Every Ornament Has a Story

I’m a sucker for Christmas. I love everything about it.

I love the feelings of tranquility and happiness of the season.

I love the decorations, the smell of a fresh tree, the shopping, the wrapping, the Christmas cards, the visits to Santa, and all the other special little events that go along with it. If I could bottle up Christmas and save it all year long, I would.

One of my most favorite Christmas things to do is to decorate the tree. Now that my kids are old enough to help without me yelling (too much), it’s even more special.

As I was taking each ornament out of its box this year, I started to get really nostalgic. Of course we have the generic ball ornaments and candy canes, but while unwrapping the rest of the ornaments, I started to realize that each one has its own story. We don’t just buy ornaments to buy them. There’s always a reason behind them or a reason why someone else decided to buy them for us.

There’s the custom-made wedding ornament that my old college roommate and bridesmaid gave to me for my wedding shower. It has our names painted on it with out wedding date. It’s crazy to think that it’s now ten years old.

There’s the Santa in a hula skirt from our Hawaiian honeymoon. I think back and remember how we said we were going to go back on our five year anniversary. Safe to say, that did not happen!

There are the baby’s first Christmas ornaments. The ones with the girls’ pictures and the other ones with their names, dates of birth, and other information painted on. To say these are special would be an understatement.

There’s the “sisters” ornament that my old college friend gave to me. While we were away, we had our own “fake families” and she was my pretend sister.

There’s the “Mommy’s First Christmas” ornament that my friend of thirty years gave to me when my first daughter was born. I remember thinking how I had never seen an ornament like that for moms.

There’s the “Dirty Dancing” ornament that says quotes from the movie. I bought this one for myself because it’s one of my favorite movies and “no one puts baby in the corner”.

There’s the Clark Griswold ornament that says “Alleluia” when the lights turn on. I bought this one for my husband because his love for Christmas lights reminds me of Clark Griswold.

There’s the sunflower ornament my aunt bought me because sunflowers are my favorite flower.

There are the handmade ornaments my girls made. They help me track their artistic progress each passing year.

There are the Dora and Doc McStuffins ornaments sprinkled about because those were there favorite characters last year. Funny how no “Frozen” ornaments made their way on the tree this year.

There are the countless Elvis ornaments because my husband loves Elvis.

There’s the salami and deli meat ornaments…they’re a new addition…don’t ask!

Each ornament is not simply “just” a decoration. Each ornament has its own story, its own memory that will forever be engrained in my heart and mind.

Do you have special ornaments that tell a story?

Thankful for All the “Little & Annoying” Things

So, it’s the time of year when we are supposed to be thankful for all of our blessings and show our gratitude by eating enough turkey to put us into a food coma until it’s time to hit the Black Friday sales, right? Well, not necessarily.

While we’re all thankful for our families, our homes, our jobs, etc., have you ever thought about all those little daily “annoyances” that are really blessings in disguise? I know I usually don’t because I’m too busy complaining about them. Lately, I’m trying to not see them as “annoyances”, but rather moments and so-called “little things” that I should be thankful for each day.

I’m thankful for my daughter’s incessant pleas for me to play school with her. I should be glad she actually likes to learn.

I’m thankful for all the dust bunnies and loads of laundry. There are so many people who don’t have a house to clean or clothes to put on their backs.

I’m thankful for cooking dinner, although I’m not the best chef. There are people who don’t know where their next meal is going to come from.

I’m thankful for my children running around the house and jumping on the furniture. There are children who are too sick and don’t have the energy to even open their eyes.

I’m thankful for the mess of toys that are constantly around my house. There are parents who can’t even afford one toy for their child, let alone several.

I’m thankful that my children call “mommy” for every little thing. There are so many women who struggle to have kids.

I’m thankful that my husband works so much. There are so many lazy husbands out there who don’t support their families.

I’m thankful for the never ending stream of questions my children bombard me with every day. There are some children who could really care less to ask just one question.

I’m thankful for my kids’ visits to my room in the middle of the night. The days are going to come when I’ll have to fight them for just one hug.

I’m thankful for all my failures and doors that have been shut in my face. They’ve only taught me to fight harder and prevail.

