Getting Out of The House

Well, there's only 8 more days left until Christmas and I'm now starting to feel like things are under control! Rich was sick this weekend so he stayed in bed for most of the weekend. Poor guy had a horrible sore throat and awful cough!

After a boring day at home on Saturday, the boys and I went to the Botanic Gardens with a friend on Sunday. It was not a very nice day outside -- it rained all afternoon -- but we were lucky enough to get there in the morning before the rain! We did get caught in it a bit on the way to the car, but we'd done what we wanted to do!

Before hand, we took the boys to Dunkin' Donuts. Sam enjoyed his. Can you tell?

The "Big Boys" rode in the back and played with their Pokemon Cards. Of course you can see traces of donuts on their faces too...

Here the boys are standing outside a fountain that was turned off. I just blogged about going to the Botanic Gardens last month. I think I mentioned there how the Gardens have turned off all their fountains to conserve water during the current drought we have here in Georgia. That's why the fountain is turned off.

We rode the train... again...

We only rode it once because the line was really long... and while we were waiting in line it began to sprinkle ever so lightly. They will not run the train in the rain (that sounds like a Dr. Seuss book...) or even if it's sprinkling. Luckily, the sprinkles were short lived and we got to ride. I think there would have been at least one very upset three year old if we didn't get to ride it!

After the train ride, we went to the Children's Garden. This place is wonderful! All sorts of interactive displays and fun things for the kids. Josh and the other two played "explore" with my friend Sherry (the "other mother") running after them. Sam wanted to go all over the place and I followed him around. His favorite part was the Vegetable Garden. Here he measured himself
against plants,

rode a cow...

And rocked on the front porch:

This is an actual conversation with Sam we had while here.

Sam: This is my house Mommy!

Me: It is? I like it!

Sam: Yes, I have cows in my back yard.

Me: You do? Cows?

Sam: Yes, cows and chickens.

Me: Well that's cool. Should we feed them?

Sam: Yes! (Then he hands me some pretend food and we go out back to the "animals")

Me: Should I feed the duck or the sheep?

Sam: No Mommy, they are already eating! (and they were -- they had their heads down in the dirt). Let's feed the chicken some eggs...

Hmmm... Something tells me a chicken would not want to eat an egg. But I'm no farmer, what do I know?

After Sam and I played in his house we went to find the others. They were giving a performance at the Ampitheatre.

I never did figure out what the play was about, but I know it had something to do with Pokemon.

Of course.

And on our way out, we even managed to run into Santa again! This time it was a "Garden Variety" Santa.

And *phew* Sam asked for the "Big GeoTrax" again!

And that was the most fun we had over the weekend! I'm glad Rich is on the mend because it's one thing to tell the boys they can't play with Daddy when he's working, but it's much harder to tell them that when he's sick!

TGIF!

It's amazing how much there is to do this time of year! I have been so busy doing nothing that my head is spinning!

So, this week Sam and I had a Christmas Party with one of the Mom's Groups I belong to. It was lots of fun. I picked him up early from school and brought him over.

He was so busy playing that I had to force him to sit down and eat some lunch! Thankfully, there was Pizza there -- I think that may be his most favorite food ever! I can always get him to eat that. And grapes.

Anyway, the party was lots of fun. Mary did Story Time...


She's going to kill me for posting this!

Her son Jack and Sam played together very nicely. Of course there were several photo ops of them playing really well, but as soon as I got my camera, they broke up. Here's the one picture I did get.



The only thing that tore them away from that toy was a visit from "The Big Guy."



He looks a bit "shy" in this picture, but he was really excited. He ran right up to Santa and stared talking to him and asking him for his "Big GeoTrax" (which today he told me he no longer wants.... too bad kid!)

Jack then decided to entertain us all with some Karaoke...





He's a trip! So funny and cute and he rivals Sam for "Pickelpotamus" status! It's no wonder the two of them get along so well.



Yesterday, Josh came home from school and announced that a kid in his class doesn't believe in Santa!!!! He told Josh that the Mom's and Dad's put the presents out and pretend to be Santa. He couldn't believe this boy would tell him that!



He said, "But Mom! We know Santa's real, don't we?"



I said, "That's right! Poor (boy's name) he won't be getting any presents from Santa because Santa only brings gifts to who believe."



Josh: "Yeah, and do you know HOW I know he's real? The Santa Tracker on the computer!"



I have to tell you I was so upset after this conversation! I mean, I know he's a smart kid and I know this is probably the last year for him to believe, but I was hoping it would last just a bit longer!



I think he wants to still believe this year so he does. Next year I think he'll start to have his doubts.



It's so much fun to see how excited the boys get about seeing Santa and writing him letters and leaving Reindeer food out on Christmas Eve. And to see how their eyes light up on Christmas Morning when all the presents are under the tree...



I guess this year we'll just have to enjoy it and hope next year we can keep the magic alive... and keep it going for Sam as long as possible.

Housekeeping

Several things are piling up so I'm going to get rid of them here.

First (and most importantly) Elizabeth at Mom Reviews is giving away a "My Friends Tigger and Pooh -- Super Sleuth Christmas Movie" DVD.

