Kelli | Page 80 | Minivans Are Hot

She Slices, She Dices

December 23, 2009 by Kelli

Lucy and I become better acquainted with one another every day. She’s got all kinds of bells and whistles that I’m busy exploring and wondering when and if I’ll ever use them. Like the rock awesome High Definition camera and microphone that records and takes pictures. Or the HDMI slot that apparently does something super cool because my husband keeps telling me it’s super cool. Or the software that will build websites, make business cards, brochures, and so. much. more.

She stops just short of making me a cup of coffee and walking the dog.

Which, ya know, is understandable. I mean, she’s not a Mac.

(insert awkward transition to a new topic here)

So it’s the Christmas season and all…ahem – Last night Lee and I with my parents went to see White Christmas at the Fox theater. It was great. Initially, my heart sank slightly at the tweaked story line and the extreme liberty taken with some of the music – I don’t like change much. But by the end when they all came out it their red and white outfits and sang White Christmas whilst blowing fake snow throughout the theater, I was all warm and fuzzy inside. There’s something powerful about several thousand people standing up and singing nostalgic Christmas songs together.

(awkward transition to a new topic – take 2)

A couple of days ago, we packed up our pajama clad babes and drove to a local park that was all decked out for Christmas. After we ooed and aahed at the beautiful lights, we headed to Starbucks for hot chocolate.

Have any of you ever taken a 6 year old, 3 year old and 2 year old out for hot chocolate? It’s, um, interesting. Upon receiving their kiddie sized cups of hot cocoa, they promptly began complaining about it being too hot, wanting a stir stick, wanting chocolate milk instead… Fun. You should try it. You can borrow my kids for the full effect if you want.

And, of course, there was the obligatory spill, which prompted tears and the need to share because we weren’t about to buy another cup, not that it mattered because Landon refused to drink his.

(transition again – I think I’m getting better at this)

And speaking of Landon and his refusal to consume, we found out at the doctor on Monday that he hasn’t gained a single ounce in the last six months, which dropped him 20 percentage points on the growth chart. The doctor asked us to proactively try to get him to gain weight and wants to see him in 4 months for a weight check. She wants him to have gained 3/4 of a pound by then.

Right. We’ll get right on that. You know – once he quits throwing up and decides to start eating again. Yep – the flu is creeping it’s way through the house. He spewed yesterday – an act that perplexed him greatly and caused him a great deal of confusion. The plus side is he slept 13 and a half hours last night. The minus is he still refuses to eat, though he did drink about half a cup of Emergen-C this morning.

We’re well on our way to losing 3/4 of a pound, I’d say.

Sheesh.

A few pictures.

Check out those eyes...

Daddy's so glad we decided to stop for hot chocolate. 🙂

Merry Christmas Eve Eve, all!

Filed Under: Christmas, Family, Holidays Tagged With: Fox Theater, White Chritmas

Baby Number 4

December 22, 2009 by Kelli

Well, it finally happened. It was inevitable. I really wanted it to happen, although the urge got stronger over this past year. I’m grateful that my husband was willing to do this for me and for our family, too. He’s a good guy.

My family has expanded.

Everyone – meet Lucy.

Isn’t she pretty? Lee gave her to me for Christmas. I had grand plans of him wrapping it up and me opening it on Christmas morning because I think it’s important for the kids to see us opening gifts from one another, but once I got my hands on my precious I couldn’t give her up.

There’s a hidden lesson in that somewhere.

The kids saw us setting it up anyway so I just explained that daddy gave mommy her present early. Yay me!

I seriously am in love. And so I’ll keep this short so I can go explore all that Lucy has to offer. And she has a lot to offer! She’s real perty.

So I’ll leave you with photos from our first Christmas this weekend, which we were blessed to celebrate with Lee’s parents. I’m so sorry to neglect you all like this, but a shiny new laptop tops creative posting. I’ll be back tomorrow! Lucy has promised to make me a better blogger. I trust she’ll not fail me.

: All of Landon’ birthday and Christmas gifts centered around sports. He was thrilled.

: Ready to open gifts and so excited!

: His very own scooter!

: Our All-American Baseball Lovin’ Boy

: Tia with her coveted purple guitar

: He even got a hockey stick and puck…which he thinks is just an odd shaped golf club. We’re not much into hockey around here.

: Landon literally jumping for joy after opening yet another set of balls.

: Happy boy

: Tia’s new, real gymnastics leotard.

Filed Under: Christmas, Family, Holidays, Kids

America the Bo-ring!

December 21, 2009 by Kelli

It was a packed weekend and there is just so much to share and document! But by far, the highlight of the weekend was the annual Russian-American school Christmas party. I look forward to this party every year. It’s loud, chaotic and loads of fun.

