Everyone makes New Year resolutions - and many of them go unanswered. I, too, am making a resolution. I am going to freecycle something every day! That's right, I am going to try to get rid of at least 365 things. That sounds like a lot - but we just have too much!! And, even if I fall short of every day, I hope to get rid of many things - and meanwhile help others make use of them.
I will be writing a new blog about this adventure. Feel free to view it - and pass along the link to anyone who might enjoy hearing about the highs and lows of freeclycling.
www.ifreecycle.blogspot.com
What is Freecycle you ask? Simply an e-mail club that allows you to electronically offer items you no longer need to other club members. They come pick the item up. Now, multiply that by 365 and you've got my 2009.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
2008 in Review
2008 has been a busy year.
Yet, when you think about what happened, sometimes it is hard to think of much. So, I went through the family calendar and picked out some highlights to encapsulate the year.
January
- Closed on our "new house"
- Spent time in Marco Island, FL with family - so much fun!!!
- Nancy changed Real Estate companies
February
- Spent more time in Marco Island, FL - did not want to come home to cold and snow...
March
- Had the wallpaper in our bedroom and office stripped and the walls painted!
- The girls went on their first (and second) Easter Egg Hunts - at one they wore snowsuits!!
- Contemplated getting the driveway redone and widened
April
- Facilitated a Discovery Retreat for engaged couples
- Attended Nancy's cousin Julie's wedding!
- Painted the dining room RED!
May
- The birthday party circuit began...
- Got Buddy the dog.
- Attended Danny's (Dave's little brother) confirmation - Dave was his sponsor.
- Took a trip to Virginia to visit friends and act as Godparents to their 2 sons.
- Attended Danny's graduation!
June
- Went to a zillion birthday parties!!!
- Had a great time at the Justin Roberts concert at Ravinia with so many good friends.
- Spent countless hours at the local pools, parks and other outdoor venues.
- Had a HUGE party for Erin & Ev's 2nd birthday!!
- Had a HUGE family party - we got to see my brother Brian's family that moved to AZ.
- Had the girls taking swimming lessons - fun fun!
July
- More birthday parties!!!
- Went to lots of concerts in the park
- Had a great time at Andrea's graduation party
- Facilitated another Discovery Retreat for engaged couples
- Went on countless play dates with new and old friends
- Attended the girls 2nd variety show at their babysitters home - they did better than last year!
August
- Attended a fabulous "Jimmy Buffett" themed birthday party for Kent
- Attended Kayte & Chris's wedding celebration!
- Went to Lake Geneva with my mom and the girls - so much fun!
- Had a get-away birthday weekend with Dave in Lake Geneva
- Had a fabulous fancy dinner at Spiaggia - best gnocchi of my life!!
- Hit the zoo several times and had a blast!
September
- Went apple picking with Dave's family!
- Signed a contract to get the driveway refinished and widened!
October
- Had the driveway done!!!
- Went to a great party at Dave's work - petting zoo, pumpkins, hay ride, pony rides, what more could you want?
- Had our first real road trip with the girls to Eagle River, WI. We had so much fun on boat rides, playing with friends and just hanging out!
- Attended Dave's cousin, Lauren's wedding!
November
- Went on another road trip to Louisville - saw old college friends - great fun!
- Attended the Obama Rally Celebration - a once in a lifetime event!
- Attended/Hosted 3 (oh, wait ... 4) Thanksgiving celebrations
December
- Saw Santa about 5 times!
- Enjoyed feasting at 2 pancake breakfast events!
- Had a fun cookie party for the kiddies to decorate cookies and the parents to enjoy each others company.
- Celebrated 6 years of marriage and 11 years of love with my husband.
Yet, when you think about what happened, sometimes it is hard to think of much. So, I went through the family calendar and picked out some highlights to encapsulate the year.
January
- Closed on our "new house"
- Spent time in Marco Island, FL with family - so much fun!!!
- Nancy changed Real Estate companies
February
- Spent more time in Marco Island, FL - did not want to come home to cold and snow...
March
- Had the wallpaper in our bedroom and office stripped and the walls painted!
- The girls went on their first (and second) Easter Egg Hunts - at one they wore snowsuits!!
- Contemplated getting the driveway redone and widened
April
- Facilitated a Discovery Retreat for engaged couples
- Attended Nancy's cousin Julie's wedding!
- Painted the dining room RED!