I could really go on and on, but I think you all get the point. These are just a few…and I mean a few, of the things I complain about pretty frequently. It’s sad to admit, but it’s the truth. These are all blessings in disguise. Things to truly be grateful for.

I’m sure if you think about it, you have a list like this too. I think we are too quick to complain and too slow to be give thanks.

What are you thankful for these days?

Princesses for Halloween? My Daughters Let it Go

A few months ago (like June) when the stores started putting out Halloween costumes, I thought my girls would no doubt want to be Elsa and Anna from “Frozen”.

I mean, what little girl doesn’t want to be one of them?

They eat and breathe anything and everything with those sisters faces on it.

They screech “Let it Go” at the top of their lungs and wish they had their very own Olaf in the backyard all year long to play with.

But, just when I thought I had them figured out, they surprised me. My older daughter told me right away she wanted to be a “police”, as in an officer of the law.

“Really? Why?” I asked. The answer, “So, I can direct traffic.” I laughed. She was dead serious. I thought as the big day got closer she would maybe change her mind. I thought when we went to the party store to get her costume and she saw all the princess costumes she would drop her badge for a magic wand or at least an ice crystal. Nope. She was not going to let it go. So, we bought the police officer costume. Truth be told, we got the boys’ costume because I didn’t see the need in having a five-year-old wear fishnet stockings and knee high boots. Call me crazy, but that’s not happening in my house.

Moving on to daughter number two who is also a “Frozen” freak. If not Elsa or Anna, I thought maybe she would opt for Olaf. She really does love warm hugs. Nope. For some reason, she wanted to be Dora the Explorer. Perfect! I thought.

I already have that costume in the closet from a few years back.

I dragged it out.

She tried it on.

It fit.

She loved it.

I loved it more because it meant I didn’t have to buy two costumes. Gracias mi amiga Dora! Elsa and Anna who?

I couldn’t help but ask my girls why they were ditching the sisters from Arendale this Halloween. They simply said they didn’t want to dress up as them.

That’s good enough for me, especially after going to several Halloween events where all sets of sisters I’ve seen are dressing up as Elsa and Anna. We were at one party where there four Elsas and Annas and several other princesses including Belle, Snow White, and the rest of her BFFs.

Don’t get me wrong, my girls love to dress up as princesses and I’m all for it. But, I was doing mommy cartwheels inside when they decided not to be one for Halloween. I was kinda proud that my daughters didn’t want to get lost in the crowd . I can honestly say I have not seen one other little girl police officer nor have I seen another Dora. That’s probably because Dora is a bit past her prime, but you get the point.

When it comes to princess Hallloween costumes, in the words of the famous Elsa, “Let it go, let it go”…Being different should never bother you any day.

Why Do Father’s Day Gifts Suck?

I’ve been out shopping this week, searching for the “perfect” Father’s Day gift for my husband. After searching high, low, left and right, I’m here to tell you all the options out there really suck. There’s no nice way to put it.

Let me break it down for you. If you look in any of the sale flyers in the paper, they are all littered with neck ties, khakis, golf clubs, and tools. I’m sorry, but I think those are all crappy gifts. First of all, the only time my husband wears a neck tie is for a wedding or a funeral. Through the years, he’s acquired enough to never need another one in his lifetime. So, scratch that off the list.

Now on to the khakis. Boring. There’s really not much more to say. I don’t wear khakis. My husband doesn’t wear them. We are not a khaki clan. I can’t buy khakis. The same can be said for golf clubs. I know a lot of guys would be foaming at the mouth if they got a new set for Father’s Day. Not in my house. My husband doesn’t golf. So, this goes in the “N/A” pile of Father’s Day gifts.

Moving on to tools. I like to compare these to small appliances for women. It’s kinda like buying a woman a vacuum or iron for Mother’s Day. You may need it, but it’s really not a gift. It’s just something to help you do even more housework. It’s like giving your guy an electric screwdriver, a shiny new hammer, and a wrench and saying, “Go fix all the things in the house that you should have fixed all year round. Happy Father’s Day!” Yet, another crappy gift.

