Ah... motherhood

Just now S threw his arms around me and gave me a huge hug.

It was so sweet, until he said "Sometimes I have snot coming out of my nose, and it's like water, so it doesn't stay." My reply, "Well, why don't you just get a Kleenex and blow your nose?"

His reply, "It's not there anymore."

I look down and now I have snot on my sweater.

I looked at him, and he says "told ya."

We Let the Good Times Roll!

Started the morning with Beignets. Powdered sugar everywhere!

Jambalaya and corn bread for dinner. Although there isn't a picture, S decorated the chandelier,

 it was dripping with Mardi Gras beads.

Niece J and S waiting for me to take the picture already and get the King Cake cut! 

I bought the cake at Scott's Pastry in Middleton. 

It was totally worth the thirty minute drive to get it. YUM!

J and B. She loved the beads and her uncle.

Eavesdropping

This was the conversation from the boys coming home from school today.
S: Is Aunt Mary a spy?
J: Why do you think she's a spy?
S: She wears black ALL the time.
J: No she doesn't, sometimes she wears purple. Mama, what are those boots she wears?
Me: Uggs.
J: Yeah, I don't like them.
S: She does too wear all black. She ALWAYS wears black sweatpants.
J: Sweatpants?
S: Yeah, she ALWAYS wears black sweatpants. And she has a tatoo on her foot.
J: Mama, do you know anybody with a tatoo?
Me: Yes, I know lots of people with tatoos. And, I hope you boys will never get a tatoo. And don't date anyone with one.
J: "C" wants to get a cross on her arm.
S: So you can't date her.
Me: Well, since she is nine, I think she has some time to think about it. And, since you are nine, I don't think you need to concern yourself about whom to date for quite a while.
J: Mama, what's sex?
Me: (Sweat appearing on my brow) Why are you asking?
J: I want to know.
S: It's when girls wiggle their butts around.
Me: (inside thinking-- Yikes, where's is this going? Where is a police car or dog or anything to use as distraction?!)
J: That's not it! I'm not sure I'm going to do it.
Me: So, we are having chicken enchiladas for dinner! Won't that be good?!
J: Are you going to tell me?
Me: So, um, how was your science test? Do you feel you were prepared? Wow, how about those Brewers?!

Now, is it five o'clock yet?!

Mean Girls

Today I was openly mocked about what I was wearing by two thirty-something moms at Target. They pointed and laughed. I thought I looked quite spiffy in my cashmere sweater, white starched shirt, Lilly patchwork pants and loafers. And, of course, pearls. It took all my willpower not to yell, "Nice yoga pants. How's that work out going with your Starbucks?!" I realize I stand out in this neck of the woods............. but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Christmas Season

Scooping out the army knives, lead soldiers and cap guns at an Gurnee Antique Center.

S and Great Aunt Dorothy reading Press Here by Herve Tullet.
This is my new favorite children's book.

My niece, N, wanted a purple robe for Christmas and Aunt Gwennie pulled through.
She loved it and wore it for hours. She even liked the monogram.

All the cousins.

J can't get enough Legos.

My mother just rolled over in her grave.
This is what he wanted Santa to bring him, I tried to talk him into the Packers,
but S insisted on the Cowboys.

S loves anything soft, and he got a sheep skin, and lots of stuffed animals.

J had a grand time opening her stocking...
but couldn't understand why we couldn't start painting right away!
(It makes my knees hurt just looking at her sitting like that!)

In front of the tree.Christmas morning, J and S, and the new HUGE stuffed dog.

We toured the Wisconsin Veterans Museum on the Capitol Square.
It was really interesting, the boys loved it.

Boys in front of the Capitol "Holiday" tree.

Editorial note: Come on, if it looks like a Christmas Tree, and smells like a Christmas Tree -
IT"S A CHRISTMAS TREE!
And don't get me started on the alternate Nativity scene.

" ...in a one horse open sleigh." We spent some time at the Mitchell Domes in Milwaukee.
S loves it here, so we try to take him every season.

We also took the boys to The Nutcracker Ballet at the Overture Center. There would be a picture of them, except an usher yelled at me from several rows away about how no pictures could be taken. I wasn't the only one who thought she was rude. People around us thought it was completely over the top. I was mortified and annoyed. The ballet had not started yet, and I was taking a photo of my kids. Geez. People were taking pictures of their groups all over the
theater, but I got busted.

Merry Christmas!

The inside of our Christmas card. Amy Hall Photography.
My favorite part is the horse racing, jockey Mike Smith and Zenyatta... S insisted on it making his list!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

This song was from my Mom's, and mine, favorite Christmas movie, Meet Me in Saint Louis. We always cried during the scene where Judy Garland sings to Margaret O'Brien. Those huge tears streaming down Margaret face, and ours. This Christmas will be bittersweet, the first without my Mother. But her ornaments are in my house and her recipes will be on my table.
I will be surrounded by family, and appreciate the love of my husband and children, and the health we are blessed with.
I ask everyone to take a family picture this Christmas. Don't put it off. No one will care about extra pounds, braces, hair, or stains. Do it know, you may not get another chance.
Merry Christmas, Gwennie

I'm dreaming of a ....

Rose Bowl win. S fell asleep with his Wisconsin Badgers helmet on. Go Badgers! Go Big Red!