Friday

Last night I had a very needed Girls Night Out. 6 of us had dinner and drinks. It really is amazing how much only 2 1/2 hours can do for your soul. I went to bed happy and relaxed.

My little girls got their hair cut and they look so adorable I am dying to take their picture. My camera has been at work for a week and I can't for the life of me remember to get it when I am there.

Today is so busy. It is my one day of the week that my husband gets up with the kids. Of course, they slept until 8. I know this shouldn't bother me, it does a little. I went back to sleep, although I have a lot of trouble getting back to sleep in the morning. I woke at 9:30 with a raging headache. It's bad, and my 2 year old has turned into a screecher, which is not good at all for headaches. Husband ran off to work the moment I opened my eyes. My brother in law is visiting tonight. I have to clean the house, do payroll for work, go to work, supposedly have a quick playdate at 1:30, music class at 4, a potluck from 5 to 6 and then work at 6. Wow, I'm tired just writing that. The kids are screaming and screeching and arguing over a little tiny container with marbles in it. I'm not sure how it's possible that my days when I "sleep in" and are supposedly to be less stressful tend to get more crazy.

There's a positive here. I made chocolate chip cookies last night and I am going to go have one right now. There's crying coming from the playroom, however I'm just picturing that cookie. (I can tell it's not I'm hurt crying, just I'm fighting with my sister crying).

Holiday Blues

I'm getting a little bummed about the holidays and how much money every costs. There are so many pretty things and so little money. I know I am not in a dire situation and we will have a fine holiday season. My kids have lots and don't need more stuff. But sometimes I get that picture in my head of the tree with present piled high and part of me wants to do that for my kids. And part of me knows it's ridiculous and they shouldn't be getting stuff just to get stuff. When I see pictures like this, I can't help it, I want it. I've always loved beautiful clothes and to see my girls on Christmas in matching dresses like this? I would die of the cuteness. I love them! Also, I look at the pricetag and how in the world did a catalog arrive in my mailbox where a dress, for a child, costs $198?!?! It is insane. so pretty, yet so insane. Somehow my brain equally believes both is true.

My children will not have matching beautiful dresses for the holidays. We don't need them. They have lots of clothes. The money. They will have christmas movies, christmas songs, ornaments, lights and a tree. This will have to be enough, even though Chasing Fireflies is trying to tell me that it isn't.

Details Details...

I thought I would give some more details on my small but motivated list.

I have always wanted to learn French, I always thought it was such a romantic language. When I lived in NYC I was supposed to take French lessons, and then it turned out it didn't start until the end of my pregnancy, so I just never did it.

To run in a marathon - I am not a runner, I have run, but am definitely not a runner. Currently I feel like I'm in the worst shape. My jeans are feeling a little snug and I just feel yuck. I seriously need to get off my ass and do something. How do people with young kids find the time? When my kids were babies I was fine, I would exercise with them, strap them on me and I would go. Right now I'm in a rut.

Oh, how I want to play the guitar. Have I mentioned this before? Because my four year old also wants to play the guitar. So, guess who is taking lessons? Yes, the 4 year old. My hope is she will teach me. (I do listen in on their lessons and go home and practice)

To move somewhere, San Francisco, Portland, or someplace abroad. - I have a lot of regret with this one. About a year after college Tim and I were going to move to Portland, Oregon. We did research, we looked for jobs, we looked for apartments. Then I spoke to my mother about it. Basically I feel like I was a big baby because I couldn't do it. My mother said, you can't go that far. And I actually listened. Who does that? I am a classic first born, I have (almost always) listened to my parents. I need to remind myself when my kids are that age that I should let them have experiences and not be afraid to lose them. Currently Samantha thinks I should go to college with her, so we might not have this issue. It's never too late, right? Maybe we could move somewhere when the kids are older, although that seems so far away...

to be crafty - working on it. Going decently well. Knitting is good, birthday party plans coming up next month, I plan to be quite crafty for her Fancy Nancy party I have in the works.

to foster a child. - Although I want to do this, I honestly have no idea if it will happen. Maybe later on in life when my kids are more grown. Right now my husband does not want more kids, while I do, but not for awhile yet. I'm still fairly confident I can convince him but alas, this is for another, more serious post, the whether or not to extend your family post.

