A new year, resolutions, and being happy...

I have so many pictures to share from Christmas and our Christmas break, but this little story is fresh on my mind so, once again, I am blogging out of order!  Who cares though, right? 

Last night, we, like the rest of America, enjoyed the traditional meal of black eyed peas, cabbage, sauerkraut (for my husband and apparently now Kate), and ham.  As we were eating, I suggested we go around the table and share our resolutions for the new year.  "What's a resolution, Mom?"  Claire asked.  We all explained that it was kind of like a goal...something you either wanted to stop or start for the new year.  We gave her examples, she listened and seemed to get the idea.  Kate started with her resolutions....(1) to get to school on time and (2) to stop biting her nails.  (I think #1 has more to do with me than the girls, so I will add that to my list).  I rattled off my list which has been the same for 10 years...(1) get more sleep, (2) read more and (3) exercise more.  Boring, I know!  But all three SO needed!  Bill said read more.  He was in charge of Will at this meal, so he had time for sharing just one resolution before dodging another black eyed pea. 

Then came Claire.  We all looked at her.  "Claire, what are your resolutions for the new year?"  She was quiet, looking as if she might still be thinking of what she was going to say.  Then, here it goes.  "I don't really think there's anything I need to start OR stop doing", she says with a great big smile.  We all look at her.  Kate with a "you've got to be kidding!" sort of look.  Me with a "We need to work on her humility" sort of look, and Bill....just laughed.  He probably had the appropriate response.  I almost opened my mouth and tried to help her think of some resolutions...but I decided not to.  I decided that she is SEVEN and there is plenty of time for her to feel the need to "work" on herself.  I like the confidence!  Goodness knows, our society, media, etc. will push you to the max to be faster, more accomplished, more fit, more glamorous, more social, more organized, more this, more that!  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for improving, changing, doing good things for ourselves, but that can so quickly turn into self loathing.  Well not now, not Claire!  She is happy with herself and happy to be her!  Grandma and Grandpa gave her the cutest, most fitting shirt for Christmas this year.  "So Happy to be Me!"  And I am so thankful that she is.  Isn't that what we're all after anyway?!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Will

I am a tad obsessed with my baby.  I really am.  Perhaps it's because he is likely my last baby.  Perhaps it's because he doesn't have a sibling, 15 months younger, needing my attention.  Maybe it's because I'm entering my 40's and I have learned to "chill out" and enjoy the little things (my husband would disagree!)  Perhaps it's because he is so funny and sweet.  I think it's a combination of all of these.  All I know is we are having a ball together.  He's my little sidekick and he makes every day more enjoyable.  "Mornin' momma!"  is his new greeting for me when I open his bedroom door in the morning.  "Date and Der" are his favorite people.  (That was Kate and Claire in case you were wondering).  He can spot the "bee gucks" (big trucks) like nobody's business on the highway - doesn't miss one.  And he really wants a sip of "mommy oppey" (mommy's coffee) in the morning.  Love him, love him, love him.  I would like to freeze him right here for a while, but that's not the way it works.  I'm sure I will continue to be just as enamored with him, but 18-24 months sure is cute! 

  

Halloween

We had an extra fun Halloween this year.  There were several highlights:

1.  Claire, starring in "Halloween on Parade" with her 1st grade classmates at Monte Cassino...awesome performance!  Cleopatra stole the show.  Just a mom's humble opinion. 

2.  Will, cutest sock monkey ever and so much fun to watch his face as he realized, for the first time, that Halloween was about knocking on doors and receiving CANDY!  Pure disbelief and elation, at the same time.  Priceless.  The little fella did not miss one "thank you" as he left each door.  (Have I mentioned I'm a little bit crazy about him?)

3.  Kate, rocking the Disco Dolly costume.....too cute!

4.  The cake, the completion of the cake that I planned to make LAST year and didn't due to.....hmmm, I'll blame it on my baby.

Here are some pictures of the highlights! (If you click on the collage with your mouse, it will make the pics larger....that was for my Dad!!)   



Fall Break...American Girls!

We never take a family trip for fall break.  I don't really know why.  It's usually fairly short - three or four day weekend maybe.  Our beach trip is usually late summer, so I always feel as if we've just had a trip.  All kinds of reasons, but we never do.  This year, however, I felt it was time to break the cycle and take a small trip - but not the whole family - just me and my girls!  The whole family had just been to the beach late August and then to MS for my high school reunion in early October.  Let's face it, the more babies you add, the harder traveling becomes.  So - I thought it would be fun, simple and special for me to take a little road trip with Kate and Claire.  They are the perfect ages, 7 and 8, to enjoy their American Girl dolls.  I decided we should head to Dallas and check out the American Girl store, have their doll's hair done, eat at the bistro, shop a little, order room service, sleep in!  Man, recounting the events makes me want to do it again!  We had an absolute ball.  It was even warm enough for a swim.  We were able to talk, take time to just enjoy each other and do only what we wanted to do, when we wanted to do it.  Kate even took a big step and got her ears pierced! 

All  in all, it was a great trip.  Since Will arrived 20 months ago, I have had very little time to spend with just my girls and before Will...so often, it was JUST me and my girls.  It was sweet and special and just what the three of us needed.  We were all grateful to our Daddy extraordinaire for holding down the fort while we were gone.  We won't always do something so big on fall break, but I think I've started a tradition.  Fall break is girl trip time.  Already thinking about next year...!

Beach Bums 2011!!

Just a month or so behind on posting our vacation pics!

We had such a great time at the beach this year.  We headed to Orange Beach, AL late this summer for our fourth trip down there.  I like going to the Gulf Coast.  It's like home to me.  We may try some other beaches one day.  I've always wanted to go to Myrtle Beach or Hiltonhead, but for most beach vacations, we will opt for the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Destin area.  Not only is this familiar ground to me having been there as a kid, teenager, senior trip, you name it...but my family is just a few hours away and can come spend some time with us.  As our family has grown to 5, it's not as easy for us to just drop in on my folks so this year, for the first time, we rented a place large enough for everyone to join us for a few days.  I think it will be a tradition now.  We had a blast!  Until next year, Orange Beach!   

Rock n' Roll Birthday Girl

I must admit, a skating party is one of my favorites.  Growing up, we spent many an afternoon at the skating rink.  So, when Claire decided she wanted a skating party for the second year in a row, I was more than happy to comply.  Here are a few pics from the skate-o-rama!  Many thanks to my Aunt for being at the party and helping serve all those hungry chillins!  Could not have done it without ya!  And thanks to my Dad for bringing the cake.  It has become a tradition that everyone looks forward to...the cake that comes all the way from MS!  We had a great weekend celebrating Claire.  Even Will got in the groove, laced up the cutest pair of little skates you ever did see...and let loose!  Love it! 

And yes, that is me....on skates....serving drinks and hot dogs.  No Sonic jokes please...

Finally...we can get OUTSIDE!

Oh, yay!!  The weather has taken a nice turn.  We have really been enjoying it - along with the rest of the country.  The miserable heat we had this summer makes me even more grateful for cool mornings and pleasant afternoons.  We have been living outside.  Tomorrow's high is 67 degrees...bring it on!

Fall is here!  Even my flowers are happy!  Had to get a shot of that new boot
rack we installed.  Makes me so happy - a boot rack!  I know, silly.  But
to have those things up off the ground where I tripped over them,
 had to sweep around them, etc.is just fantastic!
 We just need one more little pair of boots for Will and we're set!