May
- The birthday party circuit began...
- Got Buddy the dog.
- Attended Danny's (Dave's little brother) confirmation - Dave was his sponsor.
- Took a trip to Virginia to visit friends and act as Godparents to their 2 sons.
- Attended Danny's graduation!
June
- Went to a zillion birthday parties!!!
- Had a great time at the Justin Roberts concert at Ravinia with so many good friends.
- Spent countless hours at the local pools, parks and other outdoor venues.
- Had a HUGE party for Erin & Ev's 2nd birthday!!
- Had a HUGE family party - we got to see my brother Brian's family that moved to AZ.
- Had the girls taking swimming lessons - fun fun!
July
- More birthday parties!!!
- Went to lots of concerts in the park
- Had a great time at Andrea's graduation party
- Facilitated another Discovery Retreat for engaged couples
- Went on countless play dates with new and old friends
- Attended the girls 2nd variety show at their babysitters home - they did better than last year!
August
- Attended a fabulous "Jimmy Buffett" themed birthday party for Kent
- Attended Kayte & Chris's wedding celebration!
- Went to Lake Geneva with my mom and the girls - so much fun!
- Had a get-away birthday weekend with Dave in Lake Geneva
- Had a fabulous fancy dinner at Spiaggia - best gnocchi of my life!!
- Hit the zoo several times and had a blast!
September
- Went apple picking with Dave's family!
- Signed a contract to get the driveway refinished and widened!
October
- Had the driveway done!!!
- Went to a great party at Dave's work - petting zoo, pumpkins, hay ride, pony rides, what more could you want?
- Had our first real road trip with the girls to Eagle River, WI. We had so much fun on boat rides, playing with friends and just hanging out!
- Attended Dave's cousin, Lauren's wedding!
November
- Went on another road trip to Louisville - saw old college friends - great fun!
- Attended the Obama Rally Celebration - a once in a lifetime event!
- Attended/Hosted 3 (oh, wait ... 4) Thanksgiving celebrations
December
- Saw Santa about 5 times!
- Enjoyed feasting at 2 pancake breakfast events!
- Had a fun cookie party for the kiddies to decorate cookies and the parents to enjoy each others company.
- Celebrated 6 years of marriage and 11 years of love with my husband.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Erin and Evelyn (2008 in pictures)
Every year, we HOPE to capture the year in pictures for the girls to see them grow up. Here is a montage I made with a "Daddy-Daughters" perspective for this year. I love you very much E&E. I hope you enjoy this montage as much as I did making it for you.
Love, Dad
Love, Dad
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
When do you open Stockings?
As Christmas comes to our house there are some critical items that we'll have to smooth out over the years as Nancy's and my family's traditions meet head to head.
For example, my family always opens gifts first and stockings last, where Nancy's family opens stockings before gifts. She says that stockings are appetizers that whet your appetite for the main course where I maintain that they are icing on the cake and a gentle let down back to reality after the euphoric highs of Christmas gifting bliss.
Help us settle this once and for all. Do you look in stockings before or after gifts under the tree and most importantly... Why is the other way "wrong"? Nancy and I look forward to your comments on this Christmas Spirit'ed debate.
For example, my family always opens gifts first and stockings last, where Nancy's family opens stockings before gifts. She says that stockings are appetizers that whet your appetite for the main course where I maintain that they are icing on the cake and a gentle let down back to reality after the euphoric highs of Christmas gifting bliss.
Help us settle this once and for all. Do you look in stockings before or after gifts under the tree and most importantly... Why is the other way "wrong"? Nancy and I look forward to your comments on this Christmas Spirit'ed debate.
Christmas comes to our house
For as long as I can remember, Christmas was all about waking up early, rushing down to get my presents and then traveling all day to visit extended family. Well this year will be similar but significantly different.
Nancy and I are not going out to my parents house in Harvard this year. The girls are getting older and it's time to cut the cord. I must admit it feels a bit strange but I guess this is part of really growing up. Now we have our own family and our own Christmas traditions which begin with waking up at our house.
Erin and Evelyn have quite a healthy dose of the holiday spirit this year. They LOVE seeing houses decorated in Christmas lights, they know not to touch tree ornaments because they are fragile, they know they are not to open any packages sitting under the tree, and they sing lots of Christmas songs including Frosty, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Rudolph, and Happy Birthday (to Baby Jesus).
