A Painting Lesson & Wine...Lots of Wine

I had the chance this weekend to go to an art and wine party. You get an art lesson (painting) while you drink wine. What a great combination! I have not painted in forever and had quite a bit of wine...so excuse the painting -but I feel that it is not horrible given I was pretty tipsy. I wish they had a smaller brush. It was hard making the trees thin...and straight! That was not due to the brush though. Everyone did the same painting, which I liked. It made it less stressful not having to be creative. The painter broke the painting down by layers and gave us step by step directions. I will definitely bring doing this again!!!

No More...

I cannot believe I forgot to mention this key milestone that we have come to as parents...we are done with diapers!!!!!!!!! I have been waiting for this day for 7 years. Not for one kid. Technically, Meli still uses pull-ups at night (against her wishes) but I do not think she will have to do that much longer.

We were so fortunate with our potty training. We really did not have any issues. The reason for that could be that we waited until the kids told us they were ready. We were very relaxed about the whole process, honestly, because I just had no interest in forcing it and stressing out about it.

We waited until Colin was three, but he learned very quickly. Meli took a little longer to get interested. At first, I did try to push it more than usual but that was going no where. So, I backed off and a week or so later she asked to wear panties. Then it was pretty quick. She did have a little trouble with number 2, but it was more of an issue knowing when she needed to.

I am so proud of her! This was probably 4 or 5 months ago. It is just so nice not having to pack a bag of items every time we go somewhere.

A Year Worth Celebrating

My 31st year was a pretty fantastic one! I was blessed with the opportunity to stay home with the kids, having more date nights (in a year) with my husband then in our entire marriage, meeting some amazing ladies in our new town, and rediscovering hobbies and finding new ones. I am not thrilled to see the number get higher, but I am excited to see where my 32nd year will take me. Ready for new adventures and perhaps a change to my path's direction. We will see.

 

I had a great week celebrating with family and friends. The day before my birthday, we took the kids to a local ice cream shop. Colin tried black licorice (just all kinds of gross) and Meli had strawberry (my girl of simple tastes).

Then we went home and played family football. It was so much fun. Thankfully we got out when we did because it has been so cold the last few days. I think my birthday was the last semi-warm day. That night we had a family dance party. Will and I kept picking songs from our school dances. The kids actually liked those. I was picking out DMX Party Up in Here (I think that is the name) and Will Smith's Men in Black. Yes, we Colin and I attempted the MIB dance!

 

 

The morning of my birthday, I got to choose breakfast, blueberry muffins and Umpqua Dairy chocolate milk...my fave! I also got a treat of Pumpkin Spice Latte. I have been trying to cut back on buying fancy coffee.  Meli loved the new kids Christmas cup at Dutch Bros.

 

My younger brother and mom took me to a late lunch. Then we went shopping! My brother replaced my slippers. My family had an intervention and made me throw my old ones away. They were so comfortable. I love my new ones though. I had a blast shopping with my brother and mom. I think Greg had fun even if he is not a big shopper.

My brother & I

When I got home, the kids were making me pasta alfredo and sour dough bread. Yumm! They also made me a cherry cheesecake. Meli has had a hard time (since her birthday) understanding not all gifts are for her. We told her my birthday was coming up and she kept asking, "MiMi's too?".  Now she has to deal with Colin's next week. Poor girl. It is so hard at her age to understand. She did not even notice last year and could care less. Now she loves the idea of presents. It was interesting trying to get her to pick out a gift for Colin.

As usual, the kids and Will did a great job finding gifts for me. I am very excited to try out my new Chinese clay pot and to read This is Where I Leave You. Will also got me a guitar books, so that we can learn an instrument together. I am going to learn the guitar and he will learn the bass. He already has can play but wants to learn from the basics.

We got to go on three date meals this weekend. Friday, we went for drinks at a local Mexican restaurant (beers, chips and salsa). On Saturday, we had a breakfast date. I had the best breakfast meal ever! Eggs benedict Florentine. Then we went to dinner last night. We had sushi, Korean BBQ and Asian-pear Mojitos. Seriously, so delish!

 

We had another day of shopping. Will entertained the kids (below) while my mom and I picked out my new sewing machine. So excited!!

 

The Gnome House

I have been semi-obsessed (well possibly totally obsessed) with gnomes for several years now. I just love them. BUT I am apicky  gnome lover. I tend to like more classic looking ones, rather then the cartoony (dare I say "cheesy" ones). I try to control my desire to give my style gnomes a home...otherwise I would have been the Gnome Lady by the time I reached 30. I only have a handful, but I think the ones I have are just perfect. I got a new addition for my birthday...So Meli and I made sure they all had official names this morning. There has been disputes about what we have named them in the past...so here are the introductions.

We have...

Georg, who I got in Germany a few years ago. He is my oldest one since Sebastian 1 and 2 are sadly no longer with us. They met their end at the hands of a 1 year old boy who will remain nameless. I named Georg after (German version of George) the Housing director I worked with in Germany.  It was very fitting because the real Georg smoked like a chimney and this little gnome is a smoker (incense).

 This is my mini garden gnome, Corby O'Neil (short for Corben). Colin named him. He keeps my front porch flowers company. You never know which pot you will find him in. Meli thinks it is funny to move him around.

Excuse the blurry picture. It is cold out there. This is Pippin. Named by Will. I was going for Peppin, but he refused to call him that. Probably due to Lord of the Rings. My dork.

The newest addition is Landers. Christianed by Meli. I gave her the choice between Frederick, Landers and Neville. She thought he looked like a Landers. 

