Unattainable

So I go to this moms group every other Monday. MOPS. At church. I always find it very inspiring and enjoy going. Not just for the brunch, but the speakers are awesome! But I finally realized, these women who speak are not human. Their lives are unattainable for the normal folks like me. Or maybe it's just that each one of these speakers does ONE thing. And I'm trying to do the things they ALL do. I've bought several books, and I've been trying to incorporate bits and pieces from each speaker. And today I realized it's just Unattainable.

I thought I would try a new "fun" literacy game at the grocery store today. The woman swore by it, has all these other fun ideas, and I'm sure her children are merit scholars today because of her supreme mothering skills. I gathered the necessary materials, painstakingly cut out pictures of food items, wrote cute riddles, and spelled out words with blanks. Baby was interested in the first card. And after that we had about one of the worst behavior marathons we've ever had at the store (at least in quite some time). The trip ended with me whispering in her ear (you are getting a spanking when we get into the car).

I give up! At least for today.

Oh, and the literacy speaker was from months ago. I just finally got around to making those stinking cards. Which I thought would be fun for her since she LOVES cards and is currently taking an interest in letters. Today's speaker is even MORE over my head! Getting your 3 year old to memorize and quote scripture. Yes, it is on my to do list (I bought the book), but I've realized I gotta do a little bit more in the memorization category myself! Maybe Baby and I can learn something together.

Hubby is outta state for work (for what seems like the 3rd Monday in a row). It's shocking how easy it is to slip back into survival mode. Ah, but now I have the TV to myself and a bowl of ice cream waiting!

5 AM concert

So Baby has always been a little funny about sleep.  She's slept through the night fairly well since she was 10 weeks old, but she has always been an early riser.  And guess what, Momma is NOT.  So that kinda makes for a grumpy Momma most of the time.  Anyway.  Last night the "morning" started at 4:51 with joyful coos.  Which quickly turned into singing.  Baby is not the kinda child who can be told, "It's night, go back to sleep" so I was on edge thinking the worst.  After a moment I was able to make out the song...Jinggle Bells.  Complete with the "dashing through the snow" part.  It made me chuckle and for a moment it was cute until I rememered she doesn't go back to sleep.  Ah, but it must have been my lucky day (night?).  She DID actually sing herself back to sleep.  I on the other hand, was basically up.  So it goes.  I'm pretty sure she's going to be a recording artist!

Crazy Town

With a title like that you're probably expecting a fabulously fun story.  I don't have one.  But I do feel like I live in Crazy Town.  Mostly just in my head.  Although I nearly always have a blog title or subject running through my head, I can't seem to think of anything fun to write about.

Yesterday I picked up a Bible study I got right after Baby was born.  A devotional for new mothers.  It's going to be a great re-read.  How is it so easy to forget what we learn?!  I read the opening words and was instantly calmed.  Isaiah 40:11.  He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.  Man, do I ever need to be reminded of that.  On occasion I get a bit overwhelmed thinking about raising two children, but wouldn't you agree that God is looking out for me?!

Now on to a fun video we just recorded.

Our Christmas

I'm posting about Christmas, mostly because I said I would, not because I have anything that interesting to say. But we did have a good time. Big Brother came for a visit, and he got to celebrate our Christmas with us (23rd/24th) before we celebrated "real" Christmas with the in-laws.

We are trying to start some family traditions of our own, and my guess is that we'll probably have to try a few to see what sticks, but here is what we did this year. On "Christmas Eve" we went out for Mexican food (yeah, yeah, how it changes with the generations. My mom always made her OWN Mexican food dinner) and then went driving around the fancy part of town looking at lights. Then it was off to an early bed for Baby while we got to play Santa Clause, sorta for the first time! She hasn't really been old enough before now to really "get" Christmas, so we've not really done much in the way of Santa. Oh, boy, but does she get Santa now.

For weeks she had been saying she wanted candy and toys from Santa. I kept racking my brain on what to get her, when Hubby finally convinced me that she wanted CANDY, and that's what she should get. Keep it simple while we can, huh? So, we piled candy in a chair along with a few minor things (sunglasses and a Hello Kitty watch she LOVES), put together a bookshelf (looks like a dollhouse) and covered it with a sheet. That's what Santa did at my house when I was a kid. Kinda like the idea of not wrapping. Anyway. I made a fun Christmas-y breakfast and we had Santa and presents! It was fun. First time I've done that at my own home. Next year we'll plan to do it on actual Christmas day.

Big Brother left, and we headed out to see family. While we were on the way, the rain turned into snow, as most folks around here know. We were headed north, so it got thicker and thicker. When we finally got there, it was a full blown snow storm! Who would have thought?! It was so fun to be with family in a cozy home while the snow just piled higher. Baby got out in it a little (see previous post), but I wasn't really prepared (attire wise) for outdoor snow play. We made do. A white Christmas, what fun.

Now it's on to a new year. I wasn't expecting our NYE celebration to be too exciting, but it turned out to be even less exciting than I had anticipated. Baby and I both came down with a stomach virus, so it was rice for dinner for me. Blah. I snoozed on the couch until I woke up to see the ball drop. Happy New Year. Hope this isn't forecasting anything! Na, I'm not really that superstitious. I'm looking forward to a lot of big changes this year!