They recognize Santa, but are nowhere near ready to sit on his lap. But, this has not stopped Nancy and me tormenting them by taking then to several of Santa's Helpers in malls and other events and getting lots of precious freaking out photos.
Just because our family won't be having a carbon copy Christmas like in years past, there are many traditions Nancy and I want to continue. My parents, Dan and Nickie will be coming over to our house in the morning to open presents. We will be eating a large breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, and croissants with hollendase sauce and the girls got their annual pair of Christmas jammies.
Nancy and I have finished all our wrapping and are going to bed so grateful for the wonderful, happy, and healthy family we have. We are truly blessed both with friends and so many family members who love us and who we love. Here's to many many years of happy and appreciated holidays going forward.
Nancy and I are not going out to my parents house in Harvard this year. The girls are getting older and it's time to cut the cord. I must admit it feels a bit strange but I guess this is part of really growing up. Now we have our own family and our own Christmas traditions which begin with waking up at our house.
Erin and Evelyn have quite a healthy dose of the holiday spirit this year. They LOVE seeing houses decorated in Christmas lights, they know not to touch tree ornaments because they are fragile, they know they are not to open any packages sitting under the tree, and they sing lots of Christmas songs including Frosty, Santa Clause is Coming to Town, Rudolph, and Happy Birthday (to Baby Jesus).
They recognize Santa, but are nowhere near ready to sit on his lap. But, this has not stopped Nancy and me tormenting them by taking then to several of Santa's Helpers in malls and other events and getting lots of precious freaking out photos.
Just because our family won't be having a carbon copy Christmas like in years past, there are many traditions Nancy and I want to continue. My parents, Dan and Nickie will be coming over to our house in the morning to open presents. We will be eating a large breakfast of scrambled eggs, ham, and croissants with hollendase sauce and the girls got their annual pair of Christmas jammies.
Nancy and I have finished all our wrapping and are going to bed so grateful for the wonderful, happy, and healthy family we have. We are truly blessed both with friends and so many family members who love us and who we love. Here's to many many years of happy and appreciated holidays going forward.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Daddy, you get timeout!
For the past couple of week there has been a sign posted at our church's daycare saying that it would be closed on Dec. 14th. Since Nancy and I are not emotionally ready to sit with our two hooligans through a full service, we decided to grant ourselves dispensation and skip mass today - which meant we had more time in the morning to start our day.
After getting the girls up and dressed, Nancy and I had were sitting on our bed when Erin marched in and said, "Mommy, Daddy, you lay down go night-night." Nancy and I looked at each other and decided, ok we'll lay down.
Erin then put her finger up to her mouth and Shh'ed us, told us once again to go night-night and closed the door. Nancy and I decided to play this up and we started hooting and hollering just like the girls do when they don't want to nap. Erin yelled back at us.. "You go NIGHT-NIGHT!"
She came back into our room carrying some of her books to give to us to read and said, "Here your books. Go night-night". We asked if we could get a couple of stuffed animals and Erin went galloping off to fulfill the request. When she came back with Curious George, I asked if she would sing to us. Erin did her best at singing the ABC's and then said, "No more talking. Mommy, Daddy go night-night" and once again closed the door.
To complete this re-enactment of our going to bed ritual, I asked for some water to which Erin gladly went too to get. While she was gone fetching sippies for us, Nancy and I were discussing how in our extra morning playtime with the girls neither one of us had taken the dog out yet. So I got up from bed and went downstairs to let Buddy out in the back yard.
When I got back Erin was standing in the room and removing the folded clothes on the rocking chair and throwing them on the floor. When she saw that I came back she pointed to the now empty rocking chair and said "Daddy, you get timeout."
"What did I do?" I asked. "Daddy, you bad. No get out of bed at night-night." I was in fact, in violation of Rule #3 of Big Girl Beds (#1 is no jumping, and #2 is no playing with the window blinds).
This was all in good fun and Nancy and I just marvel at the level of sophistication the girls play has become. Their ability to imagine and recreate scenarios down to the minute detail is amazing. And the rules of these games are so intricate and consistent. It is really neat to see their little brains developing and staring to navigate social order.
Luckily my timeout only lasted a few seconds. But I respected the rules of Erin's game and I sat in the chair until I told her I was sorry and asked if I could get up. She said yes and with that we all went downstairs to get on our coats and shoes to leave for our parish's holiday pancake breakfast.
