Doin' Fine in Twenty-Aught-Nine

Alrighty! It is time once again for the New Years' Resolutions and the announcement of the family theme for the year! Hip hip hooray! And yes, it must rhyme. It's no secret, it's up there at the top: "Doin' Fine in Twenty-Aught-Nine" will be the theme to live by for the year! Now for the Resolutions....

Oh! Wait, before I go on, let's review how last year's resolutions went. If you need a reminder (because I sure did!), you can see last year's post here (well, maybe, I still don't know if I have this "link" thing down yet, maybe that should be one of my 2009 Resolutions, eh? If not, you can find it down on the sidebar in archives for 2007, December).

OK, to review:

Colleen #1-99.99999% accomplished. I had soda twice this year, once when my dad, who did not remember my resolution bought me one at the movie theater without me realizing it, and come on! Those cost like $4.00 a cup! I couldn't NOT drink it! And I can't remember the other time, but I am almost positive there were two. But yay for me! Two times! While I won't swear soda off completely again for another year, I definitely won't have it very often. I feel much better without it!

Colleen #2-I didn't lose 13 pounds, but did lose some and got in good shape for our trip to PV. I have a weight line that is hard to bust through, any advice there would be welcome (and don't tell me to cut out all sweets, because that ain't happening. I mean what's life without good food?), but I felt great, and thought I looked just fine, and that's what it's all about right?

Colleen #3-Complete and utter failure. And I am OK with the fact that I am a lazy, sleepy kind-of girl. I will probably not resolve to do this again. Which is why I am sure that at some point I am going to be called to be an early morning seminary teacher for our church.

Adam #1-Not perfect results, he didn't get to climbing Pikes before PV, but I think that had to do a lot more with lack of time, rather than lack of desire. And he is exercising about twice a week. Not too shabby.

Adam #2-Zach and Adam didn't get through the whole BOM, but did get through the Book of Omni and they both would like to continue their reading together.

Family #1- No, we definitely did not reach the shout-less home as I foresaw in my dreams. But we did better this year, and I think we will continue this one on to next year. Unfortunately the limited shouting has led to extremely long lectures for the boys, I don't know which is worse. I will have to ask.

Family #2 and #3-We did so much better with family prayers and scripture reading. We didn't bat 1000, but we were probably around 650. So I am calling us safe at third.

Josh #1-While we were never quite sure what this one meant, we feel he had an excellent year of play, so hurrah!

Josh #2-Josh is one of the best-sharing four-year-olds I know. We're not just talking toys, he even shares treats! Without being asked! He brought a big cupcake home from his Sunbeam teachers the Sunday before Christmas and asked if we could cut it into fourths so his brothers could have some. Man, that kid rocks!

Zach #1-Zach is a pretty respectful guy to everyone outside the family, and more often than not to us as well, but there is still room for improvement on this one, especially towards his bros and parents. Primarily in the "stop-when-we-say-stop" and "not-argue-about-everything-we-ask-you-to-do-or-not-do" categories.

Zach #2-Done! He did a great job this year making good choices and was baptized less than a week ago!

Ben #1-Ben loves getting dressed, and does so now on his own, without being asked, all the time. It is great! Although, he could use some help on his matching. But beggars can't be choosers, right?

Ben #2-He has become a great listener. Really, no complaints here; keep it up buddy! If all of his brothers could listen as well as he, maybe that "no shouting" thing would have been a bit more successful. Hopefully Joshie will choose this one for '09!

Luke #1-Over and done with. He still isn't what I would call a "big" eater; but he eats, if slowly, most of what he is given and any and all treats.

Luke #2-He sleeps like a champ for nap and night, unless we happen to wake him up while checking on him before we go to bed. Then it is up all night for us! Ug. But that's our fault, not his, so way to go Lukey!

Whew! That's done with then...so now on to our Resolutions for 2009:

Family #1-Continue to improve on scripture reading and family prayer.

