How the Grinch Almost Stole Christmas

I'm not sure if there is anyway to make this a short story ......

I was pretty excited about decorating for Christmas this year since it is the first year in our new house. I dragged down about 20 boxes of decorations from the attic and kept thinking "Where are the ornaments?". But then I would get busy again and figure I just hadn't gotten to those boxes yet.

Yesterday I had finally opened the last box and I started to panic. Where were all the ornaments? Then I started to cry. I knew they were not in the house. I had ornaments that were my grandparents from the 50's, ornaments I made as a kid, our first married Christmas ornaments, and then there were the ornaments from Connor and Charlotte's first Christmas'. Seriously, we had NO ornaments. Just an empty tree.

I realized there was only one place they could be and that was the attic of the rental house we had lived in for 4 months. By this time I was sobbing because our landlord had been SO AWFUL. I knew if I had left them she would have thrown everything away. I grabbed Charlotte and jumped in the car and headed over. I called my mom completely distraught and then she was crying too. We both prayed that whoever lived in the house now would at least be home.

I got to the house and went to the door. I did notice a wreath next to the door that looked slightly familiar but I didn't care about that. A lady opened the door and I started to tell her that I had lived there last Christmas and that's when I saw it. Right behind her on an entry way table was the light up ceramic Christmas tree that my grandma had made by hand over 30 years ago. I burst into tears and said, "That's my grandmas's tree!" Her response was strange. She just said, "Oh, do you want it back?" I was crying so hard at this point and trying to say "Yes! I want it". She said she had found it in the alley which seemed strange. If I had left all my Christmas stuff in the attic and the landlord had thrown it in the alley why would someone take all the ornaments but leave this beautiful 2 foot tree to be found by this lady? I was so upset I didn't really have time to think about it. I asked her if she had found any boxes of ornaments in the attic and she said she never goes up there.

I walked to the car crying carrying Charlotte and my tree. I was just so grateful to at least have one thing back. Then I decided I was going to knock on every door on that street and put out a reward for my ornaments (even though it was freezing cold and I had run out without putting a coat, socks, or shoes on my child. Poor thing.) As I got back out of my car the lady came outside to smoke. I walked up to her and told her what I was about to do and said I wanted to leave my name and number in case she heard anything. Then she said, "I just got off the phone with my husband and he said there is a bunch of stuff in the attic like a backpack and camping gear." I'm thinking, "Yes, that's mine! I used to backpack in high school! The backpack is turquoise!"

She said I could climb up there and look. I couldn't believe when I got to the top of the ladder and realized we had NEVER EMPTIED THE ATTIC AT ALL!!! My camping gear, yearbooks, some Thanksgiving decorations, high school diploma and scrapbooks were all there.......and hiding behind one huge box were all my ornaments. I started crying again! I must have made 10 trips up and down that ladder. I felt like an idiot but we were both so stressed out during our move because of the landlord threatening us that we just left as soon as our house was ready and forgot about the attic.

I feel bad that Charlotte was crying, "Mommy! Mommy!" the whole time. I had to leave her below in the garage sitting on a lawn chair with these two women she didn't know. I was up and down the ladder the whole time but I think she thought I was leaving her. I kept telling the ladies thank you and how grateful I was and gave them both hugs. I was so relieved.

I should mention at this point that there was one very large box up there that was completely empty.

When I got home and Aaron and I unloaded everything and sorted through the boxes my relief was crushed when I realized there was still one thing missing....my grandparents (mom's) manger. It was quite large. Almost 2 feet tall. I felt awful that I hadn't missed it until now. It was made out of very rough wood some with the bark still on. The figures were handpainted the most beautiful colors. They used to be glued in place but as a kid I had pulled them off so I could play with Mary and Joseph. It's hard to see but if you look in the background of the picture you can see it on our old fireplace. It really was one of my most valued possessions.


I was so disappointed. I knew the lady had to have it because I remembered it had been packed in the same box as the ceramic tree. The one that was now empty in her attic. But I also knew I couldn't just say, "Hey, I know you also have my manger." So I devised a plan. It would employ extreme kindness and the sweet demeanor of my young son. Yes, I used my kid.

After church today we went to Target and bought cookies and flowers. I told Connor we were going on a mission and explained exactly what to say. I should mention that he didn't know she had the manger. He still just thinks we were going to say thank you for finding our stuff. I didn't want to corrupt him too much.

