St. Patrick's Day Parade as Promised

We had a fantastic time at the Elmhurst St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday. We wore light weight coats, basked in the sun, and were toasty at a balmy 50 degrees! So many coatless people!!!

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Such a reunion it was. We joined Eric's cousin Rhonda and Martin Wilmot, their son and family Peter, Kristin and Emmie for the parade. Their traditional standing post is in front of the DeVries Animal Hospital. The DeVries are members of our church and share a kindred moment with Norah. You see, Mrs. DeVries fell and broke her arm and needed surgery the exact day that Norah was born. They are hospital buddies. Mr. DeVries visited us in the hospital and we wished his wife well! So, we saw the Devries, Wilmots and Wilmots, Martens, Mrs. Hoiser, Mrs. St. John, Rebecca and Michelle in the high school marching band, and Uncle Jim who was there because Aunt Julie was marching down the street for York Township.

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As in previous posts, I report the best entries and giveaways during the parade. Because this is an election year, it was heavy on the politicians. Definitely needed more music, people or things flying through the air, high action, etc. Simon and Emmie were curb side and Emmie definitely scooped up candy faster than Simon. Of course, my boy did not care about the candy. Because Emmie was adorable in her candy harvesting, a local paper photographer snapped away and asked Kristin for her name. I happened to mention that Norah will be one on 3/17/St. Patty's Day and he took her picture as well. Also mentioned the candy harvester and the little leprachaun were cousins. We'll see if the two girls will get their 5 minutes of fame in the local paper next week! Do you know how hard it is to chase down the food pantry entry as they pass you by when you are not paying attention?!?! Heaven forbid, I had to run through coatless parade people for about a block to drop off our cans of Spaghettio's and creamed corn! The big truck behind the food pantry was honking, but did the pantry people stop and wonder why some big truck kept honking at them? No, because every automobile honks in a parade! Simon was supposed to hand the food off during the parade, but he was a pooped puppy by the time the food carts rolled down the street.

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Fabulous freebies include:

1. pad of paper from Pete DiCianni, running for Mayor of Elmhurst
2. kohlrabe seeds from Joe Cantore, Forest Preserve
3. poms & plastic football from the Elmhurst Eagles (Simon slept with the football)
4. bead necklaces worn by Mommy, tugged by Norah
5. candy from countless coatless people, including Aunt Julie
6. milkbone (for our sitters dogs), from Addison Township Elected Officials
7. cold "lattes" in plastic cups courtesy of the Wilmot's
8. coffee, hot chocolate, cookie treat from DeVries Animal Hospital
9. cookie and chips, b/c Mommy wouldn't stand in line for a fee hotdog from Prudential

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Pictures of our day!

Kristin helping Emmie and Simon pick up candy and freebies curbside! Aunt Julie tossing candy!


The green awninged building across the street is Tree Towns, which is one of Eric's printers for business.
Pooped little leprachauns!

Lots of . . . .

. . . is sent your way! Have a happy Valentine's Day!!!

Why No Posts?

Well now, that is a very good question!

We enjoyed a fabulous Christmas.

• hosted Christmas Eve dinner
• took both kiddos to 11:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, so very beautiful. Busy though with Eric ushering and my ringing bells. Thank God for our 2 full pews of family to help hold and contain tired and sleeping babes!
• enjoyed a relaxing Christmas morning
• did not get Elvis in Eric's family's famous white elephant gift exchange
• came home and packed like crazy in the attempts to beat bad winter weather travel

Then a trip to MN.

• awoke on Dec. 26th to a sheet of ice, did not leave until 1:30 p.m. Actually the best trip ever, lots of sleeping due to afternoon naps. Since the sun goes down early the kids were tricked into bedtime in the car.
• had another "Christmas" with my family
• took Simon ice skating for the first time
• celebrated my sister's 30th birthday
• drove back in snow
• arrived to a rain soaked area carpet in the basement

Came home and celebrated an enjoyable New Year's Eve and Day

• remembered to take pictures
• cooked a special dinner - surf and turf - Cuban pork tenderloin and shrimp with rice - yummy
• Put Norah to bed at 6:00ish, played games with Simon until 8:30
• watched a movie and rang in the New Year at 12:00
• had "made to order" breakfast egg bakes and skillets on 1/1/09
• watched the Rose Bowl Parade in its entirity in pajamas
• went to Eric's cousins for New Year's Day in the afternoon
• did not watch any football
• Resolved to put things away

Undecorated the house

• the tree and all decor taken down and put away prior to returning to work

Started back at work. Which involves crazy amounts of IEP's in January. Hence, the lack of posts. Adorable pictures have been taken to document all of the above. Sometime, when I have more time and can juggle all that's on my plate better, I will add a slide show or an album on the side.

Then on the evening of January 5, 2009, Eric's Mom fell and broke her leg. She broke her femur and had surgery the next evening and a 38 cm. stainless steel rod was placed in her leg. She is doing amazingly well. She will be in rehab/recovery at Elmhurst Hospital for the next 4-5 weeks, as she cannot put any weight on that leg. So, Eric has been busy visiting her and helping Bill at home with all of this snow we've been getting. Another 8 inches this weekend!

So that's why no posts.

To Resolute or Not?

Happy New Year! The conversation goes: Are you making a New Year's Resolution this year?

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In the past, I have taken this quite seriously and have accomplished some great resolutions that have truly made me a better person. I find this time a great opportunity to attempt to accomplish one thing at a time on my to-do list of refining myself.

