Preschool Playgroup

This morning the kids and I went to our church's preschool playdate. We went to make cookies with some of our friends, something we have done before and it's always a lot of fun. While we were waiting on our cookies to bake the kids started dancing to some music playing. Our oldest, Noah was born dancing. If there is music on he has to move, we have often observed him dancing while sitting in his chair, I'm not even sure he is always aware that he is moving.

Here is a short video from this morning's dance session. You can't hear the music very well, but I promise it was on. If you don't know us, my kids are the 3 blondies in the main frame, they usually stay as close together as possible.



Okay, while I try and figure out why the video is not working, here are a couple of pictures of them dancing.

Company Girl Coffee 1/31 and My Deal of the Year

Good Morning Company Girls, Friends and Family. Come on in and help yourself to anything you find. This week at Home Sanctuary we have been working on a working schedule for our homes, boy is this what I needed. I have been thinking about doing this for awhile, but have not gotten around to it, so this was perfect timing for me.

For those people who know me, you know how much I love making lists. I make lists for everything, what to pack for a trip, things to do, grocery lists, books I've read. For about 8 months I have been making a menu plan for the week, but I will admit that making a menu plan for a month was harder for me to do, but I did enjoy it and it did make me think more about what our month holds. This also made the weekly household schedule for cleaning even more important, especially on weeks like this one when my husband is gone for a good portion of the week on a business trip and I am by myself with the kids.

Home Sanctuary has been a blessing in my life and I encourage you to stop by and check it out.

On a different note, I got the deal of the year this week. For 2 years I have been looking for a pre-lit Christmas tree, but I do not have the money to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a new one, and by the time I can look after Christmas at the sales the nice ones are usually long gone. On Tuesday afternoon I received a call from my good friend Leeanne, she had just purchased a $299 tree for $14.99 and they had one left. I threw Riley in the car, thank goodness the boys have preschool on Tuesday, and drove to the mall. We were there within 15 minutes, but the tree was gone. After talking to the employees for a couple of minutes they told me that they did have one tree left, but the box was broken and they didn't have a floor model to show me. They very kindly went to the back and brought the tree out for me to see. I was happy to buy their $499 for $28, yes you heard me right $28. I brought the tree home and set it up to make sure the lights worked before putting it in the attic for the rest of the year.

Here is a picture of the boys excited in front of our Christmas tree. I didn't really fix the tree so it looks a little sparse, I only put it up to make sure that the lights worked.

Basketball

We have made our first foray into sports. Noah is now old enough to play basketball at the YMCA. He is thoroughly enjoying playing and is very proud of being on a team. If you have never seen a bunch of 4 year olds play basketball it is a great laugh and a lot of fun.

One of the issues with having children very close in age is trying to explain to a 3 year old why he is not old enough to play basketball like his brother, especially when he thinks they are the same age. We have appeased him by assuring him they can both play soccer this summer.

Here are a few pictures from Noah's first basketball game last week. Needless to say, Jared was very excited to see them wearing UK's colors.

The Best part of inauguration day

Yesterday was the inauguration of our 44th president. I was excited for this day; not only was it a historic day in our nation's history, but in honor of it Krispy Kreme doughnuts gave away free donuts all day. Yes that's right, a free doughnut to all customers in honor of the inauguration.

So not only did we get a new president (yea!!!!!!!!!!), but we also got free doughnuts(double yea!!!!!!) After Riley and I picked the boys up from preschool we made our way over to Krispy Kreme for a very special after school surprise.




The kids enjoying their free doughnuts. I actually didn't get to eat mine, because Riley decided she did not like her sprinkles and ate mine instead. I could not handle the too sweet icing and sprinkles on hers so I went without. Believe me, I'm better off that way. I did get one bite and it was fantastic.

Company Girl Coffee 09

This is my first Company Girl Coffee participation for 2009. Welcome to my little corner of the world.

My favorite Small Thing this week was getting to play. In my house that is a daily event anyway, but to get permission and points, that rocks! I did get my work done first, at least part of my list was completed, but then the kids and I spent time playing games and dancing around the house. There is nothing better to uplift my spirits for the day then a good laugh and great time spent with my kids. It makes the harder parts of my day much easier to bear.

And because I have not posted any Christmas pictures yet, here are a few from Christmas day with the kids favorite new toy. How did Santa Claus know they loved the Polar Express and trains?

Old interests

One thing that all parents know is that interests and hobbies usually get pushed to the back of the priority list with the arrival of children. This is typically required for a at least a short time, but how many of us ever pick those interests back up? One of my goals for the new year (one I did not list here earlier) is to get back to one of my pre-children interests.

Something that mostly only my family and a few friends from childhood know is that I took 13 years worth of piano lessons. At first it was something my parents made me do and even later it there were times when I wanted to quit my lessons for more free time. I was never good enough to be a concert pianist or anything close, I just love sitting down at a piano and playing a song or two for myself.

A few months ago, my parents gave us a piano, mostly for my children to be able to start lessons in a couple of years. I mostly ignored the piano until the last month or so. It is very hard for me to sit down and play, all 3 kids love to help out with my songs, and the perfectionist side of me gets frustrated with the errant notes; my own and theirs.

Two weeks ago I made the decision to not let this stand in my way. I plan to make a trip to the music store to buy some new music and get back to one of my loves. Music, specifically piano, is a large part of my past and something that brings me a lot of pleasure, this house has had a silent piano for too long and that side of myself has been silent for too long.

Do you have interests/hobbies/passions you have let go? Maybe 2009 is a good time to revisit those and bring back a part of your pre-parent life.

Goals for 2009

This year is shaping up to be a very busy and eventful year, so I'm hoping that some of the goals I have set for myself will be easy to attain this year. Hopefully posting them here will also give me extra incentive to actually accomplish them this year.

2009 Goals

1. Read at least 40 books this year.
2. Have more patience with my kids.
3. Spend more time one-on-one with each child.
4. Be better about daily quiet times.
5. Work out at least 3 times per week, almost every week.
6. Get my pictures in better order. (Maybe actually get caught up on the kids albums)

I guess that's it for the year. Well, maybe not it, but a start on some tasks to work on this year.

Seth surgery update

Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts during Seth's surgery before Christmas. Everything went extremely well and Seth is back to his normal self, with a fixed thumb. The surgery only lasted about 30 minutes, shorter than the hour we were told and after 5 days in a cast to keep him from messing with his stitches, he was able to use his thumb again and there were no complaints of pain.

I'll post some pictures soon; he was just too cute in those hospital p.j.'s for kids that I had to get a picture.













Seth and Mommy in recovery