Wednesday, December 31, 2008

A note from Kristina

So today, Husband and I were watching Martha Stewart. Neither of us are huge fans, but occasionally I can gleam something useful. No doubt others get more use out of her tips, but some things I just don't have the time or funds for...

Anyway, a little sneak peak about the next show came on and announced that the topic will be blogs. I'm a bit interested for obvious reasons. Husband, however, was not so amused.

"I hate blogs," he said.

I looked at him.

"What?" he asked.

I continued to look at him.

"What?...Oh."

"I'll have you know I have eight followers," I announced proudly, like I just received the Nobel Prize in literature.

What's even better is as of this post, I don't have eight. Somewhere in the last few days, I gained two. Now I have TEN! I couldn't be happier. Unless, of course, I had twenty.

So, let me just say thank you, thank you, thank you to those who have clicked the follower button. It only encourages me to write more.

Resolute-tion

Resolute-tion: noun. A New Years resolution that a person is absolutely determined to achieve, regardless of whether or not they have attempted it before.

We know the resolution thing, don't we? We're going to lose 10 pounds or finally get that novel published. For this post, I wanted a word that was more than a mere resolution, but something more serious sounding. OK, I'm not all that good with serious, but still...

So, here are my resolute-tions:
1. Make better use of my journal. It's there. It's been there a while. But I really want to use it more. I pulled out my journal and saw that on 1/1/06, I had made that same resolution. Oops.

2. Lay off the junk food. I really want to get back down to where I was before my first pregnancy. I have a while to go.

3. Spend more real quality time with my kids. Not that I don't spend any with them now, but they could always use more.

4. Prioritize and organize. That one is too complicated for me to explain without boring you.

So, do you have an resolute-tions this year? Feel free to post in the comment section.

Friday, December 26, 2008

Confusasign

Confusasign (confuse-a-sign): noun. A sign that has an obvious meaning to an adult, but is confusing to a child.

PBS, you've done it again. Thanks to our buddy Curious George for teaching Monkey Son #1 about signs.

So, he now knows that if a sign has an image, and that image is circled with a line through it, it means no. For example, a picture of a dog that is circled with a line through it means no dogs allowed. Pretty simple.

So a few weeks ago, we are driving through an area we rarely visit when Monkey Son #1 sees a no parking sign. "No Parking" was not written out, but instead was a large letter "P" circled with a line through it.

"Look," said Monkey Son #1. "P's aren't allowed there."

Monday, December 22, 2008

Guest Entry: Wiz-Dumb

Wiz-dumb: noun. The type of parenting "wisdom" or advice an outside person gives a parent, though the parent thinks the advice itself is worthless.

Thanks to mommy Brenda for sending in this word and story.

Brenda's family never puts up a Christmas tree because they are not home for Christmas, but there is generally one where she and her family go for the holidays. This year they are bringing with them an 11 month old and she is concerned about the baby playing with the Christmas tree. When she brought this up to her relatives, she was told, "Don't worry. If he gets around the tree, we'll just tell him 'no'."

(For those of you who aren't parents, you can't tell an 11 month old "no" and expect it to have a lasting effect. You can't just tell him once and that be it. He will still need heightened supervision to keep him away from the tree. I can't even keep my 16 month old away from mine.)

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas Layout

I've loaded a layout for Christmas, but I'm not sure if I love it. I'll leave it up until Christmas unless you all don't like it, at which point I'll change to the old style.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Holinsanity

Holinsanity: noun. The particular type of insanity people, especially parents, get around the holidays.

The other day I was watching the Office (the American version with Steve Carell). In the beginning of the episode, Dwight researches what toy will be most popular that year and slowly buys out that toy from all of the area stores. Then, as Christmas creeps closer, he sells the toys to desperate parents and makes a huge profit. Despite paying $200 for a rather freaky looking doll, the parents go away completely thrilled and thanking Dwight for his help.

There's not much of a chance I'm going to spend $200 for a $15 toy even if it is the hottest toy of the season. OK, I admit Monkey Son #1 is getting an in-demand pirate ship, but I didn't kill myself trying to get it, either.

