Oh Christmas tree...

Again, I love this time of year. The last week of school was a blast for the kids, and a little bit bittersweet for me. Even though I am always excited for Caleb to grow, learn new things, and advance in school, I must admit that a tiny part of me wants Jansen to stay little forever.

Jansen is 4 and this is his last year of private preschool. I have so thoroughly enjoyed having him at Chapelwood and felt a slight sadness while watching his last Christmas program. At Caleb's school, they don't have any kind of holiday program, although at least they do a holiday party. I am just one of those moms that really loves baking things, making goodie bags, and going on field trips. I still do those things for Caleb's class, admittedly one of only two parents who does so.

Elementary school is the last time for moms to really be involved in things like that (room moms, school crafts, etc). I am so blessed to be home and to have the heart to want to really be involved in my childrens' educations. Hopefully this will continue for as long as Jansen is in elementary.

Anyway, Jansen had a Christmas party and we provided the Rudolph cookies. At his program, he refused to participate, but at least he stood there in solemn defiance. Caleb had a party and we provided the sausage cheese dip. Total success for Caleb. He has a very difficult time with transitions and changes to the routine, but he really did well. Today, Santa sent both the boys video emails, personalized with their names, pictures, and gift list. The kids are so excited and can't wait until Friday, and honestly, neither can I!

Christmas in the Park

Yesterday, Nana and I braved the suddenly freezing cold weather to take the boys to Clute's Christmas in the Park. Earlier that day, myself and some other PTA moms had put up our school tree there and decorated it with hundreds of Panda bears, carefully colored by our students. Caleb was able to find his panda almost immediately, even though it was on the back of the tree.

We had candy, drank hot chocolate, visited with Santa, toasted marshmallows, and played games with the clowns. The kids had a blast, both asking Santa for a football. They had already written a letter to him just before the park, and were excited to tell him all about the letters. This was Caleb's first year to actually understand the concept of asking for a toy and being good in order to get that toy. Usually kids' lists are long...Jansen is only 4 and he asked for three things, but Caleb....just the football. We are going today to mail them off.

Next week begins the official holiday madness. Baking for two class Christmas parties, providing gifts and donations, Christmas programs, and then comes the holiday break from school for over 2 weeks. AGH!!!! We are all really looking forward to it though. Lots of family, lots of food, lots of presents, the birth of our Savior...we are incredibly blessed!

Happenings...

Well, we got a big winter storm this year on the coast yesterday, and it snowed all day. Fortunately (or unfortunately) it did not stick to the ground, but covered it with a nice layer of frosty ice. When the kids and I went outside this morning, it had knocked over our umbrella and froze it to the ground, filled our fire pit with water and froze the lid to it, and probably killed our freshly layed sod in the front yard. Jansen was so excited to see it that he ran out, and before I could tell him to be careful, he hit an ice patch and his feet slipped right out from under him and he busted his rear-end and his head. He is ok, but sore!

In other Powell happenings, we have a new pet. We took the kids to the pet store to purchase a betta fish....something strong and virtually care free. Caleb picked out a red one and we found a small aquarium that everyone could agree on. As we paid for everything, I asked Jansen what we should name him. Jansen thought for a moment, and then said, "Um, I think we will call him Finn, and he will be my buddy." The kids were very excited to have him home and kept yelling, "welcome to your new home, Finn."

Funny things Caleb says: It is always funny to hear how Caleb's brain works and what he comes up with. He really still doesn't understand abstract concepts and he often still reverses the order of his words in sentences. Yesterday I got up early to get dressed, and then woke up Caleb. He and I had breakfast together and I went to the sink to wash up some dishes. He said, "Mom, why are you dressed?" to which I laughed. Then I said, "well Caleb, I am going to substitute at Jansen's school, like your substitute teacher." And he thought for a minute and said, "You can't be a substitute teacher. You are a mom!" and I laughed. He is starting to get it.

You tell us what you want to tell us...

Got another opinion coming your way so if you don't like that, look away now. Seriously, navigate away from the page.

First, let me preface by saying, that I am a registered Republican with Democratic tendencies. That really has little bearing on this post but I just want to put that out there, just to reinforce my middle of the road tendencies. Often times I can see both sides of a situation and have some conservative viewpoints and some more liberal viewpoints.

