the Wii

Playing Mario Kart on an 11 foot tall screen is pretty much a life altering experience. How is this accomplished, you ask? Simple, Hubband borrowed a projector from work.

The girls love to play, each holding their own wheel, twirling, giggling, running, generally being silly and thrilled to be part of the fun. Unfortunately, butterfly is starting to catch on that her remote, while on, isn't active. But as long as we occasionally cheer her on anyway, she plays along.

But their favorite game is Rockband. So much in fact, that they will go get one of the guitars and drag it over to us as a request to play. They love to dance and both began doing so at an early age. Ladybug's favorite instrument is the drums. Butterfly goes back and forth between drums and guitar. With guitar she can dance and jump and imitate sassy rockstar poses. But she loves to play with the drumsticks and has surprisingly good rhythm.

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"duck"

Is ladybug's new favorite word. Except what she really means is "stuck...and I want out". Used most frequently from her high chair, carseat, the shopping cart, from on top of the table and her crib.

Kind of like when I would have to drag her older sister out of the store as she sobbingly demanded "carrots". Other parents give me strange looks, wondering why I'd deny my child such a healthy snack. Little do they know that she really means cheetos. And "bagels"? Really she means donuts.

More fun phrases:
"lo lo" = lotion
"tub bath" = bubble bath
"snacks" = fruit snacks
"booga" = my brother/their uncle
"nigh nigh" = I want to go to bed
"berries" was butterfly's reference to all produce, including veggies
"nana" = banana
"cop cop" = butterfly's popcorn, ladybug says it whispered but with perfect pronunciation
"Moocow"
"yehaw" = horse
"sharp" = all knives or scissors
"buckle" = seatbelt
"cullcull" = popsicle
When something is declared to be "tasty good"
"hop hop" = bunny
"peek oo!" = peek a boo
"no, at work" = response for anytime someone isn't home (daddy, grandma, 3 year old cousin, etc.)
"oh, shute!" = her declaration of something to be cute, usually someone's pet or when she's getting dressed
"wait, wait" = declared very dramatically with both hands held up with palms out
"be right back" = declared with one finger held up on each hand and hands punctuating each word
"keem" = ice cream
"paw wo" = Apollo, and all other cats

I started to add this but you need the whole story. Butterfly insists on saying her own prayers. They go like this "heaven father, thank you day, thank you bessings, je Christ, THE END!" And if you try to prompt her "please bless the food" or "to sleep well", she will immediately and angrily chastise you "no! I say prayers myself!" And then include your suggestion.

But very favorite word in the whole world, for both of them, is (and I suspect always will be) "daddy".

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Christmas Chaos

Did I mention I have the best husband ever? More on that later. Christmas highlights:

family party, complete with a visit from Santa and acting out the nativity.

My dad's Sunday School lesson, powerful, eloquent and beautiful with just a touch of humor and a great deal of passion from one of the greatest story tellers and teachers I know. And he didn't even miss a beat when my little Ladybug toddled up to him, pulled on his pant leg and tried to give him her Noah's ark book instead. (he goodnaturely declined her suggestion)

Visiting Temple Square (also known as the "temple castle") to see the beautiful lights and nativities. I thought the girls would go nuts over the lights and they did enjoy them, but Butterfly was most interested in the nativities. "where mary? where Jesus mommy? oh joseph?!" and more.

Baking Christmas treats. I got to have a baking day with each of the grandmas, trying new recipes, learning family secrets and experimenting, often assisted by a very short but very cute little chef who loves to cook. So tasty.

Zoo Lights. If you've never been, its definitely worth the $3 to go see the fun and unique lights (my favorite was the snake climbing the Christmas tree to put the star on top). Very cold, very fun. And we even saw real reindeer. but no, they didn't fly. maybe they were tired.

Wrapping presents, I don't know why I like this so much, but I really do. And Butterfly loves to help. And even better, then she's so excited about getting to give the gift to its intended recipient.

