2011: What a long strange trip it's been....

As the year comes to a close today, I can't help but look back on the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The boys have kept us on our game all year. They have challenged us to be the not-quite-the-best parents, and sometimes we felt like we may not have succeeded. Then sometimes there were times we gave ourselves the pats on the back that we greatly deserved.

There were a lot of great moments during the past 365 days. Riding bikes without training wheels. Saying goodbye to "baby shows" like Dora the Explorer. Swimming without floaties. Glued chins. Bloody faces. You know, the good stuff.

One of my most memorable events of the year was when the butterfly landed on Boog's forehead. The look on his face is forever etched in my memory. It was precious; it was joy.

And though the year may have been filled with stress, I like to think back on this year still as a year filled with joyful experiences. And I hope that 2012 will bring the same feeling. On that note, I wish you a safe and healthy Happy New Year filled with the ability to laugh at the worst times and cry at the best.

On the twelve days after Chrismakkah....

As much as it was a crazy and wonderful time of year, I am glad it's over and to be getting back to some normalcy.  But first,

On the twelfth day after Chrismakkah, the chores we have to do:
Removing all the chochkeys...
Taking down the garland...
Packing the menorah...
Finding random Santas....
Collecting all the dreidels....
Putting toys together...
Vacuuming wrapping paper...
EATING ALL THE SWEETS!!!!!!
Gaining 15 pounds....
Trying to run it off....
Removing all the lights...
And taking down the Christmas tree....

To Wrap or Not To Wrap, That is the Question....

Ok.  Yes I have been basically done shopping for a while.  But the presents now lie naked in the closet, and in my bedroom, waiting to be wrapped.  And if not wrapped, found.

Luckily the boys are still at the age where they haven't discovered the art of searching for the presents, masterfully untaping gift wrap, peaking, and then skillfully reattaching the tape.  Like you never did?!

But in the meantime, I have this overwhelming procrastination for wrapping this year.  I love to wrap the gifts usually, but for whatever reason, I just can't get myself to do it.  Maybe its because there is no snow on the ground and my brain must not register the urgency of the wrapping disaster waiting to happen.

And to make matters more pressing, Hanukkah starts next week too!

Crap, I suppose I should stop writing, procrastinating, and do the inevitable...  sit on the couch and watch a show rather than wrap....

Obviously, I am not sane....

I am obviously impressionable, and possible quite affected by the Dumbening of Motherhood, when I agreed to one of the most challenging things I think I will ever do besides raising my children: Tough Mudder 2012.

If you have never heard of this, Tough Mudder is a 10 mile course with 28 military style obstacles interspersed throughout the course complete with mud, cold water, and even electrical shock.

You also have to understand I am not the most athletic person.  I haven't run since the summer.  I have been quite lazy.  I suppose I needed inspiration and motivation.  And I suppose at least 3 hours of total mind and body $%$%  would do just that.

So tonight, I started my training and put on my running shoes, kyle's running tights, a sweatshirt, body armor shirt, hat, glove, Road ID and blue flashing blinker and went on my first run in god knows how long.  And it felt good! Even at 39 degrees and dark.  I was actually relieved that after so many many many weeks of not doing that I would have lost all I had worked towards with the Couch 2 5K program.  But my body went right back into it.

But jogging 2 or so miles is not quite gonna cut it.  I have to get this sorry butt into shape so I can finish.  As ridiculously fun I think it will be, I am not just doing it for me.  I am hoping to raise some funds for the playground my school desperately needs.  

So with my little many little angels in my mind, I will try my damnedest to complete what I set out to do.

The House of Many Candies...

I guess with Kyle working on the bathroom, I too had the urge to renovate.  So on the way home, I was inspired to start my own a little do-it-yourself project: A Gingerbread House.  I have no shame in saying I purchased a kit for $10 at the Family Dollar.

 

So while he was scraping and plastering, I was constructing the cottage with my own tasty caulk.  Once put together, and held with my hands, the boys were able to decorate.

 I have to say, they had better self control than I think I have.  They stuck to just a few pieces to eat, since we did do it before supper.  

With just a few minor collapses, the house finally was finished, the boys licked their pasty hands and we all enjoyed the final product of  "B and S Services" (now including construction and home decorating).

But if you are one of my gluten free friends, you don't have to lose out on the fun too.  A and J Bakery in Cranston, Rhode Island created The Allergen Friendly Gingerbread House Kit.  And even better, you can order one and have it sent to you.  Just remember this time of year is busy so make sure to call soon if you want one :)

Everything tastes better when goes around and around and....

I made the best $1 purchase at the Holiday Bazaar: a Tupperware Veggie Spiral Gadget.  Oh yeah.   I couldn't wait to use it.  I remember watching info-mercials when I was younger (sad I know) and I wanted one of these sooooo  badly.  I always thought how friggin' cool it was to be able to create a slinky with your food.  20+ years later, my (sad little) dream came true.  And now it was time to bring the boys into the act.

Boog watched me at first spiralize the mini purple potatoes.  And yes, you can find them in the grocery store as Green Giant Klondike Gourmet brand.  They are not dyed, they are cultivated.

Before long, he wanted to try his hands at it.  So I handed him a tuber and set him up to make his starchy screw.  He needed a little help, but other wise, the tool was safe for him to use.  It is made out of a sturdy plastic, no metal.  Of course we couldn't stop there.  So together we worked on a coiled cucumber concoction. 

Back to radial roots: I preheated the oven to 500, drizzled some olive oil and kosher salt, baking them till they got a little crispy, about 10-15 minutes (because my oven is electric and it sucks).  And they were good.  Boog wouldn't eat them, but Mudge had the Yukon spirals since "purple is a girl color." 

For something so simple, it is a fun little piece to add to the drawer.  The bad thing was I couldn't stop.   I coiled an apple.  I tried to circumvolve a carrot but that did not work; it was too hard.  And now I am trying to find out just what else I can curl, wind, and whorl.

A literary comparison; Mudget vs Rudolf

The other day Mudge told me his favorite Christmas toy is Rudolf the red nosed reindeer. And he proceeded to sing his anthem with a little voice. Incredibly cute but also kid of sad because Mudge is like that crimsoned snouted beast. Let me describe with song....

Mudget the red cheeked PITA
has a very fat left cheek
And if you ever saw it
You might even ask what he'd eat

All of the other people
Used to ask what's in his mouth?
They never stopped to think
That it might be medically stout.

But one clear December day
Dr Greene stopped and said
Mudget with your cheek so big
Let's do surgery to remove the jig(gle)

So as we wait for cut time
We reminisce 'bout all the fun
Mudget the big cheeked PITA
Regardless, youre a lovable one......