Perhaps Christmas means a little bit more.....

It's Christmas morning. Early. 4:30am and I can't sleep. Lots of things on my mind.  Excitement, anticipation, a bit of mommy guilt, and questioning my parenting choices....the list goes on.
I know presents and things are not important, not what Christmas is all about, but as I look at pictures of beautiful packages, boxes, and bags under people's trees I begin to think - did I get enough?  Will my kids be happy?  My tree is not full. I just have a couple presents left for each boy. Partly because they have gotten several presents already in their stockings, partly because they will be overwhelmed by generosity by grandparents and loved ones, and partly because that's what I chose. They already have enough. They are blessed. Why did I need to buy them 50 new toys for an already overflowing toy closet?  Its not for financial reasons. Thankfully God has blessed us with way more than we deserve. I want to teach them what's important - not greed. And buying presents and seeing joy on their faces is amazing, joyful, and priceless - so I get it.  I understand it. It's tempting. It's what we do in America. It's the norm. It's why I am questioning my choices right now.
I recently had a conversation with a friend about how much they spend per child on Christmas.  They average between $350-$400+ per child.  Her neighbor spent around $300 per child, but said it wasn't as much as they'd like, but she wasn't working and it was the best she could do. Now you may think this is a lot, or maybe you think it's not and spend tons more. I don't really think it matters. It's not about how much or what you give your children. It's about giving a gift and showing you love them.
That's the point. If we go beyond that - why?  Trying to impress someone. Don't want your child to feel left out?  Every kid needs an iPhone. Right??
This is not meant to be a judgment. Not made to make you feel guilty, but simply my thoughts and trying to remember what matters. Some friends from college hosted a foster child from overseas to let him get a glimpse of what family and Christmas is like. When they asked him what he really wanted for Christmas - you know what he responded...I want to have a family. A family. That's it. A poor boy with not much and he doesn't care about toys, or electronics. He just wants to be loved and have a family. This brings tears to my eyes and I pray he gets one. I feel overwhelmingly blessed that my boys have one. One that loves them. One that would do anything for them. I want them to appreciate what they do have and not let the real things that matter be piled under a mountain of presents.
I hope they get it. I hope I remember it and not get caught in comparing or the "need" to have more.   I just want to love, show love, and let them see the difference. Merry Christmas!!

You're going to Jail!!!

I was in charge of Landon's fall festival at school, so I came up with the concept of students having their friends "arrested" by principal fagan. Josh came to my rescue, as he always does :), to make my idea come to fruition.

I found an idea online that used PVC pipe as bars, so we combined with some wood and gray paint and wallah. Pretty legit jail. The boys had fun playing in it and threatening it as our new time out spot.

The jail was a success and raised over $150 for the PTO. My only regret is now everytime Brody gets mad at us, Landon, or friends - he yells you're going to jail!!!

My baby can read!!

Well he's not really a baby anymore, but he's still my baby, and he read these 3 books to me today!!  I was so shocked and proud.  Landon has known sight words and basic letter sounds since preschool, but sad to say since he started kindergarten I hadn't really worked on reading with him.  I read him a bedtime story and books here and there, but hadn't had him try to read to me.  This afternoon we were spending some time together while Brody was napping and I thought I should get a couple books and see how he's doing.  To my amazement he remembered all the sight words, sounded out words he didn't know, and even used expression and pausing for punctuation.  As a teacher he was a joy to see so excited about learning, and as a mom it was a special moment and memory for us!!

And apparently he won't have anxiety about reading to others - he took the books to school and read them to his entire class during story time.

So I guess I better get going on my posts or he'll be able to read them all before I get caught up!! :)

Warning.....

There are many products on the market that promise to make a busy mom's life easier, but this week I discovered two that I would NOT recommend!!

1) Permanent markers

Unless you would like a classy new address number on the side of your house....Landon's masterpiece

Or maybe your couch needs an update....Brody's latest masterpiece

After some artwork maybe you would enjoy some quality time with your kids...then may I suggest buying doors with locks on the outside of the room?


Yes Landon locked the door on the outside and pulled it shut. Luckily (I guess) Landon, Brody, and myself were then locked in Landon's room - with no key, no phone, and no daddy to rescue us. A beautiful afternoon and we spent over 2 hours locked in his bedroom. Why did I not climb out the window you ask? Well, we would have still been locked outside with no shoes and then my ever curious and crazy boys would know how to escape their rooms....hmm - pretty sure that would lead to another post. So we enjoyed some quality play time and organized some toys while I smelled a poopy diaper, heard I'm thirsty 162 times, and mom I really need to go #2.  Sorry should have though of that before you locked the door - I'm not wasting a bin. ;) Oh good times!!
When Josh was pulling in the driveway I was waving my arms like a mad women pleading for a rescue.  He just smiled and waved like I should always be this passionate about his homecomings!  Yes honey I am always happy to see you, but not so much as today!!  It all ended well - Landon dropped the kids at the pool, Brody got a drink, and my sanity returned!  Gotta love being a mom :)

Lucky lady

Josh recently had his 33rd birthday and my parents gave us a little getaway at Harrah's as his gift - no we're not normally gamblers, but there was a great deal for a one night stay in the hotel, $50 dinner voucher, and breakfast buffet all for only $99.  A great deal and we had an amazing time!  It is much too rare that we have a kid-free night and it was so great to be alone and in a different environment.  Thanks mom and dad!!!!

