Anniversary Dinner...

Today is my 7 year anniversary. DH and I have been together for 11 years though. We actually got married on our "anniversary" so today is our 7-11 anniversary. I thought it appropriate to visit our local 7-11 to celebrate.

My son could not have been more excited! He literally told everyone who would listen today that we were going to 7-11 for dinner. People looked at him like he was nuts. Good thing he's only 5 right?

So, we went to 7-11 and had our big bites, nachos and slurpees and our total for the entire "meal" was just over $12. Not too bad if I do say so.

The best part of the whole evening though was when we were all finished eating (in the car) my DH got out to throw out the trash and my son says to me "Mama, I love anniversary food!" He made my whole day.

Side note: we really are going to an all adult dinner, next week when my mom is visiting....but I really did want to do something fun and quirky for our actual anniversary and my son got to participate. A good time was had by all and that's what matters most.

Have any of you had a silly yet memorable anniversary?

It's snowing here...a lot!

The past few days have been downright BORING! We've been stuck inside with colds and paralyzed by the fact that outside is covered in snow. I don't mind driving myself in the snow, but I really don't like to take my son as I don't trust the other drivers. We typically don't get a whole lot of the white stuff here in the greater Seattle area, but we do get a bit. This past week I would venture to say we have had more snow that all of last year combined. Don't quote me on that though, I didn't do any research. :)

We started the week off on an ok foot, we did our normal activities on Monday. Tuesday we had school and although it was only 25 degrees or so and snow was on the ground, the kids had a great time. Wednesday school was cancelled because of the "threat" of snow and wouldn't you know it...nothing fell. It was 35 degrees and the roads were better than the day before but we didn't have school. Late that night, the powder fell and fell and fell and fell. We didn't have school the next day or the rest of the week. We officially started winter break almost a full week early!

Why are we not taking advantage of the hills and going sledding you ask? Well, that's because we aren't prepared here in casa de la smalltowncitygirl. We haven't been boot shopping this year yet, we haven't purchased any of the sledding equipment that we promised ourselves we would be getting this year, and we have colds! YUCK! I have it the worst of everyone. I haven't been sleeping well because I cough myself silly and wake up DH. So, I've been sleeping on the couch...yippie!

As I'm typing, we are having more snow fall. It really is beautiful out and I love the quiet that the snow brings with it. It's as if the world is being insulated. It's really something. I'm hoping that this lovely virus that is infecting my body will pass with the weekend...keep your fingers crossed for me. Then we're off to shop for boots and sleds. Hopefully the stores still have something!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Santa Claus is coming to town.....

Today I received an email from one of the Mom's at preschool with a link to a site that you can print free letters from Santa off of. http://www.freelettersfromsantaclaus.com/


I had to share because it's really a great site if you have little kids that are in the full swing of believing in Santa. We haven't gone to see "Him" yet this year, but are planning to in the next few days. I already know what will be asked for and we are prepared for Christmas morning with the highly anticipated gift! This year at our house, it's an army set that has guys the size of GI Joe and it comes with a boat AND a helicopter! It's super great if you are a four year old boy!

Anyway, I went tonight and printed our letter off and then printed a matching envelope in Word. My plan is to take it with me to the mailbox tomorrow and mix it in with the mail so he'll have no clue. hehe. This is so much fun!!

We also have a nursery locally that brings in reindeer for the month of December and you can go get your pictures taken with them. We are planning that very soon as well! I love all the fun family activities this time of year!

What fun things do you all have planned for the coming weeks?

Our goofy little tree.

After trying and trying to rearrange our furniture to fit our tree in the same place we had it last year, I gave up!

Here's the problem: I made curtains over the summer and blocked off about half of the light from our front window by doing so. But I made up for it when we moved the couch away from said window and put it agains the brick red wall as seen in the picture. We have space for the tree in front of the window now, but i was afraid that the dog would knock the tree over every time she tried to look out the window. I didn't want to deal with that. I tried to combat this issue by moving the couch back in front of the window so I could put the tree against the red wall like we always do. When the furniture was all in place, I went out to get the mail. When I came back inside, it was like walking into a dungeon!