Family #2-Continue to work on shouting less

Family #3-Start our compost bin. We moved from a state where the waste management actually sends an extra bin for you to compost in, to a state where people just toss their compostable items, and if you do compost, it is so dry that you have to water it to actually get it to decay. Lovely. But we want it anyway, especially since this summer we want to plant a victory garden...I know they aren't called that anymore, but it sounds so cute.

Family #4-Get a better budget nailed down and stick to it.

Family #4 1/2 (an addendum to #4)- Have a lot of good, inexpensive fun. We are on a quest to find the most amazingly fun things to do together on the cheap! We do a lot of hiking already, but we are searching out more. For example, we hear there is a good place to BMX bike around here. That's at top of our list once it warms up a wee bit!

**I know, a couple of these are rather un-original considering they were last year's Resolutions too, but we like them, so we will keep them.**

Colleen #1-I will work on reading my scriptures daily, as well as reading the manual they give us at church for our women's group before every Sunday meeting.

Colleen #2-I am determined to live more in the moment instead of waiting for the...well, waiting for whatever...there are so many things that pull us from appreciating the moments we have. And they go by so quickly. I want to be more present.

Adam #1-Be more patient, especially with the kids.

Adam #2-Focus more on the boys while they are young (while they will allow me to focus on them)!

Zach #1-Ask less to play video games and stop when my time is up.

Zach #2-Play nicer with Ben and Josh, and everyone else.

Ben #1-Be less whiny.

Ben #2-Be less bossy with my friends.

Josh #1-Be nice to Ben and Zach and Lukey.

Josh #2-To say, "Thank you!" instead of "That's not what I wanted!"

Luke #1-To talk more and more.

Luke #2-Stop head-butting my brothers and sitting on Ruby.

So there you have it, folks! Those are the ways we will be Doin' Fine in Twenty-Aught-Nine! We are looking forward to an amazing year, and hope you are too!

A Merry Little Christmas and a Very Special Day in Verse

'Twas the night before Christmas,

and we all had to wait,

Nana, Papa and Tutu were here,

but Auntie Lili was late.

We filled our tummies with eggnog

and pupus galore,

And began to celebrate the instant

we heard that knock at the door.

She had finally arrived,

sweet kisses she blew,

Then to the tree for the Christmas Story,

and opening a few presents too! New Christmas Eve jammies,

as Conlin tradition.

Happily received,

a welcome addition!

Mint brownies and milk for Santa,

And some feed for the deer.

Glitter, oats and mixed birdseed,

on lawn was scatt-eerd.

With the kids tucked in tight

we grown-ups were set

To eat a feast fit for kings;

a great Christmas Eve fete!

Next we gathered to wrap gifts,

open a few presents more.

Then watch It's a Wonderful Life,

which is never a bore.

To bed we all went,

knowing Santa would come

And bring us some joy,

a-rum-pa-pum-pum.

In the morning kids woke

with excitement and cheer.

The grown-ups did join them,

glad Christmas was here!

There were Legos,

and race tracks,and Wii games,

and meat. Also jewlery of shells,

and homemade crafts, oh-so-neat!

And more homemade gifts,and then again more,

What's better than that?

It's what Christmas is for!

With bows on our heads

we were feelin' all right,

Then ate ourselves stuffed.

Mmmm, Aebelskiver delight!

Even dear Ruby

got in on the fun. There was a moment like this:

well...maybe more than one.

There were quite a few tackles

and more than one tickle.

And Zach was the first to find

the green Christmas pickle.

It was a Christmas to remember,

playing with toys old and new.

But the best gift of all

was being with you (and you, and you, and you....).

After Chirstmas we went

for a tour of The Springs.

Manitou, G of G,

and other beautiful things.

And then the goodbyes,

Papa and Tutu, oh no!

Next, bon voyage, Auntie Lili,

to London she go.

Did you think the rhyming

would come to an end?

Ha! You're not so lucky!

I have long wind!

Grandma and Grandpa arrived.

Yes, that woman is my mother.

Here's Grandma and Zach,

without nary a brother.

They had come for a visit,

but more than just fun.

We had a special day waiting

for our first-born son.

