all I want for Christmas...

I love gifts. and I love surprises. but I'm terrible at hiding disappointment when I open gifts that I don't like.  that means Kent has a pretty tough job on his hands!  so - here are a few ideas of things that I like.  

What are you all asking for for Christmas? maybe I just need a big list so I'm surprised about what I get- but I've given Kent some options :)  and if you would- give Kent a few suggestions, please.

My hobbies are running (or exercising), eating, reading, and photography.

I lose keys CONSTANTLY. and my purse is like a black hole.  So a big BRIGHT keychain is a must.  I love these key fob colors.  and they aren't too pricey :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/154959082/chevron-ribbon-wristlet-key-fob-ribbon?ref=sr_gallery_17&ga_search_query=key+fob&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_page=3&ga_search_type=all

I need new mid to low heels.  not high heels.  mine disappeared a few weeks ago.  where does one lose church shoes?  I only wear them on sundays- so I have no idea where they could have gone.

but I found these online.  zappos does free shipping and returns. and for online shoe purchases- that's a must.

any other great shoe places for you all?

and are these shoes cute!?  really-I am so bad with shoes.  I can't figure out my shoe style.

http://www.zappos.com/bandolino-mylah-5-black-leather

essie nail polish.  they sell it at target. this one is called damsel in a dress.  it's wintry.  there's also a gray one called 'mind your mittens' that I love.

Everybody loves new socks.  And I need some bright fun ones.  

http://www.amazon.com/Modern-Heritage-Womens-Stripes-Bright/dp/B00F0N87CK/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1386732257&sr=1-1&keywords=neon+socks+women

Photog stuff.

I need some good actions for photoshop (I have PSE9).  I have free ones I use- but a whole load of these would be nice!

http://www.mcpactions.com/inspire-actions.html

this is pretty big. and pricey But I would love some lighting for indoor pics!!  

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DBER276/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1NW6AWF8R1HOF&coliid=I1ZTL3QLI0UL2S

cheap and easy for pictures.  a reflector set.

http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-110CM-Collapsible-Multi-Disc-Reflector/product-reviews/B002ZIMEMW/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?showViewpoints=1

the lights at Clifton Mill

Every winter we hear about the lights at Clifton Mill.  Metta is obsessed with Christmas lights (she shouts and oohs and ahhs from her carseat when we drive at night) so we decided to finally go.

It was WAY too expensive, but luckily kids- 6 and under- are free- so we only had to pay for the two of us.  The sheer number of lights in such a small space is really quite impressive.  But- it is a pretty small area- and we were finished looking around almost as soon as we'd started!  We did have a really great evening, though!

That white streak of lights in the picture below blinks and 

'flows' like a river down into the real river below.  It was pretty fancy.

They even have a Santa's workshop with a REAL LIVE santa working on toys.  Zeb and Ike had several conversations on his authenticity.

Every fifteen minutes or so- this Santa pops up out of the Chimney on the roof and waves to the kid while wishing them a Merry Christmas.  It was pretty cool.

 It was pretty chilly tonight.  Metta was shivering by the end of the evening.

Zeb loved these icicle lights surrounded by real icicles.

 They have a HUGE Christmas village set up that fascinated the kiddos.

 We could have spent a few hours checking out every detail!  A lot of it was covered by the snow.

 The snacks were as overpriced as admission!  but- we were creating memories. So- we shared popcorn, pretzels, cookies, and cocoa.

 this pic isn't great- but I love the action.  Zeb trying to cool off his Hot Chocolate. "That's why it's called HOT chocolate, mom.  It's REALLY hot!" he told me.

 And finally.  the uber creepy Santa collection.  creepier than any clowns you've ever seen.  Because this guy watches you while you're sleeping. And sneaks into your house at night.  ew.
I took as many pictures of creepy Santas as I could find!

sweet dreams.  He sees you when you're sleeping.  He knows when you're awake.

sunday- that fun day.

Oh, Sunday- why must you end so soon?   Today was so great.

