Yes, Mommy, you are going too fast."

"Sammy, I'm really not."

"Yes, you are."

"Sam, I really wish you wouldn't argue with everything I say."

"Well, I really wish you wouldn't drive too fast!"

I can't wait for the teenage years!

As Gramma parked the car, she accidentally pulled the tires up onto the sidewalk a little (which Sammy always has believed should be punishable by law) so Sammy bent down to check it out. He looked up and said, "Grandma, you need some gas in your tires."

Sammy Stories Volume 1-- Baby Abby

As everyone with children knows, there are constantly things said that you are sure you'll remember, and then you don't. My parents were Sammy's caregivers for his first year plus so we have lots of these stories. Gramma and Grampa have always called them "Sammy Stories." About a year ago, my mom and I sat down and wrote a bunch of them down. I am going to use this space to document our "Sammy Stories."

When Abby was a newborn, we were ending a visit to Grandma & Grandpa's house. As Sammy hugged Grandma to tell her good-bye, he whispered in her ear, "Is Baby Abby staying here?" 

Many times Sammy questioned me about the status of Baby Abby. 

"Is she going to live with us?"

"Yes, Sammy, she goes everywhere with us. She's part of our family. She's your baby sister."

"Even to the store?" (:

Newborn Abby was crying which she didn't do very frequently. 

Sammy cried out, "Mommy, I know what's wrong with her..." 

"What is it?"

"She misses her mommy."

"Oh? Where is her mommy?"

"She's at work."

"Sammy, I'm her mommy."

"No, you're MY mom!"

Uh oh, we've got a little misunderstanding!

I will mark this on my calendar!

Today is Veteran's Day which means we have a day off. As everyone with small children knows, a day at home with the kids usually consists of many exciting moments. In our house they usually include:

1. What Papa Stan has affectionately termed "Dear or Ordeal". Sammy is a negotiator of everything. Debating almost any topic includes, but is not limited to the following:

Sammy vs. Dad

Sammy vs. Mom  

Sammy vs. Dad and Mom

Sammy vs. the entire adult world

2. Bouts very similar to WWF matches between Sam and Abby. This includes "tickling" and wrestling. There is lots of giggling and laughing, then yelling and laughing, then screaming and unidentifiable squeals. They always end in one of two ways: 1. A child in tears or 2. Mom yelling loudly to make it stop.

3. Playing with toys. This one NEVER works out because whatever Sam has, Abby wants for at least 10 seconds which is long enough for him to have an absolute fit. And whatever Abby has, Sam needs simply because Abby has it. He may not have touched a toy for two years, but now that Abby has it, it is the must-have toy. See #2.

 4. Quiet activities like coloring are very popular. Both kids LOVE markers and Daddy just bought them a new set so they did color this morning, but it only stayed quiet until Abby threw all her papers and markers on the floor. She had to yell for someone to pick them up. (They are both amazing artists)

5. TV. Yes, I admit it, we do watch TV. Sammy loves Noggin, Nick Jr., Disney, and Sprout. I am picky about what they watch, but sometimes TV just feels necessary. He seems to be outgrowing most of the Sprout shows, but Abby is beginning to show some interest....that could create some good arguments. We will not put TVs in their rooms.

6.  The reason I posted this is because this morning after breakfast, I went to do the dishes and noticed it was VERY quiet. I panicked and ran to check what was broken or who was hurt; instead I found them sitting in Abby's room together reading books. I took pictures to prove it. It lasted long enough for me to finish the dishes and write most of this blog! 

7. Number 6 has currently ended and turned to a combination of #3 and #2, so it might be time to go OUTSIDE! 

Our pride and joy -- well, one of them!

I don't really drive fast.

This morning on the way to Nana's, Sammy asked me if I was driving the speed lemon. When I said, "What?!" He repeated it, the same way. I said that I was indeed within the speed lemon. I guess he thought I was driving too fast. I wasn't.

Shower good, shower bad?

Sammy never welcomes bath time anymore. He used to LOVE it. He now wavers between baths and showers, although we encourage showers because they are much easier! Anyway, tonight is bath night, and we were finally able to get him in the shower AND have him wash his hair and body with soap. The problem is that now we cannot get him out. He stays in there and plays for a LONG time. Sometimes he plays Tiger or what looks like a soap bubble factory. After a smallish argument with Daddy, he finally got out after 30 minutes or so...and he is NOT happy. He is getting over it quickly tonight though because his Hot Wheels jammies are freshly washed and ready to wear! Good night Sam!!