On the drive to the "pancake party" as the girls were calling it, Nancy and I were asking ourselves if we give the girls too many timeouts since it is making this much of an impression on them. But Nancy said that they hardly ever get any timeouts at home. We know they get them once in a while at our baby-sitters, but still not that often. We have heard Erin give her stuffed animals timeouts lately. It's usually after one of the animals has "bitten" or "grabbed a toy" from another one of the stuffed animals. Erin is certainly grasping the concept of consequences (more so than some adults I know). Nancy suspects it's more of a power trip than anything else. There is not that much Erin gets to be in charge of in her life, and she is asserting herself over her stuffed animals. It's so neat to watch.
What a sweet and amazing way to start a lovely day.
PS - they loved the pancakes! Erin had 4 pancakes and 3 sausages! Ev had 2 sausages and 1 pancake. And, they did not like Santa - we'll post photos soon!
After getting the girls up and dressed, Nancy and I had were sitting on our bed when Erin marched in and said, "Mommy, Daddy, you lay down go night-night." Nancy and I looked at each other and decided, ok we'll lay down.
Erin then put her finger up to her mouth and Shh'ed us, told us once again to go night-night and closed the door. Nancy and I decided to play this up and we started hooting and hollering just like the girls do when they don't want to nap. Erin yelled back at us.. "You go NIGHT-NIGHT!"
She came back into our room carrying some of her books to give to us to read and said, "Here your books. Go night-night". We asked if we could get a couple of stuffed animals and Erin went galloping off to fulfill the request. When she came back with Curious George, I asked if she would sing to us. Erin did her best at singing the ABC's and then said, "No more talking. Mommy, Daddy go night-night" and once again closed the door.
To complete this re-enactment of our going to bed ritual, I asked for some water to which Erin gladly went too to get. While she was gone fetching sippies for us, Nancy and I were discussing how in our extra morning playtime with the girls neither one of us had taken the dog out yet. So I got up from bed and went downstairs to let Buddy out in the back yard.
When I got back Erin was standing in the room and removing the folded clothes on the rocking chair and throwing them on the floor. When she saw that I came back she pointed to the now empty rocking chair and said "Daddy, you get timeout."
"What did I do?" I asked. "Daddy, you bad. No get out of bed at night-night." I was in fact, in violation of Rule #3 of Big Girl Beds (#1 is no jumping, and #2 is no playing with the window blinds).
This was all in good fun and Nancy and I just marvel at the level of sophistication the girls play has become. Their ability to imagine and recreate scenarios down to the minute detail is amazing. And the rules of these games are so intricate and consistent. It is really neat to see their little brains developing and staring to navigate social order.
Luckily my timeout only lasted a few seconds. But I respected the rules of Erin's game and I sat in the chair until I told her I was sorry and asked if I could get up. She said yes and with that we all went downstairs to get on our coats and shoes to leave for our parish's holiday pancake breakfast.
On the drive to the "pancake party" as the girls were calling it, Nancy and I were asking ourselves if we give the girls too many timeouts since it is making this much of an impression on them. But Nancy said that they hardly ever get any timeouts at home. We know they get them once in a while at our baby-sitters, but still not that often. We have heard Erin give her stuffed animals timeouts lately. It's usually after one of the animals has "bitten" or "grabbed a toy" from another one of the stuffed animals. Erin is certainly grasping the concept of consequences (more so than some adults I know). Nancy suspects it's more of a power trip than anything else. There is not that much Erin gets to be in charge of in her life, and she is asserting herself over her stuffed animals. It's so neat to watch.
What a sweet and amazing way to start a lovely day.
PS - they loved the pancakes! Erin had 4 pancakes and 3 sausages! Ev had 2 sausages and 1 pancake. And, they did not like Santa - we'll post photos soon!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
What?
Erin is saying all kinds of funny things lately... Here is a sampling...
The girls slept over at my moms the other night. They went upstairs to begin terrorizing the house when Erin called down as I was walking out "Bye Bye Mom - see you next time!" Where the heck she got that phrase I can't even imagine! I got a good laugh out of it but think she should have been a teeny weeny bit sad I was leaving - maybe for just a second.
+++++++++++++++++
I called Erin to her room to help clean up her toys - she was busy tearing my room apart. She stuck her head out of my door and yelled back to me "Mom - what do ya need?" What do I need - I need you to get your little diaper bootie over here and help!
