{Passing Time}

It may not be the most beautiful Gingerbread House you've ever seen, but it sure helped us pass the time away during the "big" snow on 12/20! We were going to forgo this "art" project this year, but when the snow didn't let up, I thought helping Maisey make another one of these might not be so bad!

This year Maisey did all of the decorating herself-except the frosting!

{One Week}

Today's weather makes it 1 whole week off of school, and 1 whole week to make-up! I had no idea snow days had to be made up but apparently this missed week will be tacked on to the end of the year! Hopefully not interfering with travel plans...

We have enjoyed the days off, trapped inside half the time. We played many games, one new game in particular called Ned's Head. The game is for the senses and the object is to feel around inside Ned's head through his nostrils or ear and pull out disgusting things that are on your game card like Ned's lunch (vomit), a dirty diaper, a dirty q-tip w/wax, etc,... Maisey loves it and she deserved it since she has been sleeping in her bed a whole week now!

Her daddy was willing as usual to help her get through this stage so he camped out on an air mattress for 3 nights... I think he liked being out of our room because he wasn't disturbed by Ryley's waking schedule. After a couple nights she said she could do it on her own and she has. Unfortunately, she still wakes and comes into our room at least once a night and we have to tuck her back in, but again, it's progress!

{One Thing}

Do you remember the corner Maisey "backed me into" when she only asked Santa for one thing last year? Before hand I pleaded with her to ask for a couple things so Santa would have wiggle room... Well, this year, again, she only asked for one thing. Luckily, Oma and Opa bought her that gift and so she will be pleasantly surprised when she opens it after Christmas. She did remind me however, as she cupped her mouth immediately following her visit, "Remember I still have that list though" with a big smile on her face! She said she didn't have time to tell him anything else (there were only 2 people in line including us), but I think she is just so delighted to be in his presence, she forgets about her requests (I don't have any complaints about that).

Ryley wasn't digging Santa, but the picture was worth it!

{Tradition}

A couple holidays a year (Valentines Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas) I make sugar cookies for us (and friends) to decorate. It all started with Christmas cookies a couple years back when we lived 3 hours away from my family. My Grandma has hosted a cookie decorating "party" every year of my life (with all of her 9 grandchildren) for as long as I can remember- it's tradition. Now, as much as I hate making the cookies, I like the fun of watching the kids decorate them with ample amounts of frosting and sprinkles. This year Maisey spent a good hour plus on hers... She is pretty meticulous with her creations.

83 regular size sugar cookie and I don't remember how many mini cookies Maisey made!

We missed our little sick friends that couldn't make it and we will catch them another time... Tis the season!

Metal cookie cutters are also great for cutting out sandwiches, other food, and play dough!

We love this season!

{Blogger Blogger What Do You See...}

I see Rachel's 200th post looking at me! According to my computer, this is my 2ooth post (I'm not sure if that counts the 5 or so I've deleted) and it would have fallen on my 1 year blogging anniversary (Saturday), but the time slipped away from me. Since Christmas break started on Friday (for me that is) we've been busy with some seasonal Christmas activities such as:

-A babysitting swap so our friends could go to the temple.

-Had pizza for dinner. Pizza is every one's favorite food in the Guenther house (and I can cook)! Growing up we had pizza every Friday and we (along with many other friends who do the same) have tried to keep this tradition (unless we can't wait until Friday and we get "off" schedule).

-Baked and baked all the way till Sunday. We made Peppermint tarts, 59 Peanut Butter Blossoms, and 59 Orange Drop Cookies (Chad's late Grandma's recipe).

-Strung popcorn garland for the first time.

-Went to a wonderful Christmas pageant put on by our ward. Maisey ( a real stage lover) was bummed she wasn't in it since her friend Sage was, but I told her maybe next time. I guess the might be the "Thespian" of the family!

-Contracted another nasty cold therefore only Maisey and Chad played in the snow. I love to look at the snow, but as for playing in it, I am just fine with watching anyway.

-Built a fort and played in it for way too long.

-Had friends for dinner.

-Enjoyed the slow pace!

Thanks to all my viewers who make it fun!

{I wonder...}

I wonder if my children will ever sleep through the night? I have reason to be slightly impatient on this one (at least with Maisey) because she wakes up several times a night before rising at 5 am! Ryley, well, he still eats 3 x's a night and since he is mostly just bottle feeding now, we have to get up and make 3 bottles. I am a night owl (it's a good things since I have school work) and so I go to bed around 1am. Let me do the math, Ryley usually wakes up at least 3 times before 5am and two of those times (2 and 5am) are for food. "Come what may and love it" you say? I know they will only be little so long and someday I will wish I had babies again, so I will make the best of this time. But for now, I will still wonder when and if the day will come that I can get a full nights sleep!

