Ronan's Take on Christmas

"If you aren't good, Santa puts you on the naughty wist. And his wain-deers give you poop."

Yep, pretty much sums up Christmas.

Be Nice, Pretty Please?

Why is it that during the holidays, people's rudeness either heightens or is more prevalent? While I'm trying to teach my children about having good manners and treating others as they would want to be treated, I find myself being talked to like an idiot and the general friendly cheer you would hope to see at local retailers or even in the parking lots has completely disappeared.

Case in point: I'm standing in line at Target. Finally gets to me. I look at cashier. I smile. I say in my overly cheery voice, "how are you?!" Said cashier reponds, "oh, not so good. People are so rude."

My issue is that in her disgust with the customers prior to me, she treated me with the same bah-humbug she just complained about. Nip it in the bud, I think to myself. I kill her with kindness and attempt to make her laugh with the next phrase: "Oh, well, you never know, maybe those people just saw some extra cellulite this morning and are just pissed about it."

She laughed and the mood changed, but this is such a huge lesson for all of us.

If you look in the mirror and find new cellulite, don't take it out on the Target cashier.

Kidding. Seriously though.

BE NICE. Please.

Check out this blog...

This is a friend's blog that just makes me laugh or gag, everytime I read it...

Check it out! Chaos Wrapped in Chocolate Covered Grins

Some Funny Convos/Phrases from the Kids

After we bought Ronan his first tiny tree (for his room), I decorated it and he shouted with glee:

"Momma! I love all my pornaments."

Conversation Ronan was having with Riley while they were playing 'Go Fish':

Ronan: You are a genius, Why-wee!

Riley: I know.

(This one conversation, I just shook my head over, but this is why I love my Riley.)

Riley: When is Hanukkah?

Me: Uh, I think it's over now, Riley.

Riley: So, it's not on the first day of the new year?

Me: No, that's called New Years Day.

Riley: Ooooohhhhhh, so is the day before that called New Years Eve?

Me: Yes, Riley.

Riley: Oh, I get it now. So wait, we missed Hanukkah?

Me: (shaking my head secretly) Yes, we missed Hanukkah.

Happy Golden Birthday to Ronan

Not the best pictures, I know...but being that I get so overwhelmed at parties, this was all I had...

My little dude is 4. I know, crazy. Feels like just four years ago that I was holding onto this little chubba bub that weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces. Now, he'll tell you:

"Momma, I'm 4. I'm gonna be 5 soon." Boy, does time go by fast.

If you couldn't tell from the picture above, we had a bowling party for him. I don't know what his scores were, but I can tell you he had a great time with his friends and next year, we'll forget the party and give the man a DS. :)

Christmas Card 2010

Since I have had Riley, we've always done a photo Christmas card. With how crazy this month has been, I almost decided to NOT do a Christmas card. But then I knew better. I would have regret it and Ryan would hear me complain about it for the next 35 years. So, the other night, I quickly decided to take pictures of the kids with the usual red back-drop and although this isn't the final photo I chose (only those that get my cards will see the final product!), this happens to be one of my favorites of my nuggets. Took forever to get them to look at me and not the TV. Took even longer to convince Ronan to not put his foot in the picture.

Love my babies.

The Squinkie Debacle.

If you don't know what Squinkies are, you aren't alone. Most of the time, if I mention the word, people shoot me this odd look and then I have to go into this long dialogue about what they are and why in the world that one would want them. Well, I'll tell you why one would want them...Christmas. Well, at least we thought one would want them.

If you have read my previous posts, you'll know that Riley found out this year the truth about Santa. Although a loss of innocence, it has become a tiny blessing in disguise. I've been able to use this new-found knowledge she's acquired as a learning tool about the value of a dollar -- which leads me to the subject of this post, the Squinkie Debacle.

Two months ago, she asked her Pa for some Christmas presents. On that list, was a set of Squinkies. And two months ago, they were virtually impossible to find. After searching high and far, my dad was able to find one set. In the meantime, I was able to purchase EVERY. SINGLE. SET. out there. When I say every set. I mean it. A couple hundred dollars worth of darn Squinkies.

Then, it happened. As I was cleaning, I asked Riley about another toy. I said:

"Either take it into your room, or I can throw it away."

