"Merry Christmas Kevin."

Dear Diary,

As I sit in the playroom while my girls are occupied with new toys and movies, I have come to the conclusion that Addalyn and Olivia are extremely lucky.

Normally I would say how lucky Garrett and I are, which we are, but today as I look at this playroom, I can't help but be amazed. I mean look at this place...

I would have killed for a playroom like this when I was little. And don't get me wrong, I was very fortunate as a child as well, but come on, what little girl wouldn't want a room dedicated to their toys that has more pink and purple in it than Barbie's Dream House? And with my organizational skills and constant need to keep it tidy, they are in toy heaven!

If you hadn't noticed, Christmas was good to us. We got to spend it at home, in our own house, which was both rewarding and challenging. I made a decision that when my kids were old enough to understand what was going on, I wanted to have Christmas at home to start our own traditions. Some of my best memories are of all the familiar things we did every year at Christmas time so I want the same for my girls.

While I was happy to be home, I was also extremely busy. I now have a new appreciation for my Mother and Mother-In-Law who have spent many Holidays in their kitchen. Big, fancy meals are a lot of work and if you do it right, it takes up a lot of your time, but the end result is definitely worth it. Garrett and I decided on a Christmas Eve meal and I am proud to say it tasted exactly as it should have. I may have been mashing potatoes 15 minutes before we had to leave for Christmas Eve Mass, but the important thing is that dinner was warm and ready when we got home and it tasted delicious!

The girls got to open one gift a piece (okay, more like Addy got to open 2 gifts) and we watched traditional Christmas movies before setting out the milk and cookies (okay crying because Addy thought they were for her ) and heading to bed.

Olivia woke everyone up at an early 6:45AM and we headed down to see what Santa brought. It is one of my favorite Christmas' of all time and I hardly got a thing (although I love my new socks Santa brought me in my stocking). I made a nice breakfast, then more food for the afternoon and we spent the day with my family opening gifts and playing an exciting game of Celebrity that we will all remember for years to come.


Life is good. Some people need holidays and special events to realize how good life is, but I just need to wake up each morning with my little family and I know how good I have it. Blessed beyond words for sure.

AND, it's not even over! We will have a post Christmas celebration with my in-laws this weekend. I can't imagine where any more toys will go, BUT I do know I will have a blast finding a perfect spot for them in this ridiculous playroom.

Happy New Year! Hug Your Family!

Sincerely Yours,

“My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” - Tina Fey, Bossypants

Dear Diary,

Christmas is in 4 days. Of course I have last minute things to do, I am nothing if I am not a procrastinator, but despite the small amount of anxiety I have I am SUPER excited for Christmas.

I have more duties to do this year than in the past, like baking sweets and preparing big meals and hiding Santa's toys so Garrett's daughter cant find them. I say Garrett's daughter because Mr. Present Snooper has met his match. At 2 years old she has already found one present and opened it. How will I ever manage to hide things in years to come? Mary Ann, I feel your pain. Like Father, like Daughter.

Addy is counting down the days and lets just say if Santa doesn't bring her "toys" she is going to be pissed. No toy in particular, she just wants "toys!" And Liv has no idea what's going on but she sure is happy about it. My little cruiser spends her days smiling and running everywhere she can. She may be the smallest, fastest walker of all time. She rarely has a plan as to where she is going but she is always getting there fast!

Christmas also marks one month until Jordan's wedding. Man that snuck up fast. Can't believe my little sister is going to be married! And I really can't believe I am going to put on a bridesmaid dress in 30 some days... probably should have done less baking this holiday season. Oh well. You'll be surprised to know that Jordan's wedding day IS NOT about me so I think all eyes will be distracted by the BEAUTIFUL BRIDE!! Can't wait to see her =)

On a side note, I just finished the funniest book I have ever read, Tina Fey's Bossypants. I was so busy last week with sick kids, and orders, and Christmas preparation that I should not have been reading but I started it and I could not put it down. Finished it in two days and was extremely sad it was over. There really was no point to it, just random happenings of Tina's life, but I have never laughed out loud that many times while reading a book. Highly recommended!

Alright I am off! The girls want breakfast - so demanding - and I have chores to do! Merry, Merry Christmas!