I prayed all the way that she would be home and she was. We rang the doorbell and she seemed a little surprised to see me again. So I started the plan. I told her we just came by to say how thankful we were for returning our things and how nice it was to know that there were still honest people in the world. I gave her the cookies and a thank you card. Connor handed her the flowers and in the sweetest voice said, "Thank you for finding my Christmas train." At this point I did notice that on the table where my ceramic tree had been was now another one of my small Christmas trees (Aha! So she had been in the attic) but I didn't say anything since I had bigger things to worry about. I also invited her to our church and said we had a great Christmas Eve service if they didn't have plans to go anywhere else. I conveniently happened to have a brochure with me.

Then I casually said, "Oh, by the way, there is one more thing I'm missing. It is the most beautiful manger. My grandparents left it to me. I used to play with it as a little girl. You know there was one big box in the attic that I thought it was yours but now I'm thinking maybe it was mine and it could be in there." I had to give her an out and way to save face even though I was quite sure it was probably sitting in her living room. Just then her husband walked up but I didn't want to put her on the spot since I was hoping she would give it up using the "overlooked box in the attic" excuse. I said, "I don't want to bother you anymore but when you get a chance could your husband go check that box? I really think that's where it could be." I could tell she was uncomfortable and she said that they were about to eat but she would be more than happy to call me tomorrow and let me know if they found anything. I know she feels guilty because as I was walking away she pointed to the wreath near the door and said, "I found that in the attic too." I told her I thought it looked familiar but that it looked great where she had hung it and she should keep it. And I left.

So, here I sit, wondering if she will take the easy out I created. I really feel like she will but who knows. Honestly, she did me a favor. If she had called the landlord and said a bunch of stuff had been left in the attic I know it would have been thrown away. Whether I get it back or not I am at peace with it. Maybe she just really needs a manger. I did jokingly tell my mom that if she doesn't give it back she will be the one who has to look at a stolen Mary and baby Jesus every Christmas.

I'll keep you posted!

A Weekend of Parties!!!

Friday:

On Friday night we had our close friends over for Charlotte's 2nd birthday. We had a ton of fun and were glad to get together since we've missed several "Last Saturday" parties lately.

Aaron is traditionally in charge of the cake and it was AWESOME!!




I never realized how crazy my "Do not do that!" mom look is. As in "Do NOT blow out her candles!"


Saturday:

We had a wine tasting party/competition at our house. The rules were to bring 2 same bottles of a cabernet. One was for tasting and the other for the "pot". We scored as we tasted and tasted and tasted......haha. The winner got all the bottles in the pot and the loser has to host the next party. We all laughed because Trevino, who had just run to the store and bought whatever the guy told him to won. Chris and Leslie, who had the most expensive bottle, came in last. So next month we are tasting at their house. It was SOOOOO fun! Even better was that the kids all had a babysitter at the house next door. Woohoo!

L to R: Trevino (The Winner), Aaron, Steve & Lisa, Ram, Chris, Dosie, Leslie, Joe, Sumitha

1st thru 6th Place. I came in 4th.


And finally, you know it's a good party is one of your neighbors laughs so hard she spits wine across the countertop.

Sunday:

We had a joint party with our next door neighbors Trevino and Laureen. Their daughter Tauri turns 1 on Nov. 22 and Charlotte was 2 on Nov. 16.




Charlotte had just woken up from a nap so she was a bit crabby at the beginning. She had a lot of fun once she started riding her new bike.





On a follow up note, we did go back to The Dive to use the second Groupon and guess who walked in? Randy White. Pretty cool.

I Took My Kids to a Bar

Yes. I took my kids to a bar tonight. You can see the lovely velvet lamps with fringe and there were a few lava lamps sprinkled throughout.


You see I had/have two Groupons to The Dive Bar and Grill and they expire on Wednesday. I had no idea what the place was like but thought maybe I could go with a friend and have Aaron watch the kids (or better yet have a date night). But then Aaron had to go out of town. Well, I was not going to waste my money. At first I thought I'd get takeout but it said "Dine in only". I called and they assured me they were kid friendly so I went.

Well it was really dark inside but since it was 4:30 there were only a few people there to look at me like "hey, check out the crazy lady with her 2 kids in a bar!".

