Z's Life of Crime

"Shoplifter Attempts to Steal Light Up Toy in Target"

This is what the headlines would read if anyone other than me (and now all of you) knew what was going on in the Christmas section of Target the other day.  Z found this light up toy and was absolutely mesmerized by it.  He carried it around with him, as I found the last few goodies to send in my Aunt's holiday package.  He asked me over and over to bring it home and I told him "no".  When I was finished, I asked him to put it back because we had to go and check out.  I turned around to grab his hand and shuffle him along when I saw him trying very hard to shove the toy in his pocket!!!!

I stopped there in the middle of the store, got down on his level and calmly asked him for the toy.  I put it back on the shelf and asked him what he was doing with the toy.  "I want that toy Momma."  When I asked him what I had told him to do with the toy, he looked down at the ground in shame.  He finally said, "put it back".  I then asked him if he knew what the word steal meant (heavy lesson for a three year old) and he said "no".  I explained that it was against the rules to take things from stores unless you pay the store for them.  I told him that when rules like this are broken it is a very big deal.  We then spent the rest of the shopping trip talking about how important it was to not break the rules and when we got to the cashier, I explained that I was paying for all of our items.

There was no trip to the chicken store for young Z and he was very upset.  I explained that he hadn't listened to me and so we would have lunch at home.  I then called daddy and told him what had happened so that Z could hear every word of our conversation.  I know this is quite the lesson for a three year old and this is just the beginning of our teaching.  I was not upset that he attempted to steal the toy (he has no idea what stealing is) but I was upset that he did not listen to me when I asked him to put it back and disobeyed me by putting it in his pocket.  S and I plan to role play with him and have him more involved in the paying part of our shopping experiences.  This is only the beginning of the heavy stuff that I know we will have to deal with in the years to come!!!!  Yikes ;)

Park the Elf Arrived Today!!!

The Raising Z household is filled with excitement because Park the Elf arrived today.  This is his second holiday season with us and we are thrilled that he decided to visit us once again.  For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about...check out the Elf Magic Website. 

I first heard about this site from Connie at The Young and the Relentless.  After reading her entry about the elves at her house, I immediately went to get an elf of our own.  A few days later, Park arrived and we had a blast toting him all over the place.  He went on the Polar Express, came on an overnight to Portland Maine with us, went to see Christmas lights, baked cookies and so much more.  He often left small little gifts for Z in his sack and on Christmas Eve, when he had to go back to the North Pole to help Santa, he left him a larger gift as a thank you for being such a good host :)  It was so much fun.

This year we have decided to change things up a bit.  Rather than have Park come to live with us and join us in all of our daily adventures, he will just be popping in at night to check things out (he is much too busy this year and Santa desperately needs him at the North Pole during the day).  Z will never actually see Park this season but every morning (except for Preschool mornings) Park will leave a photo of himself doing something in the house, a letter for Z and C and some small gift for the day.  S feels by doing it this way, Park will be more magical and mysterious ;)  I spent the weekend getting all the pictures and letters ready to go.

Last year I bought the gifts, this year I wanted to save money so I got creative :)  Today he left Z and C their Nativity Set.  Park has lots of exciting things to leave this season like... their holiday trains, cookie cutters to make cookies, a holiday potty chart (we have really fallen off the wagon on that), the Polar Express book and a bell from Santa's sleigh, Candy canes, our stockings (with a new one for C), money to go out and buy toys for Toys for Tots and so much more.  Each time he visits he will leave something unique and special.....and on Christmas Eve, he will leave them a slightly larger gift once again.

I have included a few of the pictures that Park will leave behind.....he is one wild and crazy elf :)

Park hanging from the lights, going potty and riding Z's trike

Park making cookies (he ate them all though), driving Mom's car and hanging with the Grinch!

A Quiet Sunday

After a crazy (but wonderful) weekend...it is nice to have some downtime. I am currently sitting in front of my beautiful Christmas tree, sipping peppermint tea, watching Holiday Inn and rocking my sweet baby girl.  It is so peaceful :) 

S and Z are at my sister's house for Thanksgiving the Sequel.  My brother in-law is a police officer and had to work on Thanksgiving Day.  My sister has recreated the meal he missed with a Christmas twist.  Her entire house is decorated for Christmas so I guess today's feast could be called Thanksmas. 