+++++++++++++++++
The other day we played at a friends home in the morning. My friend sent the girls home with baggies of Cheerios. When Erin finished her snack she asked for more. I told her we did not have any in the car and would need to wait until we got home. She said "Mommy have sex at home?" I said "I have treats and snacks at home - we'll have some soon." She then said "I have sex at home too!" I very quickly tried to change the conversation.
The girls slept over at my moms the other night. They went upstairs to begin terrorizing the house when Erin called down as I was walking out "Bye Bye Mom - see you next time!" Where the heck she got that phrase I can't even imagine! I got a good laugh out of it but think she should have been a teeny weeny bit sad I was leaving - maybe for just a second.
+++++++++++++++++
I called Erin to her room to help clean up her toys - she was busy tearing my room apart. She stuck her head out of my door and yelled back to me "Mom - what do ya need?" What do I need - I need you to get your little diaper bootie over here and help!
+++++++++++++++++
The other day we played at a friends home in the morning. My friend sent the girls home with baggies of Cheerios. When Erin finished her snack she asked for more. I told her we did not have any in the car and would need to wait until we got home. She said "Mommy have sex at home?" I said "I have treats and snacks at home - we'll have some soon." She then said "I have sex at home too!" I very quickly tried to change the conversation.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Big Girl Bed Update...
Well, Nap #1 yesterday was a total and complete failure. Ev was especially nutty and had a grand old time - doing everything but napping. With her being such a clown there was no chance Erin would sleep. They slept over at my moms house, so no night time routine.
Today was attempt #2 and it was a total and complete success! We put them down around 12:45 and by 1:20 they were out! They always take a while to sooth themselves to sleep, so this 25 or so minutes was completely acceptable. It is now 3:12 and they are still snoring away. Yeah!
We'll see what happens tonight, but for now I am pleasantly happy :-)
Today was attempt #2 and it was a total and complete success! We put them down around 12:45 and by 1:20 they were out! They always take a while to sooth themselves to sleep, so this 25 or so minutes was completely acceptable. It is now 3:12 and they are still snoring away. Yeah!
We'll see what happens tonight, but for now I am pleasantly happy :-)
Saturday, December 6, 2008
It's the end of the world as we know it...
and I don't feel fine.The girls are 2 years, 5 months and 13 days old (or 897 days old). Every one of these nights they have slept in a highly confined space - and I think they enjoy it. But, we are closing in on a new era - one that includes big girl beds.
We have been talking about big girl beds for a long time - and the rules that go along with big girl beds - no jumping, no touching the blinds and don't get out until mom comes in the room.
Yesterday we went to buy blankies. Ev choose a bright pink super soft and cozy blanket. Erin went with a cozy white blankie with big bright colored polka dots! Seriously - if I had to pick out their blankets I would have picked these exact 2 blankets. But, they 100% made the choice. They love them!
Today Dave picked up the beds and we rearranged the room. Right now they are "sleeping" in their big girl beds - that's ri9ght, day 898. Maybe we should have held off until they are 900 days - or maybe 9000 days (that would make them over 25) ... that sounds better to me.
These photos and video are from their last night in cribs ;-(
Monday, December 1, 2008
No Night Night!
So, today was pretty hectic - the first day back to our normal routine. All morning the kids seemed a bit tired - still recovering from a few late nights. I put them in their cribs for a nap and went downstairs. Of course they did not drift off to sleep quickly - so I went back up and told them to go to sleep - and changed a diaper. Left the room and hoped for the best. I left the gate at the top of the stairs open because it makes noise opening and closing it.
A while later I was in the family room on the first floor talking with my friend Heather. All of a sudden I hear them running around upstairs screaming "No Night Night". They run down stairs and make loops around the first floor screaming "No Night Night". They are giddy with their accomplishment.
This is the first time either of them has climbed out of the crib! And, they both did it! What did I do over the holidays to deserve this punishment!!! Looks like our big girl beds will be put to use sooner than we had expected. I am really nervous and not very happy.
A while later I was in the family room on the first floor talking with my friend Heather. All of a sudden I hear them running around upstairs screaming "No Night Night". They run down stairs and make loops around the first floor screaming "No Night Night". They are giddy with their accomplishment.
This is the first time either of them has climbed out of the crib! And, they both did it! What did I do over the holidays to deserve this punishment!!! Looks like our big girl beds will be put to use sooner than we had expected. I am really nervous and not very happy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)