Cookie Day 2012

This week I made cookies!   I have been plotting and planning and it all came down to this:

It seems rather paltry after some of my previous Cookie Day creations, but it was mostly me this year (Randy did lend a hand wrangling the kiddos and managing other household during so I could bake).  I think I am getting more methodical in my approach to cookies.  I have my categories (bar, drop, and refrigerator - I have abandoned cut out/shape cookies for a few years or until I get more help) and I make my selections.  I attempt to balance my chocolate/nut ratio so don't get too lopsided in my choices.  I always try to include at least one meringue (a gluten-free option for Justin), one mint, and one citrus (orange or lemon) just so it can be a little break from the pure sweet.  And of course, every year is all new cookies.  I think I may have set the bar pretty high for myself, but so far I enjoy it.  Kind of like Meat Day. :)

I made 10 different kinds of cookies this year: 2 bar, 3 refrigerator, and 5 drop.  That includes raspberry chocolate meringue, (My mom's cousin gave me this recipe and it is SO good!  But I am very thankful for my stand mixer!!) pistachio jam bars with homemade jam (My mom and Travis' creation - I highly recommend doing this at least once with kids who love pb and j sandwiches.  Travis understands so much better why he cannot have his favorite sandwich every day for lunch...), and ricotta cheese cookies (LOVE the cakey consistency of these!)

I had to bake over a couple of days but it all worked out really well.  It was all worth it when I get to deliver tins filled with yummy treats to my neighbors and to Justin's therapists.  The ladies at therapy said they look forward to it, it's the best day of the year, and better not be out sick on cookie day! And I enjoy going to my neighbor who is going through cancer and the other neighbor who went through cancer with my mom.  It gives me a great opportunity to enjoy a fun visit with them.  Cookies are good food!

Live Nativity

Our neighbors hosted their Live Nativity program this past weekend and our family was able to participate in the fun!  This is the fourth year that they have lived across the street from us and every year we help out a little bit more.  This year we helped with snacks for the cast and the guests and we offered our talent.  I am pretty sure the snacks were better received than the talent!

 

They read the Christmas story from Luke and the cast moves along with the reading.  It runs for two hours and the cast changes every half hour to give more people a chance to participate and to give people a break from the hot lights!  This year it was really warm and the lamb got especially hot (you can ask Travis)!  Every year they add something else to make it a little better. This year they bought a huge light kit. (You can see it in the last picture.) They have great costumes and very entertaining readers to make it a special event for everyone.

 

 

I made popcorn and lemonade for the people watching the program.  We were going to have hot chocolate but it got too hot.  It was good we had lemonade!

 

Here we are watching from across the street.

 

We have a very progressive thought when it comes to casting.  Travis' shift had all female shepherds!  Doesn't he make a cute lamb?

We got assigned the last half hour of the night.  That was from 8:30 - 9 pm.  Wow, is that late when it comes to my kids who are used to being in bed by 7 pm.  I was Mary, Randy was Joseph, and Alaina was baby Jesus.  (Like I said, progressive casting!)  Travis took our picture since he was the only one left.  Didn't he do a good job?

And now for the rest of the story:  Justin was having a very bad potty day and he peed in the underwear about 5 times before the show began.  I was using the stroller outside so that I would have someplace to put Alaina when I was helping with snacks and costumes changes.  It ended up that Justin sat in the stroller most of the night, except when he peed in his underwear and we had to go and change his clothes. Which he did and we did at least another 5 times during the show.  That's not counting the times we actually made it to the potty.  I had no idea what was going on but it was quite a debacle.  We ran out of underwear and moved on to pajama bottoms.  I ran out after the last clothes change just in time to head across the street and put on Mary's outfit.  It was extremely late for Alaina and I knew she would be upset and I had planned to grab her pacifier to help make it through our half hour.  With Justin's issue I forgot to grab it and I headed outside knowing it was going to be bad.  Before we even got into the stable Justin needed to go to the bathroom again so Randy took him inside and I went out and said to start without him.  Randy came out in time for the second reading and Justin was back in the stroller with Travis watching him and us watching them both.  We didn't even make it through one reading when Travis "snuck" up in the middle and said Justin was crying and he needed us.  So Randy went out to get him and I ended up having to stand up with a screaming baby.  Every time the kings came to offer their gifts I had to reassure them that her crying was not at all a reflection of her opinion of their gifts!  So Randy was holding Justin (crying) and I was holding Alaina (crying) and we were both standing up bouncing.  And Justin peed all over Randy and his Joseph costume.  We were quite a sight!  I was sure we were going to be fired by the time it was over but instead our neighbor came up and said, "That was hysterical!  You guys were great!  I will e-mail you some pictures!"  Thanks.  I think?

Later that night Justin woke up vomiting and with a fever, which lasted the rest of the weekend and into Monday.  I gues we know now that when he cannot control his peeing he's on his way to getting sick.  And when he is sick all he wants is mommy and Alaina is in one of her mommy phases so it was a tough day for ALL of us.  We're glad that one is over!

