Popular Picks for 2008!

The boys make a Christmas list each year and in addition I see things that I think are cool and they might like. After last year when Logan questioned why Santa brought certain things that weren't on the list I decided to try a new angle this year. I would work from "The List" and probably save a lot of stress and even money. Well...it kind of worked. I strayed only slightly and those items were a big hit so it was a win win sitution. Now for some of the things I knew from the beginning that they wouldn't be played with and I was mostly right. Some things they love so all is well. I thougth it would be fun for the boys later in life to see what they liked when they were 5 and 6 years old. There seems to be a recurrent Alien theme going on...

The Hit List:
Martian Matters Alien Maker for Logan
Mega Rig Space Shuttle for Logan
Ben 10 Kevin Levin Car for Logan
Spongebob Movie for Landon
Guess Who game for Landon
Ben 10 Omnitrix for Lawson
Ben 10 Alien Creation Chamber for Lawson
Ben 10 Alien Space Ships for Lawson
Bisquit the dog for Lake
Incredible Hulk Smash Hands for Lake (more on this later...)

The Miss List:
Pokemom Battle Playset for Logan (This had been #1 on his list!!)
Starwars Voice Changer Helmut ($30!!!) for Landon
Batman Tumbling Car for Landon
Speedracer cars for Landon
Hotwheels Trick Trax for Lake
Build your own Dinosaur for Lake

They don't hate the toys on the miss list but they aren't playing with them either! Lawson really didn't have any misses so either he chose wisely or will play with anything. He really loves the Wii. Landon did hate a few other gifts and apparently we have some manners to work on before next year! Apparently he doesn't like Ironman pajamas, Ironman sweatshirts or books about Racoons. He didn't try to hide it either. Luckily everyone loves the off list purchase of the Wii so that is keeping them busy.

Christmas Catch Up!

Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve...I know...I'm behind. The trip to Iowa began a day earlier than planned and two whole days ahead to grandma and grandpa's house since the weather looked ominous. We had planned on going to Des Moines for an overnight but that got snowed out too. All was well though...we had a great time and just relaxed. It is rare that I actually sit down and I have to admit it was nice! I'll post more pictures of Christmas later! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

A Hallmark moment...

Tonight Steve was addressing some of his Christmas Cards (I don't do his since he sends a zillion cards to people I have never heard of...)and Landon was watching him. As Steve was putting the return address labels on them (they have caricatures of our family on them) Landon looked at them and named each of us...but when he did Steve he pointed out that it was "wrong" because Daddy doesn't have hair anymore...I thought I would die laughing. To give Steve credit..he did get it cut a couple of weeks ago so he didn't "lose" all that Landon was insinuating! Landon must have been on some sort of hair alert today because at church he was rubbing a man's bald head when the guy bent down to speak to him!! Ugh...looks like some etiquette lessons for the boys is on my wish list for Christmas. I just found a photo of Steve right after the haircut...it's REALLY short...check it out! Oh..and excuse the reindeer ears!

The countdown continues...

I think traditions in a family are very important. Kind of like when I was growing we always went driving around looking at Christmas lights at night we always had chili on Christmas Eve, and I always begged to open one present on Christmas Eve and when I finally convinced my dad to let me it was always new pajamas. We have lots of traditions started already with the boys. One of them is our Advent House. It is a big wooden house with 24 little doors to open. Each day it is someone's turn to open one and pass out the treat that the hole contains. Sometimes it's candy, sometimes a coin, and sometimes a note leading to a special surprise. It is fun for the first couple of days but this house IS DRIVING ME NUTS!! We have an order that we go in but they still are pushing and shoving to get to the door to see what it holds for the day. Somedays someone doesn't like the treat that it contains. Sometimes I forget and have to postphone it until later in the day. Why can't I be organized enough to have the whole 24 days filled at the beginning of Decemeber when it begins? Well...I know that answer...because they would cheat and look ahead. Anyway...they do love this house and hopefully someday I will again love it too. I really prefer the chocolate filled one that Jingle brought!

Manic Monday...