Lil' C and I had to miss this fun party because she is getting over her first cold :(  She is doing much better today but I did not want to expose her to all those germs so soon.  The poor thing slept for two days straight because she was so miserable.  She was sneezing, coughing had a runny nose....it was awful.  Then yesterday she woke up, feeling a bit better but boy was she hungry!  She decided to spend most of yesterday and today eating (she had to make up for lost time :)).

Thanksgiving at my mom's was really nice.  My mom catered to my dairy and soy free needs and my meal ended up being really great.  I even found a yummy dairy and soy free pumpkin pie recipe that I made!   Z had a wonderful day, he wishes he could do it all over again.  He started off with breakfast in front of the new Curious George Christmas movie on PBS.  We then drove to my mom's and watched the parade and helped her cook. After that he enjoyed a feast of chicken nuggets, cherry tomatoes, carrots and jelly beans (he got this idea from Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving!!!).  He said to my dad, "This meal is GREAT!"

The rest of the weekend was spent taking care of C and decorating for Christmas.  Things took a little longer than they usually do but it all turned out really nice and cozy.  I am looking forward to a month of baking, singing, wrapping, gift giving, Christmas light seeking, holiday movies and TV specials, traditions, family, friends, smiles, laughs and joy!

Tis the Season!!  Have a Great One :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Once the comfy pants are on and the pies are done BUT before the tryptophan from the turkey takes over your body....hop on over to Supah's website and check out the merchandise up for auction in Jaden's Jingle Bell Bonanza :)  She has a lot of wonderful items to bid on and you will not only find the perfect gifts for this holiday season but all of the money will go to Jaden's family to help them with all of his medical expenses.  So before you go out and spend your money at all of the major retailers on Black Friday, check out the auction to see if you can find a gift or two there :)

Happy Thanksgiving!!! 

And for those of you going out tomorrow, enjoy your Black Friday.  I will be home with my family getting the Raising Z home ready for Christmas!!!

WW-Thanksgiving Blessings

 

 

 He likes her....he really, really likes her!

That is, when she's not crying!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Post It Note Tuesday

Go visit Supah if you want to play!!!

And check out her special auction for Jaden!! It starts on Thanksgiving Day and ends December 6th.  She has a lot of great items so please check it out and help a special little boy!

Here are my notes....

 

 

 

 

All About MEme--What are you Thankful Four?

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

It's that time of year.

Time for the official kick-off of the holiday season. Hollah!

Time to eat some turkey and pumpkin pie.

Time to travel near and far to be with family.

Time to enjoy the pandemonium and traditions.

Time to think about ... and answer this question ...   

 

This is the perfect prompt for me today....it is short, sweet and can be done one handed! So here we go....

1. My Children--I am thankful that I am the mother to two beautiful and healthy children. They bring me so much joy and I learn something new from them everyday! They are AMAZING and warm my heart!!! I love my two little snuggle bunnies so much :)

2. My Husband--S is a superstar and I love him so much. He is a wonderful husband, father and a very hard worker. He has been so stressed at work lately but his family always comes first. He dropped everything this weekend to help Z (he has been really sick with an ear infection and croup like cough) and because of this was up late all weekend trying to get his work done. He is so patient and a wonderful person! 

3. My family--We are a super close family and I am so lucky to have them all live within 35 minutes of me. My parents and sisters are more like friends than family and I love to spend time with them. We get along really well and have so much fun together. We are a family that actually tries to find time to spend together. I am really thankful for all they have done for me since C has been born!!!

4. My friends--I have some of the greatest friends a girl could ask for. They are always there when I need them and I hope they know that I am here for them. They are funny, good listeners, keep me sane and I always have so much fun with them :) You guys know who you are and I hope you know how much I love you!!!

That is my list :) When I asked Z what he was Thankful for he said, 

"This sound Momma.....mmmmmmmmmmmrrrrrrrrrrmmmmmmmmmmmmm" :) 

Happy Turkey Week!!!

 

THANK YOU!

I need to send a big THANK YOU out to my mom, dad, sister L and best friend L for helping me out this week while S was away!!!  Without them, it would have been a very teary week for me.  C's reflux is improving but she has had such bad gas and is not a happy camper because of it :(  I have truly eliminated milk and soy from my diet (as well as other gassy foods) to see if that will help.  Poor little girl. 