As it turns out the food was soooooo good! OMGoodness! I highly recommend the Diavlo Shrimp Tacos and Aged Gouda Mashed Potatoes. I even texted and got an immediate coupon for a free dessert. Thank goodness I took it home because I practically made out with the container when I licked it clean.

So, if you are in Frisco I highly recommend it. And, I HAVE to go back tomorrow because I still have that other Groupon. :)

By the way, Connor LOVED the place and ate 2 hamburgers and kept saying "I want to come here everytime we go eat. I love it!". So now he will be telling people his favorite restaurant is The Dive. Nice.

Help!

Ok. I give up on the vacation blog for now. I just can't seem to sit down and get caught up. Quite frankly, we have all been sick and Charlotte won't stop crying. Man, she is grumpy. If this is foreshadowing of how she will be as a teenager we are in trouble! We put her in a big girl bed and now she is back in the crib. It has been like Supernanny at our house the last two nights. We must have put her back in bed for hours. Plus she and Connor both have been doing their weird thing where they wake up at at 2, 4, 5 a.m. for no apparent reason. Connor has been this way since a baby. I think Charlotte has the same disease. It's only about once a month but they can't be rocked back to sleep at all. This last time Charlotte asked to go to Target! I could honestly say "they are not open right now." :)

Here is what she said the other night to try to stay out of bed:

"I'm hungry" No, Charlotte you just had two bowls of cereal.

"I have poop" No, we just changed your diaper.

"How bout, we change clothes" No

"How bout, we do hair" No

"How bout we go to store" No

But, I know God is real and that his mercies are new every morning because I just got an email saying our wine club holiday shipment went out. Hahaha.

Welcome to the TERRIBLE, TRAUMATIC, DRAMATIC two's.

Connor

Connor is doing AWESOME in school. This past week he won the Cool Kid award and got to go up on the stage at the Friday pep rally. He didn't know he was getting it and the look on his face was priceless.

I honestly expected him to be the class clown and getting in trouble a lot but he is so well behaved at school. He always gets his sticker each day.

The neighbors have also told me they've overheard him playing outside and telling the boys things like "you have to wear your helmet and look both ways!". Too funny. The other day they came to get him for another one of their sidewalk sales. They said Connor needed to come because he was their "entertainment". Haha. He is pretty goofy.

Love ya Connor!

Charlotte

I know, I know. I am supposed to be working on my big vacation post especially since Charlotte turns 2 on Wednesday and then I'll be even farther behind.

But, in the meantime, I'll tell you what she's been up to.

Last week, trying to put her down for a nap became more of a battle than it was worth. She climbed out of her crib for the second time and hit her head. So, we decided that not only did naps need to go but so did the front of the crib. We thought she'd be excited about it being made into a big girl bed but she took one look and said, "I don't want it!" and walked out of the room.

She also has started taking off all her clothes and bringing me her diaper saying, "I don't want it". Now I know this means she is ready for potty training but I am not looking forward to the amount of time and effort that will take from me! Ha! Just now she called me and said "I have poop". So I go to the living room and she is laying on her diaper with it undone with poop in it! Yuck. At least she had the sense to not move until I got there. Good grief!

She is SO stubborn!

Earthquake

I am working on my big vacation post but had to report that I realize now that I felt the Oklahoma earthquake last night. I was sitting on my bed and Annie was chewing on her feet as usual when the bed shook for about a minute. She had started scratching at that point and I thought she was just scratching harder than normal and thought it was a little strange but that's about it.

But now that I just read the internet article about the quake I realize it was that.

Interesting.

My Dad

It seems like each day I find another way that our house is perfect--for us. I'm amazed that our lot was not taken especially with the neighborhood nearing completion. There is no one behind us because our lot backs up to the entrance but I don't mind. As a matter of fact, I like being able to see what's going on.

So this morning I look out our bedroom windows and what do I see? A boom pump! I love it when I see them because it reminds me of growing up and watching my dad work. It was just before 7 a.m. when they are allowed to start and the concrete mixers were also starting to arrive. I called Connor and told him how I remember watching my dad work when I was growing up. I remember being out with my mom running errands and if we knew my dad was in the area we would stop. I remember feeling really important because "MY dad" was running the boom and we would wave at him and he would wave back. For some reason I really remember one time he was pouring a highway that had to be done at night and he drove us by and showed us the huge lights that would be set up for them.

Anyway I just love when I see boom pumps and usually have to stop and watch for a few minutes.

