Seeing Santa - take 2

Notice anything different?

I said what the heck, it grows back - take it all.

anyone else think this looks wrong?

When you pay to subscribe then I'll post more frequently.

I know, I know - you've been waiting. We have many, many things to discuss.

Let's start with JT's actual birthday - the Wednesday before Thanksgiving both Jim and I took off. We hit the children's museum thanks to free tixs from Karen. I'm not sure which of my boys had more fun! Luckily we went early so by the time it got crowded we were ready to leave.

That evening we went to Greaters for ice cream with the family. JT loved his ice cream and cookie.

Thanksgiving was 2 houses and 2 meals - but JT ate everything. I think turkey and stuffing is a new favorite.

Then, the birthday party. The day went by so fast, but everyone said they had fun and the cake was wonderful. I wish I had a picture of JT at the end of the night. He played hard and was exhausted at the end. Poor little thing looked like a walking zombie.

Here are all of the Flickr pics: http://flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157610493172041/

Now I'm all about the cake shot - that's what the first birthday party is all about. JT wasn't really happy while eating his cake so I figured we'd give it another shot. I expected carnage, complete and total destruction. But he didn't seem to be interested. I finally cheated and smeared a little icing on his face, he didn't seem to appreciate it.

I think he'd rather hang out with his new pet . . .

I ordered a toddler size Santa hat and have been trying very hard to get a good picture of him. Supposedly Pam has several, I'm hoping they are better than this one. I know there's a hilarious caption for it, but I'm too tired right now.

Today we went downtown with Jan and Don, Macy's had Santa in for DIY pictures. I know that kids are sometimes scared of Santa, but I never really expected it of JT. I was wrong. This is one of the few "usable" pictures. However I like the video better, it shows the scene. I couldn't get it to upload here, but you can see it here - http://flickr.com/photos/catsmine/3088532530/

His scrapbook is finished (finally) and off to the printer. I still have a list of things to get done before Christmas, but that's a good chunk off my mind.

Ok - so there's the update. Are the masses satisfied ;-)

Don't Blink . . .

JT's first birthday was celebrated with a family trip to the doctor for shots, the children's museum where both of my boys were into everything, a trip to the toy store, and ice cream with the family at Greaters.

Thanksgiving was highly successful - two houses, two full bellies. The boy likes his turkey with all the fixins!

I attempted the Black Friday madness this morning and then retreated to the condo convinced that I am not medicated enough to deal with the madness. Besides, I have to get ready for tomorrow's shindig

For those who did not make the exclusive guest list . . .

(details have been removed to prevent throngs of fans rushing the exclusive Estate where it will be held)

they call me Nanuk of the Westside

Sick, again . . . still

JT is sick again, or still - who can keep track. Seems like the poor thing has been sick since we got back from vacation. We were at the doctor last week and they said it was teething and the leftovers from the ear infection. Now he's coughing up a lung and still covered in snot. We're waiting to hear if we'll have a repeat doctor trip today or if we're going to try another med that will inevitably have a $50 co-pay.

T-minus 9 days and counting, he has to get better for his birthday!

let the party begin

I clean up nice!

We had a baptism tonight so little man had to spiffy up. How cute is he?

I have big shoes to fill!

Happy Weenie-Hallow!

The great thing about having children who can't speak or really form their own opinions is that you can dress them however you like!

Karen, Kris, and I decided to go with the Star Wars theme - Chewy, Yoda, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader . . . and Scooby. There's always one ;-) but as you'll see, even Scooby eventually turned to the dark side!

I think I now understand the phrase "herding cats" - I can't believe we actually got this picture!

My boys - aren't they adorable!

It took Jacob a little while to get the hang of trick-

or-treating, but once he realized there was candy in the deal he was thrusting his little hands into bowls and grabbing as much as possible. Who would say no to Yoda?

Of course - more pics can be found at Flickr

This is just hysterical - someone online dressed their daughter as Gallagher for a party at the aquarium, she was then a watermelon on Halloween!

Only 17 pages to go . . .

My goal is to have JT's scrapbook up-to-date by his birthday. I've done the math and that means I have to do 4 pages a week (one week I'll do 5) until his birthday. I've added the four I completed last week (scroll all the way down for those) so that leaves me with 17 more pages. I guess I should stop blogging and get going . . .

Welcome to Toy Land - now move the &*$$ out of my way!