Here's the solution: I decided to put my furniture back to it's original position and just get a smaller tree! So, I hopped myself and DS into the minivan and headed to Walgreens where we purchased ourselves a very sweet 4.5 foot artificial tree with lights already strung. I put that little guy up right on top of our endtable and we LOVE it! I think it's one of the cutest trees we've had yet.

Here's the outcome: What do you think?



I still have to put more presents under it, but not too shabby so far.

Do you all put up a real tree or do you go the artificial route like me?

What were you thankful for?

My son, in a very sweet and tender moment told me this:

"Mama, I like Thanksgiving because I can tell you how good I feel and how good I like you and Daddy."

I hope you all had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

We are back from our travels and I'm getting ready to put up our Christmas decorations tomorrow! YAY!

I also have a fun post that I stole from my good friend Paisley Penguin that I will put up in a few.

Good tidings to all!

What's up with you?

This has been a hectic month so far for us! We were notified at the first of the month that DH would be laid off until "at least" the beginning of the year thus landing us in the 'unemployed-kindof' category. Thank goodness that we have some what of a savings or we would be doomed. Our mortgage is $1685 and our unemployment benefit is only a bit more than $1800. That doesn't leave much wiggle room...who am I kidding? That doesn't leave room for anything considering that we would be left with electricity, water, sewer, garbage, heating oil, and not to mention food and our budget for all of these things would be a whole whoppin $187! So, if you are so inclined to think happy thoughts, pray, or even just wish us well we would greatly appreciate all the positive energy we could get.

I've been keeping really positive though and we haven't had to dip into savings yet this month. I know we are only into the first 11 days, but still...it could be worse.

I interviewed for a part time evening job last week and it went well. I should know more the end of this week. It would be cleaning office buildings and would work well for our schedule even when DH goes back to work.

I'm SUPER DUPER happy that I'm an early Christmas shopper and I am all but done with all of our gift "buying". I do have some home made items to finish off, but that won't be a problem. I'm faithful that we will be fine. Everything will work out.

How are things going with all of you?

Free Redbox Rental...September 29.

I've come across another great freebie! The Financial Diva gets credit for tipping me off!

Redbox kiosk's can be found in grocery stores. You can go here to find a location near you.

When you go to check out your movie tonight, be sure to enter the code: LA45W7 for your free rental!

This code only works today September 29! HURRY!

Another cool FREE thing to do on Saturday 9/27!

I love the internet...

There are so many great things I learn about that I otherwise would never have known. Take for example, this Saturday is Museum Day and you can get FREE admission to a museum in your area. Here's the link with all the details!

Hubby happens to work on Saturday so that leaves DS and myself at home with nothing to do. Guess where we're going this weekend. :)

Hopefully some of you might be able to enjoy the culture in your area as well.

ENJOY!!

We have to talk!

Last night Hubby got home from work and DS sits down in the living room with him. He plops his little 4 year old body in the chair and says. "We have to talk." Here's how the conversation goes.

DS: We have to talk.

Hubby: Ok, about what?

DS: About Blue. (Blue is the name of a dumptruck at Hubby's work which DS has decided is HIS and no one is to drive it...his exact thoughts on the subject are as follows: Blue is to sit at the work yard as a decoration until DS is old enough to drive it himself.)

Hubby: What about Blue?

DS: You aren't supposed to drive him! He's mine!

Hubby: But we have to, the boss said so.

DS: Well, you tell him that I said you aren't supposed to drive him, because he's MINE!

Hubby: Ok, I'll tell him that we can't drive Blue anymore because you said so.

I was in the other room, because I couldn't contain my laughter. My son was determined that this was the way it was going to be. I could tell it would be a doozy when he began with "We need to talk!".

Kid free weekend = SUCCESS!

This past weekend was blissful! Hubby and I had a kid free weekend. That's right, Friday evening to Sunday afternoon without the interruption of our son. It was fantastic!

My MIL picked up our son Friday after she got off of work and took him out to dinner, the next day was on to the science center and walking all around the city. He had a great time. The highlight for him was the bus ride to the science center! He has wanted to ride a bus FOR_EV_ER!! And he finally got to.

Our weekend was much less active but none the less exciting!

