Bragging Alert: Best Parents Ever?

I'm going to take a few minutes out of your day and just brag for a while.

First of all: Lil'Dude has had four straight weeks without a yellow. Pure greens and blues baby, and that's with ADHD. Of course any second now the school will probably call informing me different, but until then I am sopping this UP. He is doing so good with his reading and read a book that has been "too hard" for a while now pretty easily last night. Boom. Shakalaka. Boom.

Second: Lil'Guy is doing better. By better I mean slightly less annoyed with Lil'Miss. He loves playing with her...if he could just forget that he is annoyed with her for taking his baby spot in the family he would do amazing! There is a light at the end of the tunnel though because he WANTS her to play with them. It's like they are all watching each other's backs. It's so cute. Lil'Guy also does great in school consistently...it's just normal for him so we don't brag on it nearly enough. That's kind of crappy of us, so I'm going to now. He's super smart and a pretty all around awesome kid.

Third: Okay so this is why I decided to write the blog. This is the cherry on top of the cake. Or if you are me, the huge chocolate chunk on top of the mint chocolate chip ice cream covered in chocolate crackle and thin mints. What? I'm hungry. Anyways...Lil'Miss is doing AMAZING and now we have proof. ECI (Early Childhood Intervention) came today. She was in ECI before but in another state. We didn't really see anything concerning to warrant ECI, but decided to have them come anyways.

Well...not only does this child NOT qualify for ECI but she is on the cognitive (only test they decided to do) level of a 4 year old!! She is way ahead in speech and motor skills as well. This kid is super smart. They watched her for maybe 30 minutes and most was just us talking back and forth about how she was doing and them being curious. They were also blown away by her attachment to us and how healthy it is. She doesn't have any concerns there attachment wise (she wouldn't go to them at all until I prompted her to have them help feed the baby). That is such a beautiful thing to us. These are professionals (one worked with CPS prior to her position now) and they were almost speechless. We told them some of the prior concerns and they not only didn't see anything concerning, they went on and on about how ahead she is and how well she speaks.

See? She IS a rock star. Now we have proof.

We are willing to take all the credit too. It's our awesome parenting skillz that got her this far. You are welcome Lil'Miss.

Psh.

She really is just that smart. I mean for her to come so far in so little time just blows me out of the water. She has probably doubled her speech and I would say it's gotten at least 2 - 3 times easier to understand...in just six weeks!

Amazing.


Right now I'm riding high on this cloud I call Parenting Prowess.

If you need me, I'll be putting the finishing touches on my soon-to-be-released "How to be a Better Parent and Only Half as Awesome as Me" book. Due in stores on December 32, 2012.

If this is annoying to you, just remember Triplet Parenting Wins only happen once in a blue moon. It's about as rare as getting a good picture with all three kids smiling. While they are wearing church clothes. But less so.


This weekend is THE CHRISTMAS PARADE!!!!!! You know...THIS one. We have some very special guests coming too to visit this weekend. I'm so excited! I just can't hide it! I'm about to lose control and I think I like it. (Song in head. Your welcome. I just couldn't end the blog without giving all 3 of my faithful readers a gift from my heart.)


Oh. And Ian Peanut came back three nights ago. They are always SO excited to wake up and see him in another spot. Unfortunately due to lazy parents, he  "came back to the same spot because he loved it so much" on the second night. Oops. Okay so these parenting wins don't last that long....not unlike when that stupid Elf finally does move...it just makes it more special.

Poop and the Fabulous Christmas Parade Extravaganza

I love that title. It sounds like a very messed up Children's Christmas Book.

I would totally buy it!!

Okay so Christmas was fabulous, as always! You know I was all excited. I am a Christmas FREAK! I adore every aspect. Christmas trees, christmas candy, christmas cookies, christmas prime rib, christmas desserts...seeing a theme? I am nothing if not predictable.

My kids were excited too. We were caroling and singing our little hearts out. Their favorite is Mr.Grinch. They adore that song, adding in little lyrics of their own which usually have something to do with poop. Ahhh the life of having two boys strikes again.

You see, poop is not a bad word in our house...I tried that. They were in timeout literally every 2 minutes so in my great parenting style I let it go so I wouldn't have to deal with it. I thought maybe it was because I told them they couldn't say it that they wanted to say it. Nope. Turns out poop is just funny in general. You totally just giggled, didn't you. Don't lie.



We went to the Christmas parade again!! It was a ball and a half of good times. This year we went with our friends Caroleenalou and Jamister. They have two small boys also, and we like to hang out with them because their boys hit back. So it's usually an even match. It's always nice to walk away from an evening out knowing it was an even match up.



We did the usual, went