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So, this year, I resolve to put things away. Put little things away each day like clothes, items from the basement brought up and used but left on a counter, mail left on a flat surface for days, toys/clothes/kid items (even Simon will be included in this resolution). Put away larger items like too-small clothes, pictures and other childhood mementos, storage items, items banned to a flat surface in the basement during the mad-dash to straighten/clean the house. This little resolution of putting things away will hopefully accomplish so many other ideals. Like a clean house, more time spent playing and not managing stuff, and actually having bare, flat surfaces more often than just for company!

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In order to put things away, here are some desirable oraganizational products: wall_mounted_magazine_rack, a re-charging station, or a valet for the kitchen to hold phones, keys, receipts, and other small odds and ends. Will keep you posted on the progress of my accomplishments and success of any products purchased!

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And of course, working out more often is another lofty goal! Eric and I have already scheduled within a week individual times to get to the gym. But that is a typical resolution every year for practically everyone!

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Good luck to you in your decision to resolute or not!

Merry, Merry Christmas . . .

. . . to all of you, from all of us! We hope that you prepared your hearts for Christmas this December so that you may truly appeciate the birth of Jesus. We have cherished our Advent season and are extremely excited for all that Christmas will bring! We especially are enjoying Norah Noel's first Noel!

Our family handprint tree and precious little ones, who bring us so much joy!

All our love,

Eric & Becky

Simon (3 1/2) & Norah (9 months)

Christmas Preparations

HO HO HO!!

Simon was not too sure about Santa. He just stood in front of him and did not move. He needed encouragement to sit on his lap. He seemed to be in awe of him, as he was excited to see Santa from afar. He told Santa what he wanted in his stocking. Norah just looked at him with a blank expression. No tears shared with Santa this year!!! Going to see Santa just as the mall opens is a fantastic idea. The mall opens earlier than some stores, so there weren't so many people. We were first in line and no one behind us. We took all the time Simon and Norah wanted with Santa! Then Simon had his little train ride and then played in the tree house. We had a very fun morning.

Back to Thanksgiving for 1 Brief Moment

Here are the Thanksgiving Day pictures taken a few days after the fact!

Treasured Moments

Adorable comments and moments have been happening around here! Mostly from Simon.

Q: What do you want Santa to put in your stocking?
A: No answer
Q: Some clothes or toys?
A: Hmm, (looking out the window). Yeah, a cool shirt (in a quiet voice)
Q: What is a cool shirt? Does it have pictures or letters?
A: Yeah, a cool shirt (pause) with a moose on it. And a little car for my hoopty-loop.
Q: What does Norah want for Christmas?
A: baby toys

So at the library after this declaration, my eye caught a book called "Looking for a Moose". We have read it daily, and we highly recommend it if you are looking for enjoyable children's literature. (Secretly, I wanted to reinforce the moose as much as posible so a change of mind would not occur!)

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Q: What do you want to give Daddy for Christmas?
A: A cool shirt with a moose on it.

Q: That's what you want. What does Daddy want for Christmas?
A: Comfy underwear and comfy pants and cool shirt. Not monkey clothes (work or church clothes at our house are referred to as monkey clothes).

Q: I'm not so sure Daddy wants underwear for Christmas. What do you want to give Norah for Christmas?
A: A cool shirt. (pause, sincerely looked at me) Mommy, what you want?

I answered him, and decided I will give him the same answer every year until he remembers and gets it for me!

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One morning, Simon declared that I was a Mommy Mary, Daddy was a Daddy Joseph, and Norah was a Norah Jesus. Sometimes he is a Daddy Joseph. His treasured, star blanket becomes Mary's hood and has been worn by all of us.

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Simon added that Norah wants a furry friend, a little sister moose from Santa. How ironic that one was found?!?!?!

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This morning the Fisher Price Angel (FPA) and the Usbourne Advent Angel (UA) were conversing.

(FPA): Hello

(UA): no answer

(FPA): How are you?

(UA): no answer

(FPA): I'm fine.

(UA): no answer

FPA): I have wings. You have wings?

(UA): no answer
(FPA): I can fly. (and she flew away, was left abandoned on the floor, and then was chewed by Norah).

Oh, the life of an angel in our house. Last year, the angels lived on the semi-truck with a few other essential people and animals (Lady_Park_Truck). We have progressed!

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Every December, Christmas comes and goes, and we usually say "finally, we can enjoy being home". So, we wanted to change that and enjoy December as a family, be at home, and enjoy our tree. Highly important now with children! So, we started our shopping early, said no to a few things, and made sure we put family events on the calendar.

So far, I went to the Lessons and Carols at Elmhurst College, took the kiddos to see Santa, we all went last weekend to Cantigny for the Lego train show, picked up poinsettias and made special deliveries, have gone to church and Sunday School, enjoyed our annual Christmas party with our small group from church, drove around to look at lights and decorations, made cookies - and ate cookies! We also have made time to read an Advent Nativity book where each night a nativity piece comes out. We are also following an Advent devotion "I Spy" book and it is amazing what Simon is learning about Christmas. Simon gets the books and Bible when we are done eating and is excited to read! He has memorized the Advent Nativity Book and says it himself! When asked when he would give a gift to his uncle, and he said "when baby Jesus comes out"! How awesome is that, not "when Santa comes"! Although, he also said he would sleep on the step (by the fireplace room) to see Santa! We are really enjoying our December, and hope you are as well!