Changing it Up!

Yesterday, Meli and I changed her room around.  It made such a difference space-wise.

 

We have not decorated too much. Mostly, just a few homemade art pieces. I was avoiding it but we decided to let her pick out some posters. Of course, it will be My Little Pony and Disney Princesses. Oh well, it is her room.

Today, we did Colin's. His was harder to make more space, because his bed is so big. I think we managed it though.  They both act like they have new rooms.

 

Meli has been joining me on a few workouts this week. She loves the kickboxing, suicides, and push-ups.

 

Meli has such a cute personality. I love this age. She is so much fun right now. A pain at times...but what kid isn't.

 

 

 

The Leaves are going

 

Yesterday was such a pretty day, we just had to spend it outside. Colin was off due to Veteran's Day...So we went to go play in the fallen leaves.

It is sad to see the last remaining leaves falling from the trees. But I love thinking of the promise of new life to come. The hope that Spring brings. What a beautiful world we live in. Even the dismal can hold the beauty of what is to come. 

The Sneaky Photographer

Mom cooking dinner

 

Colin has a habit of sneaking my phone to take pictures. As annoying as it is to delete 60+ photos, I like that he loves taking pictures. I also like seeing things thru his perspective. He has also figured out how to change the effects on my phone camera.  

 

You never know when he is taking pictures either. Very sneaky. Sometimes he is at a distance (and angle) like above, and sometimes he gets right in your face. Usually he will give you time to smile, thankfully.

 

 

Well hello!

 

 

Our he will get in his own face. He has not learned the best angles yet!

 He may get you while you are cleaning, or while you are enjoying Sunday football and your morning coffee.

Dad using Colin's slippers

 

The picture above he is actually hiding behind the end table. I had no idea he was there.

Mom and her boots

There are times when he will ask to take a picture. Not too often though.

I love fall

The last one I took on my run today. I just thought the leaves were arranged so beautifully. I love this time of year. Plus, I needed a breather. I was crazy today. I did a full weight training workout, a kickboxing class and then ran. My legs are seriously jello right now.

Caravan of Thieves

Due to my birthday coming up, I was able to have a girls' night last week. My desire for celebrating has been diminished a little because of such a hectic few weeks. Meli has woken me up every night the past...I do not even know. I am exhausted. I am not sure why she keeps waking up. Last night she woke up at 2:30. At 4:00, I finally put on a movie for her so I could sleep.  I would also rather focus on what to do for Colin's birthday. Poor him...the idea of a party just makes me go "bleh". We will see. My social butterfly would be so sad not to have friends over. I was thinking of letting him have a friend go with us to see Big Hero 6.Afterwards, we could go somewhere for a treat. Then we can just have a family party.

Anyways, back to my birthday thing. I chose to travel south and go see Caravan of Thieves perform. The band was amazing!!! There was a guy that played the violin,  a guy with a cello and then the two main singers (a married couple) played guitar and drums (made out of recycled kitchen items). The band was labeled as "gypsy swing". They played and sang beautifully and were just overall great. They had everyone participate in a few songs and then the last song we got up to make music by stomping and clapping. We were all gathered around the stage. It was pretty neat. That song was Raise the Dead.

My favorite song is Dead Wrong. Here is a video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03CzGYQwmI0.

 

The Parent's Turn

 

After all of the festivities for the kids, Will and I were able to go out. Downtown was having an art walk, costume contest, live music outside and dancing in one of our favorite venues. The music was good. They played 80's, 90's and more recent stuff. A good variety. Will was a vampire. I thought his makeup turned out fantastic! I started putting it on, but we soon realized that I am not very good with makeup so my mom took over. I thought I was doing an OK job...but what do they expect, all I wear is eyeliner 95% of the time. I am a naturalist when it comes to my face. Most of the time. I save foundation and such for special occasions. Now I feel challenged to improve my makeup skills. LOL.

"gypsy, tramps and thieves" - my theme song for the night.

 

I was a gypsy. I wanted something that would keep me fairly warm. My full skirt allowed me to wear leggings underneath. I am so thankful for that. It was cold!

 

Being silly

 

 

It was such a fun night. I did fairly good for having 4 hours of sleep. Thankfully the kids let us sleep in a bit!

This is Halloween

We had such a fun Halloween! Meli had a record of three costumes and they both made out like bandits as usual.

The celebrating started at Colin's school. My sweet mom came up to volunteer with me. This extra set of hands allowed me to take Meli; who did such a good job. I was surprised by that because she slept horribly the night before, which means mama did as well. I feel I managed very well with roughly 4 hours of sleep. After everyone was in their costumes, we walked to a nearby nursing home. Meli loved walking with the big kids! The elderly people enjoyed seeing the little kids. Once we got back the kids had library time. Meli got to go with the class. It was so sweet. When they got back we had all of the treats (a mix of sweet and healthy - which is the policy) ready. 

Colin was Wolverine and Meli was Aurora (her first pick).

Last it was time for the serpentine walk through all of the classrooms. Meli wanted to go so we went too. 

We got home and rested for a bit. This gave Meli the chance to change her mind  yet again. We were going to do a princess pirate (which was so cute) but ended up being a fairy (which was equally cute). Then we headed downtown for trick-or-treating. We love going down there because they close the streets off and all of the stores really get into it. 

Later, we ended up going around our neighborhood. This time Meli was Snow White as a blonde. At this point in the day she was not for posing. Actually, she was not for it all day. Every time I tried she would look away. Stinker.

The kids ran the whole time. They were exhausted by the end of the night....but were still up for handing out candy!