Sincerely Yours,

I Am A Bad Ass In My Own Mind

Dear Diary,

I am far from optimistic about things in life. It tends to drive my husband crazy. For instance, if we are going on vacation and flying to get there my immediate complaint is that all my luggage will get lost and my clothes will be gone forever. Has my luggage ever been lost? No. So why do I think that will happen to me? I have no idea but I have more than convinced myself that it will happen.
　
I think this way about everything. I look at it as thinking positive though because at least I am never let down. If we go on vacation and my luggage doesn't get lost then, Yay. Hooray for me! I can put a check mark in the "good day" box.
　
Where is this story going? Well tonight I ran a couple errands after dark to avoid having to get the girls out with me tomorrow to do it. I went to my usual, Hobby Lobby and the store. I know, you must be surprised it wasn't to the local liquor store and XXX video right?
　
ANYWAY, so I make my last stop at the store and because I am stubborn I insist on only carrying a basket around for my "few" items which always turns out to be the wrong choice. I am struggling to balance everything as I make my way to the register, but I get there and the nice sacker get everything ready for me to make yet another awkward trip out to my car because who needs a cart when you are awesome right?
　
As I am carrying way too many things I notice there is a truck parked right next to me that is running. As I walk/hobble toward my vehicle the truck is not backing up or turning off. My immediate thought is, "There is some murderer in that truck, waiting for me to get to my car and as I am struggling to get the 15 bags that I am carrying into the back end of my SUV he is going to grab me and take me somewhere to kill me."
　
A few years ago I seriously probably would have turned around and went back inside until the truck left because I would have been too scared to see what would have come about. Today my thought process went a little something like this, and I am not exaggerating at all, "Oh well. Let that bastard come at me. I will stab him."
　
Really Lindsey? You will stab him? With what do you plan on stabbing him with? And how exactly do you plan on doing that with 87 bags in your hands?
　
There are so many things wrong with this story. First of all, why was I jumping to conclusions when all I was dealing with was a truck with its engine running a little too long next to my car? Second of all, why all of a sudden did I think I was part of a gang and had a dagger at hand for such a situation?
　
What I did realize in the lengthy 10 seconds that this situation played out was that I think I am some kind of a bad ass, and that I obviously think I have a heck of a lot to live for. So if anyone thinks they are going to take that away from me then I guess I am going to stab you. Moral of the story - Don't mess me me. At least not at the grocery store.
　
The real moral of the story - Grab a cart.
　
Oh, and if you were wondering. The "murderer" in the truck was actually a woman who appeared like she was trying to warm her hands. Obviously she was waiting on someone inside while A-Holes like me were plotting on how they would stab her if she came too close.

Sincerely Yours,

Tales From The Playroom

Tales from the Playroom

Garrett has the day off so we are of course spending our morning down in the playroom. The girls are doing their usual while Garrett is lounging on Big Bear watching Home Alone and I am snuggled under a blanket with the laptop. I my as well log the happenings because I am sure something noteworthy will happen.

9:09 AM: Addy is stacking blocks and Olivia keeps knocking them over. After a few quiet grunts of frustration Addy decided to push Olivia over. I guess Olivia had it coming but I had to scold Addy anyway.

9:13 AM: Olivia has now ventured over to the other side of the playroom. I am pretty sure this is her favorite place of all time. And why wouldn't it be? There are only like 4 million things for her to chew on. She is currently pushing the same button repeatedly on the ABC Sesame Street Bus. I am hoping that will bore her soon because it is annoying.

9:15 AM: Addy has now stacked her blocks extremely high.

9:20 AM: Annndd the beast just came back over and knocked them all down again. Addy's response, "Ahhhhhhh!!!!"

9:22 AM: Addy: "Liva, NO! (while pushing her) Do someting! Get da toys... Go! "MOOOOOM!!"

9:23 AM: Olivia is not moving.

9:26 AM: Addy has given up and is moving on to a new game. She must have decided to be the bigger person...

9:29 AM: The first meltdown. Addy is trying to turn on Garrett's old cell phone to look at "pictures" and it won't stay on because it has no battery. I've attempted to explain this to her but she doesn't want to hear it. So I'll let her cry it out while I continue typing. It's called good parenting =)

9:31 AM: Olivia doesn't mind it has no battery as she has picked it up and is chewing on it. One person's trash has become another's treasure.

9:34 AM: Kevin is running from the fat cop after he stole the toothbrush from the store on the corner. If only that cop could have caught him. He could have avoided a lot of trouble but then we wouldn't have a movie now would we?

9:36 AM: Olivia has walked herself over to Dad and Big Bear and is smiling/dancing/grunting with excitement as she tries to eat Big Bear.

9:42 AM: Hey great news, Olivia has found the Sesame Street Bus again! I just want to take a minute and thank Megan and Doug for getting us the loudest toys ever created. The play vacuum will surely be out before long and I can't tell you how much I just love that thing.

9:44 AM: Quick change of events, Olivia almost pulled the table over on top of her but managed to regain her balance and steady the table back on all four legs. She's a machine!