    We checked in and started out the night at the steakhouse restaurant.  It started off a little slow - with a bread basket with some kind of cheesy/pimento spread (weird) and an average salad, but by the time the main course came - WOW!  One of the best meals I've ever had.  I ordered the parmesian-encrusted sea bass with a creole mustard sauce and side of cornbread stuffing.  It was one of those "fancy-smancy" meals that often are overpriced and underseasoned, but this was amazing! The fish practically melted in your mouth.  It was so mild and absolutely delicious.  Josh ordered a steak and said my fish was even better - saying something from a man that loves a good steak - and he said his steak was really good.

            After dinner we headed toward the casino and I found a quarter on the ground.  Oh yeah!  My luck was starting already.  We got to the door and they asked me for my id.  Oops - been so long since I have been out forgot all about having it with me.  So we headed back to the car to get it and set out again.  We got back to the bouncer and Josh handed him his id and the guy just kind of shook his head - I only need to see hers.  Guess I was looking young that night because he looked back and forth about three times before he okayed my entrance.  Oh well - ego booster for this recently turned 30 year old!

           We headed in and just walked around.  I really don't know too much about gambling and was just taking it all in.  The tables always intrigue me and people were just throwing down 100s at a time.  Too rich for my blood, so Josh and I each put in $10 in the quarter slots.  On Josh's 4th try he hit some matches and had $23 - a $13 payout.  So he cashed out and waited for me.  On about my tenth try I profited around $17 so I stopped playing as well.  We were going to leave and celebrate winning $30, but decided to try our luck some more.

            I tried some dollar slots next and quickly lost about $15.  Bummer - not as fun as winning!  Decided to try one more machine - some old school cowboy penny game and ended up with another $10.  Awesome!  We cashed out our $40 and headed back to our room for a real jackpot ;)  Kidding - dessert people!!  We were going to get dessert.

            We decided we were too full and Josh wanted me to go back to the casino - apparently I'm entertaining to watch win.  Well he was about to see some real excitement.  I went back to my same penny machine and ended up with this screen............

    

I hit a little mini jackpot!  I got 3 jokers and earned 10 free spins, and ended up with our total profit being $75.  Oh my gosh - I was so freaking excited!!  I am easily pumped about free things/winning $ so when the music started playing and the coins falling on the screen I had a huge permagrin and was just clapping along to the music.  A few people may have been staring, but who cares - I just made $75 by pushing some buttons.  Woot woot!  Great night!

Until the next morning when Josh told me to go back again - don't worry I'm not an addict - and I refused.  He kept bugging me and I said fine it's your birthday, but I didn't have a good feeling.  Yep - threw away $35 in less than 5 minutes - UGH!!  I walked away with our remaining $40 and didn't say I told you so too many times.  :)  Got to know when to stop!  Oh well - we had a great time and still went home $40 richer!!

Enjoying our night!

We finished out Friday with a live taping of America's Got Talent at the Fox Theatre.  Such a great time - and saw an amazing 12 year old boy singer/guitar player that sang house of the rising sun.  Incredible - all the judges and audience were on their feet.  Won't be surprised if he's a big contender on the show!

Coach Landon

Mr. Rich, our janitor at school, put a special attachement on the basketball hoop that lowers the net to about 6 feet and lets the kids' basketball self-esteem greatly improve.  I knew Landon would be excited to shoot hoops, so I was very surprised to see him coloring instead - not one of his favorite things to do.  When I asked him why he wasn't playing, he informed me he was the coach and was writing plays/keeping score. Oh well, I see. He kept yelling Double Time which meant two kids scored in a row! Too funny :)

Writing plays and keeping score

I love his bossy coach stance and crayon tucked behind his ear.

Two members of Coach Landon's team - Wyatt and Carter

two 2 two 2 !!

I can't believe Brody has been 2 for almost a month!  I will have to finally post birthday stuff sometime, but for now here's a bit about my little man.....He is so full of life and emotions - for better or worse. :)  He has such passion for food, people, and what he wants!!  Through his tantrums, you couldn't find a sweeter, more loving little guy.  He is a great hugger and is not afraid to cuddle with his mama.  God gave him an amazing smile that just melts your heart - which is good for getting him out of messes!  I love listening to him talk and sing.  He loves music and sang me a lullaby - Goodnight mommy - when I laid down to rest on the couch today.  He can say more words than I can count - probably over 200 - and even said his first full sentence this week.  "Mommy look at me!"  A step up from his usual "watch this!".  He is currently obsessed with dolphins and sleeps with a stuffed one each night.  He frequently will yell out "Dolphin Tale" with such force and volume one might wonder if he struggles with Terrets. 

He also loves Landon more than life and wants to be by him and do exactly what he's doing - even if he busts into his room before the poor guy wakes up.  "My Brudder.  Brudder.  I want Landon."  

He is crazy social and can often be found talking on the phone to Pops (Grandpa Busch)-35 minutes is their longest conversation to date.  He often talks about his friends at school - Rex, Nolan, Maerus, and Brandon, and loves to go Harper and Wucas' house.  He does like to bite and hit on occassion and is trying to master being "gentle, gentle", but this could be quite the feat as he is all boy and a BRUTE as the stats proved at his well visit...

Height: 36 inches 93%

Weight:  33 pounds 95%

Head: 21 inches 98%

The average size of a 3 and 1/2 year old.  "He is big, but proportionate."  Oh if only I had a dollar for all the times the doctors have said these words about Landon and Brody, I wouldn't have to work anymore.  Brody is big in size, attitude, and most of all heart - and my heart couldn't be more filled with love for my Brodman.

Getting his feet painted at school

My handsome boy

He loves his daddy!

Up please - he loves getting OUT of his seat, now we must work on loving IN

Thumbs up for 2!!