Christmas Party

The place where Justin gets his orthotics threw a big Christmas party for all the kids.  They gave little presents and goodie bags to all the kids and they had games, face painting, crafts and lots of food!  The great thing about living in Texas is that we can do outdoor activities even in December.  They were able to block off part of the parking lot and set up a bounce house, a basketball game and several tables for eating.  Ours boys love bounce houses and since they were doing a really good job of monitoring how many people were jumping, Justin felt like he could really jump. 

 

And jump he did! 

 

 

He really enjoyed himself.  Can you tell?? 

 

 

Daddy and Alaina watched and I got a great smile out of her!  A little freaky with the snowman looking over their shoulder...

 

We even got a good picture with Santa.  Alaina smiled for this too.  I was so impressed! 

 

Eating our goodies.  How is it that no matter if you just ate a meal you can still eat chips? 

 



Travis got his face painted for the first time.  Afterwards he said it only hurt a little bit, but he kind of liked it!  Justin wouldn't let anyone touch him.  He thinks it will hurt.  It took forever before he would let us put temporary tattoos on him.

 



 

 

This was their tree.  You can't really tell, but it's decorated with orthotics, even at the top.  And the red Christmas card is from our therapy place.

 

 

It was a really enjoyable evening. The boys had a great time.  Our orthotics place does a lot of good for the kids.  We don't have a lot of choice when it comes to orthotics and I am so glad that this is the place we get to go.  Most of the kids who were at the party wear orthotics (duh!) and they range in ability from mild to severe problems, even kids in wheelchairs. They closed down the bounce house for a while and let the parents take their wheelchair-bound son into the house and "bounce" him.  When there are bounce houses, the kids with special needs have difficulty participating because it's aways such a wild and chaotic place to be.  This time it wasn't like that.  Someone even said something to the owner of the company, thanking him for doing something for "our kids".  He was a little surprised because he hadn't really thought of it that way.  He was just doing something nice for his clients.  But to his clients it was so much more.

Some Thanksgiving Pictures

So I told you that we got some cute pictures at Thanksgiving but I couldn't post them, so now here they are:

 

No need to explain this one!

 

 

Justin was "reading" his card, just like big brother...

 

Travis likes to hold Alaina and this was post-nap so the flower wasn't reapplied yet!

Six Months

Alaina turned six months this week and it is amazing how fast the time has flown by.  She is now a fairly confident sitter (except when her brother "helps"!)  She tops out at 13 lbs. 6 oz and apparently she hasn't grown any since her last visit so we're going to chalk that up to the "expert" methods they employ to measure babies!

She is still very much a mama's girl and she doesn't enjoy sitting down by herself.  She likes company!  Alaina spends a lot of time getting mauled by her brothers and she is becoming one tough cookie!  She pulls hair and bites on chins and she's not picky whose!

Halfway to One!

(I solved my picture issue temporarily.  But FYI it's still me posting, not Randy!)

Last Week

I know, just as soon as I catch up on blogging I fall behind again.  It's kind of like everything else that goes on around here.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Last week was one of those weeks that is crazy and busy and challenging and fun and stressful and relaxing all at once.  It's hard to see how that is possible but I can attest that it is.

Monday was relaxing.  Nothing big to do.  School is done for the year since we take our long break between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It works out VERY well for us so far.  I plan to wait a little longer before starting second grade with Travis so we'll be doing a few unit studies the beginning of next year.  I hope I can manage it since that's new for me.

Tuesday was our stressful, busy, and fun day.  We left the house early for Doughnut Day and we ended the day with Zoo Lights.  And we didn't come home at all in between.  I fed my children doughnuts for breakfast and Chick-fil-A for lunch AND dinner.  We collected half of the new Franklin books they have in the kids' meals (and we already have the other half...)  We also went to therapy, Wal-mart, the airport, and the dentist.  I pushed my kids and they did great!  I have to be thankful that they are such fantastic car-riders.  Alaina didn't even cry more than a few minutes and she napped during the longer stretches.  I was so worried because we took me friend's mom to the airport and she asked specifically for me to take her so I didn't want her to regret her decision because of a screaming baby!  She got in the car and said she was so glad I could take her to the airport because I don't talk too much!  (Please don't cry, please don't cry!)  And then not only did she go to sleep peacefully but Justin took a little snooze too!  Yeah!

We got to the dentist a little early so we read our new Franklin books (Yeah Chick-fil-A!) and then we still had a few minutes to kill.  Fortunately the waiting room was empty so I made Travis and Justin exercise while I fed Alaina.  They did jumping jacks, push ups, jumped back and forth from one foot to another and hopped on one foot.  It was hysterical watching Justin try to imitate Travis.  He is so sincere and tries so hard!  After Travis was exhausted I had him sit down and stretch.  This is of course Justin's area of expertise based on his loose joints.  Justin can flop his legs open and lay flat forward on the ground.  It's funny watching Travis try to imitate Justin!