So, my house is perfect.

Love you Dad!




LITTE ENTREPRENURS

In a previous post I mentioned that Connor set up a stand selling water and actually made $1.75.
So this time the kids were selling lemonade and then expanded to Hawaiian Punch.


Oh, but it gets better! The very next day Connor comes running in all out of breath and asks me if I have any old pens. He grabs the oldest, ugliest pens I have and as he's running out the door he yells, "We're selling pens.................and duct tape!". What????? I'm thinking a roll? a piece?

So I go to the corner and they are actually selling things made out of duct tape. They had even made duct tape roses that were taped onto the top of the pens. Very creative. I must clarify that this was Devika's idea not the boys.



So of course I bought a purse for $1. They even let me know that for $1.50 they could do custom orders and they also had home delivery. Crazy. One of them is going to be rich someday!




SCHOOL DAYS

I may have already posted this pic but it's from the first day. Connor is on the left side in the black and white striped shirt.


Connor's first homework assignment a few weeks ago was to decorate a gingerbread shaped person. The instructions were to decorate it however he wanted with things that represent him. I thought this would be fun and was envisioning him being excited about finding soccer ball stickers, etc. Much to my dismay he colored it red and blue and that was it. So, what, you're an alien? After much moaning and groaning I insisted he had to put at least 5 things on it. I swear you would have thought I had told him he had to go get a shot! I had to basically come up with ideas myself and say, "what about this? or this? ok, just glue it there." I'm telling you this kid is NOT craft-sy. My friend's son was the same way so I guess it's a boy thing.

He also had his first Friday assembly which they do every so often. I was so impressed. They all say the US and Texas pledges and then sing the school song. The principals talked about how a "cool" kid acts and the fifth graders did a rap about how to treat others kindly. It just seems like a very organized school. They have a process for everything. Aaron went to eat lunch with Connor and he got up and asked a teacher where to throw the trash and her response was, "Sit down dad. We have a process and the kids will show you what to do!" haha.

Charlotte has also started school at Bible Bears where I work. Her teacher is Ms. Kim and she loves it. She goes in like a pro (she should since she has already been going there for a year). She sees me in the hall and just says "Hi Mommy" and then goes back to playing.

And now some other funny pics of Charlotte.


Addy and Charlotte at the mall play area. Uh, who's the creepy guy?



She actually did this herself. Scary.


Finally, I must say thanks to my SIL Rebekah for fixing my blog. It was a ugly black background for a long time and I couldn't figure out what was wrong. Thanks Aunt Rebekah!!!

Twas the Night Before Kindergarten.....

Well, it's done. But, before I tell you how Connor's first day went let me back up.

Last Friday, we went to a date night at our church. They provided free babysitting so we went to drop off the kids in their classes. That's when the lady said the awful words....."Oh, 6 year olds need to go to the other building." What!!! No, not change!!!!! Connor got really scared and started with his usual rendition of "No, I'm NOT going!!!"

We got over to the other building and he started getting all teary when we tried to leave him in the room. The children's preschool director tried to use reverse psychology and said, "Connor, you can stay here and have fun with the big kids or we can take you back to the preschool building." Well, you can guess what he choose. I knew Monday was not going to be good.

Sunday night we got his school clothes ready and made his lunch and I could tell he was nervous.



We put him to bed at 8:00 like good parents and then it began......

Tromp, tromp, tromp down the stairs comes Connor.

"Mom, I need fresh water (yes, his water must always be "fresh"). I JUST noticed that I don't have any."

Fine. I sent him back up with FRESH water.

Tromp, Tromp...."Mom, I'm not tired."

And it continued.........

"I want to watch football."

"I want my flashlight."

"Can I see my new shoes?"

"Can I sleep with you? You bed is more comfy than mine."

By this time it was 10:00 so in the best interest of Connor sleeping I let him come in bed with me.

BUT!!! In the dark it continued......

"Mom, what's 2+4?"

"Mom, I think I broke my fingernail."

"I just have too much energy."

"Hey, you know that movie.......blah, blah, blah."

CONNOR GO TO SLEEP!!!!

He finally fell asleep about 11:00.

Of course, HE finally got sleep. I didn't since he slept sideways. I straightened him out around 3:00. Then the dog wanted to go out. When I got back to bed he was curled up on my side. No big deal, I can sleep on Aaron's side (He had volunteered to sleep in Connor's bed). As soon as I got in bed he flung his legs and arms over me. Good grief, how close do you need to be??