That said, I am so over all this Tiger Woods nonsense. We have no idea what is going on in his marriage, nor do we need to know. Just because he is a celebrity, doesn't mean he checks his privacy at the door. It does mean that he has to make some sacrifices. People will be more interested in him, his doings, his family, and the like, however, that does not entitle him to give full disclosure of his every move. I don't really care if he was having an affair, if his wife was having an affair...that is why marriage is between two people. It's not our business. We don't know what their marital situation or agreement is.

So this got me thinking about being well known, responsibilities, and tabloids. When you think about it, people this day in age really believe that everyone is owed explanations. With facebook, blogs, and other social networks, people put their entire lives on the Internet, making other people feel entitled to know everything about that person. You can become famous now just by posting a video on YouTube. Or you can be famous in your town for winning awards, being an elected official, or having a high profile job. If you choose to do this, you must understand that people will be interested in you, but you should not be obligated to divulge all your personal information.

Tiger Woods doesn't have to hold a press conference to list his transgressions. Last time I checked, I am not married to him. And if I were, that would be our business. I really try not to judge people for their decisions, however bad I feel they may be, because there by the grace of God go I. Thus my pro-choice stance, thus my pro gay marriage stance to name a few.

That is just my rant for the day. I am so sick and tired of salacious reporting.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The greatest time of the year is right around the corner. I know there are a lot of people who revel in their Bah Humbuggery...but I am one of the people who revel in the Joyfulness of Festivity. So if you are not one that enjoys this time of year, this is not the post for you.

We put the lights up on the house and set them to music. The kids agreed on an inflatable Santa, to which we purchased at a hugely discounted price, and then realized that we had just sodded our lawn. The lawn cannot take an inflatable, screwed into the freshly laid grass pads, because the lawn needs to be babied to take root. Josh took it over to Nana and Pop's house, and they put it in their yard for this year. Our tree is up, presents are wrapped, the mantle is decorated, and the kids got to open the first door of the Santa calendar this morning!

We are prepared to be baking, caroling, wrapping, Christmas light looking, hot chocolate drinking, and just all around enjoying our time together during the season. Jansen will be baking a birthday cake for Jesus, Caleb will be baking cookies for Santa, I will be baking cookies and cupcakes for school, and the kids will both be making chocolate dipped rice crispy treats. Sugar highs!!!

I Heart DDUB!!!

Josh totally won points and bought us tickets to the much hyped Donnie Wahlberg "I Got It" release party. If I am not able to get a ticket to the NKOTB cruise, this is the next best thing. In all actuality, I think it is probably better!

We got Mimi to babysit the kids, Josh booked a hotel room, and we hit the road headed for HUSH off I-10. Earlier in the week, I was fortunate enough to get one of the 100 Facetime ticket upgrades with promised a Meet and Greet, autographs, and pictures with Mr. Donnie Wahlberg himself. Two days before the party, Donnie tweeted that anyone who wanted a facetime upgrade could get one, as a fundraiser for a BH who passed away this year. Then he tweeted that anyone who had a ticket could bring a friend for free. So I contacted a friend who found a friend to meet us at the club.

We knew since there were now unlimited FT tickets, that this would be packed. We got in line at 5:30 and didn't get in the door until 7pm. We met some girls from Louisiana that we hung out with who were equally as nervous to meet DDub, and grabbed a few drinks to wait. They called our numbers to get in line, and at about 8:30, there he was, standing right in front of me. They were really running behind, so they told us that we wouldn't be able to pass our cameras to friends to take pictures, and that they would be taking professional pictures that would be available in a couple of days online. Bummed about that but stoked to talk to Donnie, we moved on ahead.

When it was my turn he said, "Come here!" and he hugged me really hard. He gives everyone these really huge bear hugs! :) And I said, "My husband bought tickets for us tonight." and he said, "that's a good man. Tell him I said HI!." and of course I stammered, "ok". Then we posed for pictures. Then he hugged me again, and whispered in my ear, "I love you", and I said "I love you too!" and then he kissed me!! Hell yeah! He is so nice to all of his fans. He really did give every girl there her own time, giving hugs and kisses out. I love him! Can't wait until the pictures go up, since I only have a goofy picture of me walking away from him afterwards.

Soccer ends

Wow has soccer been a wonderful addition to Caleb's life. We finally found something that he loves and is really good at. Yesterday was his soccer tournament to end the season, and he had a blast. They played two games, and in those two games, Caleb scored 12 goals!!! He was so excited and we were so proud. Even if he hadn't scored a single goal, the look on his face would have made us proud. We can't wait to sign him up for Spring Soccer. :)