Turning Four, not Fourteen

Somedays I question the actual age of Kaitlyn as she baits my patience verbalizing adult-like concepts, dishing them out as if fourteen leaving me in a quandary...where did she learn how to say that? Does she really know what that means? Let me give you an example:

'Mommy, I'm having a dark day.' She offered this statement with such frankness despite the sun beating down overhead in the painted blue sky. It was her last of many loaded grumpy statements of unrest from not getting a toy she wanted during a late afternoon grocery run.

'You ruined my heart. It's broken.' This one personally just rips my heart in half, and then I wake up and realize it's just untrue! She is quite poetic, and did I mention, dramatic?

There is no questioning, I am continually challenged by my daughter's stubborn, sassy and very verbal candor. Now that she is four (May 28th was her big day) I feel like overnight an explosion of energy bursted from within her. Leading up to this big day a trend had been forming-up late at night and early to rise. We've never been a household with strict bedtime hours but reasonably maintained somewhat of a bedtime routine beginning around 7:30pm with Dylan and ending with Kaitlyn close to 8:30pm. Now her nightly routine has stretched close to the 9:30pm hour with last night being an unspeakable 10:30pm. Wide awake. Or, if analyzed, completely exhausted but eyes wide opened...as if her mind wasn't prepared for a slumber.

Ho hum. I'll never know her inner workings and am most certain this is only the beginning. She is very quick with her tongue, doesn't forget anything and often links situations, experiences and previously stated comments to current arguments, opinions and her favorite, proclamations of ideas for me to enact. Ho hum....

Dylan has this disgruntled face coupled with an arm crossed sternness when he doesn't get his way, when he is upset with his sister, when he feels unheard...or when he just seems to want some attention. It's fairly funny since you can get him to unravel the tension by expressing the need to have him cooperate, be friendly...whatever the command is for the moment. Snap your fingers and his frown turns into this forced smile that shows all his teeth, dimples and even a sparkle in the eye. It's hilarious. It's a show. That's what this little boy is becoming, a show. I find that he is a true pest, chasing after his sister, pulling her hair, poking her shoulder, tackling her...all for her reactions.

He's developed this interesting role playing game with Kaitlyn and while it's odd, it's also initially endearing. In the middle of anything....getting ready for bed, playing by the TV, watching a show, running wild through the house....he goes up to his sister and says, 'Mommy' with his arms outstretched. She then stops what she's doing, goes to hug him and the two end up toppled over with their bodies in a pretzel. Moments later giggling begins and the wrestling takes over. Who ends up on top squishing the other is a continual battle.

I've noticed Dylan take on a great deal of his sister's words and tone, offering them with his disgruntled face...but, it's just not as fitting for him as it is for her so he falters earlier than her, allowing me a bit of a reprieve since she can often be all too consuming!

Highlights of their happenings:

1. The two of them had an incredibly successful dental cleaning-Kaitlyn now knows I must brush her teeth until she is seven years old and sugar bugs have already begun a nest in one of her back molars (a brown spot had formed-uggghhh). Dylan has no enamel-a problem that occurred when in utero, so his teeth are ones to watch with great diligence. Thankfully, the two of them love brushing their teeth and are very compliant with the parental assistance!

2. Dylan is getting his own room-thankfully! It's time for this for too many reasons, but spurring it to occur sooner than later is simply due to a situation that occurred this past Mother's Day. When overly amped up at bedtime, Kaitlyn attempted and successfully woke up Dylan by some serious use of force! She managed to 'bonk' him on the head a number of times with various objects in her room-a hard back book, play kitchen pots and the best, shoved the cone portion of a play ice cream cone up his nose and in his ear. Call it a truthful recount of what actually happened, or an overly exaggerated rendition of what really happened, it doesn't matter. Dylan woke up in a panic and she was laughing. I was livid. Steve thankfully was home to help figure out the best plan of discipline as I was ready to lock her up-or myself. I wasn't sure who should have the time out. Really, I was fuming!

3. Somehow we are in this pretend world of Spiderman, Firestar, Iceman, and the Princess of the moment. These little ones label themselves with a character and then charade around with their new identity. Often this leads to dress ups, jumping onto the sofa, hanging off the counter or upside down off a chair...it can be obnoxious but surely entertaining as well!

