Saint Louis "Christmas Eve"

Christmas Eve with my extended family was always a tradition in my family as well as Steve's. When they lived in Saint Louis they used to all get together for Christmas Eve. (So I hear). Once I met Steve his family wasn't doing this anymore because they had moved so far away. A couple years ago, they decided to do a "Christmas Eve" celebration before Christmas Eve so the Tennessee family could come up. They did the same thing this year. It was in Sullivan, MO where Steve's Aunt Rose and Uncle Pete live. She rented a room in a church and it was a good thing because I am pretty sure there were 50ish people there. Yes, it is a huge family!

We did a name draw and exchanged gits with the adults and the kids. As soon as we got there Cian was down and running around the room. He hadn't taken a nap that day but that didn't phase him, he was ready to run! We were able to catch up with a lot of family that lives in MO and we don't get to see very often. Everyone brought a dish so not one person had to cook all day long. The food was great, so good that we ate a big chunk out of the layer dip before the party officially started. I should mention that parties in this family are not a wham bam thank you mam, when you arrive you are in for the long haul. The party started at 4 and I think we left at 11ish. This is good with me cause you have plenty of time to hang out with family. This was a great way to celebrate the weekend before Christmas!

Some of the Kids Running and Playing

Sitting and Standing Around Talking

Kyle and Rob opening gifts

No, I am pretty sure this is a photo of the blue sippy cup

The necessary photo taken of yourselves

Opening presents (Cian got really good at this before the holidays were over)

Mommy Monday: Potty Training, Day .5

Showing off his big boy undies

For a few months not I have been asking myself that question that each parent asks themselves: is my child ready for potty training? And I was totally thinking yes! Until today. Actually he might be, but I am not sure I am!

All right elmo, this is how it's done

I have read Toddler Wise and they had what seemed like an easyish way to potty train in a few days. It seemed intense but I thought we could totally do this, easy. I seemed to have forgotten that I have a very strong-willed two year old living in my house. In the book (which is great by the way) they have you and your toddler (we'll call him Cian) train with a doll (we'll call him Elmo). You and Cian take Elmo and give him a drink of something sugary that will make him have to go potty. You check a few minutes later to see if Elmo is dry. This is where it became tricky. After you see if Elmo is dry you check to see if Cian is dry and then they get a treat (we'll call them skittles) for being dry. Well, I asked Cian if Elmo was dry and he ignored me for a minute and then ran off with him saying no. I came in the living room to find them both on the couch on top of a stain. (Underwear down for the count: 1). We changed big boy undies and cleaned up the couch and and got ready to try this process again. Well, I came in to Cian's room to find him squatting. This can only mean one thing, he is dropping a bomb. (Undewear count: 2).

Kool Aid!

We changed again. We did start the process and this time I got him to check to see if Elmo and Cian were dry. They were, woohoo skittle time. The next step is to wait a few minutes and have Elmo sit on the potty and go potty. Then Cian sits on the potty. They both get a treat for going potty. Well Elmo sat and went but Cian refused to sit on his potty and ran into his room. About that time the sugary drink kicked in and he peed on the carpet. (Underwear count: 3). We changed again. We started the process again and had another accident but this time in the bathroom. (Underwear count: 4). Ok, let's try this again. This time I got him to sit on the toiled by letting him watch "Rack, Shack, and Benny" on my phone. The book said they would need to sit there for 4-10 minutes before using the bathroom. We did, and then we sat a few more--when it had been 14 minutes I let him drink some more, ok a lot more, of his kool aid. Then after about 20 minutes he peed in the potty! Yay, success! I washed his hands and changed his undies. Cian stayed in the bathroom while I cleaned up a little and when I came back Irealized I had a big time mommy fail. I took my kid off the toilet before he was finished, more pee on the bathroom floor. We changed undies again. (Underwear count: 5). I guess maybe I gave him too much to drink....

Watching "Rack, Shack, and Benny

A kids got to eat, so time for peanut butter and jelly. While I was making Cian's sandwich he went to play with his light sabers. I thought since he had just gone to the bathroom it would be ok to stay in the kitchen for five minutes. Wrong!! He peed on the living room floor. (Underwear count: 6). Sheesh! I finished lunch and put him in his chair to eat. He can't pee anymore right? Wrong, he peed in his seat, which ended up all over the floor. I would be lying if I said I didn't let him wear those peepee undies during lunch. (Underwear count: 7). After lunch is nap time so little mr. peesalot got into a diaper (with his toy story undies on over it) and got in bed. I thought 10 pair would be enough for two days, guess I will be taking a trip to Wal Mart tonight...

The aftermath

Let's see how the rest of the day goes....

I also have lots of Christmas festivities to blog about!

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from the George Family!

