catching up..

I am working on editing close to 300 pictures from this past weekend.. Christmas Parade. One of Eileen's friends birthday parties.  An 'adult' Christmas Party. Making cookies.  Quite the festive weekend. 

In the meantime.. here's a video from tonight's bathtime!
Enjoy..

Holiday Sparkles..

This child is nuts. I mean.. look.at.her!! and yes, she honest to God did that all on her own. Last weekend (gasp! the weekend before Thanksgiving.. we decorated for Christmas).  Josh was stringing the garland on the stairs and I was doing the mantle and this is what I saw when I turned around. Talk about trying not to choke on one's own laughter...

It has been a busy month, and I daresay having a 3+ year old makes Christmas insanely fun.. this from the girl who has always loved tihs time of year.  I had no idea how much more fun it could be.

In the past couple of weeks.. we have been to the Zoo for Parker's bday party, bought a new fridge, we have had Grandpa and Beanie and Grandma Joyce here for Thanksgiving, we have been to Fantasy of Trees, decorated our house, and been to the Knoxvegas Festival of Lights!  We still have a birthday party, a couple of Christmas parties, Hannukah, a parade, a trip to Memphis.. and of course the big day itself .. all in the next month.  I am already worn out. Somewhere in there we need to shop too.

So every day that passes.. Eileen is more and more chatty. And I honestly have no idea where that trait came from... hehehe.

Some winners of late...

Our friend "Mr. Tim" came over one night after work to help me sort out something with the new fridge (really, its obscene how excited I am about that appliance).  So Tim walked in, Eileen ran to greet him. She stopped, looked at him, and said "HEY!"  and there Tim and I stood.. wondering and waiting.. and she said "HEY! where's your kid?"   HA. She didn't care to see Tim.. she was looking for one of his daughters to play with. Needless to say, Tim and I were practically on the floor laughing.

A couple of days later.. She and I were in the car. I had on Christmas music (shocking, I know).  A new song (well, new to Eileen) came on... I think it was "Do You Hear What I Hear?".. so she listened to it, then asked if she could hear it again. So I started it again.. halfway through, she said "This song is terrible!  what's next?!"  I mean, really! Again, I tried to not drive us off the road while cracking up.

We went to the zoo for Parker's party (I refuse to reveal his age bc it makes me feel impossibly old!).  We had a blast (even tho zoos still creep me out) and spent several hours wandering around.  They have a baby chimp there.. George. .. he's about 4mos old and just precious. Anyway.. as we're leaving, Eileen is riding along on Daddy's shoulders.  She turned to me and said "Mommy? It smells like POOP!" 
well. yes, it does. it IS a zoo.  smart kid that one.

It is slightly mind-boggling how much she is already aware of clothes, styles, fashion, etc (not counting the fantastic outfit seen at the start of this post).  While getting dressed for Parker's party, she picked out her own outfit.  A t-shirt, skirt, and leggings to go underneath. And she came running downstairs and promptly informed me she looked just like MK.  Sure enough, when we got to the party, MK had on a t-shirt, skirt and leggings.  A day or two later, while getting dressed for school, she picked out a dress, pink leggings, and her ladybug shoes.  And said that she looked just like Hannah.  And sure enough, we got to school.. and Hannah had on her pink leggings and her ladybug shoes! 

Over the weekend, we were at Target (shocking).  Eileen and I took a detour through the kids shoes. And she spotted some sparkly silver shoes. And oh how she wanted them. I told her no and kept moving, not thinking twice about it. Hoo Boy! she pitched.a.fit. She hollered and furrowed her brow and even produced some tears.. all because she could not have those silver shoes.  I finally got her distracted and calmed down with who knows what, and the silver shoes were a distant memory.  Until we had to go back to Target on Sunday for something we'd forgotten. And we'd been in the store all of three minutes when she said "Where are the silver shoes?!"  And here's where I'm mom of the year. I caved, agreed they were very cute.. and off we went to the shoes. They were, however, out of silver in her size. They did have pink ones that were exactly the same.. only better.. since they had the Disney Princesses on the soles and on the shoe box. So $12 later and some very cute pink glittery shoes.. and we have a fashion forward child.

I won the Mother of the Year award again this morning. I told Eileen she could only wear those new shoes to school if she agreed to wear jeans. Hehehe. Yes, jeans. For whatever reason, the child refuses to wear them. But she looks so dang cute in them. So she agreed. She wore thos pink shoes and jeans.  I am fully aware she'll have a wardrobe complex by age 5. Some parents bribe their kids with food.. me.. shoes!  Well. at least she'll stay at a healthy weight, right? By not associating rewards with food? but instead shoes?  I can justify just about anything. 

