things i would spend my christmas money on if it weren't so depressing

1. a swing set. or some such fun for the kids in the backyard. i often wonder if they tire of digging in the same little patch of dirt or if bennett actually enjoys pulling ella around in the wagon while they play "queen." (poor little sucker)
2. a new vacuum cleaner. is it too much to want clean carpet without the lingering odor of a wet dog? and no, we don't have a dog. also, it would be nice to have a vacuum that can handle hair. it seems every time anthony vacuums he ends up crouched over it upside down and pointing out all the hair wrapped up inside it. long, dark hair. he doesn't come out and say it, but his eyes accuse: "this is yours." and i don't come out and say it but my eyes defend: "yes indeed. or ella's. and we don't exactly just yank it out of our head and scatter it about the floor to annoy you. it just happens."
3. scented candles. in light of number 2, i would love some yummy candles to cozy up the place. but why oh why are the good ones so dang expensive?
   
4. a new flatiron. it seems that things that plug in are practical. i don't want to spend my money on practical. i'd rather be excessive.
5. running pants. there are actually days its freezing around here in the morning. but i hate the idea of spending $25+ on a pair of pants i won't need in a few months. especially when i can just keep running in the shorts i've had for 10 years. nike never goes out of style... right?
6. books. dear library, can you branch out a bit? and i have no problem spending money on some great classics to add permanently to my bookshelves. but rather, i'd like my library to stock some great, possibly shallow, page turners.
7. an apron. i like all those fun little cute aprons i see everywhere. however, buying one for myself to do such a task as kitchen work... i'd probably put it on in the morning and end up wearing it all day. that's sorta depressing.
8. fun coffee cups. my "matching set" is down to 2. the others are a garage sale looking hodge podge. why do i not want to spend money on coffee cups? i don't know... maybe because they hide out in the cupboard all day.
9. place mats for my table. something besides the plastic map of america and abc's. i'd like some cute ones that can sit on my table and make it look all pretty. the impracticality of this purchase is the 3 little children in my home. enough said.
   

mud painting

the artist:

Boy, (noun): a noise with dirt on it. ~ Not Your Average Dictionary

beach

and really, who needs pants anyway?

day o' fun

nothing wraps up a week of studying about elephants like a trip to the zoo.

and nothing is as fascinating to a 4 year old than the size of its poop. quite remarkable actually. and later noted as the highlight of bennett's day. "mom, i still can't believe how big that poop was."so the zoo is always fun. and when you tire of looking at such amazing creatures as lions and giraffes and gigantic elephants (which shockingly, young children quickly do...) there is of course the cardboard sliding hill of fake grass. oh... so that's why the poor kid has been complaining of his elbow hurting. nothing like a little rug burn.
hours and hours of fun. thinking of having one installed at my house.

and the highlight of the day for me was watching my kids enjoy each other. ella and bennett navigating the map and directing our every step, the generous sharing of snacks, giggling together about poop, contagious excitement over the snorting pigs, and really, just being the 3 greatest kids around.

new years resolutions

i really don't make new years resolutions. i'm realistic about myself. if i haven't already followed through on a certain life change, january 1st certainly isn't going to motivate me to do it this time. especially for 365 days.

and then i overheard my husband's resolution. "i really just want to love Jesus more. if i focus on that, i believe the other important stuff in my life will fall into place."

yes. of course. me too, thank you.

so that being said, i know i have some other things that possibly need some attention in my life...

here goes:

1. read good stories (not that lame disney and dora rubbish they smuggle home from the library) to my kids at bedtime instead of counting the seconds until 8:00
2. decide on paint color for mason's room. its ridiculous its still pink. we've only lived here for 14 months...
3. bathe children more frequently. in the olden days, i know they only bathed once a week before the Good Lord's Day, but it wouldn't kill us to at least throw in one other day of the week (if this is totally disgusting to you, then yes, of course i'm joking)
4. mop floor more consistently. do not wait for my 4 year old to say, "mommy, can we please mop today. my feet keep getting so dirty."
5. ditto on sliding glass door. "mommy, can you please clean the window. i can't see the backyard."
6. try to clean bathrooms more often and not just when company comes over. or at least put a sticky note as to where the toilet paper is stored so they don't have to ask me. again.
7. read more classics. and not put important books like dobson's "bringing up girls" or tripps "shepherding a child's heart" on the shelf indefinitely when my dear friend passes along the latest gripping page turner. (that being said, hunger games was completely awesome, and if you have something else that good, please send it my way. immediately. thank you.)
8. attempt to clean out minivan more often. if we each carry in 4 items off the floor each trip, it should be looking pretty good by summer.
9. spend more time planning fun, creative learning opportunities for my inquisitive children to enrich and expand their lives and spend less time on facebook, blogs, and googling such things as "boot sale."
10. drink less coffee. get more sleep.
11. eat less chocolate. (not gonna happen)
12. respond with excitement when i'd rather respond with sarcasm. example: "mom, how about we pack a lunch and get all our sand toys and spend the whole day at the park." will respond with, "that sounds awesome! lets bring a kite, your bikes and a soccer ball!" instead of, "i'd rather rip my own fingernails off."

so, from my disorganized, filthy home to yours... happy 2011!