Top Ten Annoying Things for Today.

1. Sarah Palin (Tina Fey for Pres!)

2. Tapping of Pencils on Desks

3. Sibling Rivalry

4. Cold Early Mornings

5. People Driving too Fast

6. Leaves on the Walkway

7. Fundraisers

8. Milk

9. Getting Up in the Dark

10. Whining

The Actual Day

On the morning of Sammy's actual birthday, October 7, I asked him if I could take pictures of a real five year old and he agreed. Abby climbed up on his bed to pose with him. They do look a lot alike!

He and Abby went to their Nana's where he had a fabulous day with a party with cake, friends, and lots of gifts! Nana always does a wonderful job of making all the children's birthdays special. When I picked them up from Nana's, we went to soccer practice so Sam could tell his coaches he was five now. 

On the way home from practice, I told Sammy he could choose whatever he wanted for dinner. He chose....Jimboys, of course. Taco Bell used to be his favorite, until he discovered Jimboy's bean burritos! Yum. We have pics to prove it! Apparently Mom is not the Cook of the Year this year. Maybe next year. 

So Sam is officially five now. I'm feeling old. Sammy is feeling awfully proud. He is sure that he is taller, older, and just a little bit better than he was before. I guess I have to agree. 

SAM IS FIVE!

Sam LOVED his awesome birthday party. He wanted a bounce house and pizza. Grandma and Grandpa let us celebrate at their house, and the kids had a blast. My favorite moment was when I heard Sam shout from within the bounce house, "Hey guys, I'm five, I'm almost six!" 

Poor boy was really confused by his three bday celebrations. He really thought that each celebration constituted another birthday. By golly my boy went from 4 to 7 in 4 days! He now checks each morning, "Mommy, am I really five today?" 

I cannot believe it has been five years. I still remember the wavering emotions when I discovered I was preggo. And Shannon telling the staff that I was knocked up. (: Time flies. 

I clearly remember my first day back to work after maternity leave. I showed with a nice big blob of spit up on my shoulder that Mr. Spence kindly pointed out. I was actually so tired that I didn't really care. And then the super fun lunch periods sitting in front of the corner bookcase with the lights off and curtains drawn, while the pump did its thing.  Aww, the memories. 

Thanks, Shannon!

Shannon tagged me, so here goes...

1. Write 6 random things about yourself

2. Tag 6 people at the end of your post

1. I am a vegetarian (most of the time). I didn't eat ANY meat for about 18 years, and then since the birth of my second child I have eaten a little fish and chicken. Veins and blood still completely gross me out and I will NOT touch raw chicken.

2. I love Starbucks. Grande soy mocha. yum. They know my name and my order by heart.

3. I like to garden. I love the feeling of harvesting food or cutting flowers that I have grown myself.

4. I love sleeping. Does that make me lazy? Maybe a little bit.

5. My favorite TV show is What Not to Wear. Clinton and Stacy rule.

6. I love Malibu and Diet Coke.

7. Camping is one of my very favorite things. I love it. I need a tent and a stove, but definitely NO showers!

8. Random people I admire: Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Shel Silverstein, Maurice Sendak, and Lynn Hinkle.

I don't really have anyone to tag at this time because my friends are not bloggers. Maybe later...

Blah, blah, blah...

So Sam has been in preschool for just about one month. He goes three days a week.  I love to ask him about what he has done, his favorite parts, etc. Last week we worked on this cool homework poster that was "All About Me," for preschool on Friday. So when I picked him up, I was anxious to hear about school and the sharing of his poster. When I asked him, his response was, "Here we go again, blah, blah, blah. Everyone keeps asking me about it over and over again." So sorry Sam! He has still not told me whether he shared it, he just keeps telling me that he is not sure what they did with the posters.

First Official Blog!

Upon the arrival of Sam's FIFTH birthday, I am creating my first blog! I need to back-blog to make up for lost time, but that will never happen. So here goes: Sammy will be five in six days. He loves things with wheels that go fast - almost any variety. He can name about half the cars on the road and usually won't stop identifying vehicles the entire time we are in the car. (The Trooper that is). He still misses our black PT Cruiser rental. Abby is adorable and sweet, but has a stubborn streak the size of Texas. And I have a very difficult time saying no to her devious and darling smile. 

I have a fabulous new class of third graders this year. I am very excited about our new Promethean boards that are supposed to be installed next week...

Frank is working on his 1965 Chevy Van. Nothing seems to make him happier, except for us (right, Frank?).