mother moments

Christmas was so fun and one of the best in a long time. Pictures with more details later...

We went to the cabin in MN this year and with the whole hussle bussle of the Christmas activities Dennis and I got tired and a little detached from our normal routine. Once things quieted down and everyone left except the two of us with my parents, I was able to have a couple of those mommy moments that you want to capture in a jar to remember years down the road. One night when I was putting him to bed we took some extra time to read some books-so he finished his bottle early which made me kinda nervous that he would have trouble going to bed. But we kept reading anyways. Then we turned off the light and sang some songs. Yup- WE sang some songs. Dennis is getting to be quite the singer and dancer. Then I put him down when I noticed that he was trying to get comfy on my lap and he smiled at me as I tucked him in. He quickly fell asleep.

When back in Minneapolis he was having a hard time falling asleep because of the new surroundings so I lay down with him until he fell asleep. In the process, I had my arm laying over him and moved it to scratch my head- but Dennis pulled it back immediately. Such a little thing but means so much to a mommy.

chuga-chuga choo-choo

So, lately Dennis has decided that sitting in a shopping cart is no fun. He would rather be running around, hiding behind the clothes racks and sucking on the little plastic size identifiers that click onto the hangers. Today on our second trip to Target I kept him highly entertained in the cart by crouching down and saying, "chuga-chuga choo-choo". You would be suprised at how many ugly looks I got from other parents... I guess they were just jealous that I was a super cool mom or just afraid that their kids would make them start acting like a circus. Either way, I didn't care... it kept my cutie entertained.

blogging break

So, my cord that connects my camera to my computer is officially broken. I can no longer upload photos... until I get a new one. And, really how fun is a post without pictures... not that fun.

Here are a couple of stories from the past week. Dennis and I went to the science center one day after school and there is a walkway accross the highway that has plexy glass windows on the floor so that you can see the cars zooming by underneath you. Well, Dennis was cruising along until he came to one of these windows. As soon as he could see down he would stop immediately and slowing move into the crouch position and freeze. It was so funny! There are 3 windows along the walkway and he would do it at every one. I even pounded on the glass to show him that it was ok- And, I stood in the middle of it... nope. He was terrified of it. Then we got to the shiny blue laminate floor and Dennis would not walk on it! He dropped to his hands and knees and then froze. I tried holding his hand but that didn't help... I just had to carry him accross until we got to carpet. Then he had a blast. I unfortunately forgot my camera on this trip.

Then just today Dennis fell asleep in the car for 15 minutes and then when we got home he thought that he had already taken a nap. I tried to put him in his bed- but he just cried. I changed a poopy diaper and we started again with a bottle. He wasn't crying anymore but I could tell that he was moving around so never really fell asleep. After a couple of hours I checked on him to find that he had taken his pants off and his diaper off! To make things better- he had pooped AGAIN! And, he peed all over the floor. That funny guy. He just smiled at me so proud of what he had accomplished. yuck.

painting #2

I have finished my second painting from my watercolor classes and I love it. Once again, the coloring is a little off due to my photography with a flash at night... but you get the idea anyways. I have this thing where I have to paint something with meaning... otherwise, I feel like it would be a waste of my time and money. And the thing that means the most to me is people. When I showed this painting (unfinished) to my mom- she was wondering why I didn't just paint a picture of the scenery without the boat or else with the full boat in view (maybe she thought the shot was awkward or unprofessional) but honestly- I like the awkwardness of it. And when I am canoing this is what I see most... the back of another person. So, seeing Chrissy here in the boat brings me back to boating with her. LOVE IT. I will be showing both of my paintings in an art show in January! And I will be starting a new class in January too~ I can't wait to share with you my next painting- its going to be so good.

circus act

Dennis is learning so many tricks. I think he is training to become a circus performer... now he just has to put the two tricks together!

GIFTS

I have a friend who decided to make this season's blog filled with new gift ideas everyday. Such a cute idea and I have really enjoyed going to her blog to check out some good gift ideas. I might have to copy her next year and fill my blog with things that I would like to get for christmas or that I think ANYONE would like for christmas. (really great hint for the hubs)

My absolute favorite thing to do for christmas is make gifts for people. I am drowning in crafty goodness right now on my dinig room table... and lets be honest- its taking over my house. But, I just keep getting new ideas. I guess I will have to get started earlier next year... maybe january?

I will share the crafts that I am doing after the holiday so as not to spoil anyone's surprise. But, I am getting inspired by some of my friend's ideas that I would like to share with you. I might make them in the future- but no immediate plans yet. First, I have a friend that makes sweater-pants for her little girl that are so darling! And, she even made some for herself! She is such a nut. Second, I have a friend that is doing this whole week filled with tutorials on how to make some cool things... so far, tuesday: Celebrate banner, wednesday: portable car port... so cute- and there is more to come all week. Plus, there is a free give away at the end of the week (go to her blog to find out the details of the drawing). You should check both out.

I am so grateful for talented friends that keep me totally inspired!

LAUGHTER

music to a mama's ears. I love this boy to pieces.

sunday ORANGE

my handsome boy on sunday morning. He wouldn't stand still to get a full body shot.
His favorite way of eating an orange: I peel half of it and he just digs in.

'tis the season

to be jolly! Fa la la la la la la la la.... After being sick for 2 weeks Dennis is back to his normal-jolly-self. Don't get me wrong... he has his moments of being a toddler... (yes, his opinion is STRONG) but it sure is nice to see his dashing smile often! Today as we were going shopping at Target, Dennis was talking up a storm... people would come up and say, "boy, he has a lot to say!" So nice to hear... sometimes we worry that he isn't trying to talk enough. I suppose it will happen and then he won't stop. :)

Dennis LOVES oranges. Whenever he sees one, he points at it and says, "uh, uh, uh" (I want one!) He will eat the whole thing! Peel and seeds included. I am trying to get him to realize that the inside is the only thing worth eating... but he hasn't caught on yet. Tangelos, tangerines, clementines, and navel oranges.... he loves them all! He will eat them like an apple right on through the peel!

He also LOVES goldfish... I think he eats them a lot at daycare because when I picked some up at the grocery store, he was begging for the bag as soon as he saw it in my hand. I gave it to him and by the time we were at the check out the bag was soggy... thank goodness for the plastic lining. The bag was opened before we got to the car.

Poor kid was playing with one of the christmas ornaments that had a wire connecting two bells. Well, next thing I knew he was bleeding. No, this next picture isn't lipstick--Yes, it is blood. I think it scared me more than him... actually I don't think he even noticed! No more wires...

Our first day back from Thanksgiving in Utah we got a christmas tree. We decorated it after Dennis went to sleep that night and in the morning he had a big suprise.

At first, he was a little intimidated... and tired... and sick (he came home in the middle of the day from daycare with a fever that day) but it didn't take long before the bottom of the tree became bare and the bottom of our laundry shoot all decorated! We put the kid friendly ornaments on the bottom just for that purpose.

I LOVE our tree this year. Tall, and skinny... the perfect Balsam Fir from northern Michigan!

While we were in Utah, Nonnie (Maree or Dennis's Grandma) gave Dennis some Christmas books to start off his season. One of the books looked familiar and after talking with my mom, I remember that it was a book from my childhood too. Dennis LOVES it! I'm not sure if he is actually smelling the pictures or if he is blowing on them, but he thinks it is pretty fun. Thanks Nonnie!

too rowdy?

This is what Dennis does when he thinks the dogs are getting too rowdy... well, at least this is what he did two weeks ago...