I’m tellin’ ya – the russians know how to throw a party! It just makes me happy because it makes them happy. Seriously, grown ups and kids alike have a ball. And who wouldn’t when characters like these come out for Christmas?

This is Winter. She sang, she dance, she whooped and hollered and kicked up her heels. Who knew winter could be so much fun?

See? She’s having a ball.

Then there was this fella. He was the MC and he sang everything in a warbling, Dean Martinesque voice.

Then, of course, there was Baba Yaga, the forest witch who’s always trying to ruin Christmas. She sings too…

And what is Christmas without Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf?

Seriously, you can’t make this stuff up.

And look how much fun they’re having? Don’t you wish you were there? And yes, that’s a singing tiger on the end. I told you it was a fun party.

And then the older fella on the left came out (I’m not sure who he was supposed to be – his mic was muffled so I couldn’t understand him) and he went fishing and pulled out the singing fish, which you can see on the right.

And of course, the highlight of the party is the unveiling of Ded Moros (Father Ice aka Santa Clause) and his granddaughter, Snegurichka.

They sing too…

Sloan and Tia thought it was rockin’ awesome.

And why wouldn’t they? They got to sing, dance, play toss the ring on the goose…

They didn’t dress in costume because I forgot about the tradition of kids dressing up for Christmas. But other kids dressed up, like this little doll:

Who can resist a little blonde boy in a cow costume?

And at the end, Ded Moros, alongside all the other characters, gave out Christmas gifts. Sloan came home with a digital photo ornament, which he thought was the bee’s knees, and Tia got a huge art set.

Ded Moros gives good gifts.

I gotta tell ya, when I go to parties like this I realize how boring America is. I mean, all we’ve got is Santa, Frosty and Rudolph. Bo-Ring. Give me a singing tiger and dancing bear and then we can celebrate Christmas!

S Razhdyestvom! (Merry Christmas)

Filed Under: Christmas, Holidays, Kids, Russian, School, Uncategorized Tagged With: Russian American School

What goes around comes around…or comes up in our case.

December 17, 2009 by Kelli

Take a trip with me will you. It’s a trip down memory lane. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of bubbling hot tea and head back to 1984.

I’m six years old and we are preparing to move from the LA area to Wisconsin. Before we leave, we (and by “we” I clearly mean my parents since they called the shots back then) decide to visit a few sites in LA that we missed in the couple years that we lived there.

One of those sites is a tour of the Queen Mary, a retired ocean liner that’s famous for something or other. I honestly have no idea what it’s famous for. I was six. I didn’t pay attention to the tour guide.

Before we boarded the Queen Mary, however, we got a big pancake breakfast. As we headed to the ship, I felt a distinct and uncomfortable rumbling in my stomach. When I mentioned it to my parents they gave me a highly unsympathetic, “Sorry babe. You’ll be alright.”

As we ascended an escalator somewhere inside the Queen Mary, my stomach began to flip upside down. Again I mentioned the issue to my parents. They were behind me and even though I couldn’t see them, I heard their eyes roll back in their heads.

“Kelli,” my mom said, “You always have a stomach ache. You’re going to be fine.”

Hmph. It wasn’t my fault that I was scrawny and gassy. I kept my mouth shut. And the tour commenced.

Just as we reached the main deck, the tour guide took us to a railed off section that looked down into the engine room. The famous engine upon the famous Queen Mary that’s famous for…something.

As I looked down at the massive engine and listened to the tour guide drone on and on about the inner workings of the old ship my stomach flipped again and as it did so, it propelled the food I had eaten earlier up and out of my mouth with vicious force.

What happened next is a bit of a blur. I remember running across the main deck of the ship spewing this way and that, my mom’s hand over my mouth trying to contain some of the wreckage.

I remember my dad running behind us, dragging my brother along and yelling, “Take your hand off her mouth, she’s gonna choke!”

I remember some strange man running next to my mom, yelling and pointing her to the nearest bathroom.

And that my friends is the story of the day I desecrated The Queen Mary. I think I was in college before I was able to eat pancakes again.

Now, fast forward 25 years to last night at a birthday party for a friend. Tia was complaining of a tummy ache. But given the fact that she ate massive amounts of candy and cookies at her class Christmas party yesterday, I held out hopes that it was simply an upset tummy.

She can’t help it that she’s scrawny and gassy.

When we arrived at the bounce house, she jumped all of two minutes and then came and sat down, still complaining of a tummy ache. An hour into the party, my fears were confirmed when Tia clamped her hand over her mouth and her eyes widened.

We were as far away from the bathroom as we could possibly be, we were surrounded by other children, and standing on a carpeted floor next to a giant blow up bounce house that I knew would not be easy to clean.

