Kid Birthday Parties

You have got to be kidding me! I had a reality check this past week.
I have been planning Alex's 6th birthday party. For the past couple of years, I have just followed the lead of other Moms for party ideas...Chuck-E-Cheese, Bounce U, Space Walks...etc.
Now that Don has no job, I thought a little more about the $300 we spend on each of these parties. Then it dawned on me, "WHAT THE HECK AM I DOING SPENDING THAT KIND OF MONEY ON A CHILD'S PARTY?" I don't spend that much on my parties!?!!? (OK, I did once this year, but no need to point fingers.)
So, I am canceling the reservations for the expensive party and having a simple party at home. You know, the ones with cake, ice cream, junk food, balloons and streamers.
I just have a hard time believing how out of hand these parties have gotten. Crazy!
Yea, I said it...what about it?!?!

Bucket List

1. Visit Niagara Falls


2. Raft through the Grand Canyon


3. See the Statue of Liberty


4. Run a marathon


5. Adopt a child


6. Climb at least part of Mt. Everest


7. Visit Australia


8. Go to Disney World


9. Tour Rome


10. Experience Greece


11. See the Pyramids


12. Be a Geisha for a day in Japan


13. Pray in the Sacred Grove


14. Learn to play the piano


15. Surf in Hawaii

The Magic Flute

Last night we went the the Magic Flute Opera. Box seats were my birthday present. I have always wanted to do the whole opera experience like you see on TV. I also wanted to know if I liked opera or not.
Well, box seats were nice, but not really worth the price considering the only people who had tickets up there were, hum, older. We also had to dress the part. Everyone had on fur coats, a tux or a formal gown. Pretty, but very uncomfortable for a 3 hour stint in unpractical chairs. The upside is that box seats have great views, a "VIP" reception room, a guarded entrance (people left their furs just laying around), and flexibility as to when one may come and go. If you are late or have to pee, it is no big deal.
As far as liking opera, I LOVED it! It is like putting a symphony, a play, a choir, and a comedy club all on the same stage. Four forms of entertainment for the price of one! I am not sure I will be watching operas on PBS, but they sure are great in person.
Next time we visit the opera, we will most likely be on the floor in much more comfortable seats and attire. I'll probably glance up at the box seats and think, "I bet your pantyhose are itchy."
I can officially mark this one off my bucket list.

The Bucket List

So, I haven't seen the movie, but I LOVE the concept that one should make a written list of all the things one wants to do before they kick the bucket.
I have little "to do" lists all over the place...places I want to go, things to buy, goals for myself. ect.
I am going to combine my list into a one master copy. Prioritize. I will post My Bucket List here.
You should make one, too! I would love to read everyones long term aspirations!

Don Quit

He finally did it. BCG wanted to send Don to Chicago, Germany and Asia for the next 12 weeks. He declined.
Now, he has 3 months to find a job. I am uncomfortable with the change, but I know this is the best thing for our family.

My first "Ahhhggg, Mommmm"

Alex did it. He broke the seal. I was holding Alex forcing kisses on his cheek and telling him how cute he was when he said,"Ahhhggg, Mommmm!"
Poor thing. He has no idea this will contunue for the rest of his life...and will only worsen when I do it in front of his friends!

Keepsakes

I don't keep much as far as material goods are concerned. Don and I both love "the experience" or the kind word much more than memorabilia. (Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a nice purse or jewlery. I just don't attach much sentamental value to them.)
So, that having been said, I have just now (at 32) started keeping letters that people write to me. They are my most valued treasure. The sentaments of one's heart are invaluable. They are little gifts of love.
I so wish I had been keeping these letters for the first third of my life...what a shame. I knew they were special everytime I received one, but I just didn't know what to do with them. Now that my age is catching up with me, I know I should protect these letters, these kind words, these little gifts of love, and enjoy them for my years to come.

I got nothin...

Our life is so wonderfully normal right now that I have nothing to blog about:
I haven't blogged about Christmas...our pictures haven't come in.
Don is home...and still has a job.
I am still a little chubby...I don't really care.
I am watching the Politiacal race...like most everyone else.
Kids are doing great...in school and otherwise.
I get to go to church on Sundays...cuz Don is home.
We had a few parties...had too much fun to stop and take pictures.
I am still working...but the Nanny quit because of her school schedule.
I want a treadmill...not good timing to buy one.
I am starting to think about Summer Childcare...haven't a clue what I am going to do.
Life is good.

Cole

This is a letter got from one of his friends this morning after Christmas break.
"Hi Cole, I love you. See you next week. Brendan"
Isn't that just wonderful? It feels good to know your kid has nice friends.

While we are on the subject, Cole shocked the heck out of us this Christmas. We had a stack of gifts to be distributed, and I asked Cole to bringing them to me. Not only did he bring them to me, I told me whose they were! I had no clue he could read!?!?!? Where was I when that happened? That kid amazes me everyday.

Wordless Wednesday

A New Year

With this new year beginning, I am filled with gratitude for the past year. I am so thankful for the time I have had with my children, the partnership between my Husband and I, the health of our family, the stability of our financial situation and the love of our friends.
Humbling, really.
Excitement fills my heart when I look to the year ahead. We will be finding our way in many different aspects of our journey and the opportunities look grand! Don will be looking into a career which will allow him to be home more, Cole will be starting Kindergarten, Alex will be learning to read, Randi will be learning to ride a bike and I will be tackling my New Year's resolutions.

AND HERE THEY ARE...

1) Early to bed, early to rise.
I am going to try to have lights out around here by 9pm. 8-9pm will be my personal time to read and get snuggled in the bed.
Getting to sleep early will help me to get up earlier and work-out, have quiet time, get dressed and be ON TIME for pre-school drop off.

2) One personal activity a day.
I have quite the laundry list of things I want to do, but reality is that I can't get to them all right now. SO, a little every day may get the job done. I would like to paint pretty pictures, organize my home, take leisure classes, sew, make a book of my favorite recipes, and learn the piano.

3) Stop biting and picking at my finger nails.

The Gingerbread House Adventure