There are always gadgets and electronics. Guys love that stuff. But, honestly some of them are so expensive. Who has money for that? Not this momma. I thought about going the sentimental route and getting something engraved. But, I’ve done that so many times. I’m running out of things to carve.

Hmmm. So, what do you buy for a Father’s Day gift? I asked my husband what he wanted. He truly said nothing. He’s the type to just buy something when he wants it. He’s not going to wait for some Hallmark holiday to get something he’s been wanting. That’s why shopping is so difficult.

I was ready to chuck the whole gift idea, but I felt a twinge of guilt about not having something for him to open Sunday morning. At least something from the kids. After sorting through racks of ugly shirts that left me wanting to chuck some golf balls at someone, I did find a gift. Not a big gift. Not a “typical” gift, but a gift none the less. It’s just a little something from the kiddies. Hopefully he likes it because I can’t return it.

So, what am I going to get him? Maybe I’ll make something other than chicken. That would truly be a gift in my house! I don’t know. I still have a few days to decide. All I know is that shopping for Father’s Day is annoying. Enough said.

Why I Don’t Want a “Perfect” Mother’s Day

“Oh my gosh…my kids got me flowers, jewelry, and took me out to the best restaurant. It was the perfect Mother’s Day.”

Have you ever heard some women say this? I have. It makes me want to poke my eyes out with a spork. Trust me, I’m not jealous and I’m not being a hater…really. I just don’t think that’s what the day is about. At least not to me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love flowers and jewelry and going out to eat, but it’s not the whole kit and caboodle.

What really is all that and a bag of chips is this craft my daughter came home with from school:

If you can zoom in and read the fine print it says, “Sometimes you get discouraged because I am so small, And always leave my fingerprints on the furniture and wall. But every day I’m growing, I’ll be all grown up some day and those tiny little handprints will surely fade away. So here’s a final handprint to help you recall exactly how my fingers looked when I was very small.”

I’d be lying if I say I didn’t get teary eyed. This was so sweet and the words so true. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped an “F” bomb because I’ve stepped on another Barbie shoe or am cleaning up juice off a floor I’ve just mopped. At times like these I don’t think to enjoy the moment or about how fast they grow up. I’m honestly thinking about how annoying the situation is at the time. Sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and not sweat the small, stupid stuff. It really doesn’t matter.

What does matter is spending time with your little ones, soaking up all the little laughs, pushing them on the swing, making sand castles, cheering because they finally mastered riding a tricycle, hugs, kisses, and bedtime stories. So if a “perfect” Mother’s Day doesn’t include these things, I don’t want it.

Instead, I’ll take an “unperfect” day of staying home, spending time with my family, and doing whatever else we feel like doing. I won’t need to try it on or need a gift receipt. It will be just right.

The Quest for Elsa

Three weeks ago I had a “clever” idea for my girls’ Easter baskets. Since they are obsessed with the movie “Frozen”, I thought it would cute to give them each a basket with a “Frozen” doll in it. My older daughter would get Elsa, of course, and my younger, Anna. Oh what a great Easter morning we would have as they squealed with excitement over their new dolls. The Easter Bunny would be the hero and we would all live happily ever after, just like Elsa and Anna.

Or, this would happen. I would be shopping at Target and notice one Anna doll left. I would pick it up (on sale, of course), and just go to another store and pick up Elsa. No biggie. Well, I must have been under a rock because not only could I not find Elsa at Target, I couldn’t find her anywhere. Not one freakin’ Elsa doll. It wasn’t just Elsa who melted off the shelf. All the “Frozen” areas looked like a bomb exploded. There was hardly any merchandise to be had. So, I did what anyone would do these days, I posted my frustrations on Facebook. To my surprise other mothers were experiencing the same thing and told me there are no dolls ANYWHERE!

I certainly couldn’t give one daughter a basket with an Anna doll and not give another basket with Elsa. It’s like listening to Bon Jovi without Jon or going to a Maroon 5 concert without seeing Adam Levine. It just doesn’t cut it. So my next logical step was to search the land where dreams come true, if you are willing to pay the price. I’m talking about eBay of course. Well, let me tell you, Elsa and friends are selling for some big bucks. If you don’t mind melting down your wallet, you can have any doll you want. I just wanted Elsa.

