Turkey Day Chaos

Ok, here are the pics I promised. I wanted to post pics from all 3 of our Turkey Day celebrations but the pics I took at Schusters on Sunday didn't turn out at all...so here's some from Thanksgiving at my parents place on Thursday and Thanksgiving Pizza at our place this Saturday.

My cousin Dan lives in Chicago so we have a pizza party when they are home for the holidays...this is the last year they will be "home for the holidays" because sometime during 2009 they plan to move "home" for good! I say that in quotes because for Sharis, home is in Ohio, but we're excited to have them back in MN after their second child arrives this spring. We will probably still keep the pizza tradition though because it's a fun time for all and an organized chaos that just makes you laugh!

If you want to see more of this weekend, check out Meg's blog. I was planning on adding more pics, but it would be the same as hers so I decided not to duplicate:) My favorite picture os the one of us kids and our kids...it actually turned out pretty darn good...I think Meg has this one too, but I like my copy better so I thought I'd share...

Mommy, It Snowed Again!

I'm going to post pictures later of our fun Thanksgiving celebrations, but I thought I'd share with y'all how I woke up this morning. Josh has recently moved Riley's crib so she can reach the window shade and look outside in the morning. Last night we ran some errands as some flurries began and I taught Riley about catching snowflakes on her tongue (Grandma tried that last weekend but she didn't quite get it...this time she understood it better.)

Anyway, she woke up this morning and said "Mommy it's snowing again! There's snow all over the place!" Yipee...all over the place huh?

Did I mention I don't like snow? I was torn about how I felt about this announcement. While I hate snow, EVERYthing sounds better coming from a two-year-old:) Last night Josh told her very sarcastically "Mommy LOVES snow." She obviously doesn't understand sarcasm, so she was really excited and this gave her the chance to use her new favorite line..."Me and you, Mommy?!" then the rest of the night was "It's snowing, I like i! I like snow!" Hmmmm...guess I'm going to have to learn to like that cold, wet, slippery junk on my roof...

Yikes! Black Friday!

All i have to say is Yikes, I'm glad I didn't have the 4 a.m. shift at work today!!! Happy Black Friday y'all!

TIGF-Thanksgiving Edition

I know today is Thursday, but it seemed fitting to be Thankful on Thanksgiving and not wait until tomorrow to post this. So here it is, the Thanksgiving edition of Things I'm Grateful For:

I'm thankful for my family, both immediate and extended! I have awesome memories of growing up with my cousins, aunts and uncles and grandparents, especially around the holidays, and I have now been a Schuster long enough to say that I am part of the memories and the "remember when" stories on that side as well! I am happy to watch Riley get to be a part of those memories and for her to build those kinds of memories with her cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, GREAT grandparents and extended family.

I'm happy that I have a very flexible job that I really like (even on Thanksgiving and Black Friday!), which allows me to stay at home with Roo, and that Josh has a job at all in this crazy economy. Granted, he is working a lot of crazy long hours because of the wacky stock market these days, at least we are fortunate to have that to complain about.

I am hopeful that my friends and family who have lost jobs this year will find work as the economy begins to shift for the better...soon!!!

I know this isn't popular with everyone, but I'm super thankful that we have a new president to fix the problems caused by the current idiot and I honestly pray for Obama's safety because I believe he will be a really good president.

I am especially grateful that my friends Meg "Fred" and Will are in the position to have a very happy holiday despite the awful year they have had thus far, I won't go into detail just yet, but things are looking happy again and that is something I wish for them more than anything this year!

I am also thankful for all of you. Thank you for your friendship!

More Pics from Santa night

I took some pictures before we went to see Santa, trying to get how cute her little outfit was, but none of them really turned out. They are fuzzy because I had to turn off the flash and then any movement messes up the pictures. Ever try to get a toddler to hold still for even a second to take her picture??? Then there is one with Ashley...this is how they walked at the mall the whole time we were there:)

Santa 2008

Ok, overall the experience visiting Santa was much better this year. Santa was on a dinner break when we got there, but we needed to eat too so we had dinner and then waited a few minutes for Santa to return. Ashley and Riley decided on their own they were going to sit on Santa's lap together, which was cute, but then Riley started to freak a little bit and decided she didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but she was ok sitting next to him and she was friendly with him. She even said thank you for the coloring book that Santa gave the kids. Unfortunately, Mommy had to sit in too...in my lovely sweatshirt:( I'm waiting to get "the good picture" from Jim, but this is what you really want to see anyway...the one of her freaking out:)

A New Tradition?

