The most precious child in the world

Madison asked Santa for Hungry Hungry Hippos, Gator Golf, Flipping Frogs, Magic light up paintbrush, a Glowstation, a barbie car, swim to me puppy, Little Mommy gotta go doll, a 180.00 interactive dog named Biscuit (which she will not be getting), and a 150.00 dinosaur named Spike (also she will not be getting), and are you ready for it.....my 3 year old has been begging for her own fishtank with goldfish all named Goldie...Goldie 1, Goldie 2, etc.

Remember me?

I thought maybe you forgot because it's been 2 weeks since my last blog! SHEESH!! I've been a mighty busy girl. Between work and keeping the house clean...oh yeah, and taking care of my above-average-energetic child...

Anyway, let me think about what we've all done. We went to a family Christmas party, for Brian's side, which was a lot of fun. It was a really warm day too so the kids got to go outside. I got to go off my diet for a day too, and lucky me, because Bethany made the famous pineapple gooey butter cake. OH MY GOD - must be the most delicious thing I've ever tasted. I've gotta get my hands on that recipe. So much delicious food and such wonderful company. We had a really good time, as usual.

Madison had her Xmas party at her dance class, which was adorable. It took me forever to find her teacher a suitable present. We settled on an adorable, plush, musical reindeer and a porcelain pair of ballerina slippers ornament. Also made goodie bags for the little ones. They had a blast! I love taking her there as she is in heaven for that hour.

Then, of course, the major time consuming part of my month - shopping, wrapping, shopping, shopping and more wrapping. Wrapping paper is starting to make me sick. :D I must say though, this year, I went all out w/ the wrapping and bought that wide ribbon with the wire. My packages look beautiful this year, compared to last year's - boring, simple wrapping, no ribbon, no bows. Tried a few unique ideas for a couple people this year. We shall see if they like them - I'll let you know.

Took Madison to see Santa. She took a really good photo this year. Little doll. After Santa, (at the Chesterfield mall), my mom and I treated her to a big sugar cookie and 3 rides on the indoor merry-go-round. My mom then treated us to lunch at Mimi's - my first time going there. I must say - WOW- that place is absolutely awesome. I will be returning many times. The atmosphere was beautiful, ritzy and relaxing and the food was incredible. I opted for a plate of mixed greens with some chicken breast, cranberries, grapes, strawberries, melon and just a tiny amount of feta cheese (the healthiest thing i could find on the menu). I was kind of mortified when they also brought me the biggest blueberry muffin I've ever seen, followed by a plate of bread, pumpkin cake/bread and carrot raisin cake/bread. I decided, right away, not to eat any of it.

I ended up eating the whole damn muffin, along with half a piece of pumpkin bread and a few bites of the other stuff too. :(

Diet, by the way, is going ok. I've obviously hit a plateau though. I'm watching my calories/food intake closer than I ever have in my life, and walking/jogging 4 miles a day, 60 mins a day, 5-6 days a week, and still, no weight loss in weeks. Oh well, during this month, I'm just happy if I don't gain.

Sunday, Madison and I baked ALL DAY LONG. I went to 7:00 mass and then started cooking at 8 am....didn't finish until probably about 6 or 7 that evening. We baked everything except the kitchen sink.



I tried a new idea I got off of my friend Tricia's webpage - a peanut butter cookie with a mini snickers baked inside! YUM.

We also made rice krispy treats drizzled w/ chocolate


chocolate covered pretzels drizzled with white chocolate,candied pecans
chocolate covered peanut butter krispy balls
sugar cookies shaped/decorated like teddy bears, snowmen Xmas trees and little sandwich cookies,
fudge
chocolate chip cookies, white chocolate macadamia cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and brownie cookies
MMMMMMMMMMMMM. I made a huge tray for Brian to take to work today and when I looked at the tray and saw the variety, I could not believe that Madison and I made all of that in just a day and a half.

I'll be bringing a big tray for Xmas too - so everyone in my family - bring a sweet tooth!

