We’ve been hit with another round of hideous colds, so we’re I’m a bit grumpy…. Thankfully, Brady and his super hero eyes keep providing our comic relief. He’s been full of funny things to say recently.
We were at my in-laws over the weekend to celebrate Christmas with them. Brady looked out a south-facing window and said, “Hey Andy, I can see Florida from here!”
Keep in mind that we were in west-central Indiana. That boy’s got great vision.
the bath water in “The Bahamas” doesn’t stay as warm very long. 
We’ve had a great Christmas with both sides of our family, so regular blogging will resume now. Thank you to those of you who sent e-mails of concern. It’s nice to know I have (a) fan(s). 
A special thanks to my wonderful sister-in-law Heather who spoiled me this Christmas with some great bath products. If I could just get my husband to invent a submersible water heater with whirlpool jets, I’d never leave the tub.
Did everyone else have a nice Christmas break?
I told you that winter is birthday season for us around here… but this one requires more celebration. Happy birthday, Jesus.
We’ll be making a birthday cake for Him (though probably not as pretty as this one) and celebrating with gifts and with family. May you all rejoice as we remember the REAL reason for the season.
Today was a staff Christmas party at one of the flight schools where my husband teaches. The boys were more than elated to get to go to the airport and climb in the helicopters with Daddy.
Originally, Nate was supposed to be flying up until party time at noon… but fog had derailed flight plans in Chicagoland. On the way to the airport, Brady wanted to get it all straight:
Brady: “So, Daddy’s not flying right now?”
Me: “Nope. He’s waiting for us there.”
Brady: “Why isn’t he flying?”
Me: “Well, it’s too foggy to fly today. They can’t see very well in the fog.”
Brady: “Well, I can see just fine.”
Me:“Yeah, well, that’s cause you have super hero eyes, Brades.”
Brady: matter-of-factly “Oh, yeah. I do.”
I’m not really a huge fan of winter. My crazy husband is. Now, though, I especially hate it in all its icy coldness. I really, really hate ice.
Yesterday, I had a run in with the ice on our front porch and stoop, oddly enough, while trying to spread ice melt. I only have one word to sum up the experience: OUCH.
I’m still in lots of pain. This, too, will melt… right?
Every year, I send out a Christmas letter to update our friends and family who live far away from us. Since we moved about two hours from our hometowns and most of our friends are spread out all over the country, I like to include a photo Christmas card as well.
I used to order them every year from one of the local places, but getting four small children all to look at the camera and smile at the same time is a real challenge. Being the crafty graphic artist that I am, I came up with this idea this year:
I designed this one in Adobe Photoshop, which tends to be a bit pricey, but I know there are less complicated softwares out there that you could design a card on, too. I liked this design because I could use any photo of each kid… We didn’t all have to be together and looking our best. Whew!
What’s better is that they cost about half of the price as those rectangular card templates. These were printed as just 4×6 prints! And I was able to make them exactly match the stationery I used this year. Fun stuff.
You don’t have to be a graphic artist to do this. It’s simple and saves a few pennies. It sure worked for us this year!
For more great tips, check out the Works for Me Wednesday links on the Rocks in My Dryer site.
With four very small children, our Christmas tree never really looks elegant…. It doesn’t even look nice for more than about an hour. After 61 minutes, the bottom third of the tree is bare and those ornaments are on the floor. You catch my drift.
Tonight, my mom (Nana) and I were finally getting around to putting it up. (Save your procrastination comments, please.) Brady was prancing around — more than excited — and commenting on our progress. Once the lights were on and we were beginning to put up the beaded garland and ornaments, Brady said to us in a very dreamy tone, “It’s starting to look soooo romantic!”
I’m not sure he even really knows what that means, but we couldn’t stop giggling.
This is as good as it gets. Pathetic, I know.
When my kids are older, we’ll have a
“pretty tree.” For now, we settle for “fun.”
I usually have my Christmas shopping done before Thanksgiving.
Unfortunately, this year is different. I may be scarce for a bit while I fight the crowds and try to finish decorating and wrapping presents.
We also have a Christmas party to go to for one of Nathan’s (three) jobs, so if you need inspiration for a side dish / dessert, consider this:
CHEESECAKE DIP (So Yum-O!)
Combine the first three ingredients, then slowly add milk until mixed with an electric mixer to a “fluffy” (cheesecake-like) consistency. Chill.
I serve it with a platter of fruit (we like apple, pineapple and strawberries best… grapes are good, too). We also put small Hershey’s chocolate rectangles out, too. This year I’m going to add those honey graham cracker sticks!
The dip is so good and it can be used as an appetizer, side or dessert. You won’t have any left!
We needed a few things from Menards (for those of you not from this area it’s a local chain much like Home Depot) today, so we loaded up the family and went. We love Menards this time of year because there are aisles of Christmas decor, all lit up. The boys were elated to see it all!
Andy thought the giant plastic, light-up “baby Jesus and stuff” was “so cool,” even though the camel kept falling over. Connor liked all the “no-men” (snowmen).
Brady thought the “circle Christmas trees” (wreaths) were neat. But he really, really wanted us to buy this:
Yes, that’s right… It’s an upside down Christmas tree. We’ve said it before (and we’ll say it again), that boy marches to his own beat.
I’ve written before about how any one of our sons will willingly volunteer that “Daddy is my hero!” Tonight, I got further proof of that fact.
Brady sweetly asked me, “Mommy, am I very, very strong?”
“Sure, honey. You’re strong,” I said.
“Just like Daddy and Superman?”
Um, sure… cause Daddy is more powerful than a locomotive and can change the course of mighty rivers and bend steel in his bare hands, too.
Well, at least he really does fight a never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way. He’s my hero, too.
Besides, isn’t he hot in the uniform?