Christmas Eve traditions. these have changed since my childhood to accommodate building my own new family. My childhood Christmas Eve was always shopping for siblings' gifts (and trying to keep each other from finding out), delivering secret santa gifts and McDonalds (first out of convenience and later, because it's fun, silly and unique). I loved it. this year, we spent Christmas Eve with my in-laws. the girls helped grandpa put together a toy train, had homemade bagels and enjoyed other family traditions.

But Christmas morning, for the first time, we had planned to spent at our own home. So we went home, tucked the girls in bed, got all of our Christmas festivities ready and then sat down to snuggle on the couch. Smokin hot husband asks if I want my present now. Kind of surprised, I decline, wanting to wait until morning. When he asks again, hinting I may want it before then, I agree. My amazing, generous, thoughtful (and very good looking) husband gave me a new camera!!! Which we immediately opened, played with and used extensively ever since. (I now answer to "paparazzi".)

My parents and sister joined us, arriving early in the morning, about half an hour before the girls woke up. They woke up slowly, and not fully awake, just wanted to sit on the couch and cuddle, staring at the decorations and gifts. Eventually they warmed up enough to investigate and they were thrilled with the "just their size" four wheeler. Butterfly crashed into every wall in the house repeatedly before getting the hang of it and giggled every time. After breakfast, we sat around, leisurely opening gifts. Mostly leisurely. If it was clothes, Butterfly tossed them aside and dove into the next present, whether it belonged to her or not (she was very good at "helping" people open their gifts). Ladybug opened a gift and wanted to play with it the rest of the day. So we let them take their time and just enjoyed the morning. The unexpected hit of the day was "Jenga". The girls sat at the table building towers and squealing "man down!" as the towers toppled and crashed nosily to the floor.

We barely made it through the stack of gifts before it became blissfully quiet for naptime. Even me and daddy got to crash for a little while. Then I played in my kitchen, very much enjoying hosting a holiday dinner for the first time. Even Butterfly helped, pitching in to peel potatoes, poke at the dough for rolls and arrange the veggie tray. Ladybug was the official taste tester. Except she really only "tasted" grapes and olives (in large quantities). Dinner tasted great and we were so full that we never did actually eat pie (dutch apple and key lime, not a likely combination but both favorites) and had to send pieces home with everyone instead.

After the turkey coma subsided (time spent playing and relaxing), we went to my in laws home to spend the evening with them. Dinner was wonderful, despite still being mostly full, as grandma made the traditional and delectable duck for dinner. I enjoyed it immensely but the girls mostly just snacked on gingerbread cookies (another family recipe, soft, chewy and light). After dinner there was a frenzy of more gift opening (had to wait until we brought it all home and put the girls to bed to make sure I saw and appreciated everything). The girls were thrilled and mischievous, getting into everything and generally being two. They fawned over their baby cousin and chased their aunt's cat.

As far as gift giving, I won't brag specifics, but I was especially touched by the thoughtfulness of our parents and siblings, from both sides of them family, who had chosen meaningful gifts and tokens that we needed or had special significance and they were each so greatly appreciated. And I really enjoyed being able to give gifts that we had chosen and prepared throughout the last several weeks, choosing things for their significance and usefulness, delighting each time we found that "perfect" item for someone. We are blessed to have such amazing families.

So another Christmas comes to a close. I'm so grateful and happy for all that we have been blessed with and have been able to share. (we even managed to get out a Christmas card this year) Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good night!

the cooky book

Recently, a very special gift was given to me. "the cooky book" that belonged to my grandmother, who passed away years ago. Many pages have yellowed and the spiral bound pages are completely detached from its cover. But this is the book that grandma kept on a little white bookshelf, just inside the kitchen door. It's the book she would ask me to retrieve and we would use for making special treats during the many afternoons I spent there. In fact, the book still naturally falls open to my favorite, snickerdoodles. And something I never noticed as a child but treasure as an adult are her handwritten notes, filling the inside cover and many margins. Her perfectly formed, beautiful pennmanship records favorite recipes from friends or even her own mother and comments like "this is the one" and "double this". She was such an amazing lady and I can't even describe what this old and worn out book means to me.