So I grabbed her hand, clamped my other hand over her mouth and we took off.

We almost made it. We made it at least to the hallway, which was mercifully tiled, before the dam broke.

And that was the day Tia desecrated BounceU. It’s not nearly as bad as puking all over a historical landmark, but the circumstances were similar nonetheless.

And as I cleaned up the poor girl in the bathroom, I wondered if perhaps this was one of those things that fell under the umbrella of my mom’s prayer that someday I have a child that was just like me.

Not cool, mom. Not cool.

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Gross, Kids, Motherhood, Tia Tagged With: The Queen Mary

To my son on his birthday

December 16, 2009 by Kelli

Today marks two years since Landon entered our lives. I’m filled with recollections of that day. The snow, the cold, the quiet hospital room, the super easy labor, the painful delivery, and the weight of my son as he was laid on my chest.

It is never far from my mind how close we were to losing Landon. I will never be able to escape the memory of watching his little figure kick and dance on the ultrasound as the doctor explained to me the signs of miscarriage and the likelihood of that happening.

I’ll never forget the fear I felt driving home that day knowing that my child was perfectly healthy, but my womb might fail. It was true terror.

And yet here he is. I am filled with such gratitude that the Lord sustained my body and brought his life to fullness here on earth. Because he is one spectacular little boy and he is by far the best Christmas gift I’ve ever received.

And so, on this day, I share a few things that I want my son to know as he continues to grow.

LANDON

You are loved.

You have an older brother and sister that adore you. Lean on them for protection, wisdom, understanding and companionship.

You will, however, need to know how to defend yourself. I’m proud to say that you’ve already begun using the word “No” liberally, particularly with your sister.

You’ve also learned to hold your own in a wrestling match with your brother.

If, when you are three, your sister comes to you and asks if she can cut your hair – RUN. Run away screaming. Heck, call 911 if you need to. Just don’t let her near you with scissors.

And if she ever asks you to cut her hair – again, run for your life. Seriously – get the heck out of there. Just trust me on this one.

Your older brother will be your protector. He will be your best friend, your mentor and another model in your life. He’s a great kid.

Your sister also adores you. She will be the one that you will torment as the years go on, but she will also be fiercely protective of you. Just make sure you look after her too.

You are more than content to have a sippy cup in one hand and a ball in the other, but one of these days you’re going to need to start eating.

You have a love of sports that is uncanny for your age. Particularly the sports that involve a ball. Your daddy is thrilled.

While you love all sports, you show a particular affinity for football, which makes me a little nervous. If you see me with my eyes squeezed shut at your games one day, don’t be offended.

Your second love, however, is basketball.

If you want a model of Christ, look to your daddy.

If you need advice, tap into your daddy’s wisdom.

You also have two grandfathers who are full of wisdom. Know them and listen to them. You will be a wiser man for it.

But just know, without a shadow of a doubt, that if you ever need a hug, I’m here waiting. I will snuggle you close for as long as you will let me. And as you grow, I will continue to love you unconditionally.

You are my miracle baby, forever and always.

Happy Birthday, Landon Lee.

Filed Under: Family, Landon, Life, Motherhood Tagged With: Happy Birthday

Time to breathe? Not this week…

December 15, 2009 by Kelli

This was my To-Do list for yesterday:

Do laundry (I have roughly 26 loads that need to be done)
Clean up the house
Go to the store and buy food
Help kids finish Christmas projects
Take short nap
Go to the gym
Make dinner
Post to blog

This is what my To-Do list looked like at the end of the day:

Do laundry (I still have roughly 26 loads that need to be done)
Clean up the house
Go to the store and buy food
Help kids finish Christmas projects
Take a short nap (If you count just over 2 hours a short nap)
Go to the gym (I walked the treadmill at a painfully slow pace then went to the cafe and had a cup of hot tea. Hardly a workout.)
Make dinner (Does warming up leftover pizza count as making dinner? If so, I can cross this off of the list.)
Post to blog

Needless to say, I was wiped after a long but amazing weekend. The musical was spectacular – if I do say so myself. It went so well. We got a lot of compliments on it and it just made all the hard work and time seem worth it.

In addition to the performance being a blast, I also had the privilege of making new friends. I feel blessed to have gotten to know people like this girl who is funny, talented, genuine and all around awesome.

And this girl, who just may be one of the funniest people I’ve ever met.

And many others within my church family who (whom?) I’ve seen before but never met. I laughed a lot this weekend. I laughed until my sides ached. I also harkened back to my college days and stayed out till the wee hours of the night all weekend. I forgot that I’m 29…ish (ahem) and have three kids at home who like to rise before the sun. It made for some serious bags under the eyes, but I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.