In a semi-related story, Younger Sister decided to go out to the early morning Black Friday sales. She explained that when you only have a certain amount to spend, you want to get the best deal you can. She was out the door at about 4am. Although she came back very happy with her purchases and the small amount she paid for them, she did tell me people were being crazy. She was told that before she arrived at a particular store, people were arguing and saying things like, "Just because you're fat doesn't mean you get to go first." Merry Christmas to you, too, I suppose.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Cartoon Mirroring

Cartoon Mirroring: verb. To imitate a cartoon.

For those of you who don't know, PBS has a Curious George cartoon that is very cute and educational. However, I really wish they would leave some things out of it. For instance, there was an episode where George was using two toy cars as roller skates, which of course looked like a lot of fun. So much fun that Monkey Son #1 decided to try it. Fortunately, I saw what he was doing before he got hurt or broke anything. The toy cars he was using weren't even the same size, and one of them doesn't roll very well.

I guess, deep down, I can't blame him. When I was a child, I wondered if you really could slip on a banana peel like I saw in cartoons. So I tried it. It turns out that it does really work, or at least it does on a hard floor. Ouch.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

300 Roses

300 Roses: noun. A term to describe anything that sounds way too expensive or impractical for the family budget.

So I picked up a book at the library full of Christmas crafts and recipes. I thought I could gleam ideas for craft activities with Monkey Son #1. Some of the projects were really cute and practical, like how to take parts of old Christmas cards and turn them into new ones. Others seemed super expensive. We're talking about decorations that are going to deteriorate very fast because they are made with things like fresh orange halves. Maybe the authors know something I don't? Maybe the moss slows down decomposition? I don't know, and am not willing to spend a lot of money on what I don't know. Now, I'm not saying the projects aren't pretty. In fact, they're stunning. Just a bit too impractical for my tastes.

What really got my attention was the "Rose Wreath." This project calls for (and I kid you not) 250-300 fresh red roses of varying sizes and hues. After a quick Google research, I find that even at wholesale, just the roses would be at least $250, not to mention the other items needed to make the wreath. I just have to wonder if it would be worth having a rose wreath on your door for a few days a year...

(By the way, I have nothing against anyone who does these kind of projects, but with two young children in my house, space and finances are definitely limited.)

Sunday, December 7, 2008

Human Bowling Ball

Human Bowling Ball: noun. A child that feels the way to play a game is to hurl themselves into it and knock down all the pieces. Games include but are not limited to toy bowling sets.

Remember when I mentioned that Monkey Son #2 received a toy bowling set? Let me explain to you how this game now works.

Step 1: Set up bowling pins.

Step 2: Monkey son #1 rolls the ball towards the pins, while I hold back Monkey Son #2.

Step 3: I release Monkey Son #2, who runs as fast as he can towards the pins. His feet slide out form under him, causing him to land on his bottom somewhere in the vicinity of the pins.

Step 4: Monkey Son #2 sweeps his arms around until all the pins are down. He then claps for himself and says, "Yay!"

New Widget

I've added the Follower widget to the right side. Now it is easier to follow the Mom-tionary!

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Shape Mistake

Shape Mistake: noun. The mistake a child makes when confusing one object with another because of the similar shapes.

Monkey Son #1 and I were making an Advent Calender out of construction paper. We made a Christmas tree and some little paper ornaments with numbers on them with the idea that we put up one ornament per day until Christmas. What confused me, though, was that when Monkey Son #2 saw the ornaments on the table, he went up to them and seemed to want one, saying "Fank oo (Thank you)."

I didn't know why he wanted one, but I gave him one that had not been colored. Again he said, "Fank oo," and toddled off. When he was a few steps away, he stopped and tried to take a bite. He pulled back out of his mouth immediately when he realized it was not a ginger snap.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Familial Empathy

Familial Empathy: noun. The feelings of sorrow, fear, or joy you experience by seeing other families going through times of hardship or happiness.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned a woman named Ter whose husband had cancer. I haven't been to her blog for a while, and wanted to check in there to see how things were going. To my sadness, her husband passed a few days ago. I left her condolences and reminded her that she is in my prayers. Then I cried.

I'm not really sure why I cried. I've never met this woman or her husband, and though I've seen the photo of her on her blog, I doubt I would recognize her in the street. Yet, there is something about her story that touches us all. I suppose it is imagining what is going on in her life right now and how she is feeling that pulls my heart so much. How can we not feel for someone who is living our biggest fears?

For those of you who pray, please keep Ter and her family in your prayers. You can also read her blog here.