Happy Birthday Logan!

Today Logan is 3 years old!  Can you believe it?

He had a party at school on Friday.  His teachers made him a crown to wear that said Logan and had the number three on it...

He brought these chocolate cow cookies to school to share with all his friends.  The kids "ate" it up!  They wanted the boxes read to them, they opened the boxes and excitedly exclaimed "cow cookies!!"  Then the cows would walk across the table saying, "moooooo."  

As the class sang "Happy Birthday" to Logan, he quickly became shy with all the attention and wanted teacher Debbie to cuddle him.  When the attention and festivities were over, he was back to his normal self.

On Sunday, another Birthday party.  This time at Peter Piper's Pizza (kind of like another Chuck E Cheese's)but only for us and our "Albuquerque family."

Logan's ice cream cake!

Aslyn enjoying the festivities

Logan opening "Uncle Meanies" gift.



As a new parent, struggling with sleep deprivation, dirty diapers, and days without showers; you never quite believe those people who tell you to savor every moment for soon they (your kids) will be grown.  Part of me always knew this.  I often say how the days blur together.  But as I sat there watching how much my baby has become a little boy, I understood a bit more exactly what they were saying.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LITTLE MAN!!

Book Review

I just completed reading the book Run Like A Mother: How to Get Moving - - and Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity. by: Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell.  (I know!  How in the world was I able to fit reading an entire book in?)

Anyway, I picked this book up hoping to be inspired to lace up my running shoes again.  It has been an awful (waaaayyyy too long) since I've ran - heck since I've really been active at all (4 workouts in 14 months!  Come on now.)

I laughed at areas I could relate too; such as the battle between you and yourself when the alarm clock goes off at 5:00 a.m.  You want to get up and go, you will feel better both physically and mentally if you go and run.  Then there's the other you; the one who is drooling on the pillow and only wants to roll over and snuggle deeper into the blankets.  Another relation: Living in your running clothes all day in the hopes you can sneak off somewhere in between taking care of kids, husbands, pets, the household, work, etc. and run.  (I actually have been doing this everyday for the past week and a half!)

This book is filled with advice, tips, and stories from hard core "I ran until I gave birth and right after" running mom's to "just want to get away and have a moment to myself" running moms.  Training for a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon - to how to compromise, and/or bribe your husband to watch the kiddies while you go on your long run Saturday morning.  No topic was missed.  From breastfeeding your baby on the side of the road/trail to what kids have told their mom's during or after her run. - One of my favorites: a mom came in right after a run in some rather windy weather; her 4 year old looked at her and said, "Mom, you look crazy."

I must admit, this book did get me looking for another half marathon to run; in which I am deciding between a few in October, November or December.  The funny thing is running was never my favorite sport; in fact I loathed the days where gym class was taken out to do laps on the track.  I don't know what possessed me to sign up for my first half marathon in 2006 but since then, I search and train for more - I guess I'm hooked! 

When people ask me about marathons I tell them that I do it for three reasons:

1. Living and working on the ranch, there is no "off" time.  Marathons give me a reason to take a mini vacation.
2. It allows me to go to places I would normally never go (i.e. Las Vegas, NV)
3. Paying the fee to run a marathon is pretty steep (roughly $40-$60), if I pay this then it forces me to actually get off my butt and exercise; having something to look forward too keeps me motivated. 

Yum-Yums

Definition: Yum-Yums: 1. A food Logan really likes. 2. If hungry, something in particular he wants to eat or snack on.

Saturday was our usual stop and go throughout Albuquerque.   Always, the first stop is lunch - our family treat; once a week we go out to lunch.  We usually go to a nice place - an Asian restaurant,  The Cajun Kitchen, Olive Garden, or someplace new (two weeks ago was a Mediterranean restaurant -Yum!)  But seeing as we are kind of on a tight budget right now; we swung by Taco Bell.  Usually we unload Logan and Aslyn from the car and go inside.  However, seeing as they both were asleep  we opted for the drive-thru and then parked and ate; reserving Logan's order for when he awoke (about half an hour later.)

As the day drew on, we drove place to place, debating whether we should do birthday shopping for Logan this weekend or next; we passed by McDonald's.  Logan pointed from the back seat and said, "Momma, Daddy.  Yum-yums."  My response, hand him one of the many snacks I had packed.  Then we passed yet another McDonald's (I swear they are on every other block!)  Again, Logan pointed and said, "Yum-yums."  I looked at JP in the passenger seat and exclaimed, "Okay, that's the second time we passed McDonald's with Logan pointing and saying "Yum-Yums."

JP: Maybe we should stop and get him a happy meal or something.

                               Me: Alright, at the next one we'll stop.

So, when we approached the third McDonald's, I pulled into the drive-thru and ordered Logan a cheeseburger happy meal.  JP handed it back to him, and Logan sat quite content devouring the sandwich. 

JP: Wow, he must have been hungry.

Me: I don't understand.

JP: What?

Me: It's not like we eat at McDonald's.  I can't even remember the last time we had been.

JP: He must have seen a commercial.

Me: Where?  We don't have television.

JP: Ohhhh.  I don't know.

We continued discussing this peculiar request from Logan.  Finally concluding that those golden arches must somehow send out messages that only kids can hear. 

Sibling Rivalry

Since Aslyn has been born, I have been asked on very numerous occasions if there is any sibling rivalry between Logan and her.  The answer: No (at least none yet.)

People voiced their concerns on starting Logan in preschool after Aslyn was born - "he will get jealous wondering why he has to be apart from Mom while Aslyn is hanging around all day."  This was never the case!  Logan loves school; it's his time to play and be around other children his age.  When Aslyn is there with him, he tries to show her off.