The Zoo Lights was something new that we haven't done before.  And of course I have no pictures because in my flurry to get everything together that we would need for the entire day I forgot not the camera but the camera battery that I was recharging so it would be ready for the day.  I tried, I really did!  The lights were impressive and they did a light show timed with music which was fun to watch, but we could only go to certain areas of the zoo and see a few of the animals.  Justin was telling me "zoo"  "amals" all day and he was kind of disappointed.  The zoo is supposed to be about animals and the lights just didn't impress our gang.  I don't think we'll be going again until the kids are quite a bit older.

We got home so late that of course Wednesday was doomed.  I decided pretty early on that it was going to be a crabby mommy day.   It started with Justin waking up and spreading poopy on his floor and all over his hands and legs and he also peed in his bed, on his mask (which he had thrown on the floor), and the box of clothes under his bed.  After I got everything in the laundry and Justin in the bathtub we had breakfast.  Justin spilled his medicine/drink (which is basically just sugar water) all over the table and floor I had just mopped.  It took me until 1:00 pm to get everything cleaned up and back to where we started when I woke up that morning.  I also had to make several insurance and doctor phone calls which never helps my mood.  And you know that was the day before Thanksgiving...

So while I was moping the floor I decided to think of all the things for which I am so thankful to help get me out of my funk.  (It seemed appropriate, it being Thanksgiving week and all...)  The day was not over yet though.  While I was mopping Travis laid down and took a nap.  A nap!  He doesn't do that by himself, unless he's you guessed it...sick.  Oh yeah, fever and everything.  As long as he was medicated he was fine but he did a lot of laying around.

Then it was on to Thanksgiving, which was calm and relaxing.  It was rather low-key with just Randy's parents and his uncle.  Lots of good food, and I got to take home the turkey bones to make yummy broth, which is one of the best parts of the day for me.  Then I did something I have never done before...

 

I went Black Friday shopping in the middle of the night.

 

I have gone out to one store before at midnight, but this was hard core (for me!)  We went to Wal-mart.  That says it all.  Now I want to impress upon you how big of a deal this was for Randy to agree to let me do:  Alaina does not sleep through the night.  Justin does not sleep through the night.  Travis often gets up when Justin does.  And Randy does not get up with them very often.  I get up at least four times a night and he gets up maybe once or twice a week.  This is nothing against Randy, it's just that I am often the only one who can help and he has to get up early to go to work.  He also has turned himself into a very deep sleeper.  So I was slightly worried that the neighbors might be calling our house asking if someone would take care of that crying baby!  But our kids had other plans.  Justin peed his bed, Alaina refused to take a bottle and Randy pretty much gave up trying to sleep.  He texted me updates throughout the night but he didn't ask me to come home.  Wasn't that so sweet?  After my friend and I got our lists checked off we did some girl's shopping.  I haven't been able to shop for myself and try clothes on in the store in, well, I cannot remember when!  It was so much fun!  I had a great time but when I came home (at 4 am) Randy was standing in the kitchen waiting for me.  Alaina was laying in bed doing the big sniffle thing as she was trying her best to settle down and go to sleep.  I let Randy go to sleep and I fed her.  Then I crawled our bed where Justin was waiting for me and he promptly cuddled tightly against my side.  A short three hours later (VERY late for our kids; I guess the night's activities took a toll on them too) the day began.  A very low-key, not-doing-very-much kind of day.

 

The rest of the weekend we watched football and decorated and recovered from illnesses.  We missed church but after lots of rest (on everyone's part) we were ready for another week.  This week has  been much better.  Still plenty of coughs and runny noses and phone calls with insurance and doctors but all in all, I think we are ready for the Christmas season.

 

(And while I would love to share some pictures of the week, I have run out of storage on blogger so it's either switch to a new format or pay for storage.  I haven't decided what to do yet.  That's why I can't change the picture of Travis and Justin on the top of the blog.  I can't even delete it!  Believe me, I have tried.)

Sitting Up

Alaina has been getting close to sitting up by herself so I wanted to get some pictures of her efforts.  It's so fun to watch babies learning new skills and Justin is just fascinated!  He gets close to her and gets to get her attention and gives her encouragement to keep trying.  She was doing really well so I was setting her up and then letting go to snap a photo.

But sometimes you don't always get what you bargained for:

I could not have gotten this picture if I would have tried!  Randy says I am gross for taking this picture and probably even grosser for posting it here, but she looks so casual and unconcerned.  It makes me laugh!

 

 

And then after I cleaned her up (Justin ran to get the burp rag) and set her up again she tumbled over and big brother was there to catch her.  Justin was just beaming!  He adores Alaina and loves helping teach her new tricks.

 

And then Alaina just needed a break so she switched over to her favorite Superbaby pose and flashed this winner of a smile.

 

 

So precious!  It melts my heart!