Merry Xmas everyone!

UH OH!

Dirty puppy dog's ear is about ready to fall off!!! Maybe I should prepare clean puppy dog by stomping on him and rolling him in the dirt?

UH MAH GAWD!!!!

I love hearing other people's stories about how their little ones say bad words or phrases or funny things. I've heard some hilarious ones from the kids in my family. My own daughter has said some doozies - enough to make me almost pee my pants. Well, last night, she outdid herself.

I was in my bedroom last night, working on my laptop, and I guess I was so involved that I didn't notice Brian come in and go into the bathroom to get a Q-tip or whatever he got. All I know is that he never turned the light on. When he came out, he jumped and said "boo" or "rah" or something and scared the crap outta me. My immediate reaction was to kick him in the butt and say, "asshole". Well, I didn't realize Madison was standing right behind me.

**Now, before I finish my story, I must tell you that Madison is a total Momma's girl. You don't mess with her momma. If she thinks I'm mad at somebody, then she's mad at them. If she thinks they hurt me, then she'll yell at them.**

Immediately, she yells at Brian and says, "Asshole!" Then she points her finger at him and says, "Daddy, you're an asshole! You should not scare Mommy"

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I could not look at her or remove my hands from my face for at least 3 minutes. I laughed, to myself, so hard. It wasn't just the fact that she said that word, but she pointed at him and used him name. Well, we couldn't be mad or punish her. We simply said, behind a smirk, that she can't say that as it's a bad word. She agreed and said she was sorry.

2 minutes later, she called him an idiot. She ended up in the corner.

Lord help me.

'Tis the Season

What a holiday filled week/weekend! After a week of me and Madison being under the weather, we finally both were feeling better this weekend.

Holiday-ness started off Wednesday when Madison and I decorated the house and put up the tree. Friday, after Brian got home. I had to make a last minute run to the store for candy/toys/trinkets from "St. Nick". Madison was so excited to put out her shoes Friday night. She's so smart, she decided to put out not only her largest pair of boots, but a 2nd pair of shoes as well so St. Nick would have 4 shoes to fill - haha....and that he did - full of games, tiny toys and some candy. She woke up Saturday morning and had a blast! Grandma Raymond came over shortly after to bring the stocking full of goodies that St. Nick left at her house for Madison...again, she had a blast! Needless to say, I could not get her to eat breakfast. Instead she begged for gummie bears and a chocolate Santa, etc. I had to bag the candy and hide it!

I took a few hours for myself and went shopping. I got a few Xmas gifts, and some shoes and an awesome new purse for ME (with my Kohls cash). I hurried home, changed clothes and then rushed to church. When I got home, I piled the family in the car and we went to the beautiful Christmas lights in Eureka. Madison loves them more and more every year!

While we were waiting in the long, long line, in the dark, with Xmas music on the radio, the view of lights up ahead, my little girl patiently waiting in the backseat, my husband's hand in my left hand and a fresh cup of hot cocoa in my other hand, I just took a minute to thank God for everything I have. I just lived for the moment! I was in a place that I couldn't believe I was in. I was in a place that I never ever thought I would be in 10 years ago- a place of total peace and happiness. My life is SO good and I can't ask for anything more! :)

Today, the family piled in the car again and we visited one of my listings cuz work NEVER ends in real estate! A little more shopping and then home sweet home. I decided it was warm enough to go outside and hang my lighted garland on my porch. I WAS SO WRONG!!!!! I was fine the first 5 minutes, but then I went a little numb. I had to finish as I was not about to leave it partially done. Well, about an hour later, no feeling in either hand, and snot running out of my nose, I finished my masterpiece. I must say, it looks great! It's been about 3 hours since and my hands are still freezing, but I'll be ok.

These photos are of my sweetie, posing in her new outfit (well, the pants are new - she had the rest). She is such a little ham. She asked her dad if she looks like a model.

