Merry Christmas Eve...

I had great intentions of blogging about last Christmas before this one, but alas, Christmas is tomorrow and it is yet to be done. Maybe I will whip it out today. Here is a little update of life in the Shaw family:


Happy Christmas Eve!! We are enjoying time at George and DeEtte's (the in laws) with lots of family. It is a little crazy at times, but that is how it always goes with lots of family. I just put my gingerbread men cookie dough in the fridge to chill and will cut those out with the kids in a bit. I bought red hots to decorate so it should be fun and easy. We have baked and eaten more than any person should. I made caramels and toffee and my sister in law brought yummy fudge and peanut brittle. We have cake, pie, cinnamon rolls, sausage balls, peanut butter balls and more. See what I mean. It is a little overkill, but we all enjoy cooking so each person wants to contribute a bit.

It has been nice to be together as a family. On Monday we took the kids out to the kids museum here. I have a year pass for the museum in Ann Arbor and they have reciprocity here so we were able to go for free. The kids had a blast!! We stayed for about two hours. Then we walked across the street (we were at the Olympic Centennial Park downtown) and took the kids ice skating. That was an adventure! The kids have such different personalities with things like that. Jackson wants to quit when the going gets tough and Paige is going to figure it out and make it work. Consequently, Paige got pretty good and Jackson slips and slid all around. We only lasted about 30 minutes doing that. We sure wore the kids out though because Paige crashed on the car ride home which does not happen very often.

Tuesday we took the kids to see Santa. The line was so long and Douglas was a saint and stood in it for an hour and a half. When we got up there Paige went and climbed up on Santa's lap and Jackson decided to pull his "I'm shy" routine and refused to talk to Santa. He missed his chance. I think he thought we would give him another try, but we did not. He had to come home and type out his list and hurry and email it to Santa. Some lessons in life are hard learned!

Douglas and I got the chance to go out on Wednesday night which was such a treat. We haven't done that much since we moved. This was the third time, in fact. We went and bought a last Christmas gift for Jackson, a fishing pole. We also picked up a few stocking stuffers. Then we headed over to watch the new Harry Potter movie. It was really fun. We have both read all the books so it is fun to see how they make them into movies. It is kind of sad that there is only one more before they conclude. It has been a fun thing to watch them all. Now we need to go home and rewatch the other movies. I need to reread the books too, but that is a real commitment!

The kids just finished frosting reindeer cupcakes. They have a mini nilla wafer for the snout, mentos for the eyes and pretzels for the ears. They are very cute and even cuter to see the kids interpretations of them!

Oh, I forgot to mention that when Paige got on Santa's lap, what did she tell him she wanted?? A drum. What?? That girl is so funny. She asked for a guitar for Christmas. I got her a little Ukulele. It reminds me of my Grandpa. He used to have me sit on his lap and he would sing to me and play the ukulele.

It is hard to believe that Christmas is already upon us? Well, if chaos is any indicator then it is in full swing here!

Making reindeer cupcakes


cousin Lillie Catherine


Aunt Christie brought all the goodies to make the cupcakes.

Ice Skating at Centennial Park

The Children's museum. They had a whole slew of tap shoes and costumes and of course Paige had to put on a performance.

The painting wall. Sometimes I look at that little girl and am amazed at what a little girl she is...her body has changed from toddler. It makes me kinda sad!


Daddy playing with Paige in the moon sand.


We had lunch at the Varsity. We can't remember why it is so special...largest, greasiest, oldest?? Can't remember.

My kids are completely enamored with their new niece. Jackson kept saying that he could not stop holding her because she was soooo cute.


Christmas crafts at home on a snowy day.


Wet girl. The kids love playing out in the snow. It is only so long before Paige takes off her gloves and then comes to the door crying because her hands are too cold.

Making a snowman!

This is the hat J and I made for Crazy Hat day at school. It came out pretty cute!


Heading to school all geared up after his first "snow day". I am going to name snow days a little differently for myself. I think it is more like torture day or something. Just kidding.

Paige at her first dance recital. She LOVED performing. She got to pick out her own costume.

Cute girl. The kids like collecting snow in a milk jug. I let them until I realized they were drinking it along with the dregs of old milk. YUCK!

Have I mentioned that we aptly nicknamed Paige "Pig Pen"? She is the messiest eater known to mankind. This is under her chair after one day.

Stay tuned for more.

Snow!

Well, we got our first "real" snow that actually covered some of the ground. Paige has been having the time of her life out there playing. It is supposed to snow for the next few days so I am sure we will have more to add to this. I figured I would get some pictures posted right away or it would never happen!

oh, and I have discovered the joys of thermal garments...delightful! and warm!! Gotta get myself some more!

