Kinda, Sorta, Not Really

With the storms we have been having lately, and hearing about the conditions in Haiti, Jeff and I have started thinking about how prepared are we really for an emergency.

Then, the power was out for more than half the day yesterday.....

The house started to get a little chilly and dark....

The "extra" batteries I have on hand for the flashlights, were long gone, being used for something else....

I started to wonder what we were going to eat for dinner....

My little world slowed waaaaaay down. The laundry cycle was half done, and the clothes were soaking in dirty water. Bummer. I couldn't get on my laptop as my battery was half way gone, and I wanted to save it for essentials, if needed. Bummer. I couldn't turn on a movie to entertain Bells and myself during the down time. Bummer.

So, we sat down and went through an Emergency Essential catalog that came in the mail the week before, and made a wish list of things we needed and wanted in an emergency, while it was still fresh in our minds. I'm actually glad the power was out, as it made me realize I'm kinda, sorta, not really ready for an emergency, and there is much more I can and need to do to prepare.

Skeptical

This past Christmas, Hayden was very skeptical about Santa Claus, which surprised both Jeff and me. What 5 year old starts to question the magic of Christmas? All month long, we would randomly get questions about the logistics of a man fitting in a chimney and how reindoor could actually fly. We figure that by next Christmas he will have figured it out, which truthfully, makes me a little sad.

Hayden surprised me again yesterday when he mentioned he had his first loose tooth. We talked about how cool it was and that I needed to make him a special tooth pillow to put his tooth in for the tooth fairy.

That started a mountain of questions about the logistics of the tooth fairy. "how does she know where my tooth is" "where would she put the money" " how are there such things as fairies" "how does she fly" " is she really real".

I wasn't ready to come out with it and say "actually, it's just something grown-ups do to make you feel special when you loose your teeth", so I quickly said, "I'm not really sure how it all works, but I think it's pretty cool", hoping it would end his questions.

That pretty much ended the conversation, except as he was walking away he added, " But really, I don't really believe reindeer can fly, I mean, how could they mom? Right?"

I was stumped. Do I come out with the truth? Cross my fingers and wink my eyes and babble about magic reindeer dust? At this rate, I should start anticipating questions about the birds and the bees, which would be much harder for me to explain. I don't think my response, "I'm not really sure how it all works, but I think it's pretty cool" would work or be very effective. So for now, I should be grateful we are only talking about the tooth fairy and flying reindeer.

White Christmas

We are back from a wonderful trip to Utah to be with Jeff's family for the holidays. We enjoyed good food and great company. But the highlight of the trip according to the little people, was sledding. We went twice and had a blast, and can't wait to go again sometime soon.

2nd Grade Performance

We went to Callie's Christmas performance last night for school. It was so much fun. It was hard not to have the Christmas spirit after listening to 2nd & 3rd graders act & sing their little hearts out to Christmas songs.

When we got there, I couldn't figure out why Callie's teachers was putting a hankerchief on her head. Come to find out she had an extra little part in the program that she didn't tell me anything about! She is soooooo not like her parents at that age, who would've dreaded the entire thing because of stage fright.

We went out to eat with my parents and sister and family before the performance, and Callie reminded us we better not get to "chit chatting" and be late for the performance! She was an eager beaver to get on that stage.

It was such a fun night.... until Santa started throwing candy into this mob and Callie got trampled on and ended up in tears. Bad Santa!

Polar Express Party

When our children are all grown up, I want them to remember fun traditions and exciting times from their childhood. We started the tradition of A Polar Express Party. C & H could invite a few of their friends over for a night of popcorn, cookies, & hot cocoa while we watch Polar Express. We gave our invitations which included a ticket they needed to bring to the party.

The Invitations

The Treats

The Movie Watchers

During the movie, there was a knock at the door. We were surprised to find bells for everyone, with a tag that said "Believe". They were also very cold, like they had just come from the North Pole ( or freezer :).

This was a very fun party to have. Callie & Hayden made the cookies & popcorn themselves, which added to the excitment. This will be one of our Christmas traditions.

Global Warming Schwarming

We woke up this morning to a light covering of snow all over the ground. This is BIG news here in CA. I can remember as a little girl when it snowed once, and how exciting it was!

(Alaska people don't laugh at what we call "snow")

We were even able to make a snowman - California Style :)

32

32 things about me:

1. I love chocolate

2. I have never had a speeding ticket

3. I have no portion control when it comes to desserts and other tasty things

4. I have never had a pedicure (not sure I want one)

5. I am half British
6. I love raspberries & all other berries
7. I hate condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, etc)
8. I have met a President of the United States ( Clinton…. It would be way cooler if it was someone else)
9. I will never get a professional massage
10. I have run a half marathon
11. I have had the mumps
12. I can’t go to bed if I don’t floss my teeth
13. I love to make quilts
14. I HATE crickets – so black and shiny and jumpy
15. I can’t sleep if I’m home alone
16. My hands & feet sweat when I’m nervous or anxious ( so obnoxious)
17. I crack my knuckles & almost every other joint in my body
18. I get discouraged very easily.
19. I love to make lists and cross things off as I accomplish
20. I never iron my clothes (unless they’re really bad)
21. I wear flip flops year round
22. I can’t do pull-ups, but wish I could
23. I love to snuggle
24. I hate being cold
25. I can’t stand wearing lipstick
26. I am very tenderhearted
27. I love the beach, it's my favorite place to go.
28. I was once a travel agent
29. I love bargain shopping

30. I have always wanted an Easy Bake Oven (now that I have a real oven it has slightly lost it's appeal)

31. I love to laugh

32. My family is the most important thing to me.