4. I've resigned myself to knowing that positive reinforcement is the only way to go with child rearing. If I can be over the top with verbal specific praise, especially with Kaitlyn, and then follow-through with stern diligence for any threat or promise I make, I have authority with her. This sounds like an easy formula to follow but so often it gets clouded with a mis-management of time, or a distraction called Dylan, or my own motherhood fog. Our super Nanny Auntie Jessie came to visit over this birthday weekend and it was like bootcamp around here. On the sidelines I was being fed all sorts of tips, critiques, situational awareness, and in the throws of the parenting, she was stepping in, reinforcing my demands, taking on her own discipline tactics, etc. Parenting Bootcamp. Seriously. Despite our clashing styles, she has taught me so much and offered me great opportunities to see the tips actualized!

Once again I say, Ho Hum!

This month of May has been an uplifting month. It started fast and for a while was packed with trips, car rides, jeopardized routines...but ended on a high note that has me excited for summer. I will have the kids full time come July and August. My plan is to enroll them in a couple of area 1/2 day camp programs, take them to various museums, have beach days, craft projects and lots of backyard splash time! Overall, it's a summer to Just Be a Kid! I'm eager for the challenge!

Today is worth it.

Meet Dora and Diego's friends, Pilot Kaitlyn and Co-Pilot Dylan. These two stinkers know the camera almost too well if there is such a thing. We spent Friday afternoon at a Tesla Auto Show to basically salivate over modern innovations within the world of electric cars. The children were more interested in leaving than touring color palettes, winged doors and battery packs...so off I went leaving Steve to absorb the knowledge and the kids and I to tour the Discovery Science Center nearby. An incredible interactive facility well designed to intrigue all ages, even those going gray! After our stint at this rock star explosion of science, we met up with 'Auntie Soup' in Huntington Beach. Maybe I should say, ON HUNTINGTON Beach as my oh my, she lives not even .25 miles from the beach. I'm sure there is sand at her doorstep if I looked hard enough.

The moon was one night shy of being the biggest and brightest full moon of the year so you can imagine the dynamic of dusk. Setting sun to the west. Moon on steroids just overhead to the Southeast. Breathtaking-and consider Kaitlyns complete awe of the ocean and Dylan's sniper maneuvering for bird chases, we all experienced a collision of the senses!

'Auntie Soup' was a terrific hostess, providing Mac & Cheese, juice boxes and even a dose of chocolate; the kiddos ate well but more importantly had the best time identifying their favorite shell from her basket of finds, wearing mardi gras necklace collections, and of course, navigating the ocean sand to step out and become overly stimulated by the plethora of shells to collect.

Needless to say, I had to scoop Kaitlyn off the sand while negotiating out birthday cake dimensions; and Dylan just wanted to be carried from sheer exhaustion. Thanks kiddos for such a terrific DAY-totally worth the miles, traffic, generated smog and moments of tantrum hysteria!

Photos galore.....

Black History Month MOMS Club project...painting peanuts various shades of color, googley eyes and add the quote...a great project!

Don't you just love the smile?

The trio...absorbed in some iPad cartoon-possibly Elmo?

Yes, I got their attention-brief attention!

Cat & the Hat family activity...we all had to make hats! Thanks to a dear friend she brought the supplies for all along with super yummy cat in the hat treats (marshmallow atop an oreo with red & white chocolate)....

The treats...

Truly Backyard pals! Such love!

This is her Cinderella skirt I made a year ago, and the shirt I just finished...added some embellishments and this girl felt like a million, no, trillion bucks. Darling.

Am I crazy or is this a star in the works? Look at that form...

Snails. Roly Poly. Caterpillar. Whatever. These kids love to get in the face of these bugs and basically cart them around like children. Kaitlyn even has names for all of these snails!

Evening walk, Dylan, a superhero fit with his cape, saving snails. Look closely, he's beaming because of his pet snail in his hand...

Same walk-notice the Mermaid rain jacket, the sparkly TOMS, and the favorite scarf with tiara. Suitable for snail rescuing, don't you think?

Eying this roly poly, name: Rockstar Jameron Ship Ship

Disney's TOON Town...basically it adds up like this: 1 season pass, 1 free toddler, 2 paying tickets. Worth every dime-our 'tour guide' Chiara was awesome! The kids were to die for-especially Dylan when he saw Mickey Mouse for the first time during the parade! Priceless...(PS. do you notice that boy's hands..once again, a star in the making).

Disneyland...