Things I Want...

Here is a list of some things I always wanted to do. As I get older I'm trying to think about accomplishing some. Others I might never accomplish. I'll probably be adding to it also.

to learn to sew and make some clothes.

to be crafty and have lots of projects going on.

to learn French.

to complete a marathon.

to play the guitar.

to not worry so much (about money specifically).

to move somewhere, San Francisco, Portland, or someplace abroad.

to be more organized.

to foster a child.

Holidays

I’m a big fan of Christmas. Most specifically I’m a big fan of Christmas cards and Christmas trees. I guess I should be politically correct and say holiday cards. My usual MO is to pick out Christmas cards early. I scrutinize over what photos to pick. I’ve been known to stage elaborate photo shoots since my first child was barely 1 year old. Hundreds of photos to scour through. My husband is not a fan of this process. We probably argue over it yearly, the fact that he does not care what kind of Christmas card we send. How is that even possible? However, he swears that it is true. I can do whatever I want. One year I should test him and get a sample of some crazy Christmas card and see what he says.

I know what I want in a Christmas card. I want my kids to look adorable (obviously). I prefer the cards with 3 pictures. One of each of my children and one of them together. This year, I might branch out and get one in there of all 4 of us, if I can get the hubby to agree. We do not have many pictures of all 4 of us, he works way too much for that. It’s likely to get this I would have to have him in his chef coat at work, with the rest of us smiling festivally around him. I have also been known to order Christmas cards and have half of them sit on my desk never sent. I’m sorry if you were meant to get one last year and didn’t.

Two years ago we used Shutterfly. I loved that picture. I can’t for the life of me remember what last years card was. We had just opened a restaurant and I don’t even know if I did one. Anyway, my

My favorite part about shutterfly is that you can adjust the pictures so much to see exactly what you’re getting. I love popping tons of pics into those little boxes to see what they will look like. I also like that you can check several items off your gift giving list. Grandparents love calendars and mugs with pics of the kids. It is so easy and they are so happy. Every year we give each set of grandparents a calendar.

For holiday cards this year, I like the simplicity of this one.

and the amount of pictures you can get with this one.

But I think my favorite is this beauty right here. I like the amount of pictures, the monogram and I love the saying. "And I Think To Myself what a wonderful World". If you can't feel that way during the holidays then when can you?

Shutterfly is offering bloggers 50 free holiday cards. Learn more about it here.

Shutterfly will be providing me with 50 free cards for writing this post, but the thoughts are all my own. Well, I’m off to go get some good pictures of the kids for my cards!

Oh, and by the way, has any seen CVS, they have a full Christmas decorations out since the day after Halloween, that's just not right. Now my daughter is yelling about how she wants Barbie ornaments every time we go in there. Frustrating....

What I Wore

I need to try harder with my pics. This weekend I will try to get a good one of what I wear to work. This week I wore, my favorite flannel shirt. I love this shirt, it's my go to, wear twice a week shirt. I can't remember where it's from, but I wore it with a alternative black t and hudson jeans and frye boots.

The other pic is a tracey reese frock dress, bamboo black tights and Seychelle shoes. (Need a better pic of this outfit bc it was a good one, I had on a fitted camel J Crew blazer with it when I was outdoors). Samantha, the cuter one in the pic is wearing gap kids and her brand new haircut. American Girl doll on floor, we are unsure what she's wearing, vintage we think.

Don't Stand So Close To Me

My children love me. That is known. Especially the little one. She must be touching me almost all the time. Just this morning, in my bed, she had to have one little arm above me and another below me. Like if I was 10 times smaller she would be holding me like a baby. It was not comfortable. It was my one morning to sleep in and she had to be in bed with me, holding me. Lately at times it gets to me. I try not to let it. Sometimes I feel like screaming , stop touching me'. I know, it's terrible to think that. And I don't scream it. Sometimes it gets to be so much. I'm cooking dinner and she's on my legs, begging me to pick her up. How do I get her to be a little more independent, or at least a little less touchy feely?

For today, I will focus on the times when I pick her up after not being with her and she has a huge smile on her face, and yells mommy, while running to get to me as fast as possible. She then throws herself around me, even if we were only separated for one hour. She loves me, and I love her too, more than I can imagine.