It was a day we'll remember

all our lives and then more,

Seeing our dear Zach get baptized,

joyful tears sure did pour!Oh, Zach, we are so proud

of the choice that you've made.

You are an inspiration to many,

don't let that spirit fade.

From tiny, sweet baby

all snuggled in arms,

To eight-year-old boy

full of goodness and charm.

A new towel to dry you

after your baptism is through.

You're all clean and pure white,

much life before you.

You will never walk this earth

without us all near,

And the Holy Spirit to guide--

stand tall, without fear.

How can we express

how much we love you?

You are our son,

and a son of God too.

The days have now passed

relaxing and calm,

A little bit of fever

soothed with mama balm.

We love this time of Christmas

even when it's not white.

Our family around us,

all snuggled in tight.

Mommy's Barber Shop

From time to time I get this "antsy" feeling. I just have to do something. Anything to get moving...oddly enough the moving settles me. It often comes after a long period of business, followed by a lull, like the past couple of days have been after the last two weeks. When I was a kid, I would rearrange my room (those of you who knew me back then probably remember my frequent remodelings). Sometimes I clean like crazy. Which is why my house is either dirty because we are so busy, or freakishly clean because I have too much time on my hands. And which is why my floors are not only washed today, but also conditioned. Or I just reorganize everything, which my pantry is in desperate need of right now!

I guess I just have a hard time sitting still. This is why I like knitting and blogging. They are things to do in the evening while Adam and I watch the shows we like that keep me from actually having to sit still and do nothing but watch. Is this too big of a peek into insanity that is me?

Anyhow, from time my kids are victims of my "bustling," as Adam calls it. Sometimes it is a massive clean-out of all unnecessary toys (which just occurred Saturday), or a reorganizing of the toys to make them neater, or really anything to make it all more orderly, but last night it was the hair on their heads. I looked at the kids and thought, "What a gaggle of raggamuffins I have." So I took action.

Two of my least favorite mommy jobs are trimming fingernails (which is why my kids often look like mini-Draculas), and cutting hair (one teensy slip and...HOLE!). Adam always wants to save money by having me do it (he seems to think I am better at it than him, but maybe that is just an excuse because he doesn't want to do it either!), but it makes me nervous! However, last night I couldn't fight the antsy feeling, so today everyone, including Adam, is donning a new do! It didn't go too badly, although the last of Ben's summer blond came off, and I miss it already. But otherwise, there are only a few little "oopsies" and everyone looks a little less raggedy, if a tiny bit holey.

Hey, Merry Christmas all!

Because Calories Don't Count During the Holiday Season...

And because the plates and bags and saran-wraps of cookies, candies, beverage mixes, breads, bars and various sweet-topping-covered-chexes dropped off by our generous friends and neighbors just aren't enough for me, last night my friend Heidi and I hosted a sweets exchange that we hope will become an annual event (I'm not making assumptions here, she said so on her blog too, so it is official, put it on your calendars, girls!).

It was the most delicious party I have ever been to.

The terms were these: 1) Bring a plate of your favorite Christmas treats, with at least one for everyone at the party 2) You must have copies of the recipe to share...so no "Grandma's Secret Recipe" at this party, even if it is that good! and 3) As if goodies weren't enough of a lure, bring an ornament to exchange in a "white elephant" style (why is it called that? there has to be a story behind that bizarre name. anyone? maybe I will google it.) gift exchange. I think we all had a great time. No, no, no, I know we all did. I mean, how can you not when you are stuffing yourself silly with everyone's best-of-the-best Christmas treats, enjoying the company of awesome women, and heading home with a new ornament for your tree and half-eaten treats for your bitter-he-wasn't-included-in-this-party-even-though-before-you-left-you-made-him-extra-chocolate-covered-peanut-butter-bullseyes husband (j/k, Adam loved the left-overs and enjoyed a night playing video games without me saying, "Isn't there anything else to watch?")?! Ohhh, yummmmm, although I am still sick to my stomach from last night--at one point one of the ladies asked, "Colleen, are you really going to eat ALL of that?"--I am already excited for next year's event!