Yup, I'm a fan of tradition:) I'm sure my mom can tell you that...I don't let things go easily! I think this year will be the return of a tradition that started when Riley was one month old but failed miserably last year. Her first year, we went to the Ridgedale Santa the night before Thanksgiving when Riley was just a month and we went with our friends Jimmy and Erica and their little girl Ashley. It went great and we have pictures to prove it.

Last year we waited until about a week before Christmas and as you may recall "Santa's appointments were booked!" Are you kidding me? Ok, so maybe it was too close to Christmas...We had a back-up plan and Riley cried for an hour before she sat on Santa's lap, so maybe it was a good thing we didn't do the Mall Santa last year! But really...Santa's appointments are booked??? c'mon! Explain that to a kid who's a little older and doesn't get to see Santa!

That being said, I hope Riley does better this year because we're going back to the Mall Santa tonight...the night before Turkey Day, and Jim, Erica and Ashley will be joining us again. I'm hoping that if she watches Ashley do it, she will be ok with the Big Man and smile for the camera. Wish us luck!!!

No Pictures, Bummer!

Ok so some funny stories but no pics. My camera battery has died and i need to go get a new one. In the meantime...

Yesterday we were waiting for auntie Meg in the parking lot at the nursing home and Riley saw some ducks floy overhead (I think these ducks live at the golf course year-round?) She asked me where the ducks went and I told them they were going to find someplace warm because it was cold outside. She said "They went to go get their jackets?" Hmmmm...

And today we went to go play with Zacky and he was "being noisy" which means yelling in quick bursts. I asked him if he was going to practice his quiet noises next and he said "no, there's still noises in my mouth!" and proceeded to make his loud noises with Riley as a copycat:) I almost laughed off the couch!

Date Day!

We had a date with Noah and his mommy Jess today and Auntie Meg and Adrienne came too. Noah was "making eyes" at Adee...looks like Riley might have competition from her own cousin! Noah's new favorite trick is pulling hair...and Jess' new favorite trick is tickeling him to get her hair back:)

It was a quick trip to walk around the Galleria (don't think I have EVER been there before?!?!) and then to Brueggers for lunch. And done just in time for all three kiddos to be ready for nap time! Riley fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept a good 2 and a half hours!

Random Saturday Stuff

Ok, so last week sometime, I went up to Maple Grove to help my mom with some shopping and I stopped in at the Linen's and Things store closing sale. They have shopping carts for little people to use and Riley LOVED it...and so did I because it kept her focused and not wandering away or fighting me to get out of the cart. Gone are the days of stroller trips. Bummer!

Also, last night was my stamp party and although it didn't do too well in the sales category, I had LOTS of fun with everyone who did come and i even got an outside order from a friend of a friend that I totally wasn't expecting so that was cool. Of course, I personally spent WAY too much money, but I did that mostly to get some supplies at my house so I don't have to drive to East Bethel all the time to stamp. (Sorry, Meg...I promise I will come out again...maybe the boys can watch the kids some Saturday this winter!) Yeah!!! I had a good night:)

TIGF

Today is a fun day for me. I get to go shopping at a wholesale distributor sale most of the day and then tonight I'm hosting a stamping party to help out a friend who's starting her own Stampin' Up business. I'm especially excited about tonight (not that I don't LOVE to shop, but....), my cousin Tanya is coming (haven't seen her since the last baby shower I think) and she's bringing a friend from high school whom I haven't seen since we graduated, then another of my friends from high school will also be there and then a few of my favorite co-workers and maybe a few people I just recently met so it's going to be a nice mix of people and a fun night of stamping...yes, I'm a dork, but I really miss stamping! I haven't done a lot of it since Riley was born. I even baked pumpkin bread and M&M cookie bars for the occasion and I'm thankful I didn't botch any of that! (Well, at least I know the bars turned out...had to do some quality control! Not totally sure of the bread yet, but I think it's ok.)