Logan loves his car walker and still plays with it to this day.  I put Aslyn in it and showed him.  "Oh boy,  I bet he threw a fit and went off the handle!" one person said.  Another, "Did he get mad?"  Again, the answer: No.  Logan thought it was great!  He tried showing Aslyn how you hold on to the steering wheel to steer, he showed her what buttons to push for what songs, and he pushed her around the house, the whole time talking and laughing with her.

If you watch the two of them, you can just see how much they love each other.  Aslyn seems to have a smile whenever Logan comes around to say hi.  If one of them gets upset the other's (whether Logan or Aslyn) face is full of concern.  Logan tries to console Aslyn by patting her and talking softly to her.  He always wants her involved in whatever we are doing.

I just hope that as the years go by and they both get older, they remain close to one another. That they always share a special bond.

 
And when the world feels like it is falling down around them (because sometimes it does - especially in the teen years) and there is absolutely no one out there who could possibly understand what they are going through, I hope that they can confide in each other.  That they stand up for one another.  That they will forever and always be each other's best friend.

Jeans

Look at my new jeans!  Cute right?!!

Now you are all probably wondering "why in the world is she blogging about a stupid pair of jeans?"

For several reasons:

      1. It's my blog and I can write about whatever I want.  :)



      2. Here's the story: They were actually purchased by the ranch manager for his girlfriend.  Even though he snuck and looked at her pant size in her other jeans, these were too big for her (HATE THAT) - - she is a little tiny thing.  And she doesn't care for "bell bottoms" in other words - boot cut, which is all I wear!

Sooo, instead of returning the jeans, the manager decided to give them to me!  YAY!!

Okay, now here is the catch - remember I said his girlfriend is a tiny little thing; well, these jeans are a size 9 (oooohhhhh).  The size I was wearing before I became pregnant with Aslyn.   Which means, they don't fit me - - YET!

But they will - - yeeesss, another challenge!

Happy New Year

Can you believe another year is gone?  The days are just blurring together here.

Well, in honor of the new year, it is time to reflect on past resolutions and make a whole new set.  How did you all do?

Here are my goals for 2011....

1. Find a picture I love and hang it on my wall. - - For those of you who have been to my house know that my walls are absolutely bare.  Not a single thing hangs on them.  It's time to change that!

2.  Take a class in something. - - Whether it be a day long class that our local nursery offers or a longer one (i.e. photography, salsa dancing, or fly fishing)

3. Blog at least two times a week. - - This past year I have not been very consistent with this blog!  From one blog a month to seven.  I think twice a week is doable since I don't always necessarily have to write.  Some days can just be pictures! 

4. Do at least one "new" family thing a month. - - Every weekend it's the same thing; go into Albuquerque and run errands, grocery shop, etc.  Well, I would like to take one weekend a month to do something different, whether it's going to the zoo, a local baseball game, or just a picnic.

5. Take a gosh darn family photo! - - Our last "real" family photo, Logan was three months old in!

6. Gather Logan and Aslyn's baby things (i.e. footprints from the hospital, ultrasounds, etc.) and put them in their photo/scrap books.- - Right now all of these things are either shoved in my file drawer or between books on Logan's book shelf, it's time to organize them.

7. Catch up on some of my sewing projects.- - I have three aprons I promised people two years ago, curtains to make, a quilt for Logan, a quilt for Aslyn, and so on.

Okay, while I could probably come up with many more resolutions; I think this list may be long enough!  Wow!   2011 is going to be a busy year!

May you all make 2011 an incredible, joyous year filled with love and laughter.  Cheers! 

Bah Humbug

Every year it's the same story.  I get all jazzed for the holidays.  I LOVE this time of year!!  I plan when we are going to get the tree - making sure I bring my camera for the photo.  I make plans for Christmas eve dinner at a family friends house, when we drive through Madrid to see the town decked all in lights, Christmas carols are constantly playing as well as holiday movies.  While I am joyous and bubbly, JP is moody and well...the grinch. 

You see I always felt a magic in the air this time of year.  I looked forward to curling up next to a crackling fire, the aroma of mulled cider, hot cocoa, and baked goodies wafting in from the kitchen.  An evergreen standing tall, lights twinkling with all my childhood ornaments lovingly hanging from its branches.  Outside large snowflakes drift down, blanketing the world white - perfect for bringing that special snowman to life.

This year however, I find myself lacking the spirit.  Here it is 4 days until Christmas day and I haven't done a single thing.  There is no tree (one of my most favorite traditions) standing proudly in my living room - we never got one or haven't gotten one yet.  I never sent out holiday cards wishing everyone a merry Christmas.  Even when people have been wishing me one, and I back - my heart isn't in it.  We threw our family photo time out the window. 

We did do a bit of Christmas shopping for Logan and Aslyn - Logan is getting old enough now to understand.  This left me feeling even less spirited and disgusted.  Disgusted by the herds of people pushing and crowding to get this or that.  Children screaming and throwing tantrums because their mom and/or dad said they couldn't have something (this is another thing I am soooo very proud of Logan about.  He took a toy horse off a shelf and showed it to JP and me.  He carried it around and looked at it.  When we told him to go put the horse back, he did just that, then walked off on his merry little way.)  All I wanted to do was go home.

I have done everything I can think of (besides get the tree) to bring myself out of this blahness.  I've baked, listened to Christmas music, watched my favorite holiday movies, we looked at the lights in Madrid - nothing has worked.  Then I start feeling worse looking at Logan and how having two scrooge parents isn't fair to him.

All of this reminds me of an article I saw the other day titled, "Christmas - It's the Most Stressful Time of Year."  Below this it read, "Remember when it used to be the most wonderful time of year?"