FUN WEEKEND...

This past weekend we had our Girls day in New York City. My sister Amy arranged the day way back in the Fall (I know shocker) and it was so much fun. Seriously, she should go into event planning.
We (My mom, Katie and myself) met Amy and Kelly at a train station down near her. We make the train with 5 minutes to spare (THANK YOU DAD!) and it took about 1 hour and 15 mins. The girls were so excited all the way in. At each stop they would jump up, are we there yet. Kelly was so cute, she made those around us smile.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we walked everywhere.
First we went to American Girl! Yes, we did. It was a very nice store, easy to move around and very well organized. Nana and Poppy wanted to get Katie a doll from here for her 7th birthday. Katie didn't know this was happening today. She took her time and looked at every doll. Some for longer, making sure she knew everything about them before she made her decision. In the end she chose the 2008 doll, Mia. She is an ice skater, and this really appealed to Katie. She wants to skate in the worst way. She will be going in two weeks with Brownies.
So we got her and Auntie bought her the performance outfit for her birthday. Katie was so very excited.
Kelly was great in the store. She has a bitty baby and got a new outfit. She seemed to understand Katie was getting the doll for her birthday and was excited right along with her.
Next, off to the Disney Store in NYC!
Then, off to lunch. Amy picked out a neat restaurant on Broadway called "Ellen's Stardust Diner". The wait staff all sing and want to be on Broadway. Their voices were incredible! It was a fun lunch and we thanked Amy again. It was quite a walk from Disney store, but well worth it.
Finally it was time for the show. We saw, Little Mermaid. It had just opened and was packed. I couldn't believe how many people were in Times Square! WoW. The show was great. The girls were in awe of the lights, costumes and singing. I of course LOVE Ariel, so I was also in awe. I even got myself a t-shirt! I tried to audition, but Katie stopped me, I was embarrassing her! Imagine.
As soon as my sister sends me some pictures, I'll add them. I didn't bring my camera.
For now I took some pics of Katie and Mia. We did her hair tonight. I wasn't so sure of getting this doll, but I think we are going to enjoy her! I like doing her hair too.

Growing Up

Well it's happened. Katie has officially entered the next phase of growing up. She no longer wants to wear her Disney Princess winter hat.
For those of you who know how much Katie has loved the princesses this probably comes as a shock to you too.
For those of you who do not have girls or girls who haven't been totally mesmerized and have parents who became sucked into the purchasing of merchandise, you will not fully understand.
It happened Tuesday morning at breakfast. Katie made the announcement without warning. It went something like this, K--Mom I need a new hat.
M--Why? What's wrong with your pink hat.
K--It has princesses on it. I am the only 1st grader in the whole school who wears a princess hat. It's embarrassing Mom! I mean I am in first grade now. I am not wearing princess anymore. I need a big girl hat!
M--UH, with an open jaw and tears in my eyes.
What? You're embarrassed? Why?
It went on, and knowing Katie, you can imagine the drama that began. Ben sat across the table mesmerized by the Oscar winning performance!

So, I was dumbstruck. I was sad. I had this sad feeling all day.
Why, I mean for the last 3 years we've been Disney, Disney, Disney! Many times I wanted to throw out Princess stuff!
Now, I felt like all I wanted to do was keep her in the Disney phase!

Well, that night at dinner I told Jason the news. Katie of course said, "Mom, I'm getting bigger. I'm in first grade."
First he tries to find out why she's embarrassed. His questioning does not make her budge. She doesn't want to wear it!
So, good ol' daddy suggests Mommy and Katie have a girls night and go get a new hat for tomorrow!
What? Go out, now.
Okay, it will be fun.
Of course she wanted a cheetah hat! Cheetah is in..."fashion Mom" she says.
So off we went. Well the outlets were closed and it was to late to trek down to the big stores so we went to TJ Maxx, well there was no cheetah but she did find a new suitable hat.

I don't know. Growing up is tough for the mom. My little Peanut, is growing up.
Did I mention she's asked me not to call her Peanut in front of her friends!
That will be hard, it slips out sometimes.

Oh well, I'm the mom and I gave birth to her!

Random Thoughts

The television writers strike isn't such a bad thing. Why?
* I am watching less television
* I am reading again
* I'm catching up on the news and random stuff on the web, I never browse.
* I've talked more with my hubby!
* I have time to write random thoughts in my blog.
* I've become slightly addicted to solitaire on the computer. Yes, I still play games on Webkinz too!
* My kitchen is picked up and tidy every night!
* I sit and watch movies with my hubby, yes I still fall asleep half way through
* I actually sit and watch "How It's Made" with hubby and kids....Okay I'm bored!!!
* #1 Reason it's not so bad....No competition when LOST returns January 30th!!!!! And they've already taped a bunch of episodes!!!YEAH!
Let me know how siked you are too:) LOL>

WHY IT's BAD...
* I've haven't been able to veg out and watch my aimless shoes.
* I finally find a new, funny show, Samantha Who, and it's gone in a flash!
* I have to sit and watch documentaries on aimless stuff with my hubby. I do like Gangland though. Very interesting Gang life.
* No new Grey's, until this Thursday. I hope it's not a let down like Desparate Housewives. Was anyone else bummed? Feel a little let down?
* I finally get a televsion for my room and I have nothing to watch! NO FAIR!!