The spread (wow, I am salivating just looking at the pictures...maybe I should go make dinner):

This picture has to be posed, because there is absolutely nothing I was saying last night that could have been as riveting as this looks!

More party go-ers. And yet more! Look at how much fun we are all having!

What I do not have is a picture of Heidi, because she was the one taking all the pictures...she may have planned that, but I will get you next time, Heidi, especially because you stole my bell wreath ornament and have no sorrow for it! (menacing laugh) At one point I thought, "I should get a picture of the two of us together as the party planners"...but I just couldn't do it, and I will tell you why. I have been unable to look at myself in a mirror for the last week for two reasons, one, my grown-out highlights/grown-out layers crossed from the denial stage ("it's not so bad, is it?") to the anger stage ("**roar!**don't look at me I am hideous!"); and two, I was on day three of an infected eyelash follicle, so I couldn't wear any make-up, and for this girl, thirty-one needs make-up. I feel sad now though, seeing that there were no pics of Heidi, stupid vanity! But on a brighter note...thank you Kendra, for solving problem number one this morning! I love my hair! And thank you God, for solving problem number two. I didn't dare put on eye shadow, but made the bold move to try a bit of mascara. Ahhhh, and that made all the difference. And no, I didn't make it to the gym today...oh well, calories don't count during the holidays, right?

"Christmas Tree" written by Zach

Zach in front of our Christmas Tree before we cut it down. He is making a C and T in sign language, for "Christmas Tree!"

Yesterday, as I unloaded the most recent batch of abundant papers, projects and other school miscellany that have been coming home with Zach over the last few days (I am assuming the teacher is doing some pre-New Year cleaning), I found this story that he must have written in class this past week. I loved it for all that it said about Zach: "I am a thoughtful kid, who cares about others." "I can write a great story." and "Mom, you are in no way perfect, but some things get through!"

It looks like in the assignment they were given a title, "Christmas Tree" and some pictures with blank lines below them; the kids had to write a story to go along with the pictures. So without further ado here is Christmas Tree written by Zach (unedited by Mom):

This is Patrick. He loves Christmas alot. His favorit thing to do is giving. This year he thought that he might give, a karate book for Kyle, a vidio game for Mac, a doll for Susie, a movie for Coten, a football for Jakey, some dollars for a school for John (his family is very poor.), a barbie for Lisa, and a kiss for Mom. He is currently putting up lights and oraments. He is putting up red and green lights. He is putting his favorit oraments up. He then puts up the tree topper. He made christmas presents in school, and hid them behind the frige. At last it's Christmas eve. He puts his presents under the tree. He went to sleep. Santa came and left a note for Patrick. It said, "Dear Patrick, I love How You Give More Than You Want To Get! -Santa" he had left a tiny present. It was under the letter. Patrick opened it. It was a list of everyone in the neiborhood, and his favorit, a gift card for 200 dollars. He can buy something for everyone now! This was a Christmas he would never forget! The End

December 8th Through December 13th, An Absolutely Crazy Busy Week Reviewed in Pictures and Many Words

Monday we finally got the tree decorated! I think it looks pretty good...until I go to someones house who has a big full Christmas tree, then I am reminded of what it is supposed to look like. But, then I just think of our fun adventure finding it and I love it all over again. We were only able to put up about half of our ornaments, most of the boys' and just a few of Adam and my favorites...because of the lack of limbs from which to hang them on! Don't worry, the Christmas Pickle found a home right in the front! This year was the first year the whole family stuck around until the last ornament was hung and our little Hawaiian angel was placed atop (by Ben this year). Usually I lose the boys once their ornaments are up, and end up finishing on my own, but it was so cool seeing them get totally into it. Maybe it helped that we had fewer limbs, and thus less hanging time. They were asking about all their ornaments and ours too. We told story after story about each one, ahhh, the memories. In addition, when I was a kid I started writing my name and the year, starting with 1981 (or PI8I as I wrote the Christmas I was 4), on the lid of my Christmas ornament box. The boys started doing this too when Zach could first write his name. This year, before I said anything, Zach dashed off to go grab a pen so everyone could sign their names. It was Josh's first year being able to write his; he felt so accomplished! I love traditions and relish how special they have become to the kids!

