You had to be there

Erin got this kit one night for Hanukkah, you decorate these fake nails and then can glue them on. Every little girl's dream. Well, she decorated them with Ira the other afternoon, it was kind of like spin art with glitter. JUNK was the determination. The paint didn't stick, the glitter went everywhere but on the nails, but Erin was not deterred. I went upstairs the other day, and walked into our bathroom. This is what I saw.



Ira looks at me and says, "Now, THIS, is blog-worthy!" I had to laugh out loud. "If you told me a few years ago, hell, even one year ago, I would be putting fake nails on a little girl, I wouldn't have believed you!" What a dad won't do for his little girl. Well, I know one dad, a good friend of ours, a big, manly-man of a guy, who has a little girl. When I told him this story, he said he could do one better. Then he showed me his bright pink-painted big toe. What a dad won't do for his little girl.

Krassan Family Hanukkah Party

Always amazing... always chaotic.... but i wouldn't have it any other way. Too many latkes (but they are sooo good) too much food, and just the right amount of family. The best part? I love that both my family and Ira's family all come together for all the holidays. It doesn't' matter if it is their holiday or not; Christmas or Hanukkah... they all celebrate together. That is just so cool. I got this cool little video camera thingy. Here is a clip of the madness when we counted down and let the kids tear into their pile of presents. My favorite moment of the night. Both of my girls got digital cameras. I will be accepting bribes to not post unflattering pictures of family and friends (and so far, majority of pictures they have taken all are) to this blog. I prefer milk chocolate, itunes gift cards, sweaters from J Jill, and Lucky Jeans :o) Just to warn you? Erin has already asked me how she can start her own blog. Don't say you didn't know...

Counting Down....

The first night of Hanukkah (my choice of spelling) is only 3 nights away. Christmas is only 1 week away. My shopping is not complete.

If you are standing in front of me in line at any store, please pay with a non-declinable credit card you can just swipe and go. Do not write a check this time of year, use an ATM debit card with pin, or try to count out exact change while you talk on your phone and ignore the screaming toddler clinging like velcro to your leg digging in your purse for cheerios.

Please bring all purchases, with your final decision made to the register. Do not wait until the sales person has completed ringing up your items to ponder if you should indeed purchase that lovely red sweater with the barking dogs that actually "sing" jingle bells when you squeeze their nose for your niece. It is stupid and she will hate it.

Please have all your coupons and discounts ready. Do not ask the cashier if she happens to "have an extra" back there, or start digging madly in your purse for one you damn well know you don't have. It is annoying to the sales staff, and to me, the person behind you. Besides, you are not fooling anybody.

Please make sure you have an easily accessible bar code on al items you are purchasing. If not, please be so kind as to bring a 2nd item with you so that a SKU number can be obtained without causing a 40 minute delay as Earl or Himatonyaloket (seriously, I had a kid by this name in my class) goes to find the price on said reindeer sweater. I mean, come on. You looked for a price on the damn thing before you picked it up to buy, right? Didn't you notice it didn't have one then? Does everyone that works a cash register have some kind of amazing brain power that instantly recalls all SKUs and prices? You adn I have all seen some of the geniuses working at Target and Walmart. We know this to not be true. It is the holidays, show some kindness to these people and make sure you give them the bar code, people.

This is all I ask of you. It makes life so much easier for the procrastinators such as myself, but for the poor souls that are forced to stand behind the register and deal with the masses of idiots that leave their shopping until the end of December. In the spirit of the season, please, be a considerate shopper... and get the hel out of my way!

Halloween Layouts.

Here are some layouts I did of the girls from Halloween this weekend while Ira was away in Las Vegas. Erin was a "Goth Cheerless-Cheerleader" and Haley was a 'Scary-Beautiful-Princess-Witch" by their own words. I don't know who had more fun; them dressing up or me getting their hair and make-up together. Win-win either way you look at it.

Looks like it's time.....

Yesterday Erin and I were playing around, being silly, on the couch. Suddenly she stopped and said, "Mommy do this" and made a face trying to get her eyebrows to scrunch. I did the same. "No, mommy, like this" Now she opened her eyes VERY wide. I mimiced her facial expression. Exasperated no, "Mommy! like THIS, so you get this right here!" and she rubbed my forhead. She wanted me to raise my eyebrows, you know, so you get those lovely lines on your forehead? Ok, I gave in and did it.


"Mommy! You have old lady lumps! It's time to meet your maker now!"

Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncita, just once, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....




"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas,

Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

I couldn't resist. They are so damn cute!