Bethlehem Marketplace

Though I may love Santa, I realize the real reason for Christmas is to celebrate the gift of Jesus Christ. This is why we couldn't just visit Santa, we have to talk about Jesus and learn about Him. What better way than to go visit Bethlehem as it might have been when he was alive? I must add that Cian was up very late the night before and had a traumatic day with Santa that day but he did get a nap before we left for Bethlehem, or the Bethlehem Marketplace at Southeast Baptist Church. (I didn't take any photos so all the photos here are stolen from the Southeast Baptist's web site, sorry)!

When we got there we had to wait in the sanctuary for a bit before we could go in. The shepherds who were in a tented section had cold feet because they had on sandals and it was snowing so they had to take a break to thaw. Cian thought the sanctuary was a playground and wanted to crawl under the pews and run around. This was not ok and we had to visit the bathroom once. He may or may not have had a little spanking and had to stand in the corner. And I may or may not have been caught spanking my child in the church bathroom by a family.

When we went in we were greeted by shepards with their flock who told us about a baby who had been born that was rumored to be the savior of the nations. As we entered the city we had to sign our names for the census, that is why we had traveled there after all. They asked us where we were from and when we said Murfreesboro they asked if we came by foot or boat. Let's just say that it was a long trip. We entered the city and were greeted by the friendliest camels who wanted to love on us and chew our jackets. There were also many people selling things in the marketplace. These included food, fabric, pottery and metal. There was also someone squishing grapes for wine. (Not going to say this was my favorite section but...). Our money was not recognized but there was a place to exchange gold or silver for their currancy. (They didn't really take your gold or silver). While we made friends with a camel we saw some young guys in jail, they told us they were there for spreading the word that a savior had been born. Apparently the Roman soliders walking around weren't too keen on that idea. (They weren't too keen on much).

We walked through and heard an announcement about what happened in the city that day. We then went and talked to an inkeeper about staying for the night, but there wasn't any room, anywhere. He told us that a family had come the day before and he didn't even have room for them but they stayed in his stable and they were there still. They had a baby while they were there and he was rumored to be the son of God. The inkeepers daughter was precious, maybe three years old, and she was telling us there wan't room for us to stay there. After meeting him we went and had a man write Cian's name in Hebrew. (I have to add that Steve threw this away the next week because as usual I left it sitting on the dining room table. So what if it was going to stay there for a month, I wanted to keep it). We went into the stable next and there was a donkey, a sheep and a family with a brand new baby. We went over to look at the baby and I told Cian, "Look, that is baby Jesus" and my sweet little angel said, "Don't like that baby Jesus". Oh great, yep, we need to be here. I told him that Jesus loved him and he said it again, "Don't like that baby Jesus." Wow.

Well we left the manger and walked back through the town so Cian could see the camel again. Actually he dragged me back through the town to the camels. We stopped to eat some cheese and then stopped at the wine press. Cian wanted to eat grapes, and he was a little greedy about them. You would think his parents hadn't fed him lunch, wait we didn't. After eating more than his share of grapes they started giving him some to throw. He loved this! Cian was able to throw the grapes into where the girl was stomping them with her feet. We stood there for a good five minutes tossing grapes in. As we were tossing the Roman soliders came out to block the street leading into the manger. We asked why we had to wait and they gave us mean looks and short answers, blasted soldiers. While we waited an older lady was talking to us and talking about Cian. Cian took one look at her and said, "Lola". Which in Cian speak means Yoda. I pretended like I didn't know what he was saying and just kept the conversation with her going. In his defense she was pretty wrinkly and had a hooded jacket on. Her skin was not any shade of green though.

We were able to walk through and see baby Jesus again and then we headed out of Bethlehem. There was a wooden cross on the way out and I stopped to thank God for the gift of Jesus. I don't deserve it and can never do enough to warrant it but the gift is there nonetheless. Grace has been granted to me time after time. I have more blessings than I know what to do with and this time of year makes that very apparent. My little family is the best blessing I could ask for. Though Steve may not have gone with us and Cian may have cried and screamed and said he didn't like Jesus they are still a tremendous blessing. We are not perfect but we are the perfect gift to each other year after year. Merry Christmas!

If you want to see some good photos you can look at Mary Leigh's blog here: (She is a mom who remembers her camera always!)

http://someshadesofbrown.blogspot.com/2010/12/bethlehem-marketplace.html

Visit With Santa

On Christmas Eve every child waits with anticipation for the morning to come. The excitement, and trying and trying to fall asleep to no avail because you can't wait to see what Santa brings you. Christmas is so magical for a child and I have such fond memories that I couldn't wait for Cian to meet Santa for the first time. We had practiced what Cian was going to ask Santa for, he kept saying Big Foot which is a toy he is afraid of but loves to look at when we go to any toy store. We watched Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Coming To Town to get him prepared for what Santa looks like. He has seen photos and can pick Santa out in a crowd.