Halloween 2010

We barely fit in pumpkin carving this year...it was Saturday the 30th when we finally got to it. Props to Douglas for seeding and carving all four pumpkins. I don't really enjoy pumpkin carving. I help trace faces instead.

J still whines and moans about sticking his hand in the pumpkin and gutting it. It doesn't even phase Paige.

Jackson choose a scary face and Paige choose a lion. I can't really remember the rest. I know I have pics on one of my memory cards, but I am yet to track it down!








I just could not bring myself to sew costumes this year and so the kids got to pick a costume from the PB catalog courtesy of their Nana. Paige choose the witch and J the shark. Paige got a lot of opportunities to wear hers, but unfortunately J only got to wear his for the trunk or treat and for an hour on Halloween night while he trick or treated. They both looked so cute (in my opinion). They even put Paige's picture in the newspaper from when we went trick or treating on Main Street. I will have to scan and post that!

We went to the ward trunk or treat (which was actually held indoors at the church and the kids trick or treated from room too room because is was so cold). They also do a fun trick or treating in downtown where all the stores pass out candy. We went to about 5 stores and then all Paige wanted to do was eat the candy. It was cold so we left. She was perfectly content with just a few pieces.

I had some families from the ward over for dinner in a pumpkin on Sunday night. It was a success. I made that, rolls, and a new dessert that was delicious! I will have to add it to my recipe site! The kids trick or treated down the street. P was once again done after a few houses, but J and his friend ran from house to house all down the street. They gave out good candy and D and I enjoyed the spoils of the evening after the kids went to bed. I think Paydays and 3 Musketeers should be outlawed as giveaway candy though. Yuck. And sugar daddies. Bleck! Now 100 Grand, Baby Ruth, Snickers and Twix. Mmmmm. I found a bag that had Almond Joy, Heath, Rolo and Snickers. Now that is what I am talking about. But, I digress...

Halloween was a success and I hope next year to be back to a family theme. Douglas and I had to recycle costumes this year and that is just not as much fun.

Now, onto Thanksgiving (and don't be surprised if you see some Christmas 2009 pics popping up soon...I never blogged about that!)

Day #2

Why is my blog named "Chitter Chatter". I don't really know. I guess it just sounded good at the time...you know "chit chat" with some extra letters. Sorry, but this is kind of a dumb day. Who cares, really?

Jumpin on the bandwagon...

Anne is doing this and since I do everything she does, I figured I would do it too. At least it might get me actually blogging and not just thinking of funny things I could blog about. Just remember this...it is past midnight so I cannot be held responsible for any dumb things I might write.

First, here is a recent picture:

now, onto my 15 things:

1. I have an aversion to going to bed. I actually think it is hereditary. If Douglas goes to bed without me, there is no telling how late I will stay up.

2. I can't go to bed with a dirty kitchen. This is the main reason I am still up at 12:09am. It is still there waiting for me and I can't bring myself to do it, though I tell myself I will do it as soon as I am done with this post.

3. I talk to myself, a lot. Paige does the same. It is really cute to see her repeat things to herself. Maybe I should be worried, but I turned out alright, so I suppose she will too.

4. For as much as I try to be really organized, I am actually very unorganized. It is kind of embarrassing. I forget things all the time.

5. I am always some level of cold. I wish I could walk around all the time with a heated blanket. Except when I work out. I can still run outside in short sleeves and feel good and it is 40* here.

6. I have been listening to Christmas music for a while now and it really annoys me that radio stations stop playing Christmas music the day after.

7. On that note, I always suffer from a severe Christmas depression after gifts are opened and the day after Christmas. I always feel such a sense of let down. Don't know why exactly.

8. I do not like to wear any clothing item that has a name brand or logo written largely across it. I don't like to dress my kids in these items either.

9. I look forward to getting the mail everyday. It is one of the highlights of my day.

10. Putting together my Christmas card each year is something I love and loathe at the same time. I feel like I must get it "right" yet am never settled on whether what I choose fits that bill.

11. I am horrible at running a business. Really, really bad. I hate bookkeeping.

12. I am very good at making things with my hands. There isn't a craft I have found that I can't figure out how to make. I love to create things and always have many projects in the works.

13. I try to make a good number of Christmas gifts each year. I wait too long to get started though.

14. I love Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash. I could drink them all day long if I wasn't afraid of ruining all the enamel on my teeth.

15. I am really unsettled as to whether to be done having kids or have more. I want another, but my kids are such a handful I don't know if I could handle another. I have determined not to stress about it, but since I am a natural stresser, I stress about it all the time.

November, already??

I get so far behind I don't even want to try. But, I am starting today. No catching up for now.