Note said pink sparkly shoes in photo to left with child on Potty.  I am about to have to start using the shoes to bribe her to pee on the potty! She knows how. She does it at school. She knows when she needs to pee or poo.. and she is also able to hold it! but she will.not.pee.at.home!!! Sigh. 

So last week we went to the Festival of Trees. Its a pretty big event here in Knoxville.. a fundraiser for Children's hospital. We went on Wednesday to see MK dance. Precious. oh.. but Eileen was flat out livid that she could not run up on that stage and dance with MK!  I don't thikn she grasped the whole dance thing (saving me from just yet having to fork out those dollars).. just that MK was up there having fun without her!

So Friday night was the kickoff of the Knoxville Holiday Celebrations. The Ice Skating rink opens in Market Square, there are vendors everywhere, hot chocolate, singing and dancing, and of course, lighting the city tree.  It was a chilly day, perfect for Christmas Fun! They also had a couple of (very well) controlled fires for roasting marshmallows, and some electric trains running around a track.  Super fun to watch a little girl take all of that in.

So when it came time to light the tree.. Santa and Rudolph were on the stage to push the "big red button." Perfect. 3..2..1.. and lights! beautiful. And then.. fireworks. Oh no. no.  Eileen is terrified of the things! We had no idea they would be part of the lighting! oh Heavens she flipped out..was not at all happy about the noise!  We bolted back to the ice rink and she calmed down. Whew.

And on Saturday night, when Josh said it was time to light our tree.. well she took off out of the den like her rear end was on fire. She was convinced we'd have fireworks in our living room. Honestly!

 I think I could ramble on forever .. but its getting late, and I am tired.. and I need to pick up the house before the cleaning service comes tomorrow. Yes, I am that person.

In the meantime.. here's some more pictures ...

Well Hello There Old Friend..

Wowo.. it has been a month. But quite the busy month it has been.  Among other things, there was a field trip, Josh trekking to Atlanta to see U2, Josh trekking to Chicago for work, Halloween, and of course me trekking to NYC for a little running.

I completed my fourth New York City Marathon. Six minutes slower than last year.. but who's counting, right? People have told me 'oh well, .. you know.. you have a kid, and a job, etc etc.. " but that doesn't really hold up.. seeing as how I had the same kid and job last year! So, I chalk it up to getting older?  Regardless.. it was a great race.  An old NYC friend ran it (he's faster than me!) and I got to see him.  One of Josh's clients ran it and I got to see him on the flight home. I got to see my old boss from Food Network along the course. I ran with a friend from work. 

But the part that stands out the most... please be sitting down.. I fell.  Oh yes.. I fell. At mile 10. Now.. anyone who knows me should really not be shocked by this. I fall all the time.

I really still have no idea how i did it. I just was all of a sudden falling to the ground. My phone flew out of my hands (yes, I did run with it- but NO, I was not txting or facebooking when I fell...).  I completely face-planted.  According to my running buddy, I actually skidded!  Only me folks, only I would bust a$$ while running the New York City Marathon!

So.. it was a fun trip. I got to see my cousins, several old friends, and of course wander around Manhattan. And I got to run. 

One of the things that was not so fun was that I missed Halloween with Eileen.  Josh stayed home tho, so she did have at least one parental unit here. Aaaand Grandpa and Beanie were also here. So they carved a pumpkin, toasted the seeds, and of course Trick or Treated (in a cold downpour).  From what I was told.. she racked UP on candy... but Josh took it all to work to get rid of it before I'd even made it back from NYC! 

Eileen told everyone she was dressed as Tinker Bell... tho her dress bore a strong resemblance to Cindarella.  Josh was a pirate. I really have no idea what the expression is on her face in this picture!  She really did 'get it' this year.  She couldn't wait to run to the neighbor's houses and get her loot.

As mentioned earlie in this blog, Josh scored a very last minute ticket and trip to see U2 in Atlanta in early October.  He said it was an amazing show. Then the next week he was in Chicago for a couple of days for work. Eileen kept saying she wanted to go to "The Chicago."  Amazing how much she grasps and remembers these days.

