Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

We drove up to the Pittsburg area to meet Mom and Brandon who had flown out to visit Mom's family who live there. The girls did great in the car (we love our DVD player!) and Grace was estatic to see Grandma Susie (it took Liliana a bit to warm up to the newcomers). We spent Thanksgiving dinner visiting with my cousins and aunt and uncle. Dinner was delicious, and the kids all enjoyed playing afterward.

We drove back to the hotel before it got too late and Grandma, being a grandma, allowed the girls to open their Christmas gifts that night, so that she could see it. They both got a Dora mermaid doll, a playdoh set, and some clothes. I'll get some pics up soon...

Everything seemed perfect... until I heard Gracie wake up. She usually wakes up when we're in a strange place, so I told her everything was ok and for her to go back to sleep. THEN, I heard her throw up. Luckily she missed Liliana, but it was everywhere else. The kick in the pants was that the hotel was renovating and for some reason thought that was reason to NOT have a night shift. So no housekeeping. We stripped the bed, gave Grace a shower, and got the girls back to sleep. But it still happened two more times, each time we readjusted sleeping arrangements and borrowed blankets from Mom's room. Finally, when Grace's stomach was empty, we were all able to sleep.

We were gonna try to stick it out in PA, but then Grace threw up chicken soup at lunch, so we decided to head home before anyone else got sick. I did get to see my grandmother before we headed out- she's in an alzhiemers unit up there. She loved seeing Liliana- her eyes really lit up when Liliana finally conceded to giving her a kiss and hug.

So we got home a day early and we're now being lazy- well not totally lazy- I had bags of puke clothes to wash. But Grace seems to be feeling better- and no one else has started puking- YET.

"Twilight" Night Out

So some of you have heard about a little movie called "Twilight" that came out last weekend to the tune of $70 million (and the 'experts' were saying $30-50 million- tops, the losers). I know the books nearly inside and out, so I was of course excited to see the movie, even though I knew that it would not be the same (when are movies-from-books ever the same?). So I planned a girls night out (for some reason Kaylon didn't want to go, lol) with some girls that also loved the books.

One after one, girls started backing out for various reasons (don't worry- no hard feelings) until I realized that I was the only one holding a ticket to a sold out show. I had already paid money, so I decided, with some hesitation to go by myself. I had never been to a movie solo before, and honestly was afraid that I would look like a total loser.

I don't know if I ever want to go to the movies with other people ever again! I loved being able to show up when I wanted, sit where I wanted, and never had to worry about what others thought of the movie. It was some great alone time for me- especially with the baby coming. And hey, I had entertainment from my friend Debbie that graciously chatted on the phone and the 13 year old girls that started screeching while the ads were still running (I am so scared of my future in 10 years, with 2 preteen girls!). Luckily they were also far enough away that I could hear the dialouge during the film :)

As for the movie- I really enjoyed it. Was it perfect- no, of course not. There were things I would have liked to have seen added, some things taken away... but heck for their budget they did a great job. With all the money they're making, the werewolves and cliff jumping in the next movie should be awesome! I was happily transported into the movie for two hours, and honestly wish that I could see it again. Kaylon has an instant gift idea for whenever the DVD comes out...

Toy Clutter-Free

My girls have a lot of toys. Too many probably. But they don't usually play with them. Typically they find a box of toys, dump it out, and then move to the next one. Occasionally Grace will use her imagination and play with her animals, but really it just turns into a mess.

Then comes the fun part- I tell them that they have to clean up if they want to watch a movie or play a pc game. Liliana typically just refuses and continues doing what she wants. Grace instantly turns whiny and complains that she can't do it herself, that Liliana isn't helping, and she doesn't know what to do. I instantly get mad, since I sure as heck didn't make the mess and don't feel like cleaning it up. Eventually I'm on the floor "helping" which progresses to me doing it all since I just want it done (and Grace is the SLOWEST cleaner-upper ever).

Well, I ended that last week. I boxed up all the toys in plastic containers and removed them from sight- into the laundry room. They are stacked up there against the wall. I think I did this last wednesday or so... and they haven't been touched since. The girls haven't even asked for them. I offered to get them out and they turned me down. The balls that I left out have turned into the coolest toys ever. And currently they are dancing, together, to Christmas music (yes, it is already on at our house).

It makes me wonder why I didn't listen to my mother earlier- she's been saying for 2 years that Grace is overwhelmed by the amount of toys. I believed her- kinda. How were they supposed to play if they didn't have their options? But she said it again last week, and I decided to try it. I can't tell you how much I LOVE not picking up the stupid fake food every day- or not putting the My Little Ponies back on the shelf. And my girls are fine.

Which leads me to my next wondering- how many toys do kids really need? Kaylon's grandma grew up with one baby doll. My girls have 3 stations of toys (one for each floor). They have 2 nets with stuffed animals (ok, some of those are mine). Why do I hold on to so many things for them? And then we're gonna buy them more for Christmas? Maybe I need a better recycling plan... more trips to salvation army.

Maybe in a week or so they'll want some outlawed toys back to put their energies into, but for the moment, we are toy-clutter free.

And I'm lovin it :)

28 weeks belly shot

Halloween

Happy Halloween to all! Here are our memories of the night:

Grace was a beautiful southern belle.

Liliana was a unicorn.

Kaylon, ever the economist, was the sick markets.

It was a big hit everywhere.

And the family shot (minus me, who did not dress up because I had to carry aroung a huge belly the whole night).

Grace had no trouble remembering how to trick or treat, but it was Liliana's first time understanding what was going on. It didn't take her long to catch on, since she LOVES candy. Her "trick or treat" was very cute and sincere. The best part was that she insisted on wearing Kaylon's black leather gloves all night- I wish we had gotten a picture. She looked like a unicorn-hitman.