I spent today doing some holiday baking, with some occasional "help" from the girls. ("What my job mom?" says the little girl who loves to help, especially when chocolate is involved). I used a few familiar recipes, the tried and true favorites I know neighbors will enjoy. And having invited grandma to join me, she taught me the family fudge recipe plus a few other favorites. And after pouring through "the cooky book" and reading her notes, I even made one I've never tasted before but apparently is a favorite of my dad. (shh, its a surprise).

My counters are full of tasty treats, to be finished and delivered tomorrow. And I am one happy girl.

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magic dust cookies

1/2 c butter (softened)
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cream of tarter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 c flour

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and vanilla, mix until smooth. Add salt, soda, cream of tarter and flour. Let rest in refrigerator 30 minutes. Mix sugar and cinnamon ("magic dust"). Using a cookie scoop, ball the dough, roll in sugar/cinnamon and drop on cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes (may seem undercooked, they develop more as they cool).

P.S. I always double the recipe. They go fast.

General cookie tips:
Resting dough in the fridge helps it hold its shape, especially important for sugar or gingerbread cookies.
Using a cookie scoop will result in softer cookies (versus rolling by hand and packing your dough).
Flat cookies usually means not enough flour.
Brand matters. Maybe not huge but for best chocolate chip cookies, use giradellis or guittard.

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whining works!

Yesterday I complained about the lack of snow. Specifically that we live in such a cold place of a cold state and it appeared we might be having a snow-less Christmas. So I complained.

Today there's at least four inches of beautiful fresh snow and its scheduled to snow for the next three days.

:-)

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Santa Clause

We semi-intentionally haven't talked up Santa to our kids. I know they'll find out eventually and we want to encourage learning true meaning of Christmas, etc. So other than a single bedtime story and our brief encounter on the Santa train, I don't think Santa has been really mentioned at all.

However, when I showed Butterfly her Christmas party dress last night, she went wild. And I mean, squealing running twirling giddy excited wild. The dresses are red velvet with white fur trim and both girls were ridiculously excited. They danced across the room, Butterfly exclaiming "I'm Santa!" over and over.

The wildness continued for twenty minutes and then our special visitor came. He barely made it in the door, all the children gaping and giggling, before Butterfly launched herself at him, giggling, hugging and chattering to him. With her nearly attached to his leg, he made it to his chair of honor to sit down. Butterfly grabbed a chair of her own and carried it over, pushed it up next to his and plopped down, leaning one elbow onto his knee and continuing her chatter. We dragged her away so other children and families could have time with him too but she always ran right back to him as soon as she could.

Ladybug on the other hand, watched him with wide-eyed excitement but shied away nervously if she was carried too close to him. She eventually warmed up enough to receive a present but remained unsure of our visitor (much like Butterfly has been in past years).

It was a fantastic party and a wonderful Christmas celebration, made more wonderful by our live nativity today with our amazing nieces, nephews, siblings and parents each playing a role. (Ladybug was a reluctant sheep, carried by the shepherd/daddy and Butterfly was the "wandering" shepherd with her over sized robe trailing behind as she wandered to investigate each scene we portrayed.).

Wonderful weekend with great food and fun times with family. Love you!

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grandpa great

We met our family for the viewing on Sunday evening. Despite his body having suffered much in the last few months and especially in his last few hours, he looked really good. He looked strong and at peace. The floral arrangements were beautiful, especially the spray atop the casket. It was made up mostly of pine boughs and decorated with items that symbolized my grandfather's life. There was a figuring of a horse (that looked like Knothead, the horse he had during my childhood), his stetson-style hat, antlers, two tiny stuffed animal dogs, and an American flag. Also on display in the room were things such as his scriptures, his branding iron, a dutch oven, a wooden semi truck and trailer, his 50th wedding anniversary portrait and family portraits of each of his four children and their families. Against the far wall played a slideshow of pictures from his life. One of my favorites was of my grandpa with his arms wrapped tight around my grandma, laughing as blissfully happy newlyweds. Another was of me, perhaps five years old, sitting atop his shoulders. Another of me and my cousintwin, each leaning on his shoulders. And one picture, taken only a year ago, of my strong, tall, tough grandpa, holding a delicate purple tea cup as he played tea party with my little girl.

