Lone Star Kiwis

Oh brother...did Christian and I have drama today! He only wanted one thing for Christmas - a DSi. They are far too expensive for a 9 year old boy but after much debate, I decided that he needed a DS lite. He is a good boy, he does well in school and he always helps with his little brother and sister. Not to mention the fact that we really don't buy our kids stuff during the year. I was so excited yesterday when I bought it. I just kept picturing his face and I couldn't wait to give it to him.

This morning, in true Christian style, he revealed to me that he heard me on the phone last night. He heard me say what he, Lucy and Wyatt are all getting for Christmas. He heard about the DS lite and I lost it. I sobbed for about an hour...Christmas was ruined. Not only does he know what he is getting...but those were the Santa gifts. Now, he will know there is no Santa. I lied and told him that I was returning everything for other things. I didn't lie to punish him, rather to try and reestablish the surprise.

Now, that I have had a day to think on it, it still makes me emotional but I am getting over it. Yes it sucks that the surprised was ruined, but he didn't do it on purpose and nothing can be done about it now. Maybe, just maybe, I was a little more emotional about it because tomorrow my most amazing Christmas present (who was a very big surprise) turns 9 years old.

Happy Birthday, you big-eared little shit!

Changes

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So, there are a couple of changes around here. The obvious change is the blog...how cute are the little birds??

Also, I changed around our little business. Earlier this year I started a little fabric business called the little kiwi tree. Originally I set up a website but nothing was really happening. Then, I got smart and started an etsy store. All of a sudden I started making sales and now I'm selling small amounts about every other day. At first I didn't want to get rid of the website, but it just seemed silly. So, while I still own the domain name, it no longer operates as a store. Now I can focus more on the etsy store which is great.

Also, I really want to start doing craft fairs next year but don't be too impressed because I really wanted to do craft fairs this year. Oh..and last year, and the year before. But whose counting?

I want to start doing some stuff with my embroidery machine so I did some playing around this past weekend. These are some tea towels...I don't love them, but I learned a lot from them.

Thanks

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I am thankful for blond curly hair.

I am thankful for big blue eyes.

I am thankful for video games that keep them entertained for hours.

I am thankful for cousin Shelby's hat.

I am so incredibly THANKFUL!

Housekeeping

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Ok, so starting tomorrow I will recommit to the blog. I will be more consistent in posting funny anecdotes that make you all laugh. However, today I'm just cleaning house and doing the bare minimum.

We had Halloween and it was fabulous and fun...Wyatt was hilarious as Luigi.

Then, last weekend we went to Sea World. It was not, in fact, fabulous and fun. It was more like wet and stinky. It rained and was kind of crummy. But, the kids had fun and that is all that really matters. We even convinced Uncle Davin to go!

So, here are the pictures. They are totally out of order...but, again, BARE MINIMUM!!!!

Pie

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So first there was shingles, then there was the death of our beloved Peepaw. I had all of these lovely posts about Peepaw and how he would buy my happy meal with a $100 bill or poke me with a fork at dinner and say "Are you done yet?" but all of that makes me cry. So, instead...lets talk about pie!

Vacation!!

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Vacation? Really? With 3 kids? Ok, admittedly, a real vacation for me would be going to a movie alone, getting a pedicure alone, going to the bookstore alone, and then heading out for wine with friends. All this while little elves are at my house, cleaning, doing laundry, finishing the painting and cooking dinner for the week. Ok, so that will never happen...instead we went to the beach with Bree and Pa and it was fabulous. The weather was great, the mosquitos were plentiful and the highlight of the trip was when Graham smacked the crap out of Pa's face to "get a mosquito"...or so he says.

Check out these two. Not a care in the world!

We dug a hole and put Wyatt in it...trust me, it was better this way!

And because no vacation photo selection is complete without one of Lucy freaking out over something, I give you this gem that I have entitled "MOSQUITO"

Faith in Five

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September 9, 2004

Doctor said: "We score babies on a scale of 1 to 10, your baby is a 2 and a 2 cannot survive."