Maisey does 360's half the night before coming in and crashing on our floor- a bad habit we are trying to break over my Christmas vacation!

*The kids do go to bed by 7pm and I've tried putting them to bed later so they would wake later but they are like little alarm clocks.

{Where's the Merry?}

A couple of nights ago we went in search of festive home lights and lawn decor for this special season... However, we struck out (as we did last year)! I guess we will have to wait until we get to Eugene since they have the best neighborhoods for lights I've ever seen!

{$20.00}

Upon finishing my last fall final on Thursday I made out a check to my school... Let me just say it was the best check I've ever written (thus far anyway). Twenty dollars is what it costs to file your graduation petition at PSU and mine has now been submitted!

{No Sew}

You too can make this easy no sew tutu! Of course this is another homemade Christmas gift. They are so cheap on the wallet, which makes it more than practical during these rough times! I used about 7 yards of fabric ($1.49 a yard), but I had 50% off Joanne's coupons from my e-mail. If you want it really full, use at least 5 yards for your ballerina! I use to sew these things and it was not fun... So much bunching and so much work! Mix it up for the holidays (my favorite was for a 4th of July parade once, in red, white, and navy) and get ready for birthday parties to come! Just be sure you have chatty company or a good flick!

{Zoolights 2008}

Last night for FHE we went to Oregon Zoo with four other families. The temperature outside was perfect. We usually freeze or get rained on so it was a pleasant and welcomed change. After conning 21 people into buy train tickets, we were quite disappointed. Many of the strains of lights weren't lit, but the ride in itself is always fun if you ask me. Afterwards we took a walk around the grounds and the babies all fell off to sleep. The other children if they are like mine, probably nodded of before reaching the on ramp. It was a beautiful sight- both the peace in quiet in the car and the lights all together!

{If YOU hear about it...}

Recently, a friend an I were talking about inclusion. She told me her daughter has always lived by the saying, "If you hear about it, you're invited." I think this is a friendly way of including people (which I already try to do), so I have decided to proclaim this as my personal motto. So, if you hear about something going on, just remember these "official" words: you are always welcome!

{R.S Christmas Enrichment}

For Enrichment this month we held the traditional Christmas program and dinner. We watched the Reflections of Christ slide show (http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/) and put on a great meal.

Ciara (the newly called R.S counselor) spruced things up by borrowing her mother-in-laws table linens from her rental company. It was so festive.

JoAnne Hadley borrowed my camera and captured some photos.

It was a great evening and we have a great committee. Thanks guys!

{What do you...}

What do you buy a girl who's had everything but still doesn't really like toys? You don't buy anything. OK so we're not really taking it that far, Santa is going to bring her some things, but I on the other hand am making her a few things.

Remember these cookies I made for Christmas?

Well, I thought they needed more so I made these to go with them.A table cloth for her little table and a cute little apron she can bake in. Little girl stuff is so cute!

{Taking it Easy}

This past couple of nights have been quite enjoyable. Because I only have one final to go, Chad and I have been able to watch a couple of movies. I have also been spending some time with my very neglected sewing machine... Oh, Christmas break is going to be so much fun!On Saturday our niece and nephew came for the day. We spent our time doing crafts, baking cookies, and playing board games. Colby and Peyton also got to feed a "real" baby- which they loved.At first Ryley wasn't sure what to make of all the extra help but he was hungry enough and so he ate.

{Spirit}

Chad's not going to let city apartment living stop him from showing his Christmas spirit. Seriously, he got the lights out 3 x's because he wanted to do more but I shut him down. When we moved here and before we knew we would have a garage we sold all of our yard reindeer and candy cane rows or else he would have those flooding the patio too!

{Classifieds: Available: Stubborn Little Girl}

I think today was one of the worst days I have had as a parent. To magnify the challenges, we were at church and so many other people behind us (I'm sure) probably witnessed the frown upon all of our faces- and ill emotions! I love Sundays. I love going to church with my family and listening to all of the lessons taught there. However, today I wanted to flee for home during the first verse of the of the first hymn! I feel so embarrassed of the feelings Chad and I had for our five year old- she really got us ticked off. I felt far from Christ-like. All I could do was rub her back and pretend (after I told her how disappointed and upset I was) I had forgotten all about it. Maisey has always, always known what she wants and so this contributing factor is nothing new. I keep trying to find the good in it and all I've been able to rationalize is that she should be successful because she is particular, stands up for herself, and knows exactly what she wants- a recipe for success right? Well, I sure hope so, but things aren't looking too promising these days.