The funeral was held on Monday morning, with clear blue skies and 60 degree weather. As grandchildren, we each shared a memory of grandpa, despite my hoarse voice. I had lost my voice completely but thanks to some tips from my aunt, a phenomenal and professional singer, I recovered enough to sing a duet with my cousin (my girls stood up on the bench to watch me, grinning and bouncing wildly). The talks were beautiful and my mom's musical number was exceptional. My dad was the keynote speaker, his voice comforting and full of both strength and emotion as he talked about grandpa and about the gospel. The chapel was full, with many family and friends in attendance.

At the close of the meeting, my husband was one of the pallbearers that carried grandpa outside where the procession would begin. The procession itself was rather unconventional but so fitting for my grandpa whose greatest hobby was riding atv four wheelers. He was know both by family and throughout the community for taking family and friends on rides through the mountains and deserts to show them God's greatest work. So for the procession, the pallbearers set the casket upon a trailer which was then towed by my cousin on grandpa's atv and escorted by the other pallbearers as well as nearly 50 close friends, all upon their own atvs. My husband told me later that it was an incredible experience.

As I followed the line of atvs, I began to cry, feeling the loss of grandpa and the poignancy of "taking on last ride". From her carseat, my daughter asked, "mommy hurt?" I answered "no baby, mommy's not hurt. I'm just sad." again, "mommy hurt?" "no honey, just sad." A pause, "mommy tummy hurt?" "no honey, mommy is sad. Mommy's heart hurts." As we got out of the car and I went to take her hand, she stopped me, put her hand on my heart and said "mommy heart sad. It's okay mommy." And then I cried some more as my little girl hugged me tight.

My dad dedicated the grave, followed by a majestic and powerful 21 gun salute and the presentation of the flag. My sibling and I each put a rose upon the casket with our final goodbyes and after a short time, went home.

I'm grateful for God's love, the knowledge that we will be together again someday, for the memories of my grandpa, for the hugs of a little girl and for the support of my wonderful husband. In his passing, I know grandpa was released from the physical ailments of this life and he is reunited with other loved ones already passed. but my "heart is sad" still and I miss him. By my next post, I'll perk back up.

P.S. my voice is gone again.

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feeling subdued but grateful

My grandpa passed away early Wednesday morning, three months after a massive stroke and compound fracture to his leg. He fought desperately for recovery and for awhile it looked promising. But it was not to be, the Lord must have other plans for him.

So today I'm feeling grateful for

Eternal families
the Comforter
My amazing husband, for so many reasons
Cousintwin, who showed up soon after we found out and spent the day hiding with me
My beautiful children, who are especially full of hugs and giggles this week
Memories
Pictures
A best friend who shared a day long playdate
My parents who are such strength to my family
Fresh chocolate chip cookies
Friends, family and friends of friends for their sweet thoughts, thoughtfulness, desire to help and more

Love you grandpa, miss you.


p.s. really proud of smokin hot hubband and his most recent accomplishment of successfully proposing his dissertation project which was met with approval and high compliments by his dissertation committee.

yoinks baby

It's another one of many nicknames for our beautiful little Ladybug. She is sweet, quiet and delicate. She loves to be held, she has a smile that can melt stone and has been such a good-natured baby.

But she has a mischievous streak. Made worse because we are such unsuspecting victims. Who would have thought someone so sweet could be so sneaky? And ever better, that she would find such joy in it?

Example: Butterfly is playing quietly by herself, she sings and talks softly to the Little People figurines in her hands as they travel through their little house and interact with each other. Suddenly, "yoinks baby" approaches. Seeing opportunity, she creeps closer without making a sound. Without warning, she reaches out, grabs a figurine and runs! Butterfly shrieks, Ladybug giggles and the chase is on. This will most likely end in a tackle where my upset Butterfly will retrieve her toy, yell at the baby and return to her playing, still upset at her sister. Ladybug will remain laying on the floor, smiling happily, so pleased with her latest victory.

the Monster and the Music

strange title, completely unrelated but both part of a very busy, crazy, Christmas-y kind of weekend.