We even got more snow.  But- don't worry- we didn't have to cancel church.  

Here are the kiddos keeping themselves entertained at church. Ike is trying to sneak a peak at Metta's electronic device.  Once our kids can effectively hold a writing utensil and keep the coloring ON the paper- electronic devices at church are outlawed.  Metta is the only one who still has privileges.

After church Kent made an Indian feast.  He never ceases to amaze me!  We invited some friends to the Church Christmas party Friday night- and since it ended up being canceled- we didn't get to hang out with them.  So- we invited them over for dinner.  They are a mixed vegan/vegetarian family and we figured Indian food would be the perfect cuisine.  The food was beyond delicious. and the company was even better!!  

Here was this evenings menu:

Coconut chickpea curry. (plus 1.5 tsp curry and halve the cumin and coriander)

Aloo Palak (potatoes and spinach dish)

and

Tikka Masala.  this is his perfected recipe.  it's a secret.

If you don't like Indian food- you need to invite yourselves over to our place for dinner.  Kent will make you love it.  I didn't like it until he started cooking.  Now it's one of my favorite meals.

And here's another picture of our elf.  so mischievous.

Quincy the elf is bound to make Zeb MAD tomorrow morning when he sees this!!  Every once in awhile she does something that makes him angry.  Last year it was when she toilet papered the Christmas Tree.

come on, you winter WIMPS!!

There is only one thing that disappoints me about Ohioans.  Oh, Ohio!  Why can't you handle the snow that you get year after year after year??  It's time to be BUCK UP!  Come ON!  you are the BUCKeyes after all!!!

The city shut down yesterday.  No school.  Our church party was canceled.  Grocery shelves were actually EMPTY.  Even the air force base CLOSED (Kent still worked).

 All the while- I carried on my day like a person who can handle 4 inches of snow.  

grrrrrrr.  I was pretty darn grumpy.

I spent the evening cleaning up 300+ chairs and 40 something tables.

But after the clean up- we took the Sister Missionaries out to dinner for Thai- and then great friends had us over for games. The evening wasn't a total bust after all.  And we survived the 'treacherous' roads.

  

My boys love the snow.  They shoveled the entire walk by themselves yesterday!!

And Kent took them sledding today while I took pictures for a friend. They came back freezing cold and ridiculously happy.  and they are sleeping so soundly right now.


Tonight was my YMCA work party.  I'm so lucky to work at such a fun place.  I work at two YMCAs in Dayton- and LOVE it.  I'm going to miss the YMCA so so much when we move.  It's possibly going to be the hardest thing about leaving here.  I have met some of the most AMAZING people through the YMCA.  They make me happy.

So- at the party we played some crazy games.  And usually I'm not one to get all involved in 'crazy' games.  But there were prizes involved.  Gift card prizes.  and I LOVE gift cards.  It was too tempting.

The games were ridiculous.  and I nearly died.  definitely made a fool of myself. But we won a couple of gifcards.

The event that transpired during this game may rank as the most embarrassing moment of my life.   You have to SHAKE the ping pong balls out of the tissue box.  Let's just say I broke the game. But the ping pongs ALL came out and I won a Tim Horton giftcard.  Totally worth the embarrassment.

 the kids loved the gingerbread portion of the night.  We were supposed to vote on the best house.  The kids voted on the best tasting house.

I love this cold snowy weather.  There's more to come!!  so BUCK up Ohio- I have parties to go to!!!

family pics of MY family.

 I take pictures CONSTANTLY.  But never of my own family!  So a friend of mine did these for us :)  I am so grateful! and so happy we could get some pics in the gorgeous Ohio fall.  I get all sad and weepy when I think about leaving this place.

amazon prime saves the day!

Have I mentioned I'm STILL on pins and needles about our move this summer?!  It kills me to think that decisions are being made.  assignments are being written.  and I don't have even an inkling of an idea about WHEN we'll find out.  eek. 