I woke up grumpy. I couldn't pull myself out of it. I wanted to be alone, yet I was surrounded by needy, whiny (Paige), screamy (Paige), unpleasant child. Somedays that girl will be the end of me. I finally had to send her to her room because I could handle no more. She was working with her bristle blocks and crying, whining about EVERYTHING!!

I volunteer in J's class on Tuesday mornings. This results in an insane morning because I have to get him to school by 8:45am and run P across town to my one friend in order to be back to school by 9:15am. It is pushing it every week. It is interesting to work in the class. I enjoy it, but there are some "interesting" kids.

BTW, Jackson's school is totally lame and they do absolutely nada for holidays. I can't tell you how annoyed I am that the majority gets jipped because there are a few people who don't like what you are doing. Since when am I the only one who has to be tolerant. When I was in school we learned about different religions at Christmas. Now, you can't even say the word Christmas. It is a bunch of bunk. Why is it so uncool and unaccepted to be Christian.

I can't stand Obama. Not that he is the cause of all of this, but he is a perpetuator and he is just lame. Everything he does is lame and he is screwing up our country.

Okay, enough griping. Can you tell I am in a grouchy mood?

Had a great time in DC last week with my family.

Have a lot of laundry and house cleaning in order to get life back in order.

Got my hair cut today. Luckily a friend in the ward cuts hair, so we swapped. It worked out dandy and my hair feels much healthier.

I volunteered to make 100 chocolate pinecones for our Christmas workshop. I am insane.

Pizza for dinner. New crust recipe that was thick and yummy.

Found out my high school BFF is moving to Toledo next June for her hubby to do a pediatric residency...only 45 minutes away. How fun.

Douglas got offered an internship for next summer in St. Louis. Wow! Excited for him.

Off to work a bit. Still bits to do here and there and still enjoying working so little.

here we go again...

so, my kitchen is still a mess from dinner. Arg. After cooking dinner, cleaning up the mess is the last thing that I want to do, yet there it waits. I usually try to do it right after, but today we dashed out for the kids flu shots which luckily turned out to be mists.

You see, the craziness started when I decided to take some pics of the kids before dinner and the dr. We got out to the beautiful tree and before I was able to take a SINGLE shot, Paige was in tears that continued until we left. I finally got her to calm down, my battery died and we were done. She had pink puffy eyes anyway.

Why is she such a pain sometimes? If only she could see my vision.

And, BTW, this was round two of these pics. The last session, on Sunday, had the same outcome. I think I will buy a Barbie to bribe her with. Jackson is good with the promise of dessert. Love that kid.

So, we rush out the door to get to the dr. Half way there J has to go numero dos so so badly...as in moaning, groaning and crying (literally) in the back seat. We are stuck in construction and just barely going to make it on time, but nope, I really thought he was going to have an accident. We ran into a beauty salon with such urgency they were probably scared. He took care of it and 15 minutes (yes 15!) we were on the road again. Oh the adventures of motherhood.

Feeling a little blah. Wish I was home, my old home. I said that last post too, right. I am just feeling a wee bit lonely these days. I just wish someone would reach out. I know, I know, I should just do it myself, but life is overwhelming enough and I just can't take on one more emotional thing. It would be much easier if people just came to me. Plus, I made squash soup tonight and my kids just didn't appreciate it. Where are you Anne? I need you to come and appreciate with me.

I am going to invite a friend over for P tomorrow. She asks everyday to which I reply, "we don't have any friends" to which she replies, "yes I do." and proceeds to name off all the girls in her nursery class. I wish I was so confident. She even now mentions her previous arch nemesis "Fibian" (Vivian) as a friend. She didn't like her for quite some time because she would take her toys in nursery. I am going to invite her nursery friend because really, it is just me and my insecurities that keep me from calling a ward member I barely know to have her daughter come over. Paige would do it in a second and think nothing of it.

Made a bushels worth of applesauce Tuesday. That is 13 quarts and some. Will do another bushel tomorrow. I borrowed a nifty little applesauce maker which has made the job much easier...no peeling or coring! I like applesauce. I like pork chops and applesauce. Yum.

Jackson is thrilled that he gets to go on a "film" trip next week. Add a cute lisp to him saying "film trip" and it just really doesn't get much cuter.

Does anyone spend much of their day rhyming with their kids and singing songs from PBS kids? I do.

Member the table I mention in every post? It is finished. Let's hear it...Hooray! Now I just have six chairs to finish up. The table looks pretty spiffy though. No one can eat at it though. It is only to look at. It took way too long to redo and I think I might get very angry if anyone mares it in any way.

I feel that way about cleaning too. Must be why I do it so infrequently.

Well, off to deal with the inevitable. and laundry. It never ends, does it?

random bits...

