Sleepwalking

My cousin just published a post on her blog about her upcoming wedding and the distress they are feeling about finding "their song," wanting the perfect song that speaks volumes about them, where they are going, and how they will remember the day years from now. Being a lover of all types of music (and remembering how difficult this task was for me & Todd), I offered to pass on copies of prospective songs we downloaded for our own wedding to help them along. Of course, the closet romantic in me forced my more practical self to set aside household duties and sit around listening to our wedding playlist with fond memories for the better part of the morning.
So, now I sit (wasting nap time) listening to the soundtrack from my perfect day and still loving our timeless choices. Daydreaming about how I could sleep walk with Todd every day and never get sick of it, how my dad (a great dancer) nervously tripped over my feet during our father & daughter moment, the way our wedding party strutted into the reception to green onions, and sharing the dance floor with all of our friends during the only DMB song we like. All the while, wishing that my cousin finds music that makes her wedding just as incredible as ours was.

Year in Review #4

GINGERBREAD WARS - Episode 3

They're finished!!

Here are the two entries...

House A

House B

Please vote for your favorite house in the poll to the right.
And don't worry, both kids will get something for their efforts.
We're not that cruel.

Blue Christmas

FYI Parents:
...delicate subject matter...
.if your kids read too, you may want to screen this first.

Starting immediately this holiday season, Nate has been overly sneaky. Peering over shoulders, snooping in closets, even reading grocery lists for Christmas clues. He is 11 and though we have done everything in our power to keep the magic alive for him, this year we caved under the pressure of the increasingly difficult facade. Last night, we officially told him there is no Santa.
For a few years he's asked and we just went with the old "believe to receive" standby, but this time was different. We were worried he is too old and smart to keep it going, and because of this, his little sibs may not have the same lengthy experience as him. So, Todd was sent to do the dirty work.
I can't say that we were surprised to hear him say he pretty much knew for the last couple of years. Store tags, receipts, and a couple of botched gifts led to suspicion, but our overly protective stance toward the gifts & lists sealed the deal. He was not upset (though Todd did tease him a bit about crying and offered to wait until a better time to break the news about the Easter Bunny...Nate's got a cold & his sniffles were enough to trigger some joking). In fact he is eager to help with the grown up aspects of creating Christmas cheer, relishing in the ability to hang out late with us and surprise the little kiddos in the morning. Either way, when the time comes and his eyes are not full of the same holiday magic they were last year I will feel sad knowing our little guy is one step closer to being a man.

GINGERBREAD WARS - Episode 2

The dough has been baked, cooled and cut.
The homes are constructed and just waiting for decorations!

GINGERBREAD WARS - Episode 1

Every Christmas I make gingerbread cookies. This year, because I am not passing out bags of goodies, the kids and I planned to make a gingerbread house. Then we thought it would be cool if both boys made their own. Of course, the kids can't express their creativity without a competition, so we have decided to let them duke it out (for a small prize) via the blog. Here's how it will work...
Each kid gets the same house pieces, frosting, supply of candy, and parental help with structure. They get to decorate as they choose and the finished houses will be displayed (anonymously) here for you guys to vote on.
I'll post photos during the process, starting with this one of Rex mixing the dough!

Year in Review #3