It also snowed Monday night. Here is the house in the early hours of snow, before it stuck to the roads. I got this picture on the way down to our neighbors' house. They had invited us over for warm brownie sundaes, and our sweet tooths said, "Yum! Yes, please!" Tuesday, school was cancelled for the kids, so of course nothing on my Tuesday to-do list got to-done.

After an endless seeming snow-day, Tuesday night was our ward's parents' night out for Christmas shopping, where we get two-hours of free babysitting from the young women. Adam and I dropped the kids off, dashed off for an hour to shop, then returned, because I had to be back to lead the Cub Scout den meeting. It was Zach's first night as a Cub Scout. The kid is seriously thrilled to finally start Scouts. He memorized the Cub Scout Promise that day to be ready for den meeting that night. In our church, the kids don't start the scouting program until they turn 8, kind of a right of passage to coincide with baptism, which is why he started mid-year and in second grade. I was called to serve as the Den Leader for our ward earlier in the year, and I am so so so excited to have Zach come with me now. He was so cute all Tuesday night. We made oatmeal cookies for our activity that night, and he kept smiling up at me, doing his part, giving me little hugs; he was having the best time!

Wednesday was my 31st birthday. It was a great day. A true happy birthday. The boys and Adam woke me with singing and presents in bed. Later in the day, I met my sweet, wonderful friends at playgroup and they surprised me with good-smelling things like candles, soaps, lotions, potpourri, room fragrances, as well as stationary, cards, and well-wishes. All things a girl loves, especially one who lives with stinky boys! Adam came home for lunch to make me my current favorite sandwich: bacon, avocado and apple on toasted bread, YUM! While Luke was napping, Josh and Ben graciously agreed to watch a movie while I took a bubble bath with afore mentioned soaps. And my dear friend Kendra offered to watch the boys so Adam and I could go out to dinner at PF Changs, ohhhhh yeah. It tasted especially delicious that night. Adam baked me a cake, which we ate after picking the kids up, and the boys sang me "Happy Birthday" in French (and yes, Dad, Josh made sure to add the "monkeys in the zoo" bit afterwards, you have them trained well). Thirty-one. Hmmm. I remember when my sis, who is two years older than me, turned 31, she said, "It was way weirder than turning 30." And that is really true. I don't know what it is, but it just feels odd. Thank goodness for my incredible family and friends, who with their abundant "Happy Birthdays!" made me feel incredibly blessed and loved instead of totally psyched out.

On Thursday, after much errand running, I made three bags worth of chocolate covered pretzel rods with Christmas sprinkles. After 2 hours of dipping then sprinkling, I enlisted Adam to help and the last bag was finished in 20 minutes. One bag was used as birthday treats for Zach's class on Friday. The other two bags were saved for our ward Christmas party on Saturday night. I meant to take a picture because they were so cute, but forgot after I put them out with the dessert spread at the party. Dang. Here is Luke, sampling the wares sans chocolate. Is that salt strong, Baby?

Friday morning, I headed to craft group, which for some crazy reason I volunteered to be in charge of in a week when both Zach and I have birthdays. We made these cute candle holders with glitter glass decor. All I will say is that Martha Stewart makes things look so easy...there were some incidents with glue and drippiness. But we worked it out alright and they came out lovely. Mine, a simple cop-out, say "Merry and Bright" but some of the ladies came out with gorgeous snow scenes and snowflakes.
Friday night we had Zach's 8th Birthday Party. It was a great night. Eight-years is an incredibly humorous age, and Zach's friends are all sweet kids. I am a big fan now of the "movie party." The kids came over in their jammies with pillows and blankets and stuffed animals. We had pizza, ate cake, opened presents, then set up a projector that Adam had borrowed from work to project Star Wars: The Clone Wars on a large sheet hung up in the family room. I'm not even going to go into the cake disaster, let's just say we ended up calling it a cake perfect for Jabba the Hutt. Fortunately, in the picture below, you can't see the "bad" side. Two "You Ain't No Martha Stewart" moments in one day could have been disheartening to a mother who hasn't been toughened by having four boys! We all had a good laugh about it. The kids all had a blast, and it was one of the easiest parties we have ever thrown!

