Doing Laundry is FUN?

Well, I suppose it is if you're 17 months old and mommy hands you a big bundle of wet clothes for you to stick inside the black hole. How exciting that must be. I have a child that LOVES to help with the laundry. Once the clothes are done tumbling, he loves to pull them out of the dryer and hand them to me. Of course, it's usually much to fast and some of them wind up on the floor -- did I mention the dogs sleep in this room so yes, some of my nice, fresh, warm, clean clothes have a nice addition of Boston hair. Oh well. :) I guess that's just what happens when you're a mom.

He also loves to help empty the dishwasher. Nothing breakable of course but he loves to put away his and Josh's bowls, cups and plates. Everything goes into whatever cabinet he opens. It's really very cute.

He's expanded his vocabulary somewhat in the last couple of weeks. One of my Christmas displays is in the breakfast nook and it's three small Hawthorne Village houses. Each of which comes with a little "extra"... an antique car for one, a horse drawn carriage for another and two people wearing period clothing in another. When it's time for him to eat, he points to the car and screams "KAH" and then makes a car motor sound. I usually then take the car off the shelf and go vroom vroom up one arm, over his head and down the other and let it drive itself back onto the shelf. Before the car has parked he's screaming NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... that's what HIS horsey says. :) so we gallop up an arm, over his head and down the other arm...then dinner continues.

He LOVES to have the little Christmas tree plugged into his room. It's about 3' high and is completely bare but for the star shaped red, green, orange and yellow lights. He just thinks that tree is the cat's pajamas! Let me tell you.

He can say Christmas tree, too. Well, it's more like he heaves Christmas tree. It's three distinct heaves.... so that he is saying all three syllables. It's quite a hoot!

We colored some coloring pages on Saturday for his Christmas gifts to his grandparents this year and I told him all the color names. He picked up the blue and said "boo"? I was floored. He didn't like the red -- threw it to the floor repeatedly. Probably because Josh had peeled off the wrapper. He only likes the crayons with wrappers.

Speaking of Josh.... he's in Iowa. Made it to the airport in what could only be described as a complete act of God. He left town Saturday morning... Friday night Andy and I went out to see Pat Green at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth with some friends so I spent the better part of the day packing Josh up. Making outfits, etc. Well, of COURSE we couldn't find his coat when it was time to go so we spent a good 20 minutes running around the house... he was at the door about to cry saying he'd just go without one... there is over six inches of snow on the ground... like I'd let him go without one...well, guess what? I let him go without one. I told Bob it's either we search for the coat or he'd miss his flight. They made the flight, he had no coat but Bob met him at the airport with a ski jacket for their upcoming ski trip the next day. Not that there are any places to REALLY ski -- after all, it IS Iowa... but I'm sure it was big and fun for Josh and that's all that matters.. he's warm, safe and has a coat. Now... where his real one is... probably at school in his locker still. UGH!

The Bruise Brothers

That is going to be the title of my next page. I think the reason we parents go grey is taht yes, we have had to learn the hard way because we didn't listen to our parents. And then you just have to sit back and watch this vicious cycle repeat itself before your very eyes. It's insanity! I can't tell you how many times I've told Josh over the last year... QUIT JUMPING ON THE FURNITURE... don't run and jump on the furniture... get off the furniture... your feet don't belong on the furniture. Get the point? Well, he opened the gate and RAN to the chair ...and jumped on it only missing it and head planting RIGHT INTO the granite countertop. Can you guess who won? Josh vs. a granite countertop... well, I checked the counter... not a scratch. Josh, however, looked like a cyclops! He shed a few tears and honestly... being in the most bizarre mood, I couldn't muster up an ounce of compassion. I had to laugh. I went and stood in the laundry room and laughed (after he quit crying) because you want to whack them in the noggin and say I TOLD YOU SO...but you are supposed to be there for them when they fall... to try to catch them. But it's like... NOW do you see why we PREACH to you not to run and jump on the furniture? Hopefully it's a lesson learned. But now Josh and Drew can be known collectively as the bruise brothers.

A new baby ...

Yes, I have a new baby in my house... a new baby Jesus. My mother in law (and father in law)...but we all know who buys the gifts in most households... is just beyond words with her generosity and pure heart. I am so blessed to have someone like her not only in my life but in the lives of my kids. She is just such a wonderful giving sweet loving person.

She'd called a few days back asking about what we'd all like for Christmas. I'd mentioned to her that I'd like to start collecting the Willow Tree Demdaco Angel Nativity set... she went out and bought me the ENTIRE THING! I was moved to tears and beyond words. It was just so wonderful and so special and something I've so desperately wanted ever since I saw it for the first time. I just never brought myself to spend that much money on me for something like that... it's just SO beautiful and I love it. I am now trying to find THE perfect place to display it (and out of reach of the kids so that it remains intact!)

What a truly special birthday gift. I am so thankful.