I got up this morning after only a few hours of sleep. I was working on a bulletin board design for the PTA. I sort of took on a little too much at school and chair several committees on the PTA. I'm the Box top coordinator and want the bulletin board up before the Winter room parties begin on Friday. Did I mention that I'm the room mom for 1st grade too and had to help plan and execute the winter party? Anyway...I digress...I got up, got everyone ready and at 8:30 this morning I remembered (while changing a hearing aid battery for Lake) that I needed to take Lake and Landon to Romeoville for some hearing tests. The weather was bone chilling cold and the roads were ice but we made it there after dropping off the other two boys at school. I felt a little funny because Landon was in pajamas because his class calendar had today as Polar Express Day but I just explained that when we went to the testing. The kids all wear pj's to school and the teacher reads the Polar Express to them and they get lots of treats and hot cocoa. I rushed him back to school by 1 so he could participate. I asked him how it was and he just smiled and said he would be wearing pj's Tuesday and Wednesday too. I forgot to mention that is is also Spirit Week at school and tomorrow is crazy clothes day and Wednesday is pj day. Hmmm..whatever...Tomorrow Lake and Lawson's calendar says it is Polar Express Day so they will wear pj's. Tonight I had to run to Target and I ran into a mom that I know who has a daughter in K-L. She mentions how excited Morgan is about the Polar Express Day and that she is coming to school tomorrow (she's been out sick) and is thrilled. I bet my face went from white to red in 2 seconds. I said...ummm today was Polar Express day...She said no it is tomorrow. I asked her which class she is in and she confirmed in Landon's' class. UH-OH! Please tell me that I didn't send my child to school today in pj's when it wasn't pj day! I ran home and checked his calendar and sure enough it does say Polar Express Day is today. Lake and Lawson's calendar say tomorrow so I won't know the answer until tomorrow. I thought it was odd that K-L was having the Polar Express Day on a different day that K-B and K-S but thought it was a space issue or something. I will report back tomorrow!! I guess either way Landon gets to wear pajama's this week and if he was the only one he didn't seem to mind!

More Jingle Adventures...

Jingle finally made it back from his mission at the North Pole with the candy cane fiasco. And Jingle has been a busy elf this week! He came back from his long trip and told the boys a story about riding an Ostrich! Then since they are too big to ride one he gave them these really cool pens to write with! They have been using them non-stop! Then the next day he said that since we have so many kids here at our house he needed some help. When the boys came home from school Jingle had rounded up all the Webkins and Beanie babies and had deputized them! Each animal had a badge and everything! The boys are on extra special behaviour with more eyes on them!!

Our Visit with the Big Guy!

We made our annual trip to see Santa today in downtown Naperville. It is a pretty nice set-up where they have Santa in the warming house on the Riverwalk. You go into a little shelter and they serve you free hot chocolate and popcorn while you wait for your turn to go in see Santa. He is in a nice room (with heat!!) and you privately get your photos and tell him your desires. They have you fill out some info on the kids before you go in so he seems very familiar with your kids. It works like a charm. My favorite part was when he looked at Logan's list and said (with no help from me I might add...) "You know I can't bring EVERYTHING on this list right?" I've been telling Logan that for a month but actually hearing it come from Santa himself should help things along on Christmas morning. Noone was afraid but they were very quiet and polite. After we went to Lou Malnattis for pizza and chocolate chip cookies. The boys love going there every year as much as they love to go see Santa. This time we order Calamari and Lawson asked what is was...I said "squid" and he asked to try it. He ate more than half!! His words..."This is awesome!" What a kid! It is now 7:15 and the boys are already in bed...it was a big day!

A cool gift idea for the person who has everything...

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to shop! It really doesn't matter what I am shopping for...groceries, furniture, accessories, clothes (except I hate shopping with Steve for things for him)I love to shop. I was browsing thorough the Costco website a couple of weeks ago and saw those throws and you could have a photo put onto it. I showed it to Steve since he was in the room and he wanted me to order one for his mom for Christmas. I did it (and ordered myself some things as payment for my shopping services...) and it came yesterday. It turned out very cool. I'm usually not into things like this but the photo I chose really is subtle. The boys loved and have been posing by it. The photo of them is larger than them in person. I highly recommend this idea for the person who has everything. I should have ordered one for my mom too! (Sorry mom...you aren't getting one of these...maybe Mother's Day?!)

Two surprises from Jingle for Tuesday!