Luckily, I found one with a starting bid of $19.99. Not bad, I thought, only a few bucks above retail. With only a couple of hours left, I thought I had a good chance. As the time got closer, I started to bid. As fast as I could put in a price, I was getting outbid! I found myself running on adrenaline. Did I really want the doll or did I just want to win the bid? Anyway, when the price got to $40.oo, I had to stop. I couldn’t morally allow myself to pay that much for a doll. So, I moved on to another one that only had seventeen minutes left on the bid. Bids were only at twenty dollars. I went back and forth, sweating it out for sixteen minutes and forty five seconds.

In the last fifteen seconds, I put out a $28.00 bid and won! I couldn’t believe it. Knowing now that these dolls are going for big bucks, I think I got a pretty good deal paying only about twelve dollars above retail.

Elsa arrived a few days ago in perfect shape. Brand, spanking new! I can’t wait to wrap her up. Excuse me, the Easter Bunny can’t wait to wrap her up. I can’t wait to see my daughters’ faces Easter morning.

I know so many moms who are still hunting for Elsa and friends. Apparently, Disney just can’t keep up with demand. There are even buying limits at some stores. So, unless you want to go broke, you may have to “let it go.”

My Kids’ New Year’s Resolutions

When the ball drops to signal the start of a new year, many of us will resolve to stop smoking, stop eating, start exercising, start being better people, etc. etc. Those are all great cliché resolutions that we can all cut and paste from year to year. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve resolved to do some of those things too. Come January 31st, I’m over it. That is, until next New Year’s Day!

But, I really wish both of my kids could make some resolutions of their own to improve their lives and the lives of those around them, i.e. me. With that said, here are some of things I’m praying the New Year’s fairy will make happen in 2014.

Mommy, I’m going to sleep in my own bed every night. You mean you won’t run into my room at 4 o’clock every morning and nuzzle your head in between my shoulder blades while giving me a good knee jerk in my lower back? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, no more temper tantrums. They’re sooo 2013. You mean you won’t kick and scream like someone is pulling your nails out with a pair of pliers when I tell you we can’t watch Doc McSctuffins for the tenth time today? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, I will really share with my sister and not hit her over the head with a stuffed animal. You mean you’ll do it without me having to yell? Yes, mommy.

Mommy, I’ll go to bed when I’m supposed to and not try to stay up although I can’t even stand up straight. That would just be great. I know mommy, but that one probably isn’t going to happen so don’t get your hopes up!

So, these are just a few things I’m hoping will change when the clock strikes midnight. Only time will tell!

Happy 2014!

When Girls Want Fire Trucks

“Mommy, I want a fire truck for Christmas.”

I first heard those words about a month ago, and they haven’t stopped yet. I would be lying if I didn’t say I was more than a little surprised to hear my four-year-old daughter tell me and everyone else that this year. I guess I wouldn’t have been so shocked if she said she wanted a Barbie or another doll or some other toy she’s “supposed” to want. Even her teacher was intrigued when the words came out of my daughter’s mouth at the class Christmas party.

I really shouldn’t be all that flabbergasted because this was the same girl who told me she wanted a motorcycle for her birthday six months ago. I really dread what lies ahead when she turns sixteen! But, I digress. My point here is that I find it interesting that everyone, myself included, would find it so odd that a four-year-old girl would want a fire truck for Christmas. If she were a boy, no one would flinch. I think it just goes to show how set we still are when it comes to gender, kids and toys. What I find even most interesting is that my daughter doesn’t see anything strange or intriguing about it at all. It’s just comes naturally. She likes fire trucks, so she wants one. Period. I think that attitude is better than any gift I or Santa could ever give her.

Sometimes I wish I could see things so simply like that. I’m sure a lot of you out there would agree. When my daughter constantly tells me she wants to be a grown up, I constantly tell her being a kid is just the best. That’s because it is.

There are no “boy toys” or “girl toys”, just toys.

There are no white or black people, just people.