Ramona Quimby; Self Portrait

For those of you who remember the books by Beverly Cleary, you will remember Ramona Quimby. The lovable, if somewhat impossible little girl who was the younger sister of Beezus (who names their kid Beezus?) and the apple of everyone's eye for being just so stinking cute. Ramona had a doll named Chevrolette. Yes, that is a car, but Ramona thought is was a beautiful word to be wasted as a car so she made it a name. Ramona liked to play with a little boy named Howie, even though other little girls only played with other girls. Girls played stupid things. Ramona once emptied out an entire tub of toothpaste just to see what would happen. Ramona got an adorable pixie hair cut. Ramona danced to the beat of her own drum. She was a lovable, loving, if somewhat exasperating child.

Haley is my Ramona.

She reminds me so often of this beloved character from my childhood, even more so since she has had her hair cut. I often call her Ramona and it infuriates her. I can't wait for her to be old enough to enjoy reading the Ramona stories with me. My two favorites were Ramona and her Mother, and of course, Ramona Quimby, age 8. If you haven't read them as a child, read them as an adult. They are a bit dated in some of the language (girls wore skirts, not pants. Ramona was a rebel, I tell you! No wonder I like her?) But the feeling of this girl holds true to my heart and will to yours as well. Read about Ramona. You will so easily be able to imagine her always trying to sneak off with her mother's camera and take her own picture making funny faces. Like my own little Ramona. In all these pictures I am sharing with you here.

She is going to absolutely HATE me when she is 13.

Past Due

Here are finally the photos from Thanksgiving weekend. We cooked, shopped, ate, played and enjoyed. For further details, see earlier post of How Is It December?

"I-D-T-S"

That's what Erin said. I told her she had to eat with no utensils if she didn't help empty the dishwasher. I-D-T-S, mom. Huh? "I don't think so" Yeah. Who taught her text-lingo? So it starts...... {sigh}. Gotta love technology.

Progress

Progress

I had Erin's parent-teacher conference last night. How odd to be on the other side of the table it is for me? I am usually the one telling the parent all about their child, the one managing the time, controlling the conference. How weird to be the parent instead of the teacher? Certainly gives me new perspective and understanding for the parents I face each year.

As for Erin... she is continuing to do so very well in school. She has become an avid reader and devours anything she can get her hands on. She enjoys stories with "meat" to them and not just the "cutesy fluff" as her teacher said. From all of this reading, her writing has taken on new levels of expression and creativity. She tells stories with great detail and emotion. Her handwriting... well, she is preparing to be a doctor we could say! Erin's teacher has truly opened up the children to the wonders of the written word and established a love of learning. This little sponge of ours has been so fortunate to have her for a teacher.

Erin's Math skills, of course, are above your average 2nd grader. Mrs. Murawczk said to me, "I will take credit for her reading and writing, but you get credit at home for her Math skills." Ok, so having an accountant for a dad and a math teacher for a mom, we do a lot of math, it kind of sticks. What can I say, the kid is good. She has to be, our reputation is on the line here.

Of course, no conference is complete without the "We would like to see...." She talks a bit too much. She has a hard time waiting her turn. Trying to put a nice spin on it, the teacher tells me it is because she has so many wonderful life experiences she can't wait to share. It is because she is so very bright that she gets frustrated when others don't answer fast enough. She is MY child, of course she talks to much. She is IRA'S child, of course she is a bit disorganized. Genetics need to have a place on the report card as well....

Doesn't matter. We are so very proud of our 2nd grader. She may be a little crazy, talk all the time, misplace most of her school papers, and runs like she is on double espresso most of the time, but that's is what makes her our Erin.

A+

From the eyes of a child.....

Driving home from some errands on Tuesday night, Haley was delighted to see the decorations people have begun to put out for the holidays. Then, we came upon the mecca of all holiday decorations... I swear this house made the Grizwalds look plain.

"Mommy! Can we bedazzle our house like THAT ONE!"

Where do kids get this stuff?

How is it December?

I mean, It was just October last week? Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had such an incredible 4 day weekend! My aunt, Gloria, came to spend "American Thanksgiving" as she calls it, with us again this year. What a wonderful tradition that has become. Haley was most excited to see what color Aunt Gloria's hair was going to be! Apparently the red from last year made quite an impression on her. Well, her hair was a little more toned down this year, but Gloria looks fabulous! As always, it is just too short of a visit, but I look forward to having her every year.

We celebrated Bill's birthday last weekend with a full Krassan family dinner at Bucca di Beppo. We sat at the Pope table. Some Irony there. Surprised we didn't get hit by lightning or something?

