That First Hollywood Crush...

I couldn't have been more than seven years old when I first laid eyes on Han Solo. I remember watching  The Empire Strikes Back (I think it had been re-released since I was only 4 in 1980) and wishing that I were Princess Leia. Oh, Han Solo - how brave, how funny, how charming...how handsome.

I was devastated when he was frozen in that wall of stone (or whatever it was) at the end of the movie and couldn't wait to see the next one just to make sure he was going to be okay. My little brother and I would play with his Star Wars action figures too, and, of course, I always wanted to reenact the Han and Leia scenes - much to my brother's dismay.

So this morning, as I was brushing Abby's hair, I couldn't help but smile as she was holding Noah's Will Turner LEGO guy and going on and on about Will and Elizabeth Swan. Noah's incessant begging finally wore me down, and I let the kids watch the first Pirates of the Caribbean on Halloween, and my, oh my, she's been smitten ever since. (I mean, really...who can blame her? Justin Bieber's got nothing on this guy.)

She's mentioned a few times that she wants to dress up as Elizabeth Swan next Halloween, but this morning, she confessed (between giggles) that once she saw that Elizabeth was Will's girlfriend - "I totally wanted to be her!"

Being that the kids just watched The Empire Strikes Back with Dad on TV not too long ago, I had to confess my Han Solo crush too - action figure and all. Giggles, smiles, doing hair - it was a major girl talk session, even if it was just for a few minutes. Fun stuff.

Sure love that cute girl of mine.

Sunday Morning Sleepyheads

Yep, they climbed into our bed this morning and went back to sleep. Um, make that - Abby climbed in this morning. Noah has been climbing in during the wee hours of the night - way before the sun comes up - for the last two weeks. 

Clearly, we need a bigger bed.

It's Been a Big Week!

Being the line leader, bringing in the special " letter E"snack (E.L Fudge Elf cookies), and then getting to to tell his class all about his "Star of the Week" pictures this morning  -

He was lovin' every minute of it.

So proud of that cute boy of mine. :)




Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

WW - First Snowfall Regrets

Our first snowfall of 2012, this past Saturday, and I only managed to snap one picture...with my phone...

My poor fingers were just too darn cold.

Linked up with Wordful Wednesday today at Angie's place!

Mom Bloggers for Social Good

Mom Bloggers for Social Good is a global coalition of mom bloggers who span fifteen countries – United States, Canada, UK, India, Spain, Nigeria, Singapore, Netherlands, Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Jamaica, and the Philippines  – who care about spreading the good news about the amazing work non-profit organizations and NGOs are doing around the world. When our partners need to reach the masses about new initiatives, advocacy campaigns, or fundraising efforts we will work collectively to spread the word through social media and blogging.


How awesome is this? As soon as I browsed the site, I knew I wanted to join in and help raise awareness. In its second week, there are already more than 500 mom bloggers out there who have signed up to be a part of this worthwhile effort. Very, very cool.

Click here to check out the site and join up!

Every voice can make a difference.

Find of the Day!

 

No-Sew Fleece Throw KITS on sale until 1/28 at JoAnn's - easy just got easier! 

(Read the latest on Teach It Simple to see why I am so stoked!) 

WordPress Does Not Like Me

I don't know what I did - or am doing - to offend, but NONE of my comments have been showing up on WordPress blogs for a good long while.

At first, I thought it was a fluke. It would correct itself, but it hasn't.

I visited a couple of WordPress blogs tonight, tried to leave comments, and, once again, was deeply disappointed when my comments did not appear....again. 

I have googled it. I have searched through the HELP forum. I cannot figure out the problem.

So if any of my WordPress bloggy friends happen to see this post, please know that I've been by to visit you, several times, and I have tried to leave some blog love, but, evidently, I have been blacklisted.

If anyone has any insight that could correct the problem or, perhaps, has a connection with a WordPress big wig who could help me out - I would be forever grateful.

Not His Favorite Bedtime Story

In fact, Noah wouldn't even let me read it to him. "I don't want to read it! No, Mom! No!"

