New Address

If any of you ever send mail to Simon and/or Norah addressed with 3017 S. Stair Way, Basement, in a sealed envelope with our real address, we will be sure to deliver the mail to the correct location.

Santa Came!!!

And left tracks, a tunnel, and a bunny! We must have been a good boy and girl!!!

The Last Gift of Christmas

The German pickle ornament is the last gift of Christmas. The pickle ornament is hidden somewhere in the tree. Whoever finds it gets the extra, last gift of Christmas. While it is usually a hot cocoa mix, family game, or homemade brownie mix, this year it was wrapped in the favored snowmen nesting boxes. All seven of them! Simon and Norah took turns opening to see what was hidden where. Norah opened the littlest box to reveal . . .

two skeleton keys. One on a green frog key chain with an "S" and one on a blue dolphin key chain with an "N". They light up and make noise. But what do these keys open?

Perhaps the garage door? Of course each one had to try their key.

Perhaps the front door? After a few tries definitely not the front door. After all, Santa's key worked to open this door.

Another try just might work.

Perhaps the back door. Which is directly in line with the basement door.

Eric stood by the closed basement door as a clue. Simon looked at him, pondered, and asked "the basement"? Maybe. So he goes down a few stairs and exclaims "Daddy, your project"! He has yet to see. He turns the corner, and goes straight to the door. They were both so excited and shook with joy. Sheer, happy joy!

They first noticed those big boxes, what could possibly be in there?

But, we stop to read mail first. Fabric postcards mailed directly to

3017 S. Stair Way

Basement.

Bean bag chairs were in the large boxes!!!! She did not let go of her key or mail!

A very happy boy!

In and out and in and out! Oh, the possibilities. We took the keys away, let them have the key chains. For some reason our spare skeleton key locks the door from the outside, but sticks when attempting to unlock from the outside. Sort of defeats the purpose of a spare key. So until the dutch door is completed, the keychains remain keyless. The framed square is a porch light. The slit below is the mail slot. The letters are the address.

Thanks Daddy, your "little project" is awesome!

The porch light is on in this picture. They love it. Grandpa's tools and building set are on "Simon's" end. A doll bed and high chair are on the other end. The bean bags come in and out. Books have been strategically placed by the respective bean bag chairs. A little treasure box has been placed on an unfinished shelf on the inside. A sheep bell, purchased in Milwaukee for Simon by Grandma and Grandpa a while ago, is hung right now on the door knob. It will be added to the wall next to the porch light for the doorbell. Christmas day Simon said, "Mommy, when you get my slippers, just ring the doorbell to get a hold of me".

We all enjoy and love the new playhouse. It has also been referred to as a clubhouse. I imagine cold winter, housebound days to include lunch in the little house in the basement. And perhaps sleepovers on hot summer days. Book nooks, hideouts, and who knows what else the imagination conjus up will come our way. It is theirs to do with as they please, mostly!

9 Degrees of Thanks

Now that I can be in the basement for longer periods as well as during the daytime, much more catch-up is to come!

Here is a glance back to Thanksgiving. Not in order of events.
Fun at Grandma's and Grandpa's with ALL of their toys!!!

Fun at the Holidazzle Parade.

Projects and making cookies with Grandma.

Outside with Grandpa. The kids were beyond excited as this was the first snow of the season for them.

Play "sleeping" on the big triangle step.

Working on the traditional Thanksgiving Day puzzle. Simon enjoyed putting in the shaped pieces.

Of course, the Attitude of Grattitude fitness walk with Mom. Dad came along for wheelchair support. Mom would walk, ride, walk, ride. She received tons of encouragement when the 3K runners lapped us on their second trip around the lake. Plus our signs gave her some attention as well! It was 9 degrees people, we were cold and bundled. But once we started walking, we warmed up a bit. What a wonderful experience to walk across the finish line WITH MY MOM!!!! The song that played as we crossed was so perfect for Mom, of course now I cannot remember what it was.

Before the race. Mom with her personal cheering section. What a fan!

That's me next to Mom, wearing the warmest coat I have ever had!

We stopped at my Aunt and Uncle's on the trip up to MN, who live approximately 5 hours away from us. Since we left at 3:00 p.m., it was fantastic to stop driving around 9:00 p.m. instead of driving another 2-3 hours! We had a great evening and the next morning filled with fun as we visited my Uncle's tractor and then their friend's farm. We saw 1 hour old twin calves, lots of milking "ladies", a calf hut, happy farm dogs, and Simon and Norah rode the biggest tractor we have ever seen - hooked up to a manure spreader. The most impressive thing for Simon and Norah? The cows pooping in the barn. Seriously, he became disappointed when one was not pooping. He even enjoyed scooping the poop down into the trough. He could have been a hired hand! They talked about the pooping cows for days, people, for days! Puppies, toddlers, and calves are all the same - bounding with excessive amounts of energy. The calves in the hut were overflowing with non-stop attention seeking movement! We drove just the 2-3 hours to St. Paul with sleeping kids in the back seat, warm coffee in our hands, and each other to chat without interruption. We parked at my parents just as the snow started to fall. We missed driving in the snowstorm with perfect timing.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip filled with so much fun. Of course we enjoyed a delicious meal with my family and we were all filled with thanks.