And so yesterday, despite my ambitious goals, I got little done except the massive nap, from which I awoke to the sounds of angels singing and white doves flitting about my house.

Just kidding. My house is a mess and my in-laws are coming on Friday! Yikes. Barbara you may need to close your eyes when you come.

Today I will make a better attempt to manage my To-Do list. Unfortunately it’s grown over night. There are gifts to wrap, gifts to purchase, still a need for food, still mountains of laundry – oh and a shower. I never quite got around to that yesterday.

Life is full – but it is grand as well. How was your weekend?

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Wherein I leave you with more photographs

December 11, 2009 by Kelli

Today, as the temperatures are hovering in the teens, I am longing to be back in this lovely place. Yes, loooooonging…

This adorable little boy will be two in five days. Excuse me while I go sob in the corner for a bit.

Turns out Tia has a knack for gymnastics. After only a few weeks of lessons, she was bumped up to a more advanced class where she is the only three year old in a group of four and five year olds.

She’s perfected her cartwheel and now does it off our ottoman whilst pretending that it is a balance beam. She is freakishly strong and has no fear. But really, does this surprise anyone? Remember this picture, which I took when she was not yet two years old?

Then, of course, there was this post which described the catalyst for us actually signing her up for a gymnastics class.

Mmm-hmm…We’re not shocked that she’s got some talent in the gymnastics arena. Unfortunately, she’s going to be way too tall for the sport, but we’ll let her keep it up for as long as she enjoys it.

And speaking of Tia – wasn’t it just yesterday that she looked like this standing next to her not yet four year old brother? She is now less than two months away from being four herself.

If anyone has discovered a way to make time stand still, please pass on the secret. Pa-leeeeaaase.

And this one just because. Oh he’s yummy…

Happy weekend everyone!

Filed Under: Kids, Landon, Life, Motherhood, Random, Sloan, Tia

It’s Been One of Those Days…

December 10, 2009 by Kelli

It’s a busy week. It just is. And today kicks off an extremely busy weekend. I started the day off with an adjustment by a chiropractor because I’m going on almost two weeks with limited mobility in my neck and shoulders. I’m not sure what I did, but whatever it was, it’s left me a bit like Frankenstein as I have to move my whole body in order to look side to side or up and down.

So I did that. Then I headed to drop Tia off at gymanstics, noticing on the way that I had no gas. My Distance to Empty button was ticking down the miles as I raced to get her there in time. I coasted up to the gas station on fumes, then headed to a party store to purchase cups for tonight’s Christmas musical.

I finally found the much needed cups and went to pay only to discover that I was missing my license. Apparently some two year old took it out of my wallet yesterday when he was playing with it. And because I had nothing else with a picture ID on it (and no cash – who carries cash?!) they wouldn’t let me purchase the cups. Never mind that I completely emptied my wallet and showed them all manner of identification, they refused to let me pay by credit card or check.

I left very annoyed. I mean, I get it – you have to be safe, but come on! It’s 16 degrees out and I have a toddler with me! Show a little bit of compassion. I even offered to call my husband and have him verify my identification. But they still refused. I’m not going back to that store.

So in the car on the way home from gymnastics, I had to call the person who asked me to buy the cups and leave a message explaining that I was unable to get them. And while I tried to talk, Tia and Landon were yelling in the background.

I was already frustrated and this frustrated me more.

So I overreacted, which necessitated an apology to my children when we returned home.

Then I went to make lunch and realized that while we have a lot of food in the house, very little of it is quick and easy to prepare (remember, we’re trying to overhaul the eating habits here) which means I had to come up with something fairly easy and healthy that my kids would still eat.

I failed. They did not like the tuna fish, crackers and cheese I fed them – well, Sloan did, but the other two were not impressed. They ate crackers and a piece of our ginger bread house for lunch.

Now it’s time for naps, then russian school, then opening night of the Christmas musical. And I may still have to swing by another party store to buy cups. At some point I need to fit in a shower as well. *I may be starting to hyperventilate a little here*

It’s just going to be one of those days…

Filed Under: Christmas, Family, Holidays, Life

HP Touchsmart Giveaway

December 9, 2009 by Kelli

Okay – it is so rare that I actually take the time to enter a contest online. In general I feel like it’s a waste of my time because the chances of me winning are so very slim and I’ve never been a very lucky person when it comes to contests anyway, so I just don’t enter them.

But I couldn’t pass this one up because the prize rocks. Five blogger mama’s are giving away HP Touchsmart computers. I’ve entered all five of their contests. I don’t know why – but I just felt like it today. You can go here to see which ladies are giving computers away and to enter their contest. Good luck!

Now scroll down and partake of the cuteness that is my daughter in leg warmers…

Filed Under: Uncategorized