I made a goal to be in bed by 11pm this week. Doesn't seem early to you? It is for me. Baby steps, my friends. I got in bed at 9pm and have been on this silly thing since then. I still have 25 minutes.

Douglas popped an Ambien and has been sawing logs for a while now. He has to be pretty asleep to be okay with my typing. Watch, now that I said that, he will wake up and tell me to turn it off. His machine (breathing machine for his apnea) is making an annoying squeaking noise. He is getting up at 4:30am to study though so I will sleep with a pillow on my head and let it go. I'm nice like that.

My hubby and I are cut from different sleeping molds. There is little to nothing that convinces me to get up at such an insane time. A crying baby, maybe, but since we don't have one, I try to enjoy my peaceful slumber. You know what happens is that my alarm would go off and whatever seemed so important to get up for, would no longer seem so important.

I got a tetanus shot this week. I needed the booster. The shot itself didn't hurt, but my arm has ached and throbbed all week. I didn't remember tetanus shots being so horrible. My other arm even started aching, but just in sympathy, I think.

This was one of those weekends were I really question the whole parenting gig and then wonder what is wrong with me that I sometimes just really don't enjoy being a mother. Don't tell anyone I said that. I love my kids dearly, but I could do without the fighting, bickering, crying, backtalking blah blah blah that goes along with the profession. And really, what would it be like to be able to run in and run out of a store with no car seat to buckle and unbuckle. Boring, I'm sure.

So, I have re-goaled myself to enjoy my job this week. To love my kids more and to get more sleep (because there is a little part of me that thinks that a lack of sleep may contribute to the previous complaint.) I even, just might have, fasted for this. Really, I need that much help. Please tell me I am not alone though. Please.

Talking about professions...I have NO desire to market myself. I don't really want to work right now. Life is a little crazy and I am enjoying the lessened stress from not having to hit the streets running and find clients who will pay me boocoo bucks for pictures. Being a wife and a mom is really enough right now. Not that I would turn down work if it knocked on my door, but I am enjoying the easy life. HA. The day will come when the pocketbook says it is time to put my nose to the grindstone and work, work, work, but not now.

I have been kinda lonely this week and end. Yeah. Just missing friends, family, normal life, or at least the normal I knew. Not that I question being here. This is right, no doubt. But not easy.

I haven't even decorated for Halloween and I don't really want to. Maybe I am pouting. I think I will force myself to get a few things out. My kids would love it and since I am trying to be a good mom, it would make sense.

Haven't put away the groceries from LAST WEDNESDAY. Well, the perishables are, but the rest sits in bags on the basement floor waiting to be put in my makeshift pantry. Slowly I am using it all though, so maybe putting it away isn't entirely necessary, right? Paige can use it in her play kitchen too.

Really it fits right in with the state of my house right now. The dishes are done, but that it about it. There are random things everywhere. Tomorrow is the day to whip this place in order. The sad thing, though is that the whipping in order lasts such a short time and then it is a mess again. (insert heavy sigh here).

Well, I am down to 10 minutes. It was warm today (low 80's), the windows are open, but the air is still. It may be a hot night...temperature wise (wink wink). Wow, and obviously it is getting too late for me to be up. Until next time....

**EDITED TO ADD--when I finally did empty my grocery sacks I found two pounds of lunch meat that got overlooked. Guess next time I will get it done a bit sooner? Nah.**

Do you like ketchup?

I sure do and I am going to be playing a lot of it in the next little while. So, hang on, and enjoy the ride.

Douglas and his good friend Jimbo at the Cider Mill

Jackson on the tractor.

Paige and their friend Cy riding the tractor in the rain.

One of the girls in Paige's dance class brought cupcakes that she made all by herself so Paige begged me to let her make some all by herself too. She did let me crack the eggs and do the oven though. Here she is enjoying the fruits of her labors.

Tasting the best part of the cake...the batter!

Jackson and Paige playing Firechief.

Most firechiefs I know wear buckets on their heads and rain boots. You?

I took the kids to a Children's Expo. They had bounce houses, slides and a circus company that let the kids try their hand at circus acts.



a little juggling...

some stilt walking...I don't think my children are natural circus performers. Darn.

They had a bird station at the expo. J held the bird for a milli-second, but my fearless daughter let them climb all over her.


This is the huge bubble maker at the Hands on Museum. So much fun!


water table
My brother Drew came and stayed with us for a week. It was nice to have company! We wore our Michigan garb to root on the team who is on a winning streak!


Roasting dogs and making smores! Yum Yum!

HAppy Smore eaters.





The kids playing with Drew...


We went raspberry picking. Paige found a flower.


Drew picked only the most perfect raspberries...

Paige would pick and eat. Her raspberries were more juice than anything by the time we finished. I think that little hand frequented the jug.






The fruits of our labors!