Saturday Karen, Kris, and I woke early and hit the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. We arrived at 7:15 to join a line of 30+. We were all waiting for the same thing . . . cheap toys. After a scary as heck trip to the restroom the doors opened at 8 and we surged into the warehouse.

Talk about chaos. Anyone that remembers McAlpins Midnight Madness sales will appreciate this toy sale. You grabbed - anything and everything! We shoved toys into garbage bags and pushed our way through narrow aisles. Experienced shoppers had parked their husbands along the walls and in corners, throwing full bags at them and heading out for more. It was hunting and gathering - in reverse.

Once you'd pushed your way through the aisles you scurried off with your kill, snarling at others who may look towards your catch. Less desirable items were cast off, to be picked over by others. We surveyed the cast offs of others, grabbing those few things we found worthy.

I cam home with a box of toys 6 times the size of JT. Some items are gifts, others will be tucked away until spring, a few will find their way to his birthday party, or under our tree.

JT had spent the night before with Mimi and Poppy so after picking him up we stopped at the park. He toddled around the playground until he discovered mulch. Apparently it is quite tasty, even better when it's topped with dirt!

Sunday was a relaxing day of naps and PJs. There was a lot to get done, but we let it sit. I'd like to say it was a conscious decision to spend the time with our son, but we were really just lazy.

Tonight I finished JT's birthday party invite. I'll post it once they get mailed out, no sneak previews!

MythBusters Slow-mo Slap

This is pretty good too!

MythBusters- Adam Savage Drunk On A Treadmill

I want this looped as my screen saver!!

Snot, drool, and tears . . . oh my!

Poor JT - he's sick . . . again and he's just cut his 8th tooth. So there's drool from the tooth, snot from the cold, and tears from all of it combined. He's being a trooper though, smiling as much as he can. Here's a little "best of" footage from the last week or so.

Waiting on a Woman

I love Brad Paisley - this is one of his most recent and I cry every time I watch it. It takes me back to "parking" Papa on a bench and telling him "don't let anybody steal you" while we shopped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvKgnkIN8C8

Yes J, I know you're crying - I warned you when I said I cried!

It's good to be home - snot and all

I've been enjoying my day with my boys although I could do without the constant flow of snot from JT's nose. I'm wondering if he has alergies, I can't imagine another cold so soon.
My bag showed up around 12 so all is right with the world, Carrie World at least.

Dead Ducks Tell No Tales

So for those of you who don't know, which shouldn't be any of you, JT's first birthday party will be a duck-tacular experience. We've got rubber ducks going out the keester and I am making this a party that he will never remember, but the rest will never forget.

As part of this process I've invoked my Martha genes and dove into polymer clay. It's something I've thought about getting into, but never really had the reason - so I made up a reason.

I created these adorable ducks to use as decorations for the party. I was so excited about them. I was waiting to get the little hooks I needed before baking them so they sat on the bookshelf and made me smile every time I looked at my rubber duck army. Over the weekend I got the hooks and rushed home to put them in the ducks and finally bake them - sealing their cuteness forever. I thought I remembered the temp. and I knew I baked my sample one for about 20 minutes. After 15 I smelt something funny . . . the kitchen was full of smoke . . . my nose burned . . . apparently I thought wrong about the temperature.

I killed the ducks. Burnt into a green/black murkiness that took away all aspects of cuteness. I had killed them all. Devastated isn't even the right word - I was horrified! All that work, all that cuteness - gone!

I've now realized that they can be rebuilt - we have the technology . . . look for newer and better ducks, and double checking the oven temperature on the package!

The weekend recap, just in time for the following weekend

This was a big weekend for the little man. He had his first hair cut and went to the punkin patch.

We went to Kids Kutz in Hyde Park where the ladies are very skilled in bobbing and weaving along with the kids. He had fallen asleep on the way there and we woke him up for the haircut. You can tell he looks a little dazed and confused. It played to our favor though - he sat through the whole thing without getting all wiggly like he normally would.

Now, I know this is just me, but 80 degree weather is not punkin patch weather! The last time Jim and I went to this farm it was cold, sweater weather - you know, that whole season known as fall! He seemed to have a good time, he made new friends, was partially buried in corn, and picked out a few pumpkins.

More pics on Flickr . . . http://flickr.com/photos/catsmine/sets/72157607901180660/