Category: happiness

gratitude, happiness, kids, mommyhood

To All A Good Night!

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As we prepared our home for Santa’s arrival there was much discussion concerning the placement of his cookies. Full Speed reasoned that we put them in his line of sight directly across from our fireplace. He was very analytical about it and very sure. He stood in front of the fireplace and reenacted what Santa’s point of entry would look like to prove the accuracy of the cookie placement. And, prove it he did.

T.Puzzle threw his two cents in by imitating Santa’s laugh all through the day. ‘Ho, Ho, Ho,’ could be heard from one end of the house to the other. I believe his belly even shook a little like a bowl full of jelly.

Late in the day we settled in front of the television outfitted in our superhero pjs. With popcorn in hand we watched the movie ‘The Santa Clause’. Somehow, it managed to capture their attention for its entire length. That is a Christmas miracle in and of itself.

Then it was time for the official reading of ‘Twas the Night before Christmas.’ I don’t know why I torture myself into having this tradition. One year Mad Dog had to hold Full Speed upside down dangling in front of the book to keep him interested.  T.Puzzle was a babe at the time and fussed throughout. Last year went more smoothly but not quite the peaceful reading I had imagined. This year, they were more invested but it was about three pages too long. I really need to find a shorter version so my boys stay put. Something like, ‘Twas the night before Christmas and to all a good night,’ just might be the ticket.

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

children, happiness, kids, mommyhood

Ready or Not

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It is Christmas vacation for all the kids in our neighborhood. We played with our friend, Miss Cutie, who is off for the holidays. Her Mom walked her over to our house with her baby sister in tow. Full Speed decided he was going to push Miss Cutie in our red car with the long blue handle. I gave him a laundry list of instructions on how he must handle the situation with care. No wheelies, no crazy zig-zag pushing and to keep the speed down. He did an excellent job. So much in fact that Miss Cutie’s Mom and I stopped paying attention and began cooing over the baby (she’s in the smiley phase which is irresistible). We both look up at the same moment to see Miss Cutie sailing by in the push car unaccompanied at a high rate of speed. Her Mom rushes over to stop her just as she bumps into the curb. Luckily she was not injured. We dissolved into laughter. The great thing about Miss Cutie’s mom was that she was a tomboy growing up. She relates to my boys in a way that moms of girls sometimes can’t. She rolls with the punches and is able to laugh with me (not at me) over their antics.

T.Puzzle eventually joins in the hub-bub after an almost three and half hour nap. This is just about the time Full Speed decides he wants to head back inside. He invites Miss Cutie to come in and play with us. He has a habit of inviting everyone into our house at all hours of the day. I appreciate his hospitality but sometimes I’d like a minute or two to pick up dirty socks or whatever else might be lying precariously about. Full Speed helps me clear up the cul-de-sac while T.Puzzle takes it upon himself to help Miss Cutie inside. Of course with his ‘help’ she lands in a pile on the floor (again, no injuries were sustained).

I love that my boys have a sensitive, chivalrous side. Just be careful if you see them in public. They may unleash their chivalry at you at all costs.

Ready or not.

gratitude, happiness, kids, parenting

Peace on Earth

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We attended the Avondale Luminaria Celebration. It is a local community Christmas event. We have friends that live nearby and were able to get us parking as it is very crowded. Then we set out to explore the luminary lined streets on foot (simply beautiful). Essentially it is a festival of holiday lighted homes and vehicles that drive up and down the main drag with the passengers (some in Santa gear) tossing candy. There was a live nativity (little T.Puzzle couldn’t get over the baby calf) and of course another meeting with Santa. While waiting in line the boys almost reached their breaking point right as they were about to meet Santa. They were getting wrestly and antsy and almost knocked over some decorations. Luckily, as I could sense we were reaching the danger zone of behavior, it was their turn. They sat nicely on Santa’s lap and had a lengthy chat.

Full Speed made himself right at home with our friends insisting that he hold their hands as we paraded down the street. T.Puzzle followed suit as he has to do everything his older brother does. The boys shouted ‘Merry Christmas’ to all we saw and seemed to fully participate in the collective holiday cheer. It was a joy to watch.

My friend asked me a little about the boys and family. She commented that Mad Dog was an awfully quiet guy. I said he is mostly, however there are times he can surprise you. I could tell she didn’t believe me.

Full Speed had managed to claim her as his own personal companion for the evening and they begin darting among the crowd (at Full Speed’s insistent lead of course). At one point Full Speed and my friend got separated from the rest of us. Her husband, Mad Dog, T.Puzzle and myself stopped in our tracks hoping that soon we would be reunited.

We made the best of it while we waited. T.Puzzle and I watched the lighted cars go by and sang Christmas songs while Mad Dog watched the Steelers big comeback on his iPhone (so much for sacrificing football for family time; you will not be allowed to say that again, Mad Dog!). When the Steelers scored their down-to-the-wire winning touchdown, Mad Dog shouted so loud it startled me (and everyone in a five block radius). If only my friend had been there to hear that. Then she’d know Mad Dog’s not as quiet as one might think.

Turns out Full Speed and my friend had lost us in the crowd and decided to head back to where we had initially parked. No harm, no foul. On our drive home, two very tired but very happy boys were as quiet as mice. Apparently there can be peace on earth after all.

children, gratitude, happiness, mommyhood

Touchdown! (Part Two)

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Mad Dog not only made me breakfast and cleaned up the kitchen, he has offered to take the boys to Box Seats again this afternoon.

I would write more but it’s jig dancing time again. I’m opting for a combination of Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’ choreography with some old school Madonna ‘Holiday’ dance moves.

Come together in every nation, it’s time for a celebration!

children, gratitude, happiness, life in pictures, mommyhood

Never Gonna Happen

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Baby D

My sister’s trip is winding down and I am sad. To top it off, Mad Dog left at the crack of dawn on a work trip. It was hard to get out of bed with my usual chipper attitude (not true, I always have a bad, early morning attitude so at least I was consistent).

T.Puzzle’s third birthday was a lot of fun. Soccer Girl and Sparkle joined in the celebration and you will notice in the picture that Full Speed had a slightly sour demeanor (it’s tough having your little bro’ take center stage).

All day long T.Puzzle talked a big game about his cupcake with sprinkles but when it came right down to it, he cringed in fear when it was time to eat. Since he has an egg allergy most cakes and cookies are foreign to him. The irony was not lost on me that I would slave all morning in the kitchen only to have him turn his nose up at the final product. I did eventually coax him into trying it and then he pretty much inhaled it. I hope he enjoys the ones I sent to school with him. I’m curious to find out if he ate them or thought they were weird.

Full Speed turned up the energy for presents. He was super ‘helpful’ in opening and playing with all of his little brother’s new toys. T.Puzzle handled this ‘helpfulness’ well which was impressive.

The best present of course is the fact that we could all be together to share in the celebration. However, trying to explain that to a three year old, especially a three year old like T.Puzzle, is like asking him to poop on the potty (i.e.-never gonna happen!).