I'm also REALLY thankful today that Riley woke up in a better mood (lots of "I love you Mommy's" and hugs...yeah!!!) And she doesn't have the rash she had yesterday. I was worried she might have Chicken Pox and I would have to cancel everything for the next two weeks including tonight and Thanksgiving and the pizza party with my cousins...that would have been a major bummer! I think she just had a reaction to some bubble bath stuff we used the other night. It's all gone this morning!

Green Is Sexy

Huge thanks to my sister's cousin-in-law, Lydia, for this web site! Green Is Sexy is a really fun web site that has tips on how to be greener, products that can help you live healthier and save the planet, and even recipes, movies and books you might want to check out. Did you know there is an eco-friendly fleece made of 70% recycled plastic bottles? Or that your wine corks can be recycled? Now that's a tip for the holidays! The Tips can be found by clicking on Tips on the banner on top of the page. You'll find tips broken down by category including: for the home, for girls, for guys, for when you're out and about...LOTS of great stuff:) Check it out! There's even something about saving the turkeys for the upcoming holiday;) Now, I'm not gonna go that far, but some of you just might!

Elmo Sippys

There have been too many posts without pictures so I thought I'd put this one up there...Yes, I do personally own TWO pair of Elmo Sippys (That's what Roo called them for a while so it's kinda stuck...she does call them slippers now though...) Riley loves to wear Mommy's slippers so Daddy thought we needed a pic of both of us wearing them yesterday. There were pictures where you could see the slippers better, but this one was so cute of her laughing, I decided to post this one instead. I think after Christmas we'll have a Family Elmo Slipper Picture since I think I see some smaller Elmo sippys in the future for Miss Roo;) Shhhh, don't tell her!

P.S. ~ For those of you who are upset about my early holiday background on the blog and Christmas music in my car, you'll love the fact that I am wearing my St. Patrick's Day jammie pants in this picture!

Santa Clause is Coming to Town!

Ok, so I've already admitted I'm one of those nuts who loves Christmas music and I was dancing with Riley this morning (which happens to be one of my favorite things to do at Christmas time!) and when the song was over I said to her, "Riley, did you know Santa Clause is coming to town?" and she said, "He's in his car?" Too funny:)

TIGF

This might sound pretty simple, but I am happy I have mittens now! I had lost my favorite pair of mittens in the spring and yesterday was the craft fair that I had bought those mittens at. I bought a new pair and they are super warm and cozy! Mostly I'm glad I have them today since the winter is pretty much here and the temps are dropping fast! I know it's a silly thing to be thankful for this week...but sometimes it's the little things:)

Also, I want to point out two new links on the right side of the blog under Shameless Plugs for My Friends in Biz. My friend Tracy has started as a Stampin' Up demonstrator to keep busy between substitute teaching gigs and tonight I'm attending one of her her first classes. There is also a link to Lullabye Gifts, my friend Christy's new endeavor and there are some really cute things on the site...you should check it out if you have any new moms to buy for or even if you're looking for unique custom designed gifts for anyone on your list.

Public Apology...sorta...

I know for some people it's too early for a Christmas background on this blog (Mrs. Scrooge!) And in all fairness, I do agree that it might be just a week or two early. However, in my defense, I WANTED to change to a more Winter theme (maybe some snowflakes - GASP! - or a snowman), but there really weren't any winter styles that I liked (funny....must be something to do with my aversion to snow). So it was either stay with Fall as the snow is flying outside or deal with Christmas two weeks early... and since I do REALLY enjoy the Christmas season, and not so much Thanksgiving (not that I'm not thankful, but I have my reasons...) I felt it was appropriate for ME to have a holiday theme. This serves to motivate me to get my shopping done early, to get my cards addressed and ready and to have time to enjoy the season and YES to turn on the Christmas music I love SOOOOOO much:) So in a round about way I'm sorry for starting early, but this is a magical time of year for me!