9:47 AM: Garrett is asleep. Seriously, how can he possibly be tired already?

9:49 AM: Addy is now stacking the blocks on a table where hopefully Olivia cant reach. Smart girl. And apparently extremely determined to build the world's tallest block statue.

9:53 AM: Olivia was playing with a toy and Addy just took it from her. I am going to sit back and see how this one plays out...

Still 9:53 AM: As usual Olivia just let her have it, only in time for Addy to not really have any interest in the toy to begin with and move on to something else. Olivia has regained ownership of the toy and all is well.

10:00 AM: Olivia made her way over to me and clearly would like to be held. It is time for her morning nap so I suppose I will get off of here.

You just experienced an hour of our day. You're Welcome =)

Sincerely Yours,

Imagine This Is A Clever Title

Dear Diary,

3 Things I Need:  

(1) A good nail color. Preferably something dark. And something cheap. If it isn't under $4.99, I don't want it.

(2) Ice Cream. Yes, I am one of those people that crave ice cream even when it's 2 degrees out. I worked out a majority of this week - I deserve it!

(3) Clean Floors. I cleaned today - everything but the kitchen and the floors, which I plan on doing tomorrow, but the thought of getting down and scrubbing isn't appealing to me in the slightest. Good thing I enjoy the outcome so much or else it would never get done!

3 Things I Am Excited About:

(1) Christmas. Addy couldn't love Christmas more than she does. I thought we'd have a hard time liking anything more than Halloween but she has outdone herself. When we go to gymnastics she points out the window to every house with Christmas lights and says, "Mom! Christmas!" and then wants, "More Christmas!" My favorite was when we drove by our grocery store that was all lit up with lights and she said, "Aw, pretty I ever saw!" Christmas is going to be awesome this year. I can't wait!

(2) Garrett's Work Christmas Party. The party is tomorrow night and really it's not even the party that I am all that excited about, although it should be a good time. I am excited I get to go out for a few hours with my husband. It goes without saying that I don't get out much. Neither of us do in fact. That comes with the territory when you have two little ones and I am perfectly fine with that. I really can't tell you the last time Garrett and I did anything alone so lets hope for a good time and some kind of a tolerance for alcohol. I'll take it slow - I've already promised myself!

(3) Ice Cream. Did I mention this already?

3 Things I Love:

(1) Olivia's steps. This girl is on a roll! She walks everywhere and she loves every second of it. She is so proud of what she is doing and as soon as I make eye contact with her she gets the biggest grin on her face. Ah, I love her!

(2) Addy's one-liners. My newest favorite moment (all you Hocus Pocus fans will understand): I am trying to get her to fall asleep the other night and as soon as all is quiet she turns toward me and says, "Ohh Allison...Ohhh Allison!" She sounded EXACTLY like the little girl from Hocus Pocus and I about pee'd my pants laughing - which didn't help with the sleeping situation but it was worth it. She. Is. So. Funny.

(3) A newly organized playroom. As if it wasn't organized enough, we got new shelves and hung those last weekend which required me to do some rearranging of the set up and now I love my playroom even more. ANNNDDD once Christmas is over and we are adding new toys to the family, I will be reorganizing once again! It's my favorite job!

3 Things I'm About To Do:

(1) Get off this computer.

(2) Put Liv to bed.

(3) Eat some ice cream.

Sincerely Yours,

Olivia Walking - 8 Months Old

Olivia walking and her snotty sister being snotty...

"Throw it to 2nd Smalls!...Kaayyy!"

Dear Diary,

My kid is funny. Everyone thinks that but my kid is reaaaalllyy funny. The things she says and does constantly catch me off guard and I cant tell you how many times Garrett and I are laughing our heads off.

She knows EVERYTHING. How? I have no idea. I wish I could take the credit. I mean I teach her things, of course I do, but she says things that I have no idea where it came from or how in t world she knows anything about it.

She is abnormal in that she likes movies that aren't for her age group. With the exception of Toy Story (which is kind of a grown up movie in itself) we aren't watching pixar and cartoon movies. Her favorites are Hocus Pocus, The Sandlot, Wizard of Oz, and now Home Alone 1 and 2. She likes movies with real people and I kid you not, it takes only one or two viewings before she knows every line. It's a tad bit creepy. She'll just bust out these lines out of nowhere and I just stare at her stunned before I make her repeat it to me 15 times to make sure I am hearing her right. It's amazing.

I should write them all down and I will kick myself someday when I cant remember all the things she says or does but at least I will always remember how many times that kid makes me smile in a days time.

LOVE HER! And Liva too of course :)

Sincerely Yours,