We Survived the Holidays!

The holidays arrived early this year with our first celebration of Christmas starting with Jack and Bonnie. Even though they've moved up to Traverse City, it worked out that we were able to keep the tradition of having our first Christmas with them once again this year. 2008 turned into a pretty crazy year for them, but things are looking pretty positive for 2009!

One full month of office parties, family gatherings, Christmas programs at school and church, meeting up with friends...everything was spread out this year and even though we had a blast, we also breathed a big sigh of relief Sunday night after our last one.

My grandma came home from Florida to spend Christmas with all of us. She's not very thrilled about the cold weather we've been having although today it was almost 50 and last week it was only 1. That's Ohio weather for you!

*Just realized that I started this blog and never finished it. Will publish as is!

"Life's Too Short to Have a Bad Cup of Coffee"

A quote from Mr. Heather

Christmas Shopping/Date Night?

Last night, Mr. Heather and I dropped the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa's and headed out in the cold to fight the last-minute crowds to shop for the girls. It is unusual for us to go out shopping together as a couple since we typically take turns watching the girls or stop after work while they are at school. Anyhow, we gave ourselves a budget and then let ourselves loose in Toys 'R Us! It was a blast! Without the girls, I was able to actually watch some of the patrons...like a grandfather looking for the puffiest pom-poms and the store employee hopping on a kid's bike and I never once even had the urge to tell them "no". Guess their ad is true...Toys 'R Us is the place "where a kid can be a kid!" Mr. Heather and I spent some time going down every aisle and checking out all the possibilities. We eliminated some of the toys for the following reasons: too loud, only played two songs, wouldn't hold their interest for longer than 10 minutes, couldn't hold two children at the same time. I couldn't convince Mr. Heather into letting me get them each a Cabbage Patch Doll, but I didn't find one that spoke to me either and it wasn't on their lists. Hopefully, we chose wisely. However, Zoe has come up with some doozies lately...such as asking Santa for a big googly-eyed turkey that says "You're a princess, Zoe." When Mr. Heather pointed out that Santa might have a hard time finding that, she reassured him with, "Don't worry, Dad. His elves can make it!" Mr. Heather and I had a hard time arguing with that logic so we decided to drop it and stop asking her what she wanted for Christmas! We still have a little bit of last-minute shopping to do, but I'm looking forward to gift-wrapping today. Merry Christmas!

MY FIRST SNOW DAY!

All 6 districts have officially closed today...finally! Yippee skippy! My first snow day in my new job! The rule is that ALL six must close before we close. I've been checking since 5:30 a.m. and the last school now just closed at 7:55! (Don't worry, I made "good use" of my time checking my email and catching up on reading other people's blogs!)



The other great news is that Mr. Heather found my new favorite tea (caffeine-free) TAZO in my two favorite flavors: Passion and Wild Orange. (I had brought home my empty packets from a conference to show him.) I'm not sure how long it's been in the cupboard because he forget to tell me he picked it up and they didn't get put away with the rest of the tea . However, the good news it that is was a pleasant surprise!

Now I have to decide what to do with all my extra time...go shopping? Wrap presents? Bake Christmas cookies? Watch a sappy Christmas movie on Lifetime?

Where's the Snow?

It was here, but now it's gone!
I actually took these pictures in November.

Winter Wonderland

Charlie Brown Thanksgiving!

We let the girls stay up late tonight so they could watch "Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving". We popped some corn, which ended up scattered all over the furniture and floor (of course) and all plopped in front of the TV for a half hour. Doesn't sound like much, but the kids liked it. ABC is showing it again on Turkey Day @ 8 and starting Dec. 1st will have their 25 Days Until Christmas programs-a different show every night! The girls and I can't wait....Mr. Heather seemed to enjoy this evening, but I'm not sure he'll be able to hang in there for an entire month! I'll keep you posted! Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Gobble! Gobble!

"Kisses"

This morning, I took Sammy with me to the store and as soon as I parked, she started saying, "Look Mommy! Kisses! Kisses!" I looked up at the window display but couldn't see anything that would make her think of kisses. As we walked through the store, she looked at the aisle of festive red and green and exclaimed again, "KISSES!" She was trying to say "Christmas!" Isn't she adorably sweet?

Ten Things I am Thankful for.....

10. not having to buy diapers anymore! Samantha is officially potty-trained at 2.5! She caught on quickly compared to her big sis (who has served us well as Samantha's own personal Potty Coach!)

9. having a reason (like we need one) to work on our house. We volunteered to host Thanksgiving this year for both sides of the family (on two different days) which has prompted me to hang pictures on the walls, wallpaper the laundry room, and put up curtains, valances, and matching chair covers....and the list continues! Love it! Mr. Heather & I both love the fact that we are reducing clutter!

8. being able to park my car in the garage! (Really, it's the little things in life that make me happy!)

7. my new job and the people there who it fun! Even my boss is cool!

6. the anticipation of Christmas! We are already playing Christmas music, have all of our decorations up except for the tree and the lights for outside! Hope to get those up this weekend!?!?!?

5. for our daughters' teachers! What a blessing to have people we can entrust with our children and know that not only are they well-fed, safe, and taken care of, but they are learning and loving it!

4. the direction of our nation under new leadership.

3. of the opportunity Mr. Heather and I had this summer to travel with friends!

2. our families; they bless us each day with their time and talents and enrich our lives with their presence and love.

1. our friends and fellow blog readers who keep me laughing!


Extra Special Bonus goes to Mr. Heather, who helps me balance my life!

Thanksgiving Prep

Thank God for Grandparents! The in-laws watched the girls today while I did some major cleaning....went through all the kitchen cupboards, scrubbed the pots and pans, emptied the canisters of flour, sugar, etc. to wash, lined the oven drawer, laundered the potholders, and polished all of the silver (ha!). You get the idea! Just a good old-fashioned cleaning with some elbow grease! Mr. Heather put in a days' work at the Mountain working on tech stuff. The girls came home with OSU tattoos courtesy of G & G. I couldn't get them to pose for a picture to share with you so you'll have to live without! Regardless, we are getting closer to being ready for our Thanksgiving company! Tomorrow, the basement! Another fun day!