P.S. I also apologize for all the ... and (###) ...too much punctuation I know! But I had a lot of side thoughts;)

Our Imaginary Friends

Update on Riley's monster friends: The little green guy has a name now. He/She is called Zuma...this was discovered yesterday when she woke up from a nap and told me where Zuma was standing - right next to the crib. She also has a "shadow duck" friend who joins us at night in the car (when there are shadows obviously) and today she had a scarecrow dancing partner when she was playing with all her cousins at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Yikes, I'm going to need a spreadsheet to keep up with all her friends!

Our Condolences

Today is a bummer day all around: woke up to snow coating the grass, we have nothing to do and we prefer to have some kind of plans for the day...and then tonight we are driving to St. Cloud for the wake of Josh's great uncle, Andy, who died this past weekend after being a a state of declining health for the past month or so. We offer our condolences to Josh's grandma and Andy's wife Loretta, especially, but to all of those on his mom's side of the family too. I know what it's like to lose someone right before the holidays and I am sure it will be a difficult time for everyone.

Riley and Daddy "excercise"

A new favorite activity around our house.

Arty Pants

Today, my friend Shannon and I took the kids (she is a nanny for a set of twins, Emme and Izze) to Arty Pants at the Walker Art Center. It's supposed to be a kid-friendly way to introduce art to toddlers. (Think...Toddler Tuesday at the art gallery.) Both Shannon and I were very disappointed in the whole thing.

There was one craft for the kids to do that was kinda cool, they made their own "stamp" with their initial on it. But that was about the extent of the hands-on part. There was a lame attempt at playing with felt on the floor in the corner of one of the galleries, but all the art was VERY abstract...not something a two-year-old comprehends, much less enjoys...Everything had "Do Not Touch" signs on it, which is probably obvious for an art gallery, but doesn't scream "Kid's Welcome" either. There was a bag of "tools" given to the kids to use throughout the event, but there was no explanation of what to do with this bag of tricks and really no guide for the adults about what to do with them either. There are also LOTS of stairs and very confusing elevators that only go to certain floors.

There was story time...today's theme was about shapes...but the story time is in a open lobby right next to a busy freight elevator and a walk-through area between galleries where large crowds of school trips and other groups walk by every few minutes...not a good place to hold toddlers' attention on the story! There was supposed to be dancing involved too, but the person responsible for that part had a family emergency and was not there today.

Then they suggest you eat in their "kid friendly" cafe. No high chairs or booster seats, large bucket-style chairs, and TWO choices on their kids menu: Grilled Cheese or Peanut Butter and Jelly...and either apples or chips. Well, two out of the three of our kids can't chew and swallow apple skin very well...hmmm...And no milk, just pop, juice or water. Not that Riley has to have milk, but normally I think milk and other fruit choices are an option if a place is really kid friendly!

Ok, so I'm venting for no apparent reason...we tried, it failed. On to the next thing...maybe in the summer when the sculpture garden is open would be a better time to venture back into the world of art:)

Riley Sings Her ACBs

Riley is getting pretty good at singing her ABCs. She normally misses either N or M but gets everything else. She often does this while playing the piano (Thanks Vieve!), but this week she has decided the piano needs a little tuning so she kept stopping to fix it while she sang!

How Sweet Is My Friend Kristine?!?!

Ok, so most of you don't know my friend Kristine...she lurks silently most of the time on this blog, but occasionally leaves a comment here as KMS Maverick:) She is a friend I know through my first job out of college...a client of mine that I worked closely with and whom I have stayed in touch with over the years since my departure from WPI and her departure a few years later from RGS.

She is quite a little crafty bug and this week we were...or I should say Riley was...the recipient of some of her adorable handi-work! Check out her blog if you want to see a better picture of Riley's new Vikings Sweater:) Don't worry, Auntie Meg, Adrienne will inherit this one! It has instructions to pass along to future little people:) Be sure to browse her blog while you're there...she has some really cute baby knitting projects on there!

No More Stitches!!!!