Tuesday started out great with Jingle leaving a new toy for the boys to share. It was a Hot Wheels toy and the boys loved playing with it before school. After school Jingle left a note with a plate of cupcakes ...

Hi Boys! I got a call from Santa today and we are having a production line problem with the candy canes...He really needs my help so tonight when I go to give my behavior report tonight I need to stay to help out or there won't be any candy canes for Christmas this year. Here is an early treat of cupcakes...I will be back as soon as I can! Be good!!!

Love,
Jingle

So we haven't seen Jingle since yesterday. He wasn't here this morning but we keep waiting. I hope he makes it back tomorrow...we miss him!!

Snowboots, snowpants, hats, mittens and more...

Why of why do I live in the snowy midwest with 4 small children to dress? I finally broke down over the weekend and purchased the snowpants for the season. Last year I bought 4 new pairs and never took the tags off but of course they don't fit this year. This year I haven't been so lucky. I have been told by 3 five year olds that if you don't have snowpants on at recess (I think recess lasts about 10 minutes!!) you can't leave the blacktop on the playground. I don't know why they think that they NEED to leave the blacktop because I don't believe that they are allowed to pick up snow anyway....but I was harassed all last week to buy snowpants. So now that we have them the boys rush to get into them each morning. Today it was 40 degrees and pouring rain. They stood in the driveway this morning soaking up the raindrops. Buckling them into carseats soaking wet was not fun. I can understand somewhat that they want snowpants but why do they want to wear them TO school? They go right inside from in front of the door. They really don't even need boots for the walk in. So here we are every morning...Coat? Check! Snowpants? Check! Boots? Check! (I need to add socks to this because Landon somehow missed that step at least two days last week!!) Hat? Check! Gloves? Check! Add to this list a packed lunch, homework folder packed in the backpack, and a spare pair of shoes to wear when you get into the classroom. Oh...and don't forget glasses for 3, hearing aids for 2! Well...on the bright side summer vacation will be here in only 177 more days and shortly before that we won't need snowpants anymore... I'm tired just thinking about doing it again tomorrow!

Jingle

Our Elf Jingle arrived last week and has kept us hopping ever since. The boys have been waiting all year long for him to come back and they have been thrilled once again to wake up every morning to see what mischief he has been up to. So far he has brought Advent Calendars, left giant chocolate bars, a Christmas Tree Gingerbread kit, new Jibbitz, a recipe for cinnamon ornaments that we made, christmas card kits for making our own cards, and a new I SPY Bingo game. He has been found playing in a elf size ballpit and climbing the chandelier. You just never know what he is going to do next. Tonight we were at the mall and we caught a glimpse of him in the Hallmark store!! I told the boys he was sneaky...

A little backtracking...

I've been pretty busy so I've been neglecting this blog for a couple of weeks. We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving (well...as quiet as you an have with 4 small boys!) The boys brought home lists of things that they are thankful for and Logan left off his brothers "because I ran out of room" but Mom and Dad along with Mrs. Erwin made the list. Lake is again thankful for his dog this year (!?) We STILL don't have a dog but he continues to be thankful for it. We ate a nice dinner at home and the boys had a big game of touch football during the afternoon. Lawson was sick so he stayed inside with Mommy but we watched from the window. Then we all went on a rock hunting expedition for Logan's first grade project. On Friday Steve took Landon and Lake to the Christmas Parade while Logan and Lawson decorated the Sports themed tree in their room. Over the long weekend we went shopping so the boys could make their lists for Santa. It is very interesting to watch their little minds think about what they want to ask for and why. Logan has a list about 15 items long while the other boys were less "needy/greedy."

Charity Starts at Home...

Yesterday after a full day of shopping, donating, Santa visits, pancakes breakfasts and haircuts I overheard the boys talking. Lake had "recycled" a empty milk jug because he was goin got make a "money collector." This of course made my ears perk up and I went to invesitigate. When I asked Lake how he was going to collect money with his jug he said that he would just put it out and people would walk by and stuff money into it. I guess he HAS noticed the Salvation Army collection people. Then I asked what he was going to do with his money. He replied "I'm going to give it to Logan!" So either the spirit of giving has touched Lake or he has really picked up on the oldest childs obsession with money and it going to help him out. I wonder if I should be worried?!