I belong to a facebook group for our church congregation in Japan.  And I am always reading about what they are doing! there's a big tree lighting on base.  a Christmas Day trip to Tokyo Disney. they hiked Mt. Fuji.  There are visits to fabulous Japanese restaurants.  eek!  How fun and exciting does all of that sound?? 

There is so much to be excited for regardless of where we go!  Luckily I've been CRAZY busy and that helps distract me.  Tomorrow is our Church Christmas party- and I am in charge! as long as the weather doesn't get it canceled.  Ohioans are pretty wimpy when it comes to snow. Which is strange to me considering there's significant snow EVERY WINTER!  Ohio is a snowy state. but every time there's more than an inch or two of snow- school gets canceled and all activities SHUT down.  I told them that I don't cancel parties due to snow- so I'll be at the church at 6.

  I've been a wreck trying to track down a Santa suit.  I got confirmation from several people that the Church owned one- but it never showed up!  So two days ago I bought one on Amazon- and the free two day shipping saved the day!  It arrived this afternoon and is pretty great.  I made Kent try it out.  and then I told him to strike a sexy santa pose.  this is what I got.  I laughed pretty hard.

So- now I own a Santa suit.  I'm sure I'll use it enough times to make it worth it's cost (which wasn't too bad)!  It's a pretty good one, don't you think?  

baby sister.

My baby sister, Daysa, left the States a few weeks ago to head to Brazil to be a missionary.  She was in a missionary training center down there learning Portuguese- and left to go to Curitiba (the area where she'll spend her 18 months) a couple of weeks after she got to Brazil.  For whatever reason- we didn't hear for her for a two week period and I've been dying to know what she's been up to!  We just got an e-mail this week and things already sound more than adventurous!  Unfortunately- she doesn't crave adventure like I do.

She has some pretty crazy allergies and asthma- but has always been able to keep them under control.  She had a major allergic reaction her first week in the training center here in the US and had to get TWO epi pens in a row.

Turns out she's had the same bad luck in Brazil.  She ate dinner at the Mission President's home (they are in charge of the missionaries in her city) and was reassured THREE times that there were no nuts in the meal. But after eating- she was feeling terrible.  Her inhalers weren't helping- and she had to go to a brazilian hospital!  there were obviously nuts in something she ate!  it sounded pretty crazy- and I think she's a little tired and A LOT homesick.  So- please - if you would- send prayers her way.

zeb the great.

today's blog is all about Zeb.   He's such a mini person.  and so full of emotions.  and this post may be funnier than metta's.

While perusing the holiday aisles at Target- Zeb stumbled upon this shelf.  full of elves.  YIKES.
He was LIVID. and then terribly sad.
He really did shout these very words at me:
"Why did you tell me that our elf came from the North Pole when really you got her on a shelf at TARGET??!!??"
and then he showed Ike.  Just look at their faces.  Oh, man.  What was I supposed to say???   I stumbled over my words a bit and then PROMISED him that I did NOT get our elf at target!  Some people have to buy their elves at Target I told him- but NOT us (I got ours online through Barnes and Noble).  We are special- because we believe in Christmas magic.
I think it worked.  But this kid is so logical.  I'm sure he's already figured out the elf and santa thing- but he's holding on because he loves the magic of it all.

Here's another Zeb story. Even better than the first.

He came home from school today and I went through his folder of schoolwork like usual.  I found one of his assignments and had quite the laugh. It was a writing assignment about making personal connections to stories he read in class.  This one is about the 'Little Red Hen'.  You know- where the Hen needs help making bread- but nobody wants to help do all the hard work.

Read his 'personal connection'.  

Here's the translation if you need it:

'One time I was looking for my shoes. It was hard.

wile my mom was too bisy tiping on fasbook.'

This kid has a tough life, huh?  I love his answer!  it must be pretty hard to be a six year old in this house.

His teacher thought it was so funny that she took it and showed it to one of my best friends who also works at the school! So now everybody knows how I neglect my children for facebook :)  Luckily I'm pretty confident in my parenting abilities and find it pretty stinking funny myself!

