Santa Sighting

We had a family outing to see Santa yesterday. The Santa that I have had the kids' pictures taken with for the last 4 years moved from the mall. Santa is now at an outdoor mall so Donner and Blitzen can come with. It is a really cool set up; Santa sits by a big stone fireplace and the reindeer are at the beginning of the line. The kids and I loved Santa's new digs. Travis considered the outdoor venue to be another element to complain about...it was cold, the reindeer smelled and the line was long. I can't even count how many times we went to see Santa last year. I was trying for the perfect picture, but Ben and Lauren cried every time. I have been talking Santa up for the laat couple weeks. We talked about how nice Santa was and they he isn't scary. They knew that Santa wouldn't be able to understand what they wanted him to bring if they were crying. Ben and Lauren were acting really brave when we were at the end of the line. The closer we got to Santa the quieter Ben got. When it was our turn Ben froze up. Lauren and Jack marched right up to Santa and told him their desires. Ben stayed back between my legs. I walked him up to Santa with him clinging to my knee. I helped Santa get the kids lined up for the photo and walked away. When I turned around I realized that Ben was still stuck to me like glue! I walked him back, plopped him on the big guys lap and got out of the way so the photographer could snap the picture. Maybe they will smile next year...

Free Diapers

I have half a pack of CVS store brand diapers free to the first person at my door. That's right, we don't need diapers at our house anymore!! We have gone two days and NIGHTS without an accident! Just like I always knew, when he was ready he would do it all by himself! As soon as he knew it wouldn't hurt him to pee in the potty we were off and running! He is still a little quirky; he only wants to use the upstairs potty. He doesn't like the elongated potties that we have downstairs. So, I have been getting my exercise by running up and down the stairs as soon as he says the word. He still needs a little moral support when he goes so he wants someone in the room with him. It won't be long until he is totally self-sufficient! He won't even eat Cheerios anymore because there is a Pampers coupon on it. He is convinced the cereal is for babies just like diapers!

Thanksgiving Break Day One

Lauren: (Crying as though her arm has been severed) Mom, I'm hurt!
Me: What happened? (Trying to act as sincere as a mother midstream sitting on the toilet can be)
Lauren: Benny pushed me!

Enter Ben.

Ben: But, she was being mean to me.
Me: Lauren, were you being mean?
Lauren: No, I didn't do anything!
Me: I want you guys to be nice to each other, I think you should both say sorry.
Ben: But, the wall catched her!

Pretty Please

Today Jack wrote his letter to Santa. It was so cute! He wrote "Der Senta" then looked to me for letter writing advice.

Jack: What should I write next?
Me: How about I want a...
Jack: I don't think it would be very nice to say I want, I think it would be better to say please.
Me: I think you are absolutely right!

He went on to write:

Ples bring me a Nintendo DS, Hitec Lan Str and Madgasr Tow.

Lov Jack

So, if anyone knows what a Hi-tech Land Star Helicopter is please fill me in! I certainly can't deny a kid that was so polite when he asked...right?

Lauren's List

Today my friend Lucinda watched Ben and Lauren this morning while I had my annual MRI. Lucinda has a 6-week-old baby girl. She is a beautiful baby with jet-black hair and porcelain skin. She looks like Snow White. Lauren was in love. The baby was better than any doll she has ever played with! When we got home she told me all about her.

Lauren: I am going to ask Santa for a real black baby!
Me: What?
Lauren: I want a real baby girl like Ms. Lucinda's.
Me: Ms. Lucinda's baby isn't black.
Lauren: Her hair is black that is the kind of baby I want!

I think if she actually asked Santa for a 'real black baby' it would be even tackier than when my sister asked Santa for $2000.

Breaking News

At exactly
3 Years
3 Months
10 Days
7 Hours
8 Minutes

Benny went peepee in the potty! Not everyone would consider this success, but we do! At the very least everyone can agree it is a break through! This is the kid that cries and clings to me when I put him on the potty. Up until today he wouldn't go in the potty even if he had to go. I could put him on the toilet and he would actually hold it. Tonight I put him in the tub and in a panicked voice he said, "I am going peepee in the tub!" I pulled him out, dropped him on the potty AND he finished in the potty! Travis and I made a huge deal about it and let him pick a prize. He was really proud of himself. I am very hopeful that this is the start of diaper freedom.