The sweet innocence of childhood

We have all of our Xmas lights/decorations up and Madison and I put up our tree yesterday. After it was finished, she just sat on the couch, almost in awe, just staring at it. After a few minutes, with Christmas music in the background, she quietly asked me...."Mommy, do you REALLY think Santa Claus is going to bring me presents?" Like she just can't believe it. As though it's been fun to talk about it, and circle toys in magazines, and write/mail a letter to Santa, but now that the tree is up, and it's for real, now she almost can't believe somebody she doesn't know may really bring her all the goodies her precious little heart longs for.

That comment has made me smile for the last 24 hours. It makes me want to buy just a few more little trinkets to make it more special. She is going to have a very nice Christmas. She's a very lucky little girl to have so many wonderful people in her life who care so deeply for her and always strive to make her life A+++.

**Ok, after that sappy, serious blog, I'll add a funny quote my daughter told my mom the other day. My mom stepped on the scale (I will not disclose although my mom is fabulous). My scale has something on it that tells you what your body fat percentage is. Well, Madison decided she wanted to step on the scale and when she was done, she looked at my mom and said, (in a real na-nee-na-nee-boo-boo type of tone), "My fat is more than yours Grandma". My mom and I just laughed and my mom said that we definitely have to remember to tell her this when she gets older. :D**

How was your Thanksgiving?

Mine was awesome! We had a ton of different food and I ate some really tasty stuff...and then had a little more....from cheese and crackers to cookies and chocolate covered pretzels...to turkey and stuffing to cranberry salad, a pineapple whipped cream salad and the jello/cream cheese/whip cream/pretzel salad...MMMMM. Everyone ate a lot and we all had a really really good time. Brian and I just bought a WII about a week ago and the family really had fun with it. Madison and my little nephew were boxing and playing golf..but the real fun started when myself, Matt, my mom and my mom-in-law played a game of bowling. Seing the 2 moms play the WII was great! My mom actually bowled the high score of the night..but I must say, I kicked all their butts in our head to head challenge. :D

Jody's body has been aching terribly over the last few months and so I let her try out my body massage pad. She layed in my bed for awhile with it and then sat on it for the rest of the night and I think I saw her eyes roll back in her head. It was great to see her smile! Needless to say, I let her borrow it and take it home. I think she's in love.

The kids had a blast. They played inside and outside and rode bikes and jumped on the trampoline and ate way too many cookies....but hey, whatever...I'm the kind of mom who thinks her child should thoroughly enjoy the holidays, just like I do. Basically, on the major holidays, I don't really make her eat the good stuff...I let her decide and if it's cakes and cookies for those few special days, then so be it. A kid should be a kid if you ask me. I don't want to ever regret making her do something or not letting her do something. I want to look back over the special times of year and know that she truly enjoyed herself and was given the chance to just be a kid and do what kids are supposed to do...eat a ton of cookies! :D (Now that's it back to the non-holidays, the cookies have been put away and sweets are limited of course.)

My mom and dad spent the night..both were not feeling well at all. They are such troopers though. They stayed home w/ Madison all day so that Brian and I could do our Black Friday shopping, which we did. We started out at 4:45 a.m. and didn't get home until 3 in the afternoon! I got a lot of stuff done though.

Today it was back to work as usual. I have a ton of real estate stuff do to since I slacked off the last few days. Brian hung our lights outside today. Tomorrow, if I have the energy, I would like to put up the tree, but we shall see.

(By the way, this photo is of Madison taking a picture of herself)

So....how was YOUR Thanksgiving?

YESSSSSS!

I finally figured out how to get my photo slideshow on here. It's still not my flickr badge slideshow, but at least my photos are finally on here! Score 1 for me.

I'm getting hungry!!!

So, as always, I'm on the never ending diet, watching every calorie I put into my mouth. Well, I'm having Thanksgiving at my house this year and I'm cooking up a lot of different things and I've decided that I will eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and however much I want on that day. In turn, I'm trying to be extra good this week, leading up to the day. Having basically just cereal, soup, pretzels and a sensible dinner...in addition I'm walking for about 60 mins a night on my treadmill, burning about 430 calories a night.