Eileen had her three year check-up yesterday.  And it was so very different than any other doctor appts! They did a vision test (she passed with flying colors!), she had her blood pressure taken.. all sorts of 'adult things.' She did great.. didn't cry or get scared at all. For the record, her blood pressure was like 80/20.  I, of course, had NO IDEA what a child's blood pressure should be. I mean if that were an adult.. well, they'd be dead.  But the nurse assured me the 80/20 was just right for a 32lb 3 yr old who is 37.5inches tall. whew.

So I was talking to the doctor, who we love.. talking about the stubborn little lady who refuses to go potty at home. She totally knows when she needs to pee or poop.. and will tell us.... but instead of using the potty, she goes upstairs and puts on a diaper!  So Dr. looked at me and just said 'well.. stop buying diapers!'  HA. good point.  I am a Potty Enabling Mom! So we shall see how tihs works out.  I mean eventually she'll get there.. if she's 10 and still in princess pull-ups.. well.. then we've got issues!

It is so fun to watch her interact with her friends. Saturday we were supposed to go over to Nicole's to see some old friends and let the kids play.  We couldn't manage to get our act together in time, so we didnt make it. Then at the last minute we decided to make chili and see if Raven/Dave/MK and Parker could come over, and Sydney and her mommy too.  So everyone came. And the kids were wild.  Like on crack. But hilarious. The girls were driving Parker up the wall. So it was loud and crazy and insane and it was very fun.  Nice to be with other parents and just watch in amazement at the insanity of young (frighteningly sharp and smart) young brains.

Then on Sunday we headed down to Dollywood. And got to have a suprise, unplanned visit with Mr.  & Mrs. Claus! We knew Dollywood would have all the "Winterfest" lights and trees and decoratoins out and about. We wandered into Santa's workshop, but it didn't occur to us that he would be there! So there was no line.. and well, why not? So she marched right up to Santa (after chatting up the Mrs.) and informed him that she wanted a 'dolly!'  It is moments like that I wonder who she is and where did the Shy Eileen go? She used to want nothing to do with strangers - esp if Mommy & Daddy were around.  Now she just marches around and has her own social hour.

Needless to say.. I am super excited about Christmas.  I know she gets it this year. (and the whole 'you better be good or i'm telling Santa!' is a FANTASTIC bargaining tool!!)..

Toddlers at the Farm

Well folks. It has happened. already I have worn out the Motherly Toned "one...Two.. THREE.."

Tonight Miss Sassy Pants was refusing to come near me so I could give her her medicine. (in her defense.. it does taste really icky).  So I put on the Mom Face... and said firmly "one..."  and then. she looked at me. cocked that little head. and said, in an already apparent Southern Drawl..  'twooooo...'   and I, of course, cracked up. I mean, honestly! How is one supposed to be a firm parent when children are so hilarious?

Sissy came over after work to entertain Eileen while i did laundry and dishwasher and got dinner ready.  We all took a quick walk around the neighborhood.. it was either that or have Gracie implode from wanting to enjoy the perfect Fall Day. So Sissy and I were walking and Eileen on her Big Wheel (Disney Princess Themed, of course). It should be noted she has gotten quite speedy on that big wheel! Steering and remembering to look for cars.. well those areas need some work. So anyway, she's pedaling along. Stop. Stands up. and Toots. and cracks herself up so much she's doubled over in laughter. Sissy was horrified. and I, mother of the year and clearly the Queen of Little Girl Etiquette, cracked up right along with Eileen. Way to encourage such behavior. She'll make a great Frat Boy someday.                                                             

As you have probably deduced from these pictures, the Field Trip to the PumpkinPatch was earlier this week. Wowo. How those teachers deal with a roomfull of three year olds is beyond me. They are some strong women! But oh we had a blast.  We got to school and they loaded the car seats onto the school bus. Then we had the caravan of SUV's and minivans following the bus out to the Land of Pumpkins. Oh - and it just so happened that Eileen and BFF Syd had on the same shirt, only adding to the cuteness. They are clearly an exclusive club.   So we get there and this man greets us. And he's like a frightening Halloween Creepy Santa Claus. Hes tall and has a long white beard and a big belly. It does not help that he has a red shirt on. But i'm not sure he had all his teeth. And he starts out by showing this mob of 3 year olds some leaves and berries. And then tells them NOT to eat them. because they are poison.  I'm like "what the hell??? is this man insane? has he never MET a 3year old?" because you know - as soon as they hear not to do something, their little brains start scheming on how to do this thing they are not supposed to do. Good LORD man stop talking.