Full Circle

Jack: I am going to ask Santa for a Nintendo DS and a sled!
Lauren: I am going to ask him for a stroller!
Me: Benny, what are you going to ask Santa for?
Ben: Just a small book.

This is the same kid who wanted everything in The Big Toy Book including the wheelchair...I don't get it, but I like the change!

Matters

What doesn't matter...
1. The race of our president elect.
2. The breed of the prospective first dog elect.
3. Hugh's former girlfriend, Kendra, is engaged.
4. The first dog, Barney, bit a reporter.
5. How much Palin spent on her clothes and where she got her glasses.

What does matter...
1. The state of our economy.
2. The country's hope for change.
3. Parents are abandoning teenagers at hospitals in Nebraska.
4. The woman who killed her baby by cutting her arms off is being released.
5. More people lost their jobs today.
...and the list goes on...

COME ON PEOPLE; LET'S GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT!

Feast vs. Fired

Me: Do you want the WHOLE family to join you at school for your Thanksgiving feast?
Jack: YEAH!!!!
Me: Okay, I will turn this in.
Jack: Wait a minute...Does daddy have the day off?
Me: No
Jack: Then I just want you and the babies to come.
Me: Why not daddy?
Jack: It isn't worth daddy losing his job over.
Me: Daddy won't lose his job if he comes to lunch.
Jack: Yes he will! If he skips work he will get fired!
Me: Daddy gets to go to lunch; he will eat at your feast for his lunch break.
Jack: Okay, he can come as long as he doesn't get fired.

All I Want For Christmas Is...Everything

My mom has already started her Christmas shopping. Yes, she is a big show off, but let's get back to me...I mean Ben. My mom wanted me to have the kids go through the Toys R Us Big Toy Book and make a list of things they would like for Christmas. All three of the kids picked at least one thing on every page, but Ben took the cake. Benny circled every single boy toy in the catalog. It didn't matter if the toy was geared towards 6 month olds or 16 year olds he wanted it all! He even went as far as to circle the politically correct model in the wheelchair. He told me that he wanted to ride in that chair with wheels! I can see his letter to Santa now:

Dear Santa,

I have included a copy of the Big Toy Book so that I don't have to write everything down. As a general rule, if it is in this catalog and isn't pink I would like you to bring it down the chimney. If you have room in your sleigh after loading all of my toys I would also like my own wheelchair. If you don't have room, I don't mind if you make two trips.

Love,
Ben
Your biggest fan

Petty Panty Thief

I unknowingly took my last Zoloft yesterday. When I discovered the situation this morning I figured I would stop at Target after the gym and get my prescription filled. When we got to Target I dropped my prescription at the pharmacy then Lauren announced that she had to go potty. We had 20 minutes until my prescription would be ready so we headed to the family restroom. Lauren pulled down her panties, climbed up on the giant handicapped toilet and arched a stream of urine right into her Ariel panties. No harm, no foul. We are at the panty store, right? I wrapped her wet panties in a paper towel and crammed them in my purse. I pulled her dress over her bare hiney and we headed to the panty aisle. She chose a 3-pack of Tinkerbell panties; I pulled a pair out of the package and helped her put them on. I took the remainder of the package with me so that we could pay for them when we left. We headed to the toy section to pick out yet another birthday present for a child in Jack's class. Ben asked to carry the partial pack of panties so I handed them to him in order to avoid a melt down. We casually browsed the toy section. Lauren critiqued each baby doll choosing which ones she liked best. Ben pushed each and every button within his reach. When the 20 minutes were finally up we quickly grabbed a toy for the birthday boy and headed back to the pharmacy. I picked up my prescription, put the toy on the counter then turned to Ben to get the partial pack of panties. He must have put them down when pushing one of the 6083 buttons in the toy aisle. We retraced our steps looking for a partial pack of Tinkerbell panties with no success. I went up and down every aisle in the toy section then went back to the panty aisle. There wasn't a partial pack of panties anywhere. I knew just what to do! I will just take one of the full packs to the front so the cashier could charge me. There wasn't a full pack of the same panties anywhere. As a matter of fact there wasn't even a three pack of the same brand! When I started the day I had no idea how urgent my need for the Zoloft would be! So, if you see a partial pack of Tinkerbell panties, buy them and I will pay you back.