At the park, it was hot. She borrowed my sunglasses...and posed!

Easter...at church just after service!

The Egg Hunt and wearing Nana's Easter Dress!

Handsome little man, inspecting his finds!

March Madness...reflections on being 35

I look around and feel suffocated by: the sunlit dust on the perimeter of our hardwood floors, random toys peering from beneath the sofa or found underneath clothes in my closet, dirty diapers and the constant questioning of whether my child's ______ (fill in the blank...it could be anything-ear wax build up, shape of toe nail growth, etc) is normal; the never-ending pile of dishes in and around my sink; the junk newsprint mail I receive, let alone the mounds that Steve gets; the reality that the tick infestation in my backyard may or may not be actually eradicated; the mornings when the kids and I are home and awake and Steve is sleeping from a nights work; the layout of my office space and the vacant game room that remains to this day, not a game room but a storage unit of random, misplaced and forgotten c r a p.

I look around and feel renewed when I: see dress-ups hanging off a toy box from an earlier Princess and Pirate raid the kids enjoyed; spot a greeting card celebrating a recent holiday from the kids biggest fan, Jessica; get into my car with or without kids to drive away...anywhere; pick the children up from school and feel their embrace that is loaded with pure love and happiness; know both children are finally asleep at the end of the day and I take that first calming breath to the start of my night; enjoy the first 24 hours following our cleaning crew bi-weekly visit; take a mini mind vacation and imagine myself walking barefoot on a barren beach; try on a new lavender nail color or surprisingly, wear a little eye make-up for an ordinary day out; hear Dylan say 'You're welcome' after a polite exchange.

Recent happenings have me in a spin which only ruins my nerves, aches my belly and no doubt adds weight, emotional and physical. However, in the midst of personal storms what celebrations do exist are worth noting here:

Dylan has officially started brushing his teeth like a big boy and he will consistently let me help him. This is a huge stress reliever as the boy unfortunately has some horrific looking decayed canines. They showed up this way and will stay this way until permanent ones roll in. Apparently during my pregnancy there was a deficiency or response to my pregnancy that impacted his teeth development. Interesting. Not sure what to make of it, but his teeth look fairly jacked if you get up close and personal. He continues to be a mama's boy and recently decides to whine or mumble instead of using learned words for his desires-this has been challenging to deal with as it's simply annoying and persistently tests my patience. He loves a good chase through the house, a solid ride on his bicycle and will clean the whole house with the vacuum if I'd let him. He's also my little budding chef, thanks to his Baking Fridays at preschool. He'd rather help me in the kitchen than watch a TV show-this is probably due to the mama's boy title, yet regardless, knowing he will take kitchen over couch....sign me up! He responds to music with great interest and now sings his top five hits: Jingle Bells, Skina Ma Rink a Dink, You Are My Sunshine, the ABCs and Itsy Bitsy Spider. He makes out every fifth word on average-but doesn't miss the applicable hand motions or miss a chance to smile with you while he sings. This melts my heart.

Kaitlyn can count to 10 in Spanish, to 30+ in English skipping over the number 16 chronically, and apparently totally digs the difference between verbs and adverbs (the latter was reported by her teacher). She is a bully at times, body slamming her brother, elbowing him to move out of her way, chasing after him with a tackle and my favorite, the full on love smothering kiss that looks so darn aggressive but is truly an outpouring of love from an overly energetic toddler! She's an instigator and the queen bee of sneakiness, wearing her guilt ever so well when found hiding under a table with ___________ (again, fill in the blank: daddy's fancy blue water bottle; a carton of unwashed strawberries half eaten by her daring self; a blue crayon that's already intimately met the floor her bottom rests upon; a to-go soy sauce packet opened and drizzled on...everything, etc.). Needless to say she is C U R I O U S and full of might. The sassy back talk has dwindled and her more loving nature has been showcased, often wanting to sit on my lap for a story or kiss my check spontaneously, all these I have enjoyed tremendously. She has developed an interest in foods on my plate, taking a bite to declare whether she likes it or not.