Friday morning was a music class featuring lots of holiday music. Especially fun was waving scarves in rhythm to represent to falling snow. Butterfly squealed and ran around dancing and prancing happily, while Ladybug snuggled in my arms, watching wide eyed, grinning from behind her scarf which she had chosen to wear as a veil.

Friday afternoon we went to a Christmas fair. One building housed a gingerbread competition. The sidewalk leading to the building was lined with 3 foot gingerbread man cut outs. Butterfly ran to each to say hi! and give them a kiss. Inside, we saw incredible displays. Butterfly walked around, excited but well behaved (with frequent reminders of "hands behind your back" while Grandma and I took turns carrying the Ladybug that repeatedly signed "eat, eat!". We visited the cookie room where Ladybug climbed up and down the chairs while Butterfly frosted a cookie. She proudly carried it back to the display room and wandered around asking "where put him?" Favorite displays included the house from Disney Pixar's "Up!", a beautiful castle and a very detailed barn setting, complete with a tiny nativity and hand painted animals.

Friday evening, I drove north to spend some time with my parents. We went to a "live nativity" held at a family's barn. Local teenagers were appropriately costumed to play the parts of each character, surrounding a manger filled with hay and a toy doll. But the girls were much more enthralled with the animals. Sheep and donkeys (so soft!) stood, each in their own stalls within the barn and then outside, we met the celebrity of the event: Moses, the camel. Upon first sighting him, I said "Look at that monster!", marveling at his height. Butterfly heard me and immediately clung to me, "no! dont the monster!" and refused to go near him. She cringed in fear if I tried to get close, so instead we just hung back and observed him from a distance. But Ladybug, carried by Grammy, was fascinated. With no fear, she reached out and petted his neck and cooed at him. Moses reached his massive head down and chomped down on her fur-lined hood to taste it. Ladybug squealed and giggled, Butterfly shrieked and almost cried and Moses retreated, sauntering back to his abundant pile of hay. Next came the horses, goats and and hay ride, all of which the girls enjoyed (especially the tiny goats nipping and licking their hands). After the adventure, we met up with my brother and his family for hot, honey butter laden scones and peppermint hot chocolate (sooo tasty!).

We spent the night at my mom's house, with plans to do some baking and shopping for a lazy and fun afternoon with grammy and papa. (hubband had to work this weekend so he missed out on all the fun). But on saturday morning, we ended up being joined by not just one, but both of my brothers' and their wonderful families. cousins played and played, dragging out all of their favorite grammy house toys and had a great time. My brother (known to my girls as "booga booga") lined all the children up to do a "forced entry tactile take down" (he's a correctional facilities officer). They squeezed together, hands on the shoulders of the person in front of you and in a perfect line, rammed into him and then scattered to strategically pin him to the floor. Despite their ages (2 to 8) and excessively giggling, they were quite effective.

In the afternoon, we made "magic dust cookies". the kids helped me make the dough (pouring in pre-measured ingredients) and then with them sitting in a half circle around me on the counter (Butterfly on one end, Ladybug in a high chair on the other and with four cousins in between), they each held a tupperware container of "magic dust". I plopped a ball of dough in each, and sealed the lids as they all held their hands high in the air. And then with much over exaggeration and flare, I would dramatically give the signal and they would shake their magic dust until I called stop. We did this over and over until all the trays were full and the snickerdoodles--er, magic dust cookies were ready to bake.

As evening approached, I left the girls playing happily with their cousins and headed south where I met my smokin hot husband for a date. Together we attended our aunt's Christmas concert. She is an incredibly talented and gifted musician. Mostly a folk music sound, she played her original Christmas songs and sentimental pieces, intermixed with stories and histories of each one. She played guitar (despite recent injury!), accompanied by a band of complimentary instruments and her beautiful voice was rich, clear, sweet and genuine, bringing so much strength and emotion to each piece. It was a wonderful evening with beautiful music and a chance to see friends and family that we love so much.

