December Daily 12.09.10 - Waiting for Daddy

Daddy works long hours. Noah goes to bed super early. This equals little to no weekday Daddy and Noah face time.

But, this week, by some twist of scheduling fate, Daddy was home in time for bed and bath three nights. Daddy usually calls when he is close to home, and I'll ask, "window close?" If his answer is yes, this is where Daddy will find Noah as he heads up the drive.




I think Noah is just a bit happy to see Daddy during the week. And, so is Momma.

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December Daily 12.08.10 - Signed Sealed Delivered

If only I handled the rest of the year with as much efficiency as I do the month of December. I checked the last gift recipient off my list today. Yay! And, my Christmas cards are stuffed, addressed and as of five minutes ago, stamped and ready to be mailed.

December Daily 12.07.10 - Christmas Playlist

Noah and I spend a ton of time in the car.  So, the radio is turned to something Noah's wants to hear 99% of the time.  He is very quick to play DJ with a "no... not this one," when he wants me to change the song, and I can seriously say that I am pretty sure he could "name that tune in one note."  Here is what we are playing on repeat this holiday season.

1. Carol of the Bells from Holiday Spirits: Straight No Chaser - I have a couple of their CDs, but Noah has four favorite songs that we skip ahead to every time the playlist is on.  This one just happens to be the one we listened to the entire way home today. Every time it ends, Noah says, "Want ding dong again."

2. The 12 Days of Christmas from Holiday Spirits: Straight No Chaser

3. Santa Claus is Coming to Town from Holiday Spirits: Straight No Chaser

4. Jingle Bell Rock from Holiday Spirits: Straight No Chaser

5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from Joy - A Holiday Collection: Jewel

6. Jingle Bells from Glee: The Christmas Album - One day I will have to do a list of all the songs Noah likes from the Glee Soundtracks Volumes 1-4.  It is a large number, and they are quite varied.  Anywhere from Give Up the Funk to Defying Gravity.  Can I just say I love this kid and his love of music?!?

7. Deck the Halls from Disney Holiday Magic 2009: Mickey Mouse and Friends

8. The Cat in the Hat read by Kelsey Grammer - Technically, not a Christmas song, but it would make a great Christmas gift, and we have been listening to it on repeat, so it makes the list.  It comes with a paperback copy of the book and Kelsey Grammer does such a great job reading it.  Noah really loves it.  They also have other books like Horton and Green Eggs and Ham with other celebrities reading them.  Really cute gift idea.

December Daily 12.06.10 - The Haircut

It could not be held off any longer.  Noah was in desperate need of a haircut.  It had been at least two months because his last one was the WORST HAIRCUT EVER.  It was uneven, there was no blending, and his cowlick in the front was cut in a ducktail.  I figured the best thing to do was to let it grow out and to start fresh. 

So, today I took Noah and his moppy mane to a new stylist.  Another one of those kiddie places with movies and lollipops and lots of distractions.  Noah does not have the best track record with haircuts.  But, with Diego on the tube and a pink lollipop in his month, Noah was such a good boy for his haircut today.  The new stylist was able to make something of the mess.  She trimmed around his neck and ears, cut a bit of length of the top (although the back was still too short from the WORST HAIRCUT EVER), and evened out the front.  All in all a very good haircut. Noah walked out looking pretty cute! 

December Daily 12.05.10 - Christmas Candy

Next week, Noah's school is having a teacher appreciation day.  They asked the parents to bring about six dozen goodies for the teacher's to select and bring home for a treat.  I volunteered to bring some peppermint bark.  My sister is a pro at melting chocolate and making treats.  She does it every Easter, so I decided that if she could do it... how hard can it be? (Sorry Mo.)

Well, things started out pretty well.  I made some basic red and green snowflakes using candy molds.  And, it wasn't until I pulled out the white chocolate and started on the peppermint bark that I made my faux pas.  I didn't realize that the peppermint candy I bought melted.  Melted peppermint candy plus melted white chocolate equals pink Santas.  Rookie mistake.

December Daily 12.04.10 - Under Pants

Potty training is not something I have yet to tackle with Noah.  We talk about it, and sometimes he tries to use the potty, but I haven't gone all in yet.  I've heard people say a million times that it is so easy when they are ready, and well, I just never thought Noah was quite ready yet.  And, frankly, neither was I.  But, come Christmas break we are going to give it a shot.  And, for the first time, I just think he may be ready (or maybe it has something to do with him watching Elmo's Potty Time every afternoon for the past week.)  Either way, Christmas break it is. 

So,this morning just after breakfast, Noah pulls off his pajama pants, rips off his diaper and declares, "I want under pants."  I was so not prepared for this statement at 6:30 AM, but I went ahead and rolled with it.  We have a few pairs lying around at the ready, so I got him dressed for the day sans diaper.  He made a couple trips to the potty with one success, and I was watching the clock to make sure I took him at regular intervals, and with 4 minutes to go on his next attempt.  I hear... "Want change diaper."  Accident number one is on the books.  Let the potty training begin.  To make a long story short, after the accident, he didn't want to put on a diaper, so I finally got him to settle on a pull up, and I promised him a trip to the store to buy new underwear. 

True to my word, we headed to Wal-Mart where he picked up some Diego and Yo Gabba Gabba (not sure why he wanted these because he doesn't even watch that show) underwear.  However, I think he could have cared less about the underwear after he spied a box of candy canes by the front entrance.  He had to have them.  He was so good about waiting to open the box and eat one until we paid and got in the car.  And, it was a long wait... Wal-Mart on a Saturday during the holidays.  What was I thinking?  But, anyway, he held onto that candy cane box the entire shopping trip and as soon as we got in the car, he said, "want candy cane."  So proud of my big boy for all of the above!

P.S. - Stay tuned for the December daily blog titled "The Haircut."  I promise, it is coming soon.

December Daily 12.03.10 - Baby It's Not Cold Outside

Nothing says Christmas in the south like at 78 degree day in December.  The weather was beautiful today.  A friend suggested heading to the park this afternoon, and Noah and I jumped at the offer.  The kids had a great time, and I love these pictures I caught of them playing on the dry splash pad.  I'm pretty happy that none of them found the on switch. 

Noah, Ryan, Jackson and Sara

To keep them standing still long enough for me to get a picture, I told them to hug their color tight, tight, tight.  How cute is this picture!