The Clone Army in my family room.

The birthday boy, all smiles!

The Clones, unmasked.

Saturday was Zach's actual 8th birthday. Wow. Eight-years-old. Zach is such an amazing kid. He is tender-hearted, full of joy, and unafraid to be who he is. He is so smart, loves math and science and mind-puzzles. I think that is one of the things that makes him love video games so much, he just loves figuring stuff out. He loves to share his knowledge with others, and is a good teacher. Zach is a great big brother and is turning into an amazing young man. I have loved these eight years together, from my snuggly, sleepy baby to my cuddly big-kid who loves to talk to me and make us all laugh. I am so excited to see him continue to grow into the man I see inside him.

Two stories from this week that show the kind of kid Zach is: **Warning, don't let your young kids read this first one!** The first story is this letter to Santa. On Tuesday we talked to Zach about the truth behind Santa. We knew he was starting to get suspicious ("I guessed, Mom, because Santa's handwriting is the same as yours."), and we wanted the truth to come from us. We talked about how Santa is a symbol of the magic of Christmas and of giving of ourselves to others. That the truth is a secret that he has to protect for his brothers until they are ready like he was. And that we all still believe in Santa because we can feel the goodness of the season and the magic, charity and love it holds. He LOVED being let in. So he wrote this letter to Santa the next day, to help his brothers believe. The story is so "him" because 1) He loves being included in the grown-up stuff; 2) He wanted to do something to help his brothers; 3)His letter only asks for one thing for him, the other four items are for the rest of his family (he explained that I wasn't included because he knew I would be reading it). I just love my Zach!

The second story is from our Christmas Party last night. One of the women in the ward, probably around my mom's age, who works in the primary presidency, approached Adam and I and said, "Your boys are so sweet! But especially, Zach. He just came up to me and said, 'Sister Bair, you look so beautiful tonight'." And that is the kind of kid Zach is. We love you Zoodle!

More Saturday events included Josh celebrating at a very fun jungle-themed birthday party for his friend, Mary. A major hit! Ben, Zach and I going to a Christmas musical at our neighbors' church that two of their kids were performing in. So cute and kitschy! And Zach's first indoor soccer game of the winter season. He was exhausted at the end, but extremely happy to be playing again!

Saturday night was the Ward Christmas Party, planned and executed by my friend Heidi and her incredible activities committee. It was a great night with a wonderful message of service. Awesome work, Heidi! Below is a video of the kids singing in the choir. I love it! Kids are so wonderful. They all did awesome with the first verse (which I didn't get on video, of course) and the chorus, but the older kids definitely carried the rest! I also got to sing in two other musical numbers, one with the ward choir and another which was terrifying, since the women's chorale group I volunteered for was much smaller (5 little voices) than I anticipated. But all was well, since I practiced 1000 times Saturday, and we were told we did swell. Of course, there is always the possibility that people could just be saying that to make us feel good! But I will just go with the belief that it is the truth.

Sunday we woke up to this. This is a picture of the drive home from church when I realized I had the camera. This is one of the "busy" roads that is usually clear even when the other roads are not.

This is the temperature on the drive home from church. And this is the "warm-up" for the day! When we got to church it was 3 (t-h-r-e-e) degrees Fahrenheit. BRRRRRRRR! Yes, that is a shouted brrr. Tonight the temps are supposed to drop into the negatives...oh yeah...and it is supposed to carry through the week. Wanna come visit?! And on a still chilly, but happy note, I hear Washington got snow! Hooray! That is so fun my Northwestern-dwelling friends!

The end to a very busy, but very good and fun week. Next week is a bit lower-key, but still plenty to do! I have to get my Christmas cards in the mail by Friday...it is my promise to myself! I hope everyone else is having a wonderfully busy holiday season!