Fisher of Men

Our kids are loving our two Advent activities. They love the tree on our fridge and cannot wait to see what trinket or snack comes out next. Norah pretty much is the eater of the snacks. And she must carry around the trinket for the day when it's not a snack. I think Simon is really listening and trying to understand. The other day they were playing fishing with tubes that had long straps. He said "I am a fisher of men. And you are a fisher of a girl."

Mom at Christmastime

Being a Mom at Christmas time is simply pure magic! Magic. Magic filled with excitement, anticipation, kindness, giving, and pure joy all wrapped up in tiny bodies!

Simon is beyond excited about the gifts he has chosen to give to family members.

I found out Norah has decided to give me tools, just like Daddy. She told Eric I needed "hammering".

Simon and Norah cannot wait to do our advent devotions each day. Norah fills in the blanks for the Usborne Nativity book, and says words like Bethlehem, manger "table" for stable, and many other key points in the story. Do you know the names of the three wise men? Well, it is a hoot listening to a 2 1/2 year old say "Melchior, Caspar, and Belthesar". Sort of comes out as "Bebuhsar". I cannot believe our tree on the fridge is almost complete.

Ever run errands at Christmastime and visit the potty at least twice at every stop/location/store? Once to check it out and confirm, yes, Mommy, there is a bathroom here. And a second visit to actually pee. And sometimes a third visit to finish business. All while wrangling winter coats, bags, and who knows what else at the moment. Thank goodness that we left Santa's lap dry. Ever wonder how many times he gets peed on during a day? I'm glad it wasn't Norah!

I love that we have a huge handmade Christmas. They are getting slippers, hats, pillowcases, the playhouse, and mail all created with love by us. The pillowcases are large gift bags.

My "stress" is greatly reduced now that desired Santa items are secured! All Simon wants from Santa is a tunnel and lots of tracks. When he visited Santa, I saw Santa talking and talking and talking. Simon did not answer. I wandered over and encouraged Simon to answer Santa. Santa replied, "I think I stumped him". I asked "what did you ask him, Santa?" To which he answered "what else does he wants besides a tunnel and tracks." I said "oh, Santa, he always asks for only one thing from Santa." Santa was so kind! Then we visited Santa another time. We went to Lilacia Park to see all the light displays and visit Santa in the park on a very cold night. Norah was freaked out and really did not go near him. We were cold, so we went into Mrs. Claus's Cupboard for free cookies and hot chocolate. Norah wanted a stuffed animal on the shelf, to which we said no and said they were decorations. We mentioned that she could ask Santa for a new furry friend if she wanted to. She marched herself out the door, down the path and right to where Santa was. She climbed right up to him, and said she wanted a furry friend in her stocking. We interpreted for Santa that a furry friend is a stuffed animal. He asked her which animal. She did not answer. He provided choices, a puppy? no response. a bunny? Yeah, a bunny. She has yet to change her mind. After several inquiries, he assured us that our good little girl will get a bunny - a bit stressful with the late decision. He also confirmed prompt and fast delivery to be made for Simon's request. Santa sure has quite the options and connections and great customer service. I am quite calmed down, now.

Which leaves us up way, way too late at night. We are very tired. But when else are we supposed to get all of this done?

I can finally understand the desire to shop at stores starting at 10:00 p.m. Not that I have. But I understand.

We are tired, busy, and very happy!

It's pure magic and love. I cannot wait to first pray and then play on Christmas Day!

Merry Merry, Where?

Where have I been? Well, that basement project I've talked about - well it is a playhouse under the stairs to be discovered on Christmas. The kiddos will open their skeleton keys and find their new house, at 3017 S. Stair Way. (Simon was born on the 30th and Norah was born on the 17th of different months). Since "Daddy's Project" is completely recognizable, they cannot be downstairs, or the surprise is ruined.

There goes my blogging, emailing, some projecting, and general basement-ing until Christmas. I usually take sometime on a weekday morning with Norah playing in the basement or in the afternoon with Simon playing in the basement to update this blog. Not so much as of late! Kid-less time begins around 8:00 at night. There is competition people. Dishes, straightening, cleaning, laundry, present projects, wrapping, errands, that need to be completed in a precious few hours. And we are going to bed way, way too late these nights.

So that is where I have been. Blocked from the basement! But I do have some great pics to share, soon. I hope soon!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! May your hearts have much to be thankful for this year. We are on our way north to enjoy my family for Thanksgiving. We are very gratefull for the many blessings God has given us, all the love we feel and give, and protection He has showered on us this year.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and all those you love and hold dear in your hearts!