Thinking that she would take the toy, she said, "Oh, just throw it away."

I went ballistic. I lost it. A $30 toy my dad had bought her, she asked me to throw away! So there I went into my long and loud lecture about the value of a dollar, how hard Pa, Mommy and Daddy have to work to get her those types of toys and if she doesn't play with them, she shouldn't ask for them.

That was then my opportunity to ask her about her Christmas presents. Knowing she is now aware of where they came from, I asked her point blank: "If mommy and daddy bought you Squinkies for Christmas, would you play with them?"

The 5-second pause was long enough for me to know that she wouldn't and when she said reluctantly, "Yeah, I guess I would..." - well, it was my cue to grab all the Squinkies, retrieve all receipts and prepare to return all that is Squinkie.

When we asked her what she REALLY wanted...she told us books, clothes and few of those Zoobles. Well, guess what...that's what she's getting this year. So even though it saddens us that she doesn't believe in Santa, it has made us so much smarter with our spending, knowing that what we are getting her is exactly what she wants...

(And if you purchased those Squinkies for your little ones this year...there is really nothing to them, I was quite disappointed, if you ask me. They don't do anything...but maybe collect dust after sitting on a shelf for a long time...)

Shout out to Riley

I know I don't often post funny things about Riley...mostly because she's much more serious these days (being a 3rd grader can do that...)

So, I wanted to just say how proud I am of Riley for making HIGH honor roll and being told today by her teacher that she is one of the top two students (grade-wise) in her class! Must be the Asian in her.

Ronan-isms of DECEMBER...and it's only Day 3.

Ronan cracks me up. Since pre-school started, he just talks and talks and talks...and I can't complain because he didn't talk for so long. Two days ago, as we are driving home from school, he says:

I'm Wo-nan, Wo-nan Wino. R-O-N-A-N, wino.

(I know he's saying Rhino, but it's just so funny to hear him call himself a wino.)

Then yesterday, my mom bought him a tiny Christmas tree for his room. In his excitement, he screams, "Mommy! I love my PORN-aments."

15 years ago...

I graduated from high school. 15 years ago, I had very little responsibility compared to what I have now. 15 years ago, I definitely wasn't thinking about my 15-year-freakin-reunion.

I didn't go to the 10-year. Not that I didn't want to. We lived 3000 miles away at the time and so it just didn't happen for me. I didn't want to let the 15-year slip by and not go...so this time, I helped to plan it.

I don't think the actual planning part was hard, or even that trying to get a hold of people was difficult. It was deciding on what I was going to wear. Life or death? No. But man, was the choice exhausting. Looking back at pictures, I don't think I did too bad...

Yes, I graduated with Joe Manganiello...and I have to say, it was very cool to have him come back...happy to have the chance to catch up with him and definitely stoked to have gotten my picture taken with him. This is where the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon thing could really be true...LOL.
And here are Emily, Laura and I, after all the craziness of setting it all up and getting everyone signed in...
Such a great experience to have been a part of, and I'm so proud that it was success. Looking forward to the next one in 5 years....

I'm An Addict.

Step One: Admitting it.

I'll admit it. I love this game. It brings me back to 1988-ish, when my dad bought my brother and I a Nintendo 64 and we would stay up all night playing Super Mario Brothers until our thumbs were raw. We'd sit on the floor of my brother's room and stare at this 13" TV, with our eyes watering from the flickering lights, maneuvering Mario & Luigi through the course to the end where the flag was. Hours would go by and nobody would even check on us...(not sure if that's even legal these days...but at least we were "safe.")

Living on base, we have access to the Exchange (basically a store with all the goodies) and at the electronics department is a Wii, loaded with this very same game. Being that Ronan is completely attracted to all things gamer-related, we end up stopping there to let him try it out for 20 minutes and leave with him crying because he wants to play longer.

Now, you can imagine my anguish in having this game in my home and what I have to deal with when we have to turn it off. I limit him to about an hour (and that's with me playing along), but I've noticed that the past few nights, my dreams involve me, running around, collecting coins. It's become an illness and I'm now going through Mario Wii-thdrawl. Although I still play for a small period of time, I have to force myself to turn it off...or remember that there is laundry to be done, dinner to be cooked, baths to be given and bedtime to be enforced.