After the concert we went out to dinner with one of hubband's long time friends (one of his groomsmen in fact) and his girlfriend and had a great time before picking up our girls and crashing at the aunties house for the night. That was the plan at least. Both girls, who had been sleeping peacefully, perked up when we tried to carry them into the auntie's house. With renewed energy, they refused to sleep but compromised on snuggling and watching the Glen Miller Story with us.

After a very late night, they slept in and we barely made it to our Sunday morning adventure, which was the blessing of my cousin's beautiful new baby girl. We slipped in just as the meeting began and were grateful to be able to share that experience. Afterwards, we joined them at their home, where Butterfly promptly disappeared into the playroom, Ladybug wandered, and we mingled and talked with cousins and family I hadn't seen in months (and had some fantastic chicken enchilada soup).

A long drive and some long naps later, we are home, happy and having had another wonderful weekend.

Black Friday

just because I feel like it needs to be documented, I want to share our Black Friday with you.

I LOVE Black Friday. As soon as we wake up on Thanksgiving, hubband dashes out for paper and then we spend the day with family, tasty food and leafing through the ads. In the evening, by wonderful tradition, we end up at the "aunties' house" for pie and family time. My very talented cousin sang and played guitar, playing songs written by his very talented but presently injured mother, delicious pies of various flavors filled the counter (especially loved the apple and the chocolate creme), family gathered throughout the house to talk, laugh and play. But in the front sitting room, the floor was covered with ads, surrounded by would-be shoppers filled with hope, anticipation and excitement. Comments rang through the air "let me know if you see...", "does anyone have the ad for ..." "ooh, how about one of these?", etc. We shop, we dream, it's wonderful. Even the children join in as the excitment is contagious, looking through the toy ads and showing moms what they want and sometimes even "now mom, DONT get me this" (you probably had to be there to appreciate just how cute that was, this particular toy really was hideous).

My little Butterfly didn't understand or care too much, she was more excited to play with her cousins. But she did run around excitedly to play and occasionally stopped to look at pictures of the toys. Ladybug on the other hand, demonstrated her ever increasing mischevious streak. She would (stolen from the auntie who described it so well) "quietly sneak into the room, look around to see if anyone was watching and then bend down, grab a piece of paper and run out of the room, tickled pink that the adults would all cry out "no, i need that ad!" as she ran faster away from our grasps." I love that kid.

So this is how my husband and I, hopefully but realistically realizing the unlikelyhood of our chances, decided to brave the one place we have always avoided on Black Friday... Wal-Mart. (don't judge). In past years, we have throughly enjoyed places like Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl's, Target, Office Max, etc. for their killer deals and for the fun crowds. No really, it has been FUN. Hanging out in line in the freezing cold at 4 am tends to create a really great atmosphere. People joke around and chat with strangers. You teasingly discuss your goal items and strategies. Sometimes there's a little competetive attitude but it's always been fun.

But this year, the WalMart Black Friday ad featured a deal too good to pass up and something I would really have liked to have been able to give my girls for Christmas. So we headed to WalMart, about half an hour early, knowing our chances were slim but willing to try. silly us. Fortunately this WalMart was open 24 hour, so we knew their BF items would be sitting on pallets, wrapped in tarp, sitting in the middle of the aisle, not to be opened until midnight. The parking lot was packed (no surprise) and the store was choas (no surprise). But the feeling was nuts. People had poked holes in the tarps to identify and locate items and were hovering, often sitting, on the boxes. They had been there since noon (who gives up the Thanksgiving dinner for a side effect Thanksgiving sale?) and had counted off the recipents. Gathered together they protected their find, giving dirty looks to ward off any newcomers and quickly declaring them all "taken" should anyone ask. I realize that tensions were a little high, but there's no reason to be rude. So we quickly gave up on the long-shot hoped for (realizing the ad had been misleading anyway) and moved onto a couple of less popular but fantastically priced items.

We found the pallet and to our relief, saw many more items available than the number of people waiting. We joked with people standing nearby, even poking fun at the madness consuming other areas of the store. Suddenly, someone called "go" and pandemonium errupted. The crowd morphed into a scene from "Lord of the Flies" and like piranas, dove into the pile, shreding the tarp and grabbing at the products. We stood back for a moment, flabbergasted at the dignity being flung aside with the discarded tarp. After the inital rush, we were able to get a box and I headed for the front of the store. Hubband headed in a different direction, to see if another item might be available.