Welcome 2008

Yes it's been several weeks since my last post. We've been very with the holidays and catching up with things around the house during my time off. So here's a quick re-cap:
Week before Christmas:
Walter left to visit his daughter Laura in Denver. Thankfully he was feeling better from his nasty cold.
Ben and I also started to feel better from our cold. I was not to frantic with last minute shopping, but as you all know, I do tend to do a few things last minute!

CHRISTMAS EVE: We went over to Jason's mom's and Phil's. Ryan,Amy,Noah, Marcella and her boyfriend were all there. The kids were excited to see everyone. As you can see from the pics they also had fun doing hair-do's on all the boys!

CHRISTMAS DAY:The kids woke up about 7ish and checked to see if Santa came before coming in to wake us up, "Santa Came!". They were so excited. Katie was so excited to show Ben all of his toys and to point out what Santa brought for them. He quickly caught on and couldn't wait to open more presents. Katie of course organized the gift giving after we first checked our stockings! They went through the presents quickly, but not to quick. They looked at each one. Ben loved his pirate ship and Katie loved her CD player and Disney Music CD (Note: no longer princess music, now its Hannah Montana). Jason was excited to open up his gifts from the kids. They picked him out an assortment of accessories for his truck. He was very surprised to open up his flash-drive mp3player thingie from me. I was thrilled to get a new cozy bathrobe, Katie picked it out, and a new TV for my room.
Around 11 we headed out to my parents house for Christmas Day. We were late. Yes, we were on the late side, but really was there an official arrival time? The kids were all so excited, hooting and hollering to greet each other. Brody and Ben did there usual wrestling moves to say hello and Kelly stood by saying "hi" to Ben until he acknowledged her! Katie immediately went in and put her things in "her" room, knowing we were sleeping over!
The highlights of the day: Nana and Poppy made a delicious meal!!!! Outstanding.
Katie and Kelly letting out EARPIERCING screams when they found out they were going to New York City to see Little Mermaid on Broadway!!! OMGosh!!!!!!!
The boys (Liam and Brody) were siked to get a bike ramp. Ben was in awe of his new larger than life snowglobe that plays 3 different Christmas Songs...Thank you Nana.
Wow...what a day.
Next day... Uncle Chris, Lisa, Christopher and Avery (my mom's brother and his family) all came over. We had a great day visiting and catching up. My cousin Chris is almost 17 and driving! Yikes, when did that happen! What a nice kid though. All three boys were in awe of him because of his size and he plays FOOTBALL!!!

So....That's the quick 411 on Christmas.

New Year's Eve we had a fun time with our friends Kathy and Bob at their house. All the kids got along and made it to midnight. They were nice enough to let us sleepover so that was very fun for the kids and let us relax knowing we didn't have to drive home.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

WISHING ALL OF OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
SAFE TRAVELS, YUMMY FOOD, GOOD FUN AND LOTS OF LOVE SURROUNDED BY THOSE YOU LOVE.
LOVE TO YOU ALL.

Call Us the Griswolds!!

You know the Griswold's if you ever saw Jason's favorite Christmas movie that we watch several times throughout the season, "Christmas Vacation" with Chevy Chase.

So it was a Snow Day for me and Jason and Katie both got out early because of the approaching storm. Well then it would be a perfect day to put up our tree! Right? Yeah sure.
It was up.
It was down.
It was up.
It was really down.
It was up and tied to the wall and had weights on the tree stand!!!!

We just don't have luck with our trees. It's okay though. It's all decorated and looks lovely. And at least there isn't a squirrel in the tree!!! (there is in the movie)

Two new things for this year,I did the lights this year. No, that had nothing to do with the tree falling down, Mike! And Ben put the angel on top of the tree.

The house is all decorated so I shared a few pics. We have two beautiful mantels so they were fun to decorate. Katie still loves to move things around too. She is having fun with the village that was Bubala's. She knows how special it is and takes very good care of it.

Overall we had a fun day off. We haven't gotten much snow here. We got about 2in and then it turned to sleet. Hopefully there will be some snow in the morning for the kids to play in.

Forgot

I am so forgetful.
Jason was all excited to help me take our Christmas pics for our card. I had a small panic attack Saturday afternoon, realizing I spaced on ordering pictures. Well, really I kept hoping I'd find a cute picture from the summer, but couldn't find one with the two of them together. So here they are! I won't tell you which one's made the final cut for the card.