Resolutions and Take Aways

Before the month of January closes out, I suppose I should comment on resolutions and lessons learned from the previous year.

My resolution is simple and the same as a billion other peoples': lose weight and/or not gain any more weight. When Anders was still on the boob and allergic to all the dairy and chocolate I ate (therefore removal from my diet), I was literally trying on size 0 and size 2 pants. Size 0, people. Zero!!! But given he stopped breastfeeding last year, it opened my world again to cheese and chocolate and increased beer consumption. And you know what comes with cheese and chocolate and beer? Not size 0 pants. Just a whole bunch of extra tummy love. You know what else it brings? Joy. Sheer joy.

As well, my resolution from last year stands to be more patient with the boys and cut back on the yelling. Choosing joy, blah, blah, blah. I guess I'm a work in progress on this one. How's the saying go? I, myself, am made entirely of flaws, stitched together with good intentions. Yes, that's the one.

As far as my take aways from 2013:

- Pick my battles with the kids' tantrums. I'm learning when to let them scream for 10 minutes on the floor vs trying to placate them. I'm not a master by any means, but I've been saving myself some grief lately.

- If you install a "no slam" toilet seat in one bathroom of the house, you may as well on the other toilets, as well. Otherwise you will hear a whole lot of errant slamming seats after getting used to the one that doesn't slam.

- Pay attention to the change in speed zones at the end of the year when there are quotas to meet.

- Being more positive for Erik when he arrives home from work (trying not to complain about the kids, etc) has overall been a better adjustment for us both. Am I holding in some choice words at times? Yes. Do I still feel the need to voice them the next day? No.

- I continue to feel absolutely blessed with my life. I know I joke about stuff all the time and can be self deprecating within my writings, but I honestly feel like a lucky soul and if I can mark that as a take away for every year moving forward, things will be just fine.

Quotes

[Scene: Watching random Sesame Street clips with the boys after dinner.]

Landon: Mommy, look! It's your twin!

Me: You know what, bud? I'll take that as a compliment. Thank you.

Landon: Yeah, but you need some sunglass chickens, too.

My Mom Dressed Me

...in a onesie two sizes too small. I'll have to use this here reciprocating saw to cut my way out of this thing.

Proving that diapers can, indeed, create a baby muffin top.

Artiste

I've been receiving great joy lately in watching Landon draw more and more. It was just one of those things where he randomly started to draw out familiar characters and objects one day. His teachers said he spans out over three easels at once, standing wide and claiming his territory, drawing on each paper in quick succession.

His favorite medium, though, is that of the Magna-Doodle variety... it lends itself to a quick "erase" when his masterpiece is compromised with an errant stroke. He actually has drawn some great stuff but - like any great dramatic artist - he destroys it right away and I have been unable to capture it for our electronic gallery. Oh well, at least we are saving a shit ton of paper.

Self portrait of him wearing his snowman shirt.

Meow.

At first glance, a bunch of amorphous blobs. Upon explanation, I learned it was mommy and daddy walking Landon and Anders in the double stroller (I suppose the artsy fartsy title could be Four Faces and Two Wheels).

"I draw kitty cat piano!"

Okay, so Mom drew this one based on input. "I use my piggy popper toy to hit Anders. And my doggy and blankie are there, too."

"Look, Landon and Anders." That's so sweet, honey! Are you hugging Anders? "Uuuh, okay." (I suspect he may have been hitting him in the picture, but let's just say it's a nice big "brothers gotta hug!" kinda moment.)

Ferry Ride

It was nice to get out this afternoon and take the boys on the short ferry ride over to Guemes Island with some friends. You can park right next to it, children ride free, adults are $2.50 round trip and the journey is 5 minutes long. The destination includes a beach, a patch of grass to run on and a country store with beer and ice cream. Why we don't do this every other day is beyond me. 

Enjoying the ride.

Looking for shells, rocks and jellyfish.

The A-Man just off in his own little bubble throwing rocks and staying carefully away from the water line.

Still searching for that perfect rock.

I was hoping all that running would burn off energy. Silly, mom.

Joe Cool.

Wishing Daddy was with us!

Erik has been gone a few weeks now and although I have tried to do some fun stuff with the boys, I have to admit it would just be a crap ton easier for him to be here for the mini adventures (and of course creating memories with the boys, yada, yada, yada). I would have just loved to sit down and enjoy a beer and listen to the guitarist at the general store, but the kids were hyped up, feet were wet and sandy and the boys apparently had made a tacit agreement to head in opposite directions with every maneuver. Alas, we took the first available ferry ride back to Anacortes and they were happy campers nonetheless when a big ol' smelly dog named Corbin climbed onto the ferry with us. I suppose life is pretty simple when you don't let your mind muddy it on up.

Evening Dance Party

I know what you are thinking: Yes, they get their awesome dance moves from my side of the family.



We have so much fun with the YouTube channel "Pancake Manor" - we love Zach and Reggie!!!

Nightly Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for curry. I could eat it for every meal. Love, Anders. Amen.

Quotes

[Scene: The boys and I are quietly eating breakfast and Landon stops eating and looks at me.]

Landon: Hey. Hey Mommy.

Me: Hey, Bud. What's up?

Landon: You don't have a wiener. 

Me: You're right.

Aaaand he goes back to eating. End scene.

Quotes

[Scene: Landon pulls a tape measure from his toy tool box and proceeds to stretch it across my backside.]

Landon: I measure your buns!

Mom: How big is it? What numbers do you see?

Landon: Uhh, I dunno. It's big.

Merry Christmas 2013

We stayed put this year for Christmas and it was such a great little week with my little family. The boys are at the stage where they would open a present and then actually play with it for a while (versus the "What's next?" and "How many of these gifts are mine?" phase I think will inevitably come down the road). At one point Erik and I looked at each other and were like, "Well I guess we'll make breakfast then?" while the boys were quietly playing (read: not stabbing each other with the new toys) for 20 minutes.

Although a Skype Christmas is not an ideal way to spend time with family, it actually didn't go too terribly and we felt included and part of the action. I even showered and dressed for the occassion!

Santa brought me a new wide angle lens and some new camera accessories that I will soon play with and Erik's big gift was a GoPro camera to use in the jet. Although we really want to mount it onto Landon's bike to see with the world looks like when riding 1.5 mph from a 3.5 ft height vantage point.

Merry Christmas, ya'll. Hope it was filled with warm huggies and good food! The rest is just a bonus :o)

Anders observing the Santa and Reindeer leftovers.

Not a noteworthy photo, but I love Anders' face in this one. "A doyyy!"

Opening their musical cards from Grandpa Jim.

Playing with the new pirate ship.

Elf butt staring at the tree.

This is the first year with our Elf on a Shelf and Landon was hooked. He needed an elf hat of his own!

Baking the annual whiskey cakes to send out to neighbors and friends.

Dinner over at our friend's house to round out the day.

Mom escapes for the morning after Christmas to look for deals. My day started like this and it was a perfect personal morning.

Landon's first self portrait occurred this season. "I wearing a snowman shirt!"