It all started with a wedgie. Her tights were bothering her and pressing on me! She would not leave them alone, she kept pulling at them, and so I finally took them off- as they were passing the sacrament! Problem solved. Nope, not hardly. We had to leave and go sit in the primary room with the speaker on for at least 15 minutes. She wouldn't quit sighing and rolling her eyes, and complaining. Finally, I sent her back in to the pew and I went on to meet Ryley's needs. He eventually fell asleep for a 20 minute nap (which made his tiredness worse- he was cranky all afternoon) and we went back into the chapel. Chad had smoke blowing out his nostrils. He rarely gets upset but Maisey has him wrapped around her finger- and it has back fired. Our hearts ache because we are in disbelief that a child can be so demanding. She is usually very good and rarely needs a punishment, but we must be in a horrible stage! We are so worried it won't end... There are moments she is Super Nanny material but usually she minds (me at least). We do not know what to do and I am horrified when I look down the road. If a child is raised with the gospel, raised with love, and adequate, appropriate discipline, she will eventually be reasonable right? Honestly, I just don't know and all I can do is pray for our patience.

I told her I may send her to Grandpa and Grandma's (they've been asking since she was born), and as much as she loves them she does not want to go overnight. But seriously, we need a sanity break. I wouldn't ever do anything like that, against her will, but I sure wish she liked stay overnight with family! Needless to say we all stuck it out and she spent much of the time after church in her room. I hope tomorrow is a better day- it has to be.

Vocabulary

I have a love/hate kind of relationship with language. My own prolixity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prolixity) is not half of what I hope it to someday be. Did you know to help with this very problem or aspiration you can take a vocabulary class in college? Last I knew it was lower division, but nonetheless it was a class about learning and using new words. Sometimes I think about sitting down with my old friend Dic-tionary, and seeing what we can do. But then I remember, I like to think of myself as simple, and I hardly have the time. I do however find the most joy in reading blogs such as "The Bui Bugle" and "Psych Mom" because of the highly entertaining verbiage. Maybe someday, six months from now when I don't have any text books to read, Dic and I will get reacquainted. Not that the simple art of reading for "fun" (which I've never liked to do, unless related to medical or parental subjects), wouldn't also hurt, or help! In the meantime, keep the inspiration and laughs coming Nancy and Alie!

{Christmas Pressure}

I feel so much pressure at the holidays to buy that one special gift Santa is suppose to bring. Maisey, like most kids who are five, and like most kids who watch Saturday morning cartoons, wants everything. Never mind the fact that she's had or has everything (as far as Chad and I can see), there is always more. She especially love infomercials with cheap, cheesy, and spendy toys. Back to my point, what do you think of parents like me who feel like they have to buy those special gifts? You can be honest you know. All Maisey wants this year are new dance shoes- tap and ballet. That is all she is asking Santa for. I will never forget how her request went down last year. We went to see Santa at the mall and I was building her wish list up. I told her not to ask for only one thing because he needs more ideas and he may not be able to deliver. I thought we had an understanding but I was wrong. She sat on his lap, and only gave him one request, a Cabbage Patch kid with glow in the dark hair. When she was finished I asked her why she didn't ask for more, and as sweet and polite as it may sound she said, "Mom, I didn't want to be greedy!" Things have changed this year and she longs for everything, but Santa is already done shopping. I don't know what to do... I KNOW she will be disappointed. Do you think she will still believe if he doesn't deliver? If you were five again what would you think?

Happy Birthday Chad

Tomorrow, December 1st is Chad's 34th Birthday! He sure doesn't seem that old but he has aged in the 8 1/2 years we've been together. I don't have any baby pictures of him as a baby but I got a picture with my camera of this one his mom had in a frame. I love him so much and I hope he has a great birthday. Here is a list of reasons why he is so special to me:
He is always supportive.
He is a kind, respectful, loyal person.
He loves his family- both fatherhood and being a husband.
He loves his faith.
He is temple worthy.
He's not afraid to cry.
He always has hope.
He thinks I'm a Queen.
He would do anything for anyone.
He eats anything I cook.
He hardly ever murmurs.
He loves to clean.
He loves to shop-especially for toys and electronics.
He likes new ideas and new things.
He's never silent.
He will try his best at new things.
He will wear anything I buy him.
He's always willing to volunteer.
He is playful.
He always, ALWAYS, has a sense of humor.
The list goes on but these are just SOME of the many things I love about my husband!

I love you honey!

Saturday

While I worked on finals Saturday Chad made his first trip out with both the kids. Sure he watches them regularly but taking an excursion with a sassy five year old and a baby who hates the car to the zoo in overcast 50 degree weather is pretty brave. Thanks babe for your dedication and support. Maisey had free reign with the camera and this is just one picture she captured. Yeah, that's my baby in front of the big black bears!