Happy Happy Birthday Tyler dear!

I've had that primary birthday song stuck in my head all week!

Tyler turned five this week. He keeps reminding me that he's a whole hand! In keeping with tradition we celebrated over almost a whole week. First up was the family party over the weekend. In past years Tyler wanted a robot cake or a rocket cake. What were his demands this year? A circle cake, with black and blue on it. That's not much to go on. So while it ended up looking like a UFO, Tyler loved his black and blue circle cake. Thank goodness he isn't hard to please!


Of course Tyler loved opening presents and having all eyes on him. And of course Hannah was a little jealous of all the attention Tyler was getting, so she made me take this picture!

His actual birthday started off with the breakfast of his choice, followed by a spotlight at preschool. That evening we had presents at home. Tyler was thrilled to open silly putty, binoculars and Candy Land. He was less than thrilled when he saw he got to choose a bike from the store. Who knew? He was however very excited once we were at the store.


He had his kindergarten check up this morning. He handled the shots like a champ. During his breakfast prayer, he asked that he would be brave during his shots. He was VERY brave! He is the 97% for height and 86% for weight and perfectly healthy. You can't ask for more than that! He is a pretty good boy who has a tender heart, loves Legos and reading, has lots of energy, and adds the perfect personality to our family!

Happiness is....

My kids asking for seconds on dinner, including green beans. Success.

The television show Castle. If you aren't watching it...you should. My Monday nights are always Castle nights. I'm not going to lie, I am bummed when there isn't a new episode.

Getting a letter in the mail. There is just something about getting a note or card just for me! And I will usually read it twice right when I open it.

A really great hair day. The other six days of the week I am tempted to chop it all off.

Tyler reading an entire "easy reader" book all by himself. The look on his face was priceless. He was grinning from ear to ear when he finished. Definitely a proud "mom" moment.

Getting hooked on Downton Abbey. I can't hardly wait for September and season 3. I am a sucker for period dramas.

Playing footsie with my husband during dinner!

Meal planning. I know, I know, some of you are thinking "what?" For me, the key is to plan meals for the entire week. I love having a stocked fridge and knowing what I am going to make for dinner that night, and the next.

Snuggles and smiles from Hannah. She will give you the best squeezy hug you've ever had. I love that girl.

Family movie night...popcorn and all. All four of us on a small couch equals wonderful quality family time.

What brings you happiness?

Confessions

I ate five of my mom's most delicious chocolate chip cookies in 24 hours. And I didn't even feel guilt. So I had another one a day later! How does she make them taste so good? Love, I'm sure of it.

I vacuum and dust my house at least twice a week. There are several reasons for this. The first is need. I swear the dust multiplies exponentially here. And my kids leave a trail of crumbs with their snacks. And second, I am bored so I might as well clean.

I have to secretly throw away Tyler's papers from school and church in the laundry room garbage can. If he had his way, he would keep every single paper from every single class.

I cannot stand a mess. At all. My kids know they can only have a few toys out at a time. Does this make me a bad mom?

I still haven't put away Hannah's Halloween costume yet. I couldn't tell you why.

I cannot watch scary movies. I will be up all night...which means Steve is up too. Sorry honey! I may or may not have looked out of the shower just to make sure no one is there after watching a creepy movie. Maybe.

I simultaneously wonder if I am ruining my kids, and yet know that I'm doing the best I can so that's got to be enough.

If I go more than three days without working out, I have a fear I will end up on The Biggest Loser.

I have never really liked my name and I didn't have a middle name growing up. Yet when I got married and had to change my name legally, I couldn't come up with a middle name.

I am addicted to carbs. I could not go a week without some sort of bread or pasta. And don't get me started on my love of cheese (all kinds) and ranch dressing. And my mom's chocolate chip cookies.

There you have it. My confessions. Trust me, there are many more I could list. Just for fun, what are some of your confessions?

65 Years of Memories

Hard to believe, but my mom turned 65 this last week. My sister and I wanted to do something special for her. For her 60th, we took her to a special dinner just the three of us. This time, Kristin found the perfect idea. So here it is broken down into five phases.

Phase 1- Break into my mom's house (which wasn't hard since I still have a house key) and raid her addresses folder.

Phase 2 - Send a letter to all of my mom's family and friends. We asked them to send the stamped return addressed envelop to me filled with a memory of my mom, with the goal of filling 65 different envelopes.

Phase 3 - Anxiously await the mailman each day to see if more memories come in. Read each memory as they come in. I laughed out loud at some (like the one from my uncle when they were kids and he asked my mom to ride her bike over him....and she did!). I also cried. My mom is wonderful and selfless.

Phase 4 - Fill 66 envelopes with wonderful, funny, touching memories of my mom. Why 66 envelopes? Well, because we had too many good memories to limit it. So I guess we gave her one to grow on!

Phase 5- Wrap the gift and watch my mom be touched beyond measure at this gift. It was AWESOME! She told me she stayed up late to read all 66 envelopes.

Happy Birthday Mom! Thank you for everything, and here's to many more years of memories!

Out with the old, in with the new!

We had a wonderful Christmas. Why? Because it consisted of family, food, games, toys (for kids and parents), food, a little sleep, movies, food, games and family. More than most years, I just loved all the time I spent with those I love. Christmas really is about family. I loved being with my mom, cousins, aunt and uncle, sister and her family, and of course my three loves! The kids went to bed exhausted each night, as did their parents.

Christmas morning was our first just the four of us. It was relaxing and the kids could play with their gifts as they opened them. Although, they mostly just wanted to open another one! I need to remember that they are just as happy with cheap little toys as they are with expensive ones. I could have only gotten them stocking stuff and they would have been thrilled!

As for the New Year, I have some resolutions. I am a goal person. I know a lot of people aren't, but I like to have something to work towards. So this year, here are a few of my goals for 2012:

1. Try at least three new recipes a month.

2. Run a mile in under 8 minutes, once accomplished, set a new time goal.

3. Only eat one dessert/sweet a month....this might kill me.

4. Use a cash budget...envelopes and all.

I challenge each of you to come up with one thing you can do to actively make 2012 a great year!