Aaaahhh...weekends...

Mad Skills

This past week, I have become very aware of some talents my children posses.

First of all, Hayley can give the meanest glare when she's not pleased with something. You should see Jared when she busts out the ole "stink eye", he's practically on his knees begging for her forgiveness. I don't know if these pictures even really capture the entire essence of anger that accompany this face, but it gives you an idea.

Second, we love to blast the music and make our kids dance with us. They are willing participants most of the time. Last week, Carter made up his own new dance move and even thought of a name for it: The Grandfather Clock.

I have never been more proud.

Monkey Madness

You know those coupons on the back of cereal boxes for $10 off any Hasbro game? I used one to buy a game recently called Monkey Madness. It looked just okay, but hey it was free. My kids found it yesterday morning and begged me to let them play it. They loved it, and played it all morning long. Some friends came over, and they loved it too. Carter didn't even want to go to school, he was having so much fun. The compromise was he could play it again as soon as he got home. I took some cute pictures, they were all having so much fun together.

I like how Lucy's looking at Carter in this picture. Clearly, she's in love. And Hayley's glaring about something.

The verdict? Best $10 I never spent.

These two...

I know I've said it before, but my children get along really well. Like, ridiculously well. I love it. They have an awesome relationship and we are constantly amazed at how devoted they are to each other.

For instance, I have always taken them to lots of Playgroups/RhymeTime/Kids Programs. At these, there are a zillion other kids they could play with (including their friends!), but instead they are off by themselves, just the two of them, playing some involved game that only they understand. No fail, every time.

Recently, we had some friends over for a play date and the other mom and I heard a commotion starting in the toy room downstairs. As I walk in to break it up I see Hayley crying on the floor, and Carter standing over top of the other boy yelling, "Don't you ever hurt my sister again!", totally defending her honor. I had a hard time restoring order, when I was on his side with that one.

Also, for some reason my poor little 5-year-old is obsessed with who he should marry (to the point where he agonizes over it, despite my advice not even think about it for another, oh... 20 YEARS at least!). When he first started talking about getting married, he was convinced he should marry Hayley and was absolutely devastated when I told him you can't marry family members. He said, "...But I just don't love anyone as much as her!". I thought that was just so sweet.

Just a few things that I don't want to ever forget about them: They have inside jokes/songs/sayings that no one else can understand. They help each other with everything - making snacks, getting coats on, cleaning up, bedtime - everything! They love to watch movies and they each pick a character to quote every line along with. They play Puppy&Kitty, or Diego&Dora or Lightening&Sally - games with a boy and a girl. Carter gets Hayley out of bed in the morning and they always hug first. If anyone offers them anything (balloon, stickers, treat), they always make sure they get an extra to take to the other sibling.

They love each other so much, and we really love these two sweeties.

Dog Sled Races

This weekend was the 14th Wilderness Classic Sled Dog Derby here. We had alot of fun watching again this year. It was a gorgeous day, and lots to do.

Waiting for the sleds to come in...



These dogs are all so amazing. They are beautiful, and bred for exactly these races. They are so hyper before they start the race, jumping all over each other and barking like crazy. Then the race starts and they are all business, heads down and running as fast as they can. My friend Sherri took these last 2 pictures of all the dogs (Thanks Sherri!).

An Overview

Seeing the Jarmans one last time before they move to the Phillipines? AWESOME.


Attending Christmas parties? AWESOME.



Ugly Sweater Party? AWESOME.


Chritmas Eve (with a visit from Santa on the Fire Truck)? AWESOME.


Christmas Day? AWESOME.



Boxing Week in Sherwood Park with the Fam? AWESOME.



Spending New Years Eve at the ER with a broken wrist? NOT so awesome.

(*Warning, these next pics are NOT for the faint. So don't scroll down if broken bones make you queasy. Like Jared*)


Overall, still a great holiday season though! Hope you all had a good one too!

7 Years and Definitely Not Itchy.

TRUE LOVE is when your husband willingly participates in your previously choreographed dance to a Miley Cyrus song. At his work Christmas Party.



Oh yeah, can we rock it or can we rock it?

Happy 7th Anniversary honey. You rock.