Fridge Fronts

Live a Colorful Life traditionally sports a fantastic fridge front that I have always admired every holiday season. I searched all of her "Decembers" and could not find her fantastic fridge. You'll have to ask her. Now I will join her on a month-ish or so of a barren fridge front. In my house, that is difficult to do!

Here is how my fridge looks currently. I love these little turkey-lurkeys!



Here is how my fridge will look come December 1st. Thanks to last year's order from Christa pre-Fairy Tale Pumpkin. I saved my Advent kit for this year. I didn't have the time to put together a display last year, and we used "What Color is Advent?", a devotional book mixed with "I Spy" from our church. I am earlier at planning Advent this year. Wanting to keep costs low, I perused Etsy for idea. (Shhh . . . yes, I do browse the site to get my own creative juices flowing for my own personal use. I do make some purchases!) I vetoed the mini-muffin tin after some consideration. I liked the magnetic containers, but not the price. I found a bag of 10 small containers for $1.00 at my local dollar store, I bought 3 packages. Then, I found magnetic vent covers that I could cut and hot-glue to the bottoms. Next, I searched for some seasonol paper on hand, stamped the numbers, and used double sided carpet tape to adhere to the lid. Last, I placed the devotional slip around the inside of the container and filled with the little treasure. Some containers needed a heavier magnet. Only 2 items did not fit the container and are in a safe hiding spot (if only I can remember where that is!). There is only one problem, I need 1 mustard seed. I misplaced the tiny but mighty treasure! Please, any reader out there who has mustard seeds, can you spare one and send to me? I would be grateful!




Oh, and the interesting thing? Her devotions are all New Testament. Every Lutheran Advent material our church has starts with the creation and includes important Old Testament events. I am very excited for this new Advent-ure! I am thinking it will delve beyond the Christmas story. Thanks, Christa for your kit!

Buy . . . buy . . . buy . . .

Project Update

I took this picture standing at the bottom of the stairs, facing towards the laundry side. See therail and the stairs on the far left?



Ahh, the new basement sink. I don't miss the double basin cement-titious baheamouth that took forever to drain after 2 loads of laundry and sported a coating of slime. Hmm, I think my parents will enjoy this sink more as a guest than the old one?!?! My first reaction, the handles are too nice for filling a mop bucket.

How, you may wonder, did the heavy looking water softener filled with salt get removed from this picture? And how did that cement-titious sink basin walk up the stairs? Well, for once we greatly appreciated the Mexican junk truck man that combs the neighborhood for great finds. Eric snagged one picking up pipe that was set out on the curb. Eric, his brother, and a man who spoke not a lick of English grunted that bad boy up and out. Then, he was willing to take the sink. That did not want to go up the stairs in one piece. So, Mr. Mexican Man went to get his axe and busted it on out of here. Eric showed great appreciation by giving him 3 cold beers. I was glad to be grocery shopping at the time with Norah. I don't do well when items don't easily enter or exit the house. Good-bye cylidrical salt holder and goodbye hunk of cement! Now, my kiddos want to wash their hands pretty much every time we come down to change the laundry.


Can you see Simon's handwriting and drawing? He wrote "Simon and Daddy working on the little project." He drew stairs on the inside of the closet. He declared to Daddy the other day "You are almost done with the little project", of which he does not even know.

I love how Daddy has glasses and I dearly miss the spiral bodies Simon used to draw!

Halloween Happened

Walleye, our scarecrow, was created at Scarecrow Fest with Uncle Gordon. Loved in extreme amounts by Norah. Protector of our jack-o-lanterns. Immediately after trick-or-treating, Norah dumped her candy and dug in! (Note the blue-plaid dress handmade by Grandma - perfect!) We hosted a chili and hot-dog dinner with the fixin's and hot chocolate/tea/cider for neighbors and trick-or-treaters. A fire pit in the driveway warmed us all!

We enjoyed a Halloween party with friends! Oh, I mean Nemo and a "green giant vegetable guy something". Norah was interested and loved carving her pumpkin. She dug in the guts a couple of times.

You will fiind Norah caught in the act for a second time! This time she dragged the chair into the kitchen. Climbed onto the counter. Took the candy basket down from the top of the refrigerator. To eat candy first thing in the morning. Prior to this event, she dragged the chair into the kitchen. With scissors. To cut open Halloween candy. And started eating the Smarties. Which is the best potty-training reward ever, by the way! (Yesterday, she took herself to the potty and went ALL DAY with NO accidents! Woo-hoo, we're on our way!)

You will also see the finishers at the 3k Pumpkin Fun Run at my school. Simon finished 199th, I finished 203th with Norah on my shoulders at 204th. When you are 2 1/2 and insist on walking while holding your new best friend's hand, you will get slowed down. Norah was not agreable at photo time.

One more picture at the end for the cuteness factor! (If you click on this one, you'll see Simon is holding onto his tail.) They played the parts well! We enjoyed visiting the library in character and sharing treats with the librarian via Lil' Red's basket of goodies

Enjoy the pics!