Friday evening, we got Chinese take out and some movies. We ate dinner at our table and got to talk about adult things without censoring them. We finished dinner, and had no dishes...woo hoo! We then watched Baby Mama, had popcorn and snuggled on the couch. Sappy I know!

Saturday, hubby had to work so I got to spend the day doing whatever I wanted! I slept in until 9:15!! Grabbed Starbucks and headed for Kohls. I bought myself a new handbag, wallet and some jewelry. It was so quiet for me. I also headed over to Target...and got to skip looking at the cars for once! Strolled on into Cost Plus World Market and then headed to the grocery store. It was a wonderful day to myself. When hubby got home, we decided to eat the Chinese left overs and watched Drillbit Taylor and had popcorn again.

Sunday morning, I went walking (at 6:30 am) with my friend like we always do so that Hubby could sleep in too. When I got home, we went out to breakfast and then visited the new mountain bike park. I was really impressed with the area! We then headed over to MIL's to have dinner and pick up DS. He was so happy to see us, which was nice. But he did have a great time.

Looks like we all did. As much as you love your family, it's sometimes really nice to have a break. Especially when you get to spend some kid free time with your spouse. It makes you realize why it is you like the person.

Our weekend was a SUCCESS!

Oh, to be a four year old boy...

My son recently got his hair cut. He decided that he must have a mohawk. We decided that this was OK being as he is only four. It's kinda cute. I'm not just saying that...many people have commented...really. :)

He has also decided that "he" doesn't want anyone to tell him they like his hair. I've tried to explain to him that people with exceptionally cool hair cuts often hear remarks about them. He just doesn't want anyone to look at him. So when they do, he tries to crawl into my skin. This has become quite annoying for me. Everyone else thinks it's cute that he's "shy".

If only we all could be blatantly rude and be thought of as cute.

Hey, you ever been "snicked"?

I'm taking care of my good frirend/neighbor's daughter "P" a couple of days this week. She's 3 1/2. Having a boy myself, this opportunity is very different than what I am used to. She is much more "girly" and quite frankly, I don't really know how to handle it. But it has been fun so far!

I've learned a few things along the way.

* If I could pop out another kid somewhere between the age of 3 1/2 and 4, my son would be much less of a challenge simply because he would have someone other than me to play with.

* Girls can pee on the floor too. It's much more confusing, but it can happen.

* Boys are gentler when they play with girls and much less competitive.

* Two kids are MUCH LOUDER than one!

* And possibly my favorite..."Snicked" is going to be my word of choice for the next week at least. And I will use it whenever I can. Here's how it came to be.

We have a dog Chelbi, she's a great dog. Our neighbor girl "P" is DEATHLY afraid of dogs!

Sidenote: She was strangled by a leash with a dog attached to it, and it was attached to a pole while her "wonderful" father paid such close attention to her (she was the sophisticated age of 2 1/2). She has a right to be afraid.

My dog would never hurt her, but she is still afraid. After two days of being in my house while the dog remained in another room with the door closed "P" decided that she "wanted to pet Chelbi" I, knowing her history with dogs applaud her bravery and encourage and help her to do this. I hold my dog by the collar....I should mention that Chelbi is a Rottweiler and pushing 100 pounds. "P" is barely 35. So, anyway...I hold Chelbi and reassure "P" that Chelbi won't get her, won't bite her, etc. "P" puts out her hand and I hold it in mine and we approach Chelbi together. It probably takes 5 times of "P" pulling away and me assuring her that it's going to be OK. She finally lets Chelbi sniff her hand. Being a dog, the lick comes next. I tell "P" Chelbi likes you, see she sniffed you and licked your hand. That's like a doggie kiss. "P", very excitedly announces to everyone who will listen that she has been "snicked" by Chelbi. I love it, and will freely use it!

I should also note, that by the end of today, "P" was in the same room with Chelbi without me holding her hand and kept peeking in to say hi...all by herself! I'm very proud of her.

Has your dog "snicked" you today? Mine has. ;) Isn't she cute???

Jetty Island

Yesterday, my son and I went to a little man-made island in Everett, WA called Jetty Island. We went with my good friend/next door neighbor and her kids. Her son and my son have dubbed each other as best friends. It's really cute.