I'm turning 35 this September and envision a girls trip to that barren beach I vacation to regularly in my dreams. Spa packages with wildflowers in our rooms, toe soaks and big hipster sunglasses! Freedom. 35. It's approaching fast and I feel it. Someplace within me longs for 25 when I was carefree, had a circle of friendships for frivolous outings and uplifting conversations. It was when I had time to volunteer and feel important within my community, when I could love and not feel hurt from a shared history, or when I could skip and talk without being short of breath. When I think of the age, 35, I feel my mortality, I recognize that now as a mother, my life is not for me, but for my children. My life as a wife is overshadowed by my life as a mom. My sole purpose of life right now is reserved for wiping snot from noses, offering necessary care for bruised hearts and scraped knees, teaching values by doing and protect them from harms way simply by being with them, engaging in their personhood despite how shriveled up I may feel. Breaks don't come often enough and quite frankly, are moms supposed to get breaks? This full time job isn't even a job, it's a way of life. SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) is all consuming at all times, awake or asleep. My job is never done and will never be as long as I continue to be 'Mom'. When I think of turning 35, I crave time for myself that lasts longer than my child's hour nap, or the late hours of my night that become time distributed among home duties, motherly duties and personal responsibilities.

35 will need to be a year of remarkable discovery, adventure and new expereicnes. My children will be that much more independent, will have a larger vocabulary, will have a greater understanding of my boundaries and their own. I will be able to hike with them for a quick nature get away, find ways to fit them into my life as it competes for a revival of life when 25-well, ok, portions of that era! Steve is like the backdrop-he's always there but not with us. My life as a mom has become very solo and with children this young, I feel estranged from what marriage is meant to be. The real challenge for this year will be to rediscover the life prior to children as shared with Steve. Becoming parents is a journey that rips you, slays you, hits you over the head, diminishes you and then can lift you up, heal you, and revive you all in one day. Lord help me, I'm suffocated more often than not and pray that this year of 35 the suffocating stops and the feeling of being renewed replenishes my shriveled self!

Now, how is that for a blog entry....my mind is filled to the brim, to take the time and document the moment offers me satisfaction in that it releases some of the stories, freeing up space for the inner dialogue to spread out, lighten up and truly vacation!

One day I'll laugh about my blown fuse...

We took a snow day one sunny afternoon and thinking there would be mass amounts of white dust, we were lucky to find this one single patch. Kaitlyn and her great friend Luke were in Heaven, totally thrilled to play around. Dylan remained fast asleep the entire outing!

Yes, this is from my cell phone...I love my cell phone's camera!

Arms Up!

Again, I must work backwards in order to capture recent adventures. My memory is so spotty that I'll be lucky to jot down a few great ones from the past few weeks. Here is goes ('clank'-making a toast to you):

Ten minutes til we need to be in the car ready to drive to church, I finish combing Dylan's hair downstairs and head up to the kids bedroom to check on Kaitlyn's progress with not only her potty break, but also her progress with dressing. Am I surprised that I found her bare bottomed and completely graffitied from hip to toe with blue nail polish sitting on her CLOSET FLOOR? (Insert foul language here...only thought, not spoken). Oh Lord help me. That was it-this poor girl kept repeating, "I just wanted my nails painted mom. I just wanted them painted." Now, let's rewind a good thirty minutes...I brought her clothes to the toilet as she was doing her duty and responded to the following inquiry with a "Not now Honey, maybe this afternoon when we get back from church"

INQUIRY: Mommy can you paint my nails?

Hmm, not sure how she didn't get the message, but this little sneaky girl decided to climb up on the counter, open the medicine cabinet (she has NEVER done this before) and grab her trio pack of nail color she got for Christmas. Obviously she knew the stash was in there, but did she just now figure this out or had she been scoping out the situation for some time?

My reaction-very calm, but very stern. I took the nail colors and threw them in the trash. Then I took out a trash bag and collected everything from the medicine cabinet. Heck, she displayed total deviant behavior. Oh how I cannot believe she is my child!

Dylan is my early riser. Just shy of 5:30am today. Generally around 6am his deep voice greets my deep slumber from the hallway behind his gate and I spring from my bed to grab him before he launches into a morning jig complete with a shaking of the actual gate. Yes, it's quite loud if you haven't already guessed.

He is one big love in the mornings when it's just he and I but the tender hearted Dylan LEAVES the moment he sees his big sister. He's like a woodpecker, he just repeatedly strikes against her. (Another Lord help me moment).

Needless to say we are still in the throws of tantrums, sibling rivalries, and food strikes. I'm too patient. It's causing me strife. Watch out Dylan and Kaitlyn, mommy Ms Mean is coming to town!

:)

It's all in the message....