So, needless to say, I am getting VERY hungry, just thinking about my spread for Thursday. Tomorrow will be the real trying day though as I plan to prepare a lot of my food early. I hope I can do it without sampling everything - 5 times each - haha.

I've decided, I'm 33 years old, I work hard, I'm comfortable in life, so if I gain a dang pound or two or three for stuffing myself silly this one day, then so be it. My husband thinks I'm gorgeous and my daughter worships the ground I walk on....so a few lbs. in exchange for a great day with my family??? No questions asked!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL!!!

So I say, BRING IT ON...BRING IT ON!!! :D

Hmmmmm

We've apparently started something new and I don't like it. Madison has started to spit out food. She will start eating her lunch or dinner and then half way through she decides she doesn't like it anymore (even though she liked the first 10 bites) and then she'll go spit it in the toilet. The first time I let her do it cuz I felt sorry for her, but now it just makes me mad. Two days in a row, she's been sitting in the corner. Just great! When is this gonna stop?

When I put her in the corner and walked away, she started crying hysterically, asking if I was still mad at her. I tried to ignore her until I heard a boom and realized she had fallen backward out of her little Dora "time out" chair. When I ran in to rescue her, she looked at me, with tears in her eyes, and asked if I still loved her. Well, needless to say, I scooped her up and she didn't have to sit in the corner any more. I know, I'm a sucker, but that question broke my heart.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Ok, so I've spent so much time uploading like 60 photos to my new flickr account, thinking I would have them on my blog tonight. No such luck. I can't figure it out. My brain isn't working tonight I guess. Darn the luck as there are some really cute photos of my darling. Maybe tomorrow.

Speaking of my little angel (devil)....tonight was dance class. Lately, she hasn't been listening to the teacher, but rather disrupting the class. She was truly an angel last week, so I thought for sure we had started a new pattern. Nope - I was wrong. The little devil came out tonight and she got in trouble, from the teacher, several times. She paid no attention - I was embarrassed, yet at the same time, glad the teacher had to deal with it and not me....(did I just say that? hehehe). Anyway, our ritual is, dance class and then a treat at Dairy Queen, every Thursday night. Well, tonight, no Dairy Queen! Hopefully next week cuz I just love their pumpkin pie blizzards!

Sold another house this past Tuesday! Yeah.....and also got an accepted contract on one of my listings....so, all in all, it's been a really good week! :)

Ok, off to bed.......need energy to deal with my flickr situation tomorrow.

Hmmm.....my first blog

Well, I've always wanted to start a blog, but never could find the time. Still don't have it, but figure I can devote at least 5 mins to get it set up, right? Not sure what to blog about tonight...I don't feel very good - feel like I have an ulcer or something..burning, gnawing pain. I'm up late, as usual, working and my beautiful little daughter decided she wanted to lay next to me so she's sleeping on the floor, in her pink and glittery princess nightgown, laying next to.....can you guess....none other than puppy dog...her favorite toy since birth - won't leave home w/o it, won't sleep w/o it...she's on her 4th one already, and at 20.00 a pop it ain't cheap - thank GOODNESS for Grandma Mitzi who has bought all 4 of them. Let's see, she had a poop accident when she was just a baby - *&^% everywhere one morning when I walked into her room ...that brought on puppy # 2, that one got too dirty, so came # 3....the ear fell of of that one, so came #4....well, she happened to find puppy # 2 which is now named "dirty puppy dog" and she refuses to sleep with the new puppy dog. She'll search the house, looking for dirty puppy dog...it's hilarious to hear her say that...she will either sleep with both or with just dirty puppy dog. Tonight, she told her dad he could borrow clean puppy dog, but not to touch dirty puppy dog cuz he is hers!!! She's a hoot!

Ok, I never would have thought my first blog would be about my 3 1/2 year old's puppy dog ordeal, but hey, it was something to get me started.....and on to the next! :)