We have a Santa Brunch at SRCC each year and I haven't taken Cian before but I thought this year he just might be ready. Christina, of Eternal Treasures Photography, was taking the photos and she has taken photos of Cian before so I thought this also might make him more comfortable. I thought wrong.

We walked in and he was just bebopping along. Cian saw Santa and was ok until I asked him to go talk to him and sit on his lap. He was not going anywhere near that man in the red suit. (I might add that Santa was super friendly and had a great beard, black patent leather boots, a belt buckle that said SC and a great wife, Mrs. Claus). Like any good parent would we tried to coax him to Santa with a candy cane. I am so not above bribery. Cian did get close enough to grab the candy cane and then he went the other direction. Ok, guess I was going to have to bring out the big guns, mom was getting in Santa's lap. I showed him that it was ok and he was willing to get close to us. Then he was willing to sit on my lap. The outcome was very good.

I mean isn't that such a sweet Santa photo? You can see the candy cane in his hand, I think was his security blanket. Well that went so well that I thought we would try putting Cian in Santa's lap by himself. My plan was to run over, plop him in Santa's lap and run away before he could realize what was going on. Well, Cian was way faster than I gave him credit for and this is what happened:

Cian booked it! He was taking his candy cane and making a break for it! When Christina sent this photo to me I laughed out loud for a good five minutes. Then I looked at it later and laughed again. I might be cruel mother but this was too funny! I am fairly certain this picture will come out on Cian's dates and you better believe if he has a slideshow at his wedding this puppy is making the cut.

The poor guy did feel better after I consoled him and we went home and took a nap. I hope Santa will still come to visit...

My son thinks I am Wonder Woman

Yesterday Cian and I braved the crowds to so some last minute Christmas shopping. We were out off and on all day long and there were a few tantrums, some hitting, some throwing of the checkbook resulting in receipts all over the floor and some stress. You know, your typical shopping session with a toddler.

We were looking at DVDs at one of our last stops and we picked up a SuperFriends DVD. Cian pointed to Wonder Woman and said, " that mommy". This warmed my heart to know that my son thinks I am wonder woman. Even if he doesn't know who she is yet, I am a super hero to him right now. On the days when I feel like I have given everything and it isn't enough and he isn't listening to me or I feel guilty because we haven't played, read or spent enough time together I can remember that at this stage in his life I am Wonder Woman. Thank you Cian for making a crazy day of shopping better, even if you don't realize it.

I should add that he also pointed to Robin and said, " that daddy", which made me laugh. He pointed at Superman next and said, " that daddy too."

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

All around our house!

We love Christmas in our house. As soon as Thanksgiving is over we are listening to Christmas music 24/7 and ready to get our house set up for Christmas.

Steve is always excited to get the outside lights up. He has to have a strategic plan and all the lights have to be straight and no random lights. You know, the ones that hang randomly or droop in the middle of a window. I am glad he is this way and likes to put them up because I get to reap the benefits!

I love decorating and having our house Christmasy. Each decoration means something or has a special memory. The same with our tree. Each year we get a dated ornament we can put a photo of our family in. This started the year we got married because a couple of our friends bought us an ornament that said "first Christmas together"and had a place for a photo. I have to admit that the ones from 2008 and 2009 still have the family that came in them though. I will get us in there someday... My mom also bought my brother and I each an ornament every year with plans to give them to us when we got married and had our own tree. The ones she bought me are mice. I love putting these on our tree because I have memories of putting them up as a little girl too. I would love to do something like this for Cian.

I wanted to make Cian a part of decorating our tree this year so when it was time to put the ornaments on I made sure Cian came in to check out all the goodies we had to put on the tree. We put Charlie Brown Christmas on TV and had music playing in the background. It was the pefect litte scene for ornament hanging. The first ornament I gave him to put on the tree was one of his baby's first Christmas ornaments. He held it up to the tree like he was going to hang it but then said "weally high". He wanted to hang all the ornaments really high! I would give him ornaments with hooks on them to hang and he would just walk around with them and lose the hooks. Not exactly the perfect scenario for ornament hanging but what did I expect with a two year old. It could have been worse, we only lost two ornaments.

Daddy helping Cian hang the ornaments "weally high"

The star, the finishing touch Our little Jedi beside the finished tree. (Cian had a little eye infection, hence the red eyes).

All in all, I am excited with our decorations and budding family traditions. Here are a couple of my favorite decorations:

Nativity set that was a wedding gift from a couple that always inspires me

Angels that belonged to my Mamaw Dot and Popie. I used to play with these all the time as a little girl.