Just to document some of life's happenings, this blog is truly a gift. I have a chronological account of my children, some months more frequent posts than others, nonetheless, a documented history. Today is no different, a few words on the changes among Kaitlyn and Dylan, a few surprises, milestones and of course comparisons to note how different they each are!

Kaitlyn launched into the alphabet the other evening when getting ready for bed and for the first time E V E R I hear Dylan singing along. He had it just about nailed, all sang with his deep voice in a grunting rendition of letters. He beamed to be singing alongside his sister. Potential for a duo in years to come? I wouldn't be so surprised if each of them pursued an instrument and/or vocal practice as they respond so well to music. Dylan, especially, is intrigued by instruments. Kailtyn has her days but limits her musical inquiry with fierce opinions and short attention. We'll see what it may amount to.

Copycat syndrome. Did Kaitlyn start this trend? It's a common occurrence around bedtime. She will copy everything I say as she laughs and displays a mischievous grin. I can hardly take it at this time of the day, as generally my patience is tapped, I feel behind and burdened with what lies ahead for my night after their bedtime which that ritual alone can bring me gray hairs. In any case, Copy Cat Kaitlyn appears. Now I see that Dylan is the same. It's not a mimic of me, but rather of his sister down to body language. The poor guy. I wonder if he even thinks for himself sometimes.

Saving grace: I found this shape sorter APP and added it to both the iPad and iPhone today. These two kids are mesmerized by it and thankfully, since it's the same APP, maybe playing a different shape sort, they each are learning, gaining dexterity skills, focusing and in all honesty, they are quiet. Dylan surprised me with his success in matching shapes-Kaitlyn of course was making leaps and bounds narrating her accomplishment with each shape reveal. Oh boy! I really have two children that represent both ends of the spectrum.

Dylan has been AWESOME in preschool. His teacher is an absolute Blessing-because of this the transition from Mommy to classroom is a breeze. Plus, he really wants to be there. He carries his lunchbox into school every day while Kaitlyn leaves it on the sidewalk and says, "Mom, I don't want to carry it. YOU carry it." And then she darts away. Having them both together adds to my confidence in his being there. If he was the older sibling starting school first, I think the experience would be traumatizing. BUT, he's been tagging along for over a year and a half for drop off and pick up and so it's only right that he appears to be more seasoned. All the students in his class know his name and know that I'm Dylan's mom. It's super darn cute!

Kaitlyn has been terrific with being the BIG SISTER to Dylan. She instantly goes from fend for your own self to possessive sister once noticed on campus. She's a bit of a drama queen...okay, she is THE drama queen or maybe I should be more appropriate and say she's a stage hog! She loves attention and the more people notice that Dylan is now going to school, the more she is right next to him as the BIG SISTER role. It's hilarious to watch this behavior unfold! She LOVES attention....

...And, LOVES attention so much so that I am realizing I don't give her enough of that quality attention she'd get if it was just her and not her current 'Share Mommy' reality! In her eyes, I'm constantly with Dylan....and truth be told. I probably am. If my children read this when they are older (which may happen)...here is it: Kaitlyn, I do struggle with showing my love for you, instead, it's easier for me to say it. Dylan sucks the physical touch out of me naturally so it's an obvious observation to assume I love him more. BUT, to you both, should you be blessed to become parents in this lifetime of yours, you will come to find that love you have for your spouse is one type of love. The love you have for your first born child becomes a different love and the love for your next child is that first born child love, but on steroids. Our heart has a capacity to love each of you beyond imaginable. My job is to figure out how to ensure you experience this unique love for YOU, and not feel shadowed by the love I have for other people/things! For the record...I love you both, individually and quite immensely!

xoxooxox

New Year for New Change

This year I will be 35.

This year Kaitlyn will be 4.

This year Dylan will be 3.

This year Steve will be .... hmmm. Well, we will both be more gray.

I could easily write a novel, sparing no chapter, to capture the events in the Patterson household over these last two months. But, seriously? Who has time to do such a thing when your nights are sleepless, screaming and cat fights become the house white noise and doing dishes is more than a chore, it's a full time job! I've signed up for sibling rivalry battles that start at daybreak and end when the children slumber. Dylan has developed a sour face and won't budge when he wants something...yes, the broken record type of asking. Kaitlyn loves to teach what she knows and of course decode Dylan's conversation, reporting to me the very important statements he makes.