When we took it back to the library yesterday, he was very relieved.

Hmmm...I wonder why.

Teach It Simple Tuesday: Fighting Those Winter Blahs...

Is it just me or does January seem like the longest month ever? Here are a few ideas that I just posted over on Teach It Simple (including painting with pudding and creating an indoor obstacle course if you are feeling adventurous) which I am really hoping will help me us get through these stuck-inside-blah-winter days.

I'd love for you to click on over and share what works for your family too. Believe me, I am all ears!

 

*Did you notice my handy little Teach It Simple blog feed on my sidebar? Check back for the latest simple ideas, or better yet, make me a happy gal and press that FOLLOW button! :)

Now That's a Compliment

In the midst of this morning's hustle and bustle to get out the door for school (yep, doctor said I could send Abby back today), Noah was strangling...er...hugging the dog as I was putting lunch boxes in backpacks when he exclaimed -

"Mama! I love you more than video games and I love you more than LEGOs!"

 

 LEGO store in Chicago - November 2011

Considering that my boy thinks LEGOs are the coolest things ever and could play with them all the live long day (along with video games - if I'd let him)...

this mama is really quite flattered.



Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Holiday Recovery Mode

I got the kids in bed before 9pm on Sunday night. It seemed like a miracle considering bedtime had been almost nonexistent since family started arriving a few days before Christmas. They were staying up until 10 - almost 11 o'clock some nights. Crazy. Bedtime seemed nonexistent for me too. Staying up until the wee hours of the morning - cleaning up, wrapping gifts (while watching Family Man with Nicolas Cage - my own little Cmas tradition), taking care of odds and ends, etc... One night I was up until almost 3am. No kidding...and I honestly don't even remember why. 

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day came and went - filled with baking, cooking, cleaning, dishes, more dishes, more cooking, more cleaning...and lots of laughs, way too many sweets, marathon Lego-building, rainbow Razzles toenail painting, and several rounds of Bananagrams.  My dad and my sister, Mindy, stayed with us until Friday, and Pat's sister and boyfriend arrived on Wednesday afternoon. They actually stayed in a hotel - probably a wise choice on their part. Earlier in the week, Pat and I managed to squeeze in a date night - a very rare event - and saw Mission Impossible 4. Or was it 3? I have no idea. Then Mindy and I went to see New Year's Eve on Tuesday night. Our step-mom gave us some free movie passes so we took advantage of those. I don't think I have ever been to the movies two nights in a row, or even two nights in a month, since my kiddos came along.

We said "good-bye" to the last of our family entourage on Saturday after spending the afternoon at a six story obstacle course complete with foam ball blasters! There was even a kids' countdown at 4pm (featuring bubble wrap fireworks!) which was a first for us. Abby and Noah loved it. Despite the crowd, it was a fun way to spend the last day of the year.  

So now the tree is finally down. Decorations have been put away...except for the blow up Santa and elves that are currently crumpled and lifeless in the front yard...oh, and the lights on the house. (I am leaving that task to Pat.) School started back up this week on Tuesday (not Monday as I first thought and kept complaining about...the kids only got a week for Christmas break for some reason). Noah has only been back two days, and Abby has been at home with me all week. They've both been fighting a cough/cold of sorts, but it's still been nice to have lazy pajama mornings playing Mousetrap and watching Let's Make A Deal - Papa introduced them to the world of game shows (and Man vs.Wild) while he was visiting.

All in all, it really was a great Christmas and New Year's and awesome to be surrounded by family, but, man, I am wiped out. If only moms could hibernate...

A Belated Christmas Wish (on New Year's Day)...

Hoping your Christmas was filled with love, laughter...

and sugar cookies with waaay too many sprinkles! 

*I did actually post this message on facebook at 1am on Christmas morning -  after cleaning up all of those sprinkles! :)  I don't think I went to bed before 1 or 2 am that entire week, and we've had a house full of family up until yesterday which was wonderful, but, boy, am I beat! Oh well..at least my New Year's wish is on time - Happy 2012, friends!