This morning when he woke up he didn't want to get out of bed. He knows how to play me and said, "Mom, can't we just cuddle?". If the room was lighter you probably could have seen him batting his eyelashes.

Finally, he got up but didn't even want breakfast. Poor kid.

When it was time to leave we told him his friend Drew, who was also going into Kindergarten, would be waiting for him on the path. As we walked, more and more kids and their parents showed up on the pathway. Before long it was one long trail of kids. I think he thought it was pretty exciting.

We met up with Drew and he said, "Hey Drew! We're Kindergarteners! We are going to have fun but the older kids are more serious!" What?!? Is this the same kid who wouldn't fall asleep or eat breakfast?

We made it to the classroom and he went right in and sat down and started working! Unbelievable. I don't think he would have even said bye to us if I hadn't said it first!

All the kids names outside Mrs. Hall's classroom.....


Connor and Drew getting ready to go into class......


I think I look a little too excited in this picture!


Already hard at work! He was drawing a rainbow which I thought was nice until I looked over and the girl next to him had just finished drawing a rainbow. So much for creativity.


The classroom and Mrs. Hall in the black shirt.


Us out in the hallway. No tears here!



Charlotte and Addy learning the ropes.


The only blip on the radar was that he said he started crying when they were told they were going to art class. Aside from the fact that any craft is punishment to Connor, the art teacher wanted them to draw a picture of their family. But, she said the people should have clothes on. He said he cried because "I don't know how to draw clothes!" So she said he could just sit at the table or walk around the room with her so of course he followed her around the entire class!

He also told me that the teacher told them not to touch the bar under the lunch table because if you did it might fold up the table on you and could be very dangerous. He thought that was fascinating.

He also kept saying something about "I made it one hour". He finally explained that the teacher told them when they had one hour left and he "was soooooo excited for one hour because I knew you guys would be picking me up!"

Our Summer Vacation

For our summer "vacation" we met my brother and his family at Six Flags. Connor had never been to an amusement park before and was REALLY excited. He rode the swings that raise up and fly around in a circle and a kiddie roller coaster which he did not like.

It was super hot, needless to say, since we have had about 60 days over 100 now. I think it really was 108-110 that day and I thought, "Why are we here?". Once we were acclimated (accepted the fact that we were going to drip sweat all day) we had a great time!

This one is hard to see but Connor and Aaron are in the middle of the roller coaster. I think if you click on the picture it will get bigger.



I just love these pictures of Charlotte.





In other news......

Connor is still in his infomercial stage. He likes to watch all the commercials and then report back to me on what the best products are. Here are a few of his samplings:

• "Mom, you need to get this stuff that sprays on blue and then dries clear so when you know when to clean".

• "Mom, Oxyclean saves your clothes AND your money so y0u don't have to waste money."

• "If I get the supersoaker watergun, I can get another one for free!" I guess he hasn't heard of the shipping and handling trick.

The rest of the summer has just been spent playing with friends, trying to survive the heat, and being lazy.

Charlotte.......

She has really started talking. She puts 3 word sentences together and just last night said, "I wuv you" as I was putting her to bed. Some other fun things she says/said:

• She hit me then said, "I Sowwy, Mama. I hit." Not something to brag about but, hey, it's a sentence.

• When I tell her that she cannot have something she says, "Awwwww."

• "No-eeee"= More

• "Glub It!"=Put on my purple latex gloves. Yes, she loves medical gloves. I guess she has seen the church ladies changing the babies and wants to wear some too. She always comes home from Sunday School wearing one.
  

• "What doooo-ing, Mama?"

• "Cooley"=Kool Aid

• "Conyah"= Connor

• And...she has finally started saying her own name.

Other Highlights......

Charlotte and Addy are having a lot of fun getting to know each other more and seem to be working out the kinks....not so much biting and pushing :)



Damn, these kids, and their pants hanging down showing their underwear. Bunch of hoodlums!!!!



Getting ready to go out for date night. Sorry Aaron wasn't home from work yet but if 3 out of the 4 of us look decent we're taking a picture.


I swear, you go out and leave your kids with the grandparents and they end up naked in the backyard!



Over here Grampa!


Whoaaaaaa....slow down!