We had a great time! If you have the chance to visit, I would definitely recommend it. We went on not so nice of a day weather wise, but the kids still had a blast. They built sand castles, played in the water, hunted for shells and chased seagulls. My son decided that all seagulls are named Tom...even the girls. We even wrote the name "Tom Seagull" in the sand because he wanted them to have their name written just like him.

I will now bore you with some photos. It really was a fun time.

This was the ferry that we took over from the "mainland" to the island. There is normally a bigger boat (pictured in the background).

However, because the weather was iffy they used this one instead.

This is the island right after we docked. We walked to the other side so we didn't have to play in all that gooky stuff.

This is "Tom Seagull", one of the many.

Here are the boys working together digging a hole which later became the base of their joint effort sand castle. My son (in blue) promply squashed it upon completion.

And lastly, one of my sweet boy walking on the beach. So precious.

But it was only a hangnail!

So, I had a hangnail. I picked it off just like most of the population does. No big deal right?

WRONG!

Apparently, picking a hangnail opens you up for infection. And not just any infection at that. Infection that can spread into your blood stream and cause the little red line that the nurses were referring to as a streak that travels from the point of the infection (my right thumb) all the way up my arm almost to my elbow bend. I know...all from a friggin hangnail! It even gets better.

The doctor came in and informed me that I had come in "just in time" because if the infection would have gone into my joints, I could have lost my hand! Supposedly this is a common occurrence. I had no idea! She also said that if my white blood cells were too high (they tested me and I was fine thankfully!) that I would have to see a hand surgeon the same day and "have the infection extracted! (read: a big fat hairy needle would have been stuck into my already sore thumb and all the goop would be sucked out!) YUCK and NO THANK YOU!

Because my cell count was good, all I got was a shot of antibiotic and then they gave me 10 days of pills. I'm on day 3 of my antibiotics, the red line is gone from my arm and the infection in my thumb is almost gone too.

Who knew...a hangnail?

What a powerful little annoyance.

Boys are very peculiar creatures.

My son is 4 years old and almost completely riding his 2 wheel bike on his own. He can ride the bike fine once he gets started but he has trouble with the initial take off and the landing. This is an accomplishment that my husband can take 100% credit for. I am way to over protective when it comes to activities that can lead to broken bones and skinned up knees.

That being said; on Monday I had a meeting to attend in the evening. Dear husband and son decided that while I was gone they were going to go ride bikes at the school across the street. They were almost ready to head home when my son decided to mess around with the handle bars, shaking them side to side quickly while still riding. You can see where this is going right? Yup, he fell....hard. I guess he cried a bit, but nothing like he would have if I had been there. He has road rash on his elbow and a bruise on his cheek bone.

When they got home, DH took a picture of the wound so I could see when I got home.

Here's the part I don't understand. My son is proud of the fact that he: 1) got hurt and has a really big scab and 2)only cried when it first happened.

And now he thinks it's "really cool" because it "looks like caramel sauce".

I don't know that I will ever understand.

Holiday Long Weekend!!

This weekend promises to be fun for all of us.

My hubby is off for all three days. He's going to be crazy by the end of it. He's the type that can't sit still for more than an hour at a time without getting bored. :) He's got a list of stuff he wants to accomplish...we'll see how it goes.

We're having family over for a BBQ tomorrow night to celebrate the 4th. I went to the Dollar Tree and bought some festive paper plates, napkins, and plastic flatware so I can enjoy everyone's company without the worry of dishes.

My 4yo son is on the brink of riding his bicycle sans training wheels. He can actually ride and balance fine, it's just the stopping that he has trouble with. He hasn't figured out that he has to put his foot on the ground to avoid the spill. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and we can have him on two wheels by the end of the weekend! He's super excited because then he can go "SUPER FAST"!

I'm planning to relax and enjoy the family time. I really want to not worry about messes, cleaning, laundry or anything else home-maker related.

We might go and get some poppers and maybe some sparklers just for fun too, but otherwise as far as fireworks are concerned we probably won't be out that late. Maybe next year.

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate the holiday, stay safe and have fun!