Who would have thought that at the my age, I'd still love this game as much as I did over 20 years ago. *Boy, do I sound old now, or WHAT?!!!

The Truth Comes Out

I knew the day would come eventually. I was hoping it wouldn’t happen with Riley so soon. I mean she’s only 8. So innocent. And as a parent, you just hope they stay babies forever...but they don’t. You can only imagine how mortified I was when she asked me. Completely caught off guard, I directed her to ask her father to tell her the truth...and there, we realized, the holidays would never be the same.

Santa isn't real.

"Mommy, I have to ask you something. [My friend] told me that Santa isn't real and that he's dead."

To which I responded: No, baby, he's not dead. Uhhhh, go downstairs and ask daddy.

I'm thankful to have Ryan home on days like this. When you aren't prepared to answer the big questions or WANT to answer the questions and wished you had some sort of manual to guide you through. Ryan was honest with her and told her that he was make-believe and in her confused state, she ran up the stairs, into her bedroom and decided that she hated Christmas -- because it all was a lie.

Ryan and I were really sad about it. Not just for the Santa part, but having her upset about death made us feel really bad. I can't imagine how we are going to cope with the death of a loved one and hope that it doesn't happen for a very long time. But, in the meantime, we no longer have that magic that surrounds Christmas with Riley. Luckily, Ronan seems to have a couple years to believe in the magic -- but if Riley has anything to do with it, she's going to expose him to the 'truth' sooner than later and our babies will just have to settle for gifts from mom and dad, rather than from the big, fat, jolly old man with the white beard.

Pittsburgh Trip ----> Successful Shopping!

It never fails that every single time we go back home to visit my parents and friends, we leave with even more stuff than we arrived with. The kids get toys, clothes, games, whatever my mom and dad can get their hands on to spoil my kids with...and I, well, I usually just try to grab random groceries I can't find here OR, I look for Steeler's gear. You just can't have enough.

My dad is a tailor and generally, we spend a good amount of time at his store, hanging out. I use it as my opportunity to see what's new, as far as clothing goes...and did I hit the jackpot when I picked up a pair of bright yellow sweatpants, only to find that they were STEELERS sweatpants and from Victoria's Secret. I announced to all the Asians in the store (my family), that I HAD to have them and I wasn't going to leave the city of Pittsburgh without them. There, the phone calls to VS began...

And I found a pair:

Yes, I had to have them hemmed 6 inches (I'm sorry, I am nowhere near VS model height...), but tell me how freaking cute they are! On the back, they say "PINK" which my dad said didn't make sense because they are yellow...valid point, but still didn't stop me from getting them...

And because we were in the store and on the rack were other cute VS Steeler's stuff...I also came home with:
And this:
It's a long sleeve thermal shirt...so cute!!! And a shout out to my dad who hooked me up with all of my new clothing...I love it and I'm wearing it right now!

If you didn't know, VS has the college gear for that hometown (well, most towns/colleges, at least) and they have just added the NFL teams, too. Too cute to pass up...love me some Victoria's Secret!

Thirty-One Gifts: My New Business Venture

(Pic of me at my first business expo!)

I stay-at-home. And there is nothing wrong with it. In fact, I have loved that I've been able to spend the time with my kids and see the things that I probably would have missed out on, had I been working outside of the home during those times. But, I haven't ALWAYS stayed at home. There was a time when Riley begged me to go to work, so she could go to school and make friends...so I did. I went out and found a job and loved it. But then with Ronan, it just didn't make sense, financially, to go back to work and so Ryan and I made the decision to keep me at home.

I'm not complaining. I love being a stay-at-home mom. Do I have my moments where I secretly wished I had some high power executive position in a corner office with a view of a city skyline? Yes. But the amazing moments I've had with my kids, well, I can't compare it...

Now that both my kids are in school for 6 hours a day, I have a lot of time to myself. And guilt rides over me that I'm home, doing "nothing." Knowing that I had the time, I decided to become an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One gifts. It wasn't an easy decision. There are costs. Start-up and maintenance costs. As Ryan said the other night, "I guess you have to spend money, to make it."