When it was time to get on the hayride, which thankfully did NOT actually include hay.. Eileen was scared. She didn't want to get on the trailer. So Syd looks at her - and I am so NOT making this up- says "c'mon eileen! what is your problem?"   hil-a-ri-ous. Syd's mom and I died. so funny. and hey.. it worked. Eileen stopped being a fraidy cat and hopped right up there.  Three cheers for Toddler Peer Pressure!!

We fed some goats.. I am fairly certain Eileen attempted to kiss one.  oh yay.  We then traveled to a pumpkin patch. Where the kids were told not to go past the pink ribbon. So who wants to guess at what to blond girls in matching tee-shirts took off straight for that ribbon? I'd already run 6miles before this field trip, and I easily covered another couple while chasing the Little People.  And then they took us toa corn maze. At which point I thought surely we were on Candid Camera. Who in the world turns loose all these short people in super tall corn?!?  (and yes, it did occurr to me that I was living out my very own version of "Children of the Corn.")  Thankfully.. it wasn't so much a maze, as it was a curvy path.  We got behind a slower little girl and her grandmother.  Her grandmother who pointed out every.single.ear.of.corn to the little girl.  This was after we'd been there two hours, and were hungry, thirsty and a little bit over the farm.

Evidently Eileen and Mateyah were also a little ready to move on.. the two of them suddenly just ran full speed in front of the woman.  The woman who did not seem phased that these two just took off on their own into the corn. The woman who did not move to the side to at least let me and Mateyah's mommy by to chase after them.  The woman who clearly is one of those Stupid People who is let out of her house every so often. (Ok, that was mean. but really?!?! )  So after what seemed like a lifetime, but was probably just a couple of seconds, we gave up on attempting niceties and just ran right past the woman and hoped we didn't knock her over.  And there were Eileen and Mateyah just happily leading the group through the corn. Ohhh Heaven Help me.

Anyway. the last stop was an apple orchard. with old apples on the ground. that the kids wanted to eat. at this point i didn't have much argument left in me and didn't really fight any kiddos taking bites. no one fell over, so no harm done.

And so that was it. It was a blast. So hilarious to see all the kids interact. And it was fun to get to hang out with some of the other parents.

And lastly, we have the photo of the day.. the one where i looked at Eileen and said "Smile for Mommy..."  and here's what I got:

It's (NOT) Football Time in Tennesee....

A friend of mine offered me his season tickets for the weekend.. as he couldn't use them bc he had to go out of town.

I haven't been to a game since before Eileen was born.. so it has obviously been at least three years! I was totally stoked. And it turned out a boatload of old friends happened to be in town for it. .making it even better.

Sissy went with me.. even tho I think Josh really did want to go (but now he's going to U2 tomorrow in Atlanta.. so don't feel too sorry for him!).  Sissy and I rarely do anything with just us these days.. and we had a ton of fun. We ate lunch and then headed to the Strip. Where all at once you feel insanely old, and wonder how on earth these 18 year old girls all look like super models. I mean.. I think I was fairly cute in college. But I mean holy hannah these girls are all gorgeous. I don't get it. Frightening to think of Eileen in a few years...

There is something so comforting about seeing old friends. People who you don't get to see very much anymore.. and barely keep in touch with (except via status updates on Facebook...).. but you see each other and it is as if no time has passed. It is hard to explain.. and I know there are only a handful of such people who come along in life.. and I know enough to be extremely grateful to have such friends.  The girls in this picture are some of those people. Oh the stories we have (well.. the ones we can remember anyway..)

And the girls in this picture are also the sort that you can go months and years without seeing.. and poof! its like you're all back in college together. Kids and marriages and jobs and all that sometimes not so fun adult stuff.. but it is so very easy to just 'be' with these friends.  Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon.. Coors Light helps too. :)

There is, of course, the matter of the actual football game. I mean sh*t. I think Eileen could complete more passes than our QB. It was unreal to be in that stadium and watch your home team look as if a PeeWee team could beat them. I bleed orange. I am no fair-weather fan (lets remember I am also a Sox fan.. I know disappointment)...  but for as much money is pumped into this football program.. and as faithful as these fans are... and the fact that our facilicities outshine those of NFL teams.. there is just no excuse for the level of play being executed by this 2009 team. SOO frustrating. but nonetheless.. it was great to be back in the Stadium and with old friends.