Bear-y Christmas

My sweet little boy had his first Christmas Concert at school. The theme was "Teddy Bear Christmas" and they all looked pretty cute with their bear ears. I was one of the Helper Mom's for the concert and, man am I glad I'm not the teacher. Especially at this time of year. Lemme tell ya, there's a special place in heaven for Kindergarten teachers - a white room with padded walls! Haha...

Anyways, back to the point, my little guy practiced his songs all week at home and sang loud and did so good. I just have to say, he's such a good boy. Not just for the Concert, but always... we are lucky to have him.




And my girl. Oh my sweet and feisty little 3-year-old. Good Ole Swanee (my Grandma who's name isn't really Swanee) got her this cute little dress and I just wanted ONE nice picture of Hayley wearing it to send to my grandma. And did I get one? Well, yes I eventually got one, but it took about 20 tries before...

"ok, Hayley smile for the camera..."

"honey, please smile just really quickly..."

"That's it. If you don't smile, you'll go to bed with a spanking."

Oh the joys of raising a spirited child! But we love her, and probably wouldn't want it any other way.

Better late than never

*Wow. I must be really desperate for something to post when I willingly start posting pictures of myself on here...*

A few weeks ago, some friends and I went on a girl's shopping weekend away, while the Dads stayed home with the kids. We shopped till we dropped, and in the process got a little silly with the clothes and camera.

Things started off fairly normal (except that we requested this picture be taken of us by a 14-year-old in the mall bathroom):

And then things went south once we found these beauties:


Modeling the belts. Apparently the 80's are back.

This is my favorite picture. It's supposed to be of just "Captain Silver" there, but my reflection in the mirror is classic.

Yep. The 80's are definitely not dead. Lovin' the bright skinny jeans...
Do people actually buy this stuff? And wear it? In public???

So there you have it; a bunch of moms in their late-twenties/early-thirties, acting like teenagers in a mall. Laugh all you want, but deep down, I know you wish you were there.

Is there a doctor in the house?

Me (to the kids): "I think I might be getting sick. My throat is sore."

The Boy (genuinely): "I have an idea! Maybe you should stop talking so much and then your throat wouldn't hurt!"

Christmas Party

We attended the Kids Christmas Party for Jared's work. Every year, that company goes all out for their employees and their families. We had supper, watched a magician, and Santa came with presents! The kids loved it.

The next picture is of the kids waiting for their turn to see Santa. And boy, did we wait! The company has a thousand employees... they called up families in alphabetical order. Stinkin' "Whidden"! Changing our last name to "Aardvark" was looking pretty good right about then!

Finally!

Today I am...

... relaxing, after a busy day hosting a luncheon for 8 people.

... looking forward to my "Mommy Retreat" shopping trip tomorrow!

... officially a hockey mom.

... taking pictures of Hayley whenever she has a tantrum. It makes her stop because she doesn't know what the heck I am doing.

... thinking (despite the occasional tantrums) that I have pretty awesome kids. I was commenting to my sister today on the phone that I am finally able to pull my head out of that "deep dark fog", otherwise known as "having babies", and enjoy some me time. They are at such an easy age, and entertain each other for hours on end. Life is good with these two sweethearts:

... desperately needing to catch up on laundry.

... missing my sweet momma, who has a hilarious blog and posted this for me on my birthday.

... embracing this whole "late-twenties" thing.

... bragging to anyone who will listen about how I went to Kalispell last weekend, finished all my Christmas shopping, and came home and wrapped all those presents! Oh yeah! Can I get a Whoop Whoop?!?

watersliding in Kalispell with the kids

... wondering why my 5-year-old is so obsessed with hunting, when we've never even participated in said activity. Like, ever.

... so happy Mr. Handsomepants is finally home. He has been on work trips and in Arbitration so much, we have hardly seen him lately. It's all done now so we can have him back again.

... wondering if it's too early to put the kids on skis this winter.

... regretting even bothering with my Kindergartner's Picture Retakes at school, when the second round was worse than the first. It's comical actually.

... having a playdate.

... having Shanna's Torillas for supper. It's the best, and a secret family recipe so don't even ask (I am totally kidding, but that sounded mysterious, didn't it?).

... singing Miley's "Party in the USA" over and over again. Don't laugh. That song is way too catchy.

... finally getting used to my lighter hair color.

... excited about my new Christmas dress that just came in the mail. Online shopping just might win me over yet.

... sad to see some friends move away.

... doing P90X - Yoga today. Yikes.


What are YOU today?