And, I know I've mentioned before that Sam LOVES Winnie the Pooh I would love to win this for him, just in time for the holidays! He's got a little Classic Winnie the Pooh stuffed doll he carries everywhere. He says, "It's my best."

Anyway, getting back to Elizabeth -- she's having a give away. If you are interested, go visit her and leave a comment (for one entry), either fave her, blogroll her or subscribe (for 2 entries) and/or post about the contest (for three entries). But the contest ends Friday, so be sure to be quick!

Okay, next order of business. I keep getting tagged for meme's. I'm a bit behind so I'm doing two at once here.

First, Shannan at Mommy Bits tagged me for a middle name meme. I was tagged for this on Maya's Mom last month already. Here's the post if you're interested.

I don't think I'll do it again, but I will pass on that Shannan has THE BEST Cookie recipe EVER!!!! Sam and I are making Shannan's Cake Mix cookies today and HOLY COW! They are delicious! And super easy!


Look!






We made some with holiday M&M's this time. I have some German Chocolate Cake mix that I plan on trying out with Heath Bar Toffee Crunch and I have a Carrot Cake mix that I'm going to try with raisins and white chocolate. Just for something different


Finally, I was tagged for another meme by my friend Cheryl at Maya's Mom. This time it's an either/or meme. Here goes.




Coke or Pepsi? Diet Caffeine Free Coke -- but really it's water or red wine.

Sweet or Salty? Salty

Night Owl or Morning Person? Morning -- I have to be, my kids get up too early. But I am anyway!

Bath or Shower? AM or PM? I prefer Showers in the morning, but I'll take it when I can get it! Don't like bath's at all!

Apples or Oranges? Apples

Algebra or Geometry? Neither. English

Left-handed or Right-handed? Righty

Cook or Bake? Cook, but I like to bake too -- see above.

Fruits or Veggies? Both

Mayo or Miracle Whip? MAYO. No contest. The other stuff should be outlawed.

Butter or Margarine? Butter, Unsalted.

Handheld or electric toothbrush? Handheld

Crest or Colgate? Crest for sensitive teeth

Deodorant: Roll-on or Solid? Solid

Do you call them Sneakers or Tennis Shoes? Depends on the mood. Boys are usually sneakers, girls tennis shoes.

Do you call it a Pocketbook or Purse? Purse

Do you sleep to the Left or Right of hubby (or significant other)? Depends. What ever side is closest to the bathroom. In our house now, I'm to the left of Rich.

Toilet Paper: Over or Under? Over, but as long as it gets changed I'm happy!

In what order: Sock, Sock, Shoe, Shoe OR Sock, Shoe, Sock, Shoe? What ever I feel like at the time.

There. I think that's it for now. I'm not tagging anyone, but feel free to do either the middle name or the either/or meme if you wish!

Now, I'm off to eat more cookies!

Parades, Leaves and Results

It was a warm, sunny weekend here in Georgia. And the whole week looks to be that way too.

It's a nice break from the cold to have the warm sun on our faces and no jackets, short sleeves and shorts on for a bit! That's one reason we live in Georgia!

Perfect weather for Parades and Yard Work -- which is just what we did. Okay, so really you got me there. There is no such thing as "perfect weather for Yard Work" but still... it had to be done.

Our town had their annual Santa Claus Parade. Normally we're all bundled up and running around to keep warm. Not this year, though. I did make the boys put on a fleece when we left the house -- silly me! But in my defense, Saturday was a bit overcast so it hadn't quite warmed up to the mid to upper 70's yet.

I did not get many parade pictures, but it was a good one. Lots of music and floats -- there was a distinct lack of candy this year, which I don't mind, but some of the folks around us kept commenting on it! Josh saw lots of friends from school there and we all had fun.

Here is Sam enjoying a Blue Candy Cane....

Sam had been sick and was still not feeling well. Poor kid had the worst cold ever! It seems to be better now -- he actually went to school today so I got a break from him clinging to me that was good.

Josh with his second Candy Cane of the morning...

Finally, Santa and his reindeer...

I think that must be Santa's brother herding the reindeer, because Santa's in the sleigh!

The boys were very excited! They kept yelling, "Hi Santa! Hi Santa! Merry Christmas Santa!!!" It was really cute!

Since the weather was so nice, we decided to spend Saturday afternoon and all of Sunday raking leaves in our yard. The final leaf bag count for the year.... 91 bags.

Here is half the garage filled up with the bags. The other half is just as full....

And finally, I mentioned in my previous post, that Sunday was the final weigh in for the neighborhood Biggest Loser Competition I was in.

Well, I did well.

I lost 14 lbs for a total loss of 8.6983% .

I came in second. I won $100. Not too bad.

However... I missed out on the top prize by 0.0031%.

Yes folks, that's right 3/1000 of a percent gets me $100 instead of $275. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a wee bit bummed out -- more than 0.0031% even. But oh well -- I guess that's the way the fat burns. They are starting another one next month and running for 16 weeks. I haven't yet decided if I'm going to join that or not. I just think 16 weeks is a VERY VERY VERY LONG TIME. I guess we'll just have to see how much weight I gain over Christmas!