There are no ugly colors in the crayon box, just crayons.

There are no cheap or ugly gifts, just gifts.

I think you get what I’m saying here.

I think this year we should all see Christmas through a child’s eyes, where girls can get fire trucks and boys can get Easy Bake ovens, if they want.

Merry Christmas!

p.s. Santa is bringing a fire truck!

More Presence & Less Presents

‘Tis the season to be jolly and empty out your bank account. Right? For many people that is the case, especially if you have kids. If your kids are at the talking stage chances are you hear “I want” a lot when the latest toy commercial comes on. It’s just part of being a kid, especially at Christmas. If your kids don’t do it, I’m jealous.

With all that said, is it really necessary to give into every holiday “I want”? Call me a Grinch, but I really don’t think so. Don’t get me wrong, I’m buying my kids gifts this year, but I’m not dipping into their college fund to get that big smile on their faces and neither is Santa. I don’t really think you have to go big or go home when it comes to the holidays.

I’m trying to raise my girls to appreciate gifts, but not to expect them or to expect extravagant ones at that. Let me tell you, it is harder than finding Waldo. That’s why I’m trying to follow a mantra of “More presence, less presents”.

Do you know how many times my four-year-old asks me to play with her in one day? A lot would be an understatement. So, I leave the dust bunnies and the pile of dishes in the sink to have a tea party or play school with my girls.

I give them my presence.

It seems to go a lot further than dolls I bought them for their birthdays that are just sitting in a bin somewhere. It’s also a lot cheaper. Both my girls also love when I just sit and read them a book or color a picture. They love when we dance around like idiots, have a puppet show, or even just sit and watch some Doc McStuffins….together.

I give them my presence.

Sure, my kids have a favorite toy they do like to kick around and play with. But, for the most part, they make up their own games and scenarios in their little world of make believe. They invite me to be a part of it all.

So, I give them my presence.

I know teaching them about less presents and more presence may be above their four and two-year-old comprehension levels, but that’s not going to stop me. Not at all.

I will continue to give them my presence.

Nothing Funny About the Easter Bunny

As a mom there are “those” pictures that are a must for your photo album. You know what I’m talking about. You have the shot of your kid blowing out his candles every year. You have those family vacation pics with the perfect scenic background because every three year old wants to have his picture taken with the sun setting at just the right time. Then there are the holiday shots. You gotta have the Santa pics and if you have the jolly old guy, you need to have the fluffy bug-eyed one. Oh yeah, it’s the Easter Bunny.

I admit, I love to have the perfect pictures of my kids. Of course all the pictures my kids are in are perfect. I know as their mother I’m supposed to believe that, but that’s not the truth. There are some pictures where one looks like a criminal while the other is sticking her neck out like a giraffe. This year’s Easter Bunny photo was definitely not picture perfect and really cracked my eggs.

Why you may ask? Well, because my one and half year old would not go near the fluffy guy. My three and a half year old was ready to invite him over for dinner, while the little one had no use for him…not even for a stinkin’ picture. She clung onto my jacket for dear life as her sister sat there and talked to this big headed creature that just sat there. Baby girl would not have any part of it. As much as I wanted a picture with my two girls, I wasn’t going to be “that” mom who forced her kid to sit there in panic just for a snapshot. So, instead, I have a picture with one smiley toddler and an empty leg of the bunny dude where my other child should have been. The funny thing is that while she didn’t want to take a picture with him, she did say goodbye to him and she did blow him a kiss. I just don’t get it!

So, since that one didn’t work out, I thought I would try again with a different bunny. Well, different bunny, still not so funny. Once again she was ready to throw a freak out while her sister didn’t want to leave. Now, I have two lovely pictures of my older daughter with the Easter bunny and none with my little one. I considered photo shopping her in, but decided that would be borderline creepy. I will just have to settle and accept the fact that bunnies aren’t for everyone, especially if they have abnormally large heads and hang out in the mall 24/7.

The Mommy Rundown

As a mom, the rundown of your day’s activities can make you feel so run down you want to scream. When I can’t scream, I write, laugh, and drink plenty of coffee!

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