We went to dinner at Schuster's last night so I had Nurse Linda remove my stitches (sorry, Dad, I know you wanted the honor, but Linda had all the right equipment!) now my thumb is stiff and tingly, but at least I can function without several band-aids on it! Thanks to my nurse for the help and thanks to my sister for buying me a safety carving kit for next year's pumpkin carving...and to my mommy for the "get well" bubble bath :) I think I'll go soak my thumb! I love my family!!!

Lucy Returns

Our furry friend Lucy made a surprise 3-day appearance last Wednesday through Saturday as Missy and Shawn had to make a trip out of state for a funeral. We were happy to have our guest and she made herself right at home with Riley again:)

Wedding Pics

Here's pictures from Steph's wedding last night. I didn't get too many good shots, cuz I couldn't figure out the best setting on my camera to use for the lighting situation:( But we had a great time and Riley loved dancing! We had to leave early to get home before midnight, but we didn't encounter any deer and just a few snow flurries so we made it in good time! Congrats again to my little Stephanie and Joel!

Stephanie is All Grown Up!

Ok, I know most of you don't know who Stephanie is...let me explain. When I was in 8th grade and Stephanie was in 2nd we were partnered as "Prayer Partners" in grade school. I was doing my confirmation and she had communion and confession that year. Her older brother is my age and went to the same high school so Stephanie and I kept in touch that way for a while and now she's all grown up and getting married today! I'm excited to be going to the wedding and honored that we are still good friends after all these years!

I should also mention my cousin Chris is getting married today in Arizona. We weren't able to attend that wedding, but I want to congratulate them and hopefully well get to meet the new family in January when we go down to Mesa with my in-laws.

Happy Weddings today...and Happy Birthday to my Jeffie who I think turns the big 3-0 this year?!?!? YIKES! I used to babysit that twerp!

TIGF - $$$

I filled my gas tank on Monday...completely empty and just waiting for the warning light to come on...and it only cost me $29...that's a tank of gas for less than $30...and WAY less than the $53 at my highest...If I have to be grateful for a slow economy, at least I can find a silver lining in the gas prices coming down!

Funny Signs

When you have a toddler you learn all kinds of new ways to look at the world. Ask Riley what the green sign says and she will tell you "Bike Route"...ask her what the white sign says and most of the time she will say "You can't go in the parking lot!" Extra emphasis on YOU and rather exited all around:) Then sometimes she will correct herself and say "No Parking Anytime!" Also very exciting! We love finding signs on our walks:) Also, if you think she just guesses based on the color of the sign, nope! I drew a picture of the bike sign in brown and she still got it! And I'm not even a great artist:)

Green Gift Expo - From Do It Green MN

3rd Annual Green Gifts Fair(click "3rd Annual" for more info)
Saturday, November 15th 10am-5pm
Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis
Lake Street & 10th Avenue


* SHOP 60+ local retailers and artists for green, recycled, and organic gifts.

* LEARN about green holiday decorating, wrapping, and food and party ideas, and homemade gifts.

* EAT a local lunch at many of the restaurants at the market and sample local holiday foods with local chef demos.

* CELEBRATE the new 2009 Do It Green! Magazine’s kick-off, attend the eco fashion show, or listen to local musicians.

* REDUCE bring your own cloth shopping bags and reusable coffee mug for $1 coffees at Mapps Coffee & Tea in the market.

VOTE

(Note, I scheduled this, I am not - I hope - awake at 5:30 am.)

If you're reading this go VOTE! Today is a HUGE day in our history and I don't even care how you vote. It's important to use the rights you have in this country that many other people in the world don't have. Women, I think you also have an important responsibility...people before us worked hard to earn this right, please use it!

I'm off my soap box...I'm voting tonight!

Conversations with Roo

Mommy you turn on the thingy?

What is a thingy, Riley?

The button thingy (pointing at car radio)

You mean the radio?

Yep, the radio, you turn on the thingy? They say KS95?

(while listening to K102)


Later in the car ride, at home...

I no get out (of her car seat)

Why not?

I go to school...I go see the kids...I'm driving...

Post Pumpkin Pics

Here's the little trick-or-treater in action(technically the little one, but the big one had more to say about how much candy came home!)...also the pumpkin that attacked me is on the right...