So far, I love it. I can make my own hours and put what I want into it...but I believe that if you work hard, the payoffs will come...and I'm hoping that happens sooner than later!

I know that money can be harder to come by these days, but if you are looking for a great holiday gift idea, I'd love it if you at least browsed through the online catalog! Visit my page and if you feel like shopping, go for it! If you want to book an online party or host one in person (contact me directly regarding this...I travel, but I'm restricted!)

egalfamily4@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone for their support.

Just had to share...

It's Hard Being Perfect -- my friend's blog...just something that really hit home for me.

You are going to sit where?

Two weekends ago, Riley had a soccer game. With bleachers set up, Ronan and I grabbed our seats 20 minutes before anyone even got there. We pride ourselves on being early. Slowly, the other players began trickling in and with an entire field length of room to sit and 4 rows of bleachers...these parents decided to sit RIGHT.IN.FRONT.OF.ME. Best part, is that one parent actually turned around and asked me, after he opened his big beach umbrella, if I could still see.

Respectfully, I said, "oh yeah, and if I can't, I'll just sit under that umbrella, too!" Not a minute later, God must've heard me complaining because the guy's umbrella flipped inside out (from a burst of wind) and he had to sit in the hot hot sun like the rest of us.

Where are the manners anymore? People just sit wherever the darn well please, I guess.

C'mon, get craftin'....

To my NJ peeps...my friend, Jamie, is starting up crafting classes. So, if you have ever had the urge to craft but didn't know where to begin -- this is it. All the deets are on her blog. Come and hang out!

A Conversation with Ronan

When I picked Ronan up from school today, we had a funny conversation and it went something like this:

(Ronan was singing, "diapers are not forever....diapers are not forever...diapers are not forever...")

Since he is now potty-trained and has been for a few months, I thought it was funny -- but I think it has to do with the potty-training they might be working on in school with the other kids.

Ronan: Momma, 'member when I was a baby Wonan (Ronan) and I used to poop in my diaper?

Me: Yeah....

Ronan: Dat (That) was fun!

Me: Hahaha, no. It wasn't fun.

IHaveToPayWhat?!!!!

What is $63 + $25 + $25 + $20 +$16?

A. Lot.

That is what I spent LAST WEEK, on the kids...on all school-related/sports-related things.

Break it down, you ask? Gladly.

$63. That was the cost of Ronan's SCHOOL pictures. Not the ones from Picture People, or Sears, or Target, or even your local really expensive professional photog. And the best part, is that I didn't even get to keep all the pictures. That was just 8 sheets. And trust me when I tell you that the thought of them shredding your child's photo is devastating. I didn't want them to do it, but I couldn't justify another $57 for the last 7 sheets. I mean, I got a copy of all three poses (and he's too handsome for words!) and enough to make sure I can get one to family and friends...but still. Who did that company think they were selling pictures to?!

$25 and $25. Soccer pictures. One team picture of each kid. And them some single pictures. Could I have purchased a car magnet, a button, a mouse pad, some mugs and a calendar? Sure...but then I know we wouldn't be able buy groceries for the next 2 weeks.

$20. T-Shirts. And not just any t-shirts. Spirit t-shirts.

$16. For a good cause and so I can't complain, but it was for Scholastic Books. Not a necessity in the very least, but hard to pass up when your kid walks by the school book fair and begs for a book...to read...I mean, how do you tell a kid, "No! I will not buy you a book to read!"

So $149 broke-er, but at least now I'll have pictures, t-shirts and books to show for it.

Welcome October!

Last year, me, at this time...longing for the day when "sweater weather" would finally be. Now that I'm a thousand miles north of where we were and "sweater weather" is here, I can't tell you that I'm not slightly nervous.

While standing outside last night, talking with a friend, I was shivering. I had to hold back the chattering of my teeth...because while she was in short sleeves and jeans, I had my Northface jacket on with jeans and I was STILL cold.

I'm in for it, I think. Ryan said I'm in trouble. I didn't have him turn on the heat but last night, I had the sheet, fleece blanket, comforter and the 'x-ray vest at the dentist' heavy blanket on me and I was still chilly.

Could it finally be that I am going to need to invest in jammies with feet?!