Don't go starting trouble with Santa.

Yeah, yeah, I know it's been forever... not even trying to make excuses.

Christian comes into the room today.

C: Mom, I need trouble from Santa.

me: Huh, you're not in trouble, buddy. What's up?

C: I need some trouble from Santa.

me: But you don't want to be in trouble with Santa. What did you do?

C: Mom, trouble, I want it.

me: Huh?

At this, Christian opens the desk draw that holds 'the list' and takes his out.

C: Mom. Trouble. Can we put it on the list?

Ahhh, Trouble.

me: You want the game Trouble, buddy?

C: Yes, mama.

packing

A few months ago, I thought it would be fun to see what would happen if we put our house on the market. Rich and I have talked about moving 100 times before, but always put it off for one reason or another. The market stinks, we can't afford to move, we love our house, Catholic school is fine for Christian and Emma.... I could go on and on. When I brought it up to Rich this time, all of those same reasons came up, but we decided to do it anyway. Just because we put it up, didn't mean we had to sell it, right?

Well, almost immediately, we got offers. The price was right, it is a great house, and it's a great location (minus one totally crazy neighbor, but in his defense, every neighborhood has one and he is harmless enough) if public schools aren't an issue. Once the offers started rolling in, there was no turning back. We were caught up in the lure of a new house and a district where Catholic school wouldn't be necessary, and after a few false alarms, we finally got an offer that stuck, and now, months later (a story for another day) we are scheduled to close. Which brings us to packing.

Now, if you asked me a week ago, heck if you asked me yesterday, how packing was going, I would have told you 'great.' We live fairly minimalistic (considering we have two small littles to keep occupied) and let's face it, we really don't have much space in this house to have too much stuff.

This mornings project; Christian's bedroom.

Mind you, I thought his room was 98% done. I have already packed toys and clothes of his and the room seemed very 'empty.' Well, I must be a very good organizer because the stuff was just coming out the wood works. At one point, I lost Emma all together in the pile of boxes and bins. I knew she was ok when I saw a flurry of elefun butterflies tossed up in the air followed by a belly full of giggles.

Now that Christian's room is really (I hired a 3rd party verification company to confirm this) 98% done, I have relooked at the rest of the house and it's all as I feared. Yup, only about 70% done. I guess that's better than not done at all, but certainly not as good as it as yesterday. Ah, to be that naive again.

I would like to be completely finished with the inside of the house by the end of the day, but as much as I would like this, Emma would like even more to take the stuff out of the boxes and I'm just not that fast of a taper.

Moral... don't leave packing till the last minute. No, really, don't just start packing and think just because you are 70% done, you are 98% done because you're not. Stop lie telling to yourself and get to packin'!

Lu

Our little Lu is getting to be such a big girl. She is a total mama's girl and I wouldn't have it any other way.

My peoples

I have been so busy over the past month that it's been hard to find time to post. We are thick in all of the drama of moving. Although this actually doesn't take up any physical time or energy, it does take up an awful lot emotional energy. Geez. How did I ever think this process was going to be fun and exciting. Sadist, I tell ya.

Anywhoozles. I also put together my photography website (http://capturedbyandreakay.com) and blog (http://capturedbyandreakay.com/blog) which has also up alot of time.

Of course the most imporatant time suckers are pictured above. Rich watching Boo and Lu playing ball. So cute!

That Emma. What a pip!

Our little lyricist

Christian can usually be found singing or humming a tune. As cute as it can be at times, it can also get tiring when Rich and I are trying to have a conversation over his rendition of Beethoven 5th Symphony. Well, all that has changed. Apparently, it's all been leading up to this. His first original song. He's now officially a singer/songwriter. Next stop, the Grammy Awards.

As sung by Christian, "My silly sock has pizza, a banana and a little fish."

I'm not sure where he got the melody, but it sounds familiar, it's always the same and I love it!

What's cookin?

Me: Christian, what kind of veggies do you want tonight for dinner? Green beans, corn or broccoli?

Christian: Pudding.


Love that kid!

Just one of the million reasons why I love him so...

Most Saturdays Rich gets up with the kids while I sleep in a bit, and today was no exception. Even though I'm 'sleeping in,' I'm not really sleeping as our house is a little too cozy to sleep through the kids getting up.

As I was relaxing in bed, I hear Christian tell Rich that he'll be back in a second. When he's walking down the hall, this is exactly what I hear Christian say;

A very large sigh, followed by, "What a beautiful day!"

I just love that kid!!!!!

One

I love walking around, climbing on things, and jumping on pillows and blankets. It makes me laugh uncontrollably when my mommy and daddy put things on their head. I am determined to get on my pink scooter and ride it around. My favorite toy is my rock and play piano. I love putting things in other things. I love cheese, bananas, crackers and apple sauce, and like mommy, I don't like to share my food. I love my dollies, but I love my big brother Christian more. I am Emma, and I am one.

First steps

I wasn't able to get a picture of her actual 'first' steps, but this was taken immediately after. I was so happy that Rich was there to see them as well. Not only was he there, but she took her first steps right to him... and on her 11 month bday at that. It was perfect. This was yesterday and she has take a few steps here and there since then.
Our girl is growning up.