Turns out, I was first in line at the register, but only because it was not yet midnight. Our corner of the store has started prematurely. So I waited, talking and joking with the cashier (sale prices couldn't be rang up until midnight). She was, by the way, terrified as this was her first Black Friday. The store had already kicked out customers on two different occasions for their behavoir. From where we were standing, I could see into the bakery area, were a throng of people stood so thick, I couldn't even tell what they were waiting for. Cardboard began to fly, being pushed to the outer edge of the crowd and employees were standing on top of the piles, trying to restore order. It was no use. A fight began. And over what you ask? A $3 movie. I wish I was kidding. Hubband joined me quickly, the item he was seeking was no longer available. As he had passed the toy department, he had heard people calling for security as another fight errupted. We joked with the cashier, gave her a last minute pep talk and exited quickly.

Now to be fair, "scuffle" is probably more accurate than "fight" but the sheer volume of people and choas is overwhelming. Sadly, these are working class families, trying to provide those much desired Christmas wish items for their hopeful children, things they could probably not otherwise afford. And that part really does pull at my heart. But their behavior was disappointing too.

So we went to bed. Hubband woke a few hours later to find a few more "door buster" items at stores with more reasonable crowds and then we slept in, had a nice breakfast with our wonderful cousins whose house we had crashed. Then the men took the babies home where both men and babies napped while me and my cousin (the "women") went to Target. It was around 11, well past the door-buster choas and we had a great experience. The store was busy and full of people, but the crowd was courteous, saying "excuse me" when we bumped elbows and the employees were helpful (rather than seeming terrified and confused), greeting us and offering assistance. We found some great deals, enjoyed our shopping excurision and headed home for our own naps (and more online shopping).

here's to another succesful Black Friday. *cheers*

the social Butterfly

tonight we went to a Christmas party with many other families, most of whom we had never met. Wonderful food and a great program (with amazing music) but one of the best parts was actually after the party. Technically, the party had ended so the kids were running around like crazy people while the adults mingled and cleaned up.

Ladybug's favorite thing to do was to climb up the stairs and onto the stage and then go sit dangerously close to the edge, as if she was going to try to slide off the big kids. But really, it's just a game, and one I have become very familiar with. She gets a kick out the adults around her being alarmed and either nervously looking around to make sure her parent is watching (yes, I am) or dash to her rescue (only to have Ladybug grin and scurry away).

Butterfly lives up to her nickname and is the social butterfly of the family. Never shy, she bounds from person to person, enthusiastically introducing herself. "Hi! What's your name?! My name Tinkerbell!" Not kidding, oftentimes she does in fact, introduce herself as "Tinkerbell". But just as often, she will give them her real name and then bounce over to the next person and repeat the same conversation. Once she has met everyone in their family, she introduces the rest of us, her sister, mommy and daddy. But by now, she's usually forgotten their names and starts all over again. Sounds obnoxious, but actually, its really charming. (of course, I'm the mom. i think everything is charming.) Tonight (and not for the first time), she even chased after an intimidated little girl calling, "hey! I want to talk to you!". I'm pretty sure this little girl was just overwhelmed by the overture. (Don't worry, it didn't last long. She warmed up after a few minutes and then happily returned to meet the social Butterfly.)

This is how she makes friends. Everyone loves her, strangers at a party, the cashiers at the grocery store, the clerk at the bank, etc. And who can resist her? She's so happy and cheerful and has hair that is so amazingly beautiful that people can't help but to comment. She accepts their compliments, feigns coyness and giggles a "thank you", before bounding off to her next soon-to-be-friend. (I especially love when she even asks, "hi! want to be friends?!")

At playdates, she's never the kid that clings to mom and needs time to "warm up" to the environment and other children. She launches right in, eager to meet and make friends, regardless of their age, gender or appearance.

...And when I say it that way... perhaps the world needs people to be just a little more like that. :)