Josh heads to Atlanta tomorrow with one of his friends to go see U2. Wow. that will be an amazing show! but before he goes.. we'll be heading to the pumpkin patch with Eileen's class. I can't not WAIT to see all thsoe kids and their car seats loaded onto the bus. I think I might be more excited about that than the trip to the pumpkin patch. :)

On Saturday she didn't want to put on her Tennesee Cheerleader outfit (maybe she knows how bad they are?).  I kept bribing her.. "I'll give you a cookie if you put it on.. we can go to daddy's work if you put it on..."   nothing was working.  Eventually I just wrestled it on her. She was not happy with Mommy! But she got over it and looked too cute in her turtleneck and TN dress. (These pics are from a few weeks ago.. when it was still warm.)  Check out her face in the picture here.. do you SEE the smart-aleck look?? oh that girl.

Miss Denee came over for a little while on Saturday. She brought Eileen a birthday present.. a purse. And OMG.. Eileen has not let it out of her SIGHT! today, when I picked her up from school.. she ran up to say hi. Then ran over to her cubby.  Then put on her sunglasses. and her purse. and marched on over.. ready to go. I cracked up.  She's so girly.. and so not.  I love it. She's so me.

I got my Team Fox shirt today! yay. Less than one month to go til the Marathon.  I can't believe it. I feel like this year's training has flown by. I'll run again with Team Fox.. so if you're reading.. I still have about $1000 to raise. So please please give if you can.. it's a tax write off and for a good cause! go to http://www.teamfox.org/  and search me. (tip: use the married name...)

I'll be braving having a yard sale in two weeks.. all proceeds going to Team Fox. I've never had a yard sale.. THAT should make for an interesting blog...

OK. its time for bed. Have a good week..

Princesses, Moons and Stars..

Its been over a week since her birthday and her birthday party.. and I am just now getting around to blogging!  As you can see.. there was a princess theme going on.  Not such a strectch for Eileen..

She had a blast. Her friend Syndey from school came over, as well as her friend Kali. It is so funny to watch them interact with one another. They just have their own little world. And oh..when it came time to open presents! Those girls were all over it.  There were books and puzzles and dress up dolls and Disney dolls. 

And the hit of the party was the blue princess dress. Sandi had called to see if it was OK to get Eileen a dress-up outfit (instead of books, etc). And I said 'oh yes, she will love it.' and Oh she did! You'd have thought those three girls had won the lottery opening up that dress, and the purse, necklace and earrings that went along with it! It must be universal Girl Toddler Code to love all things princess.

One of the funnier moments came when we sang Happy Birthday.. at first she loved it.. and then she got scared. I guess bc it was so loud? And she just cried and cried! (which may have been scarring from the day before.. when me/sissy/josh/david/Grandpa & Beanie were watching the Florida game and hollering like crazy at the game...)

why yes, i did just use the word 'holler' in my blog. deal with it.

She had a party at school the next day. I wasn't able to go (three words: United Way Telethon) but Sissy, Josh, Grandpa and Beanie went. She got to have cupcakes with all of her buddies. And I think they sang Happy Birthday at a lower decibel.

She has been nothing less than amusing and precious (and sassy) lately.

Right now she is on a big moon kick. Every night after her tubby she wants to go outside and look at the moon. And its gotten chilly (yay! and boo!) so she's in her little long sleeve/leggings pjs and just so insanely cute. must get a picture. Josh told her there's a 'man in the moon' - so now she looks for him every night. Its fascinating and humbling and well, just nice, to see her and watch her be so enamored by the night sky. She's so excited about something as simple as the moon. It makes me want to figure out how to capture that eagerness and inquisitiveness and simple joy and put it in a bottle (and sell it and get rich.. which somewhat defeats the purpose, right?)

She's also quite the little devil. She knows how to 'innocently' procrastinate so she doesn't have to go to bed. She knows how to scream bloody murder when she doesn't get her way.  Too bad her mommy doesn't fall for any of it. (OK.. full disclosure.. if she does the bloody murder scream in public, i generally cave in order to avoid having a confrontation with the DCS).  But at home, I completely ignore her.. which infuriates her.. and then she gives up. If she's getting sassy.. lately, if and when I just say "ONE.." as in beginning the count to three, she immediately snaps into action and begins to behave. I of course have to not abuse that 'one' bc she'll start to ignore me.. but at least right now I seem to have some luck with it.

Sorry it was such a long dry spell.. the telethon is over now.. so my life is somewhat returning to normal.. just in time for the Marathon (30 days from today!!!) and then the Holidays!!!

Happy Weekend all.