Out Thanksgiving table this year was beautiful. Erin made the place cards out of little turkeys I cut out with my Cricut machine (scrapbooking tool of the GODS I tell you!). Having her write out the names was such a nice touch. Haley helped set the table and put the little leaf cut out place mats around. Ira, once again, made a most delicious Turkey. He may have missed his calling in life as a MASTER TURKEY CHEF! The girls each made a special dish for the meal. Haley made the traditional homemade cranberry sauce (that nobody ever eats but we make because it looks nice and is fun). It still was hardly touched. Everyone prefers Sandy's cranberry sauce with the pineapple rings, which has its own funny story for another post. Erin had a very special dish. She had gone to the local farm on a field trip a few weeks ago and picked the biggest sweet potatoes I have EVER SEEN! She picked them, washed them, peeled them, cut them, mixed them with butter and brown sugar and cinnamon and baked them. She arranged marshmallows on top to melt in the oven. What an amazing experience! Now, if she would only have EATEN them.... kids, sheesh.

Then, on to BLACK FRIDAY! I have to say, I was disappointed in myself this year. Every year, I am up and out of the house by 5:00 a.m. faithfully. I meet my mom for some crafting at Michael's or AC Moore, then we meet my dad and Ira with the girls for breakfast. This year, I don't know why.. the sales were not enticing.... I didn't have anything in particular to buy... I am on a limited budget after the addition on the house... I just didn't have my shopping mojo flowing. I slept through all the early madness and didn't go out until 9:00 for breakfast. I was a Black Friday slacker. I made my dear, neurotic friend Aubree get up and go shopping, but I slept. Even the year Haley was born, at 9 months pregnant, I got up, I shopped, and I gave birth the next day. {sigh} Don't know. Just wasn't feeling it. Blame the economy. When I did get out, I was sad to see that I didn't have to fight for a parking space, there were shopping carts available in stores that in previous years you had to stalk for one, and the lines were not long at all. It is a sad statement for the retailers when this most hallowed day of shopping festivities seems so, well, sad?

Saturday morning Ira and I were awakened by a little girl jumping on us yelling, "Get up you lazy bones, don't you know you have a 5 year old now?" Yup, it was Haley's birthday. She was all about being 5 at last. We took the girls into Philadelphia for messy cheesesteaks (chicken cheesesteaks at Tony Lukes that we eat in the car, a family favorite) and then to Ikea to get Erin and Haley a double desk for the new office at home. Saturday night we celebrated her fiveness with a family dinner. Table for 22 at Friendly's. Yeah. I don't think I need to explain that one. It was fun. Loud. Crazy. But fun. To top it all off, we had my sister's kids (Samantha, Jake and Deanna) all sleep over so Lynda could go out to celebrate her birthday as well. I don't think Lynda minds sharing her birthday with Haley, but somehow Friendly's wasn't exactly her type of celebration :o) So this gave her a chance to have a much deserved grown ups night out.

Now we have Ashley's birthday to look forward to this month. Erin has already asked me at least 400 times what Aunt Sue and Lindsay are planning for that occasion. Can't we get through one thing at a time?

When Sunday finally rolled around, it was raining and cold and we were all happy to spend a day doing something quiet and relaxing. SO what do I do? I take the girls and a friend for each of them to McDonald's for lunch (imagine the playroom there on a rainy Sunday?) and then to the movies to see Bolt. Yeah. Relaxing. Right. They were so cute, so good and had a tremendous amount of fun.

While I was gallivanting about town with a cart load of kids, Nancy and Phil were at home decorating the Christmas tree with Gloria, Robin and David. Now that Rachael was back to school, I figure the Schaffers were relaxing and having a good time being on their own again :o)

It was one of those "This is what being a mom is all about" days. I did enjoy it... mostly :o)

As if that wasn't enough... there was one more teensy little thing. We got a Guinea Pig. She is a hand-me-down, and, she is adorable. Erin's friend Rachael had her and couldn't keep her. So we got her. Her name is Miss Piggy and we love her. All of us. Except Ira. So far. But he didn't love Rufus for a long time either.... or Isabell.....now that I think of it. He has issues with pets. It is only a matter of time if you ask me...muahahahahaha!

It was an exhausting yet fulfilling weekend. Filled with family, filled with food, filled with love. How blessed we are to be able to share times like these not only with each other, but with our extended family. Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, cousins.... cousins home from college :o) My girls are surrounded by people who love them like nobodies business. It simply fills me with joy to see how them grow and flourish knowing that these people are a part of all the important events in their lives. Always a constant. Always there. They count on it. We have a tradition in my home on Thanksgiving. When we sit at the table, we each take a turn saying what we are thankful for. It is a little wishy-washy and we all say the same things each year. Health, family, all that. But it is important to say it out loud. Not take for granted those you hold closest to your heart. Those that mean the most to you. This weekend was certainly a busy one, and I know I went on and on and on like I sometimes can do, but there was a reason. I wanted to put into words all the things, or people I am thankful for. You see, they are each one a part of my weekend. Each and everyone of them was mentioned in here!