Zeb is so wonderful.  I really do love him the most.  He'll always be my first and favorite.  This week he told me I could hold him on my lap and hug him until he turns 8. and then it has to stop.

today we called the police.

I have a feeling metta might be my 'wild' one.  the kid who lives on the edge a little.  just to see what it's like.

  this morning I had to call the cops on her.  Really. Literally.

I dropped Ike off at preschool- and she came in with me.  She likes to see the fish.

When I brought her out- I buckled her up and started talking to a friend.  She grabbed the keys out of my hand and was playing with them.  Next thing I know- the doors are shut and the van is locked.  She was just sitting there- smiling at us- keys in hand.

I panicked a little.  not because I was worried about her- but because I had to get to work!! it was past nine and I was teaching a class at 9:30!!!!  My friend- kristi- tried showing her which button to push on her key fob.  metta just watched and giggled.  

Luckily I had my phone- and called city dispatch to send over a police officer.  They'll come break in for you IF there is a child inside the car.  I lucked out.   My 21 month old was inside the car- with my keys in her grubby little fingers :)

After a few minutes of waiting- and several prayers said inside my head-  Kristi somehow got Metta to push the right button.  And voila- the van door opened.  The police were cancelled.

AHHHHHHH.  Children are so aggravating!  good thing she's such a cutie.

She's also a bit of a miscreant.  We almost needed the police again today.

We went to Target.  you know, to just walk around.  look at Christmas decor. eat popcorn. 

And metta found two stuffed 'my little ponies' in the stocking stuffer bins. She promptly adopted them as her own and began to mother them.  By the time we were ready to go I knew it was going to be tough to put them back.  I explained to her that we were NOT taking them home and that she needed to place them back on the shelves.   As soon as I told her to put them back- she grabbed them and stuffed them under her little bum.  And then put her hands up in the air and stated: "where did they go?  all gone!".

She tried to shop lift ponies!!  for real.  

 

To make up for her heathen behaviors earlier in the day- she was quite the angel the remainder of the day.  Both boys had teeth cleanings (still cavity free!!) and Metta wanted so badly to get her teeth cleaned.  Our dentist is great- and counted her teeth and did a mini exam just to make her happy!  Apparently not many kids BEG to get in the chair.  She even sat with Zeb and Ike while they got their exams!

For family home evening this evening we built our nativity set- and talked about Christmas.  Metta sat and played with those little people and animals for an hour at least.  Baaaaahing.  and mooooing. and neyyyying. She also fed and put them all to bed repeatedly.  She cracks me up.

I don't get it!!!!

 I really should just keep my mouth shut about this- but I can't help it sometimes (okay, a lot of the time)!!

 Why do people care so much about this darn Elf of the Shelf?!!??  I can't believe the amount of vitriol spewed about this poor little North Pole creature. or about the people who choose to let it in their houses!!  It completely bewilders me.  Why do people care what Merry Christmas traditions others perform in their houses?  why do people who choose NOT to play the elf game feel the need to spell out each reason that the elf is creepy or how it makes liars out of parents or how it's manipulative to trick our children into behaving well?   And let's be honest here- tell me one parent of a toddler who hasn't somehow manipulated their child into better behavior.  Isn't that how parenting works?!!?  :)

 I DON'T GET IT!!  The elf is just a toy!!!  it isn't evil. or satan's helper.  it doesn't make parents bad.  It's a fun and silly holiday tradition for Pete's sake!!!

With that off my chest- I have to admit- we are TERRIBLE parents when it comes to our elf 'Quincy'.  We forget to make it move.  We accidentally let the kids see us touching it.  We change the elf rules constantly!!

We finally pulled it out today after church and quickly chucked it into this Christmas tin while the kids weren't looking!

I do think she's pretty cute.  especially in this new skirt I got her last year on after-Christmas clearance.

And just for good measure- here's  a pic of metta with her 'turtle hat'.  That's what she calls it anyway!  She knows Zeb and Ike wear them as undies- but doesn't seem to care!