I'm forever amazed at the love these two have for each other and then amazed at the mere fear they give each other when one pushes force first, pinches, scratches or my favorite, grabs by the neck. Oh the physical love is displayed quite aggressively some days!

Dylan got his first pair of underpants this past December. He was pretty enamored about the whole thing, seeing Thomas the Train below his belly or on his rear left him speechless and all smiles. We haven't tackled potty training yet-or at least where it's a priority. I secretly think this child will stay in diapers for another two years if we'd let him. BUT, Dylan starts preschool on Tuesday and it's here that I know his relationship with the porcelain bowl will start! They offer potty training as if it's part of the curriculum!

Kaitlyn still doesn't wear earrings, but asks for diamond rings. She sports leggings and won't wear jeans. She will wear any branded princess or fairy shirt for days on end and will shiver at a simple shirt with ruffles. She can buckle herself in her carseat and thank GOD can't unbuckle. She loves to teach Dylan about anything and everything that she has already learned. For this I am grateful...but then she also loves to act like me and boss him around incessantly. I often have to intervene and remind her that I'm the mommy! For the longest time it was all about mermaids and now it's pretty much all Princess Patterson here. She had a day trip to Disneyland with Steve and cousin Natalia...this sealed the deal. Her fantasy world blossomed in eight hours and more so than ever before, if it's blue, it must be Cinderella's. Yes, that means she'll drink out of the blue cup-Dylan will be subjected to the pink one. It's that simple.

Kaitlyn will get sucked into a TV show and Dylan will not. Kaitlyn will focus on art projects as if performing surgery...she's very particular and detailed. Dylan will shove markers into his mouth, pound the table with the crayons and for no particular reason at all, dump all baskets of toys onto the floor to then walk away. It's fun, real fun!

Dylan actually cuddles. He will get his head nestled into my neck/shoulder and even place his arm around me when I'm laying with him for nap time or bedtime. Kaitlyn will either grab my hand to hold or just ask that I lay down near here. She's sort of over the cuddling days-she's got too much exploring to do. Dylan wakes up at 6 or 6:30 daily. Kaitlyn could sleep til 8:30 daily, if I'd let her (or if Dylan would let her)!

My moments with Kaitlyn have improved tremendously. We get a kick out of girl days together, or just crafting. She's been responding to my direction much better than months ago-but she still finds ways to test my patience and as of lately, really challenge my upset meter. I get livid when I see her bully her brother. I just sense this tough chick mentality forming and then see this angry Kaitlyn show up. It's not pretty. I have to remind her that her behavior is not of the Kaitlyn that I know....this generally can snap her out of her mood...but boy does it get ugly! And of course Dylan, the biggest mimic in the house, just dishes it all right back. So not only do I have one sour Kaitlyn, but two sour Kaitlyns when Dylan mimics.

If they could answer....

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Dylan it's frozen blueberries, juice box, and trader joe's granola bars. Kaitlyn it's Kraft Mac & Cheese (yes, has to be this brand) and salad.

Q: Favorite cartoon character?

A: Dylan would jump to anything with Curious George. Kaitlyn would thrive if her only friend was any of the following: Super Why or Team UmiZoomi (and the princesses speak for themselves).

Q: Most recent tender moment.

A: Dylan asks if I'm ok after I cough. Kaitlyn stops time when eating side by side at a restaurant and gazes into my eyes, places her arm around my neck ever so gently and tells me she loves me.

Q: If I could have one...

A: magic wand to wave and all dishes would be put away, floors would be mopped and toys would be picked up, I'd be a HAPPY mommy all the time!

Q: Marshmallows...

A: Dylan simply looks at the empty mixer bowl and asks, "Momma, can I have some marshmallow, please?" Kaitlyn could live off marshmallow puff if I'd let her. I could probably too...so Biggest Loser here I come!

Q: Baby Jesus...

A: Kaitlyn knows we celebrate the birthday of Baby Jesus on Christmas and that Jesus wishes for all the good girls and boys to have gifts in His honor so He commissions Santa to help with the distribution! So glad we can add a little faith teaching in the midst of our fairly secular life....slowly this is changing. The kids and I started attending a nearby Lutheran Church for the catechism program-been superb to date!

Here's to a New Year of opportunity to learn as a mom, to grow with my children, to become a better person! This year will be better than 2011, anything will be better than 2011!