Thank you all for helping out, doing the laundry, the dishes, sleeping over, playing with Z, rocking and consoling C and most of all...keeping me sane!  S and I appreciate all you have done for us :)  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!

This Holiday Elf is So Tired!

As many of my long time readers know, I LOVE the holidays....ALL HOLIDAYS...and my friend K has nicknamed me the "Holiday Elf".  This fall because of my pregnancy and now the baby, the holidays have been tough for me to keep up with.  I dragged through Halloween and didn't even have the energy for Z's last minute costume change (I made S deal with it).  Despite my lack of sleep, I still tried to make sure Z had a wonderful Halloween complete w/ a craft day, making Halloween cookies and a Countdown to Halloween paper chain. 

For years my friend S and I have gotten our families together for a "Friends Thanksgiving" in early November.  This year we decided to do it in February because I am just too tired (and she is just too busy).  I still plan to make a few dishes for real Thanksgiving at my mom's (dairy and soy free....not sure how I am going to pull that off), my house is decorated and we have been reading all of our Thanksgiving picture books but I just don't have the energy to make paper turkeys and all of the other fun things that I want to do with Z.

Now Christmas is fast approaching and I refuse to let sleep deprivation slow me down!  I started planning out this years Christmas in July.  This is when I made the budget, printed out my Christmas card labels and started my shopping.  Over the last month and a half I have been working on my cards (90/120 done), got 3/4 of my shopping done (I love the internet!!!), bought the wrapping paper, have plans to go see Santa on Monday (no lines when you go before Thanksgiving) and I hope to avoid all malls and major shopping centers after Thanksgiving (I am not a Black Friday kind of girl) :)

I love the holidays but I hate the crowds and craziness that December brings.  I would rather enjoy December in the comfort of my decorated home.....baking cookies, crafting with Z, wrapping presents and listening to my favorite holiday music.  That is so much nicer and less stressful than being out in the cold trying to find a parking spot and searching for gifts through the picked over merchandise.  My dad and husband prefer to wait until the last minute and don't seem to mind the craziness. 

My dad has taken us shopping for my mom every year since we were little.  It is one of my sisters and my favorite traditions and is the only reason I enter a mall in December.  Dad hates shopping but doesn't seem to mind waiting until the last minute (he even had his car stolen from the crowded lot one year).  S hates that I love to plan ahead and that I spread my shopping out over a few months.  He too likes to go to the mall in December and loves to find very unique gifts ;)  Unfortunately for him, I have completed all of his shopping for him this year and encouraged him to shop for me online (with a 50$ budget, you can't do much).....not sure what he will do without his last minute shopping trip in December :)  Maybe he will take Z out to get a few little things and they can start a tradition of their own.

I do hope I can keep the holiday spirit alive with so little sleep.  Many of the people around me count on my abundance of holiday spirit to get them excited and ready for the holiday.  With a lack of sleep and caffeine, I am not sure I will be able to keep it up all season long.  I am going to have to find new ways to stay upbeat and energized in order to help make this Christmas magical for everyone I love.  I guess I will have to watch A Very Brady Christmas a few extra times this season to help keep my spirit alive.  Happy Holidays!!

Pepcid Spells Relief???

Well we got the prescription :)  Lil' C has been on the medication since Friday afternoon and (knock on wood) has been doing better!!  She is sleeping better and seems much more happy and alert.  She still shows signs of pain at some feedings (she cried for over an hour last night during her feeding) but the doctor said it would take up to a week for the stomach lining and esophagus to repair themselves, so hopefully that too will pass. 

This medication has not only brought some relief to C but Z is much less stressed out than he was before.  He has taken a liking to this new baby that doesn't cry as much.  He will now be in the same room with us (unless she is crying), has given her kisses, asks to hold her, tries to play with her and talks about her non-stop.  It has been really nice.

S is away for the week on business and my family and best friend are taking shifts to help out during the day and sleep over at night.  C has been going through her 3 week growth spurt and all she and I do is nurse, so the help is much needed.  S felt so badly leaving us yesterday but he had to go and I understand that.  We are in good hands and despite the long cry last night, she had a very good night....I actually got more than an hour of sleep at one time :)  Let's hope for another good night tonight.