September 10, 2004

Baby Lucy said: "Watch me."

love is

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Damn you Gloria Steinem

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Ahhh, the first day of school. Once again, Christian ignored me. This year, however, it was not for Elizabef but for Lily.

Lucy started part-time pre-K at the YMCA. A year ago, the task of having Lucy be away from Graham and I for a full day would have been totally unthinkable. The girl would have flipped her lid. I'm happy to say, though, that this year she not only did well but was very excited to be there...she can't wait to go back.

And, me...well, I had a pretty rough day. First I cried because Christian is in the 3rd grade. THIRD grade! And, he is 5 foot tall. Tears. Then, I dropped Lucy off. You can't even imagine what an accomplishment it is that she is able to do this with ease. Tears. Then, at 3 o'clock, Graham picked them both up...not me. Tears. Finally, Christian called me and told me that I am never again to send him notes in his lunch that tell him how much I love him. Tears.

All of this crying really got me thinking. Can I just give out a big "f you" to the chickies of the 60s and 70s that thought women really needed to work outside of the home? *
What is up with that??? Why did they think this was a better gig? I actually WANT to be the one at home...I WANT to be with my kids all day when they are little...and I WANT to be the one to pick up my kids after school when they get older. Hell, I even WANT to go get my "man" a beer at the end of the day. **

But noooooooo, I have to be a productive member of the workforce...saving the world one /r/ at a time.

*Dear feminists: Don't get your sensible panties in a wad, I'm mostly kind of almost kidding.

** That's a lie. I would never do this.

Great Wolf Lodge

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School starts next week so we headed out for one last good time!

The room was so cool. The kids had a great bunk bed that they loved. Lucy was thrilled to sleep on the top bunk!

Last night we went to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner and the anxiety began.

There were animals that talked which was uncomfortable but when the "rainstorm" started Lucy lost it.

When she calmed down, she continued to eat with only one hand so that the other could cover her ear.

We left dinner and rushed back to the hotel for story time. Again...big mistake. Again, with talking animals. The girl has issues.

She did, however, calm down with some ice cream.

Wyatt was pretty happy too!

This morning we headed down for our breakfast buffet. Graham was a bit disturbed that I allowed them to go in their PJs.

Then, it was time for some more swimming!

Wyatt and I took some quite time at the Starbucks. He climbed up on this chair by himself and he was so proud!

It was big fun for the kids, exhausting for me, but totally worth it!

Bring on the 3rd grade/Pre-K!

recession

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I like my boys to have a "proper" haircut. I like for it to be a little longer on top and shaved close on the side...a big boy 'do.

But, times is tough ya'll and sometimes we have to save money. So tonight after dinner (that's cottage cheese and fajita you are looking at)

Mommy buzzed Wyatt's hair!

Street action

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Allowing my kids to play outside without me exactly two feet away from them is quite a challenge for me. I think it is necessary. I think they need to gain some independence and have some fun without mommy yelling at them every five seconds to not do this or don't throw that or get that away from you nose. But it is very hard for me.

We have a pretty good compromise. We live in a cul de sac so they are allowed to play from our house down to the end of the cul de sac. They have to stay on the sidewalk (although Christian is allowed to ride his bike in the street) and we always keep the doors and blinds open so that we can hear and see. Plus I check on them about every...oh...5 seconds. They are good kids, but I worry. What if they get hit by a car? What if someone snatches them? What if they start to talk like the boys down the street who all (creepily) have the same speech impediment and say things like "Wook out Wucy it is vewy dangewous?" Alas, I have to believe they will be safe, they will build friendships and they will learn without me.

Here they are being hooligan's on the side of the road tonight. How could I deny this?

Christian apparently sold his left shoe for drugs...or legos.

Week In Review

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I know that a lot of women brag on the fathering abilities of their husband...but, seriously...this man went out of his way to secure the tickets and built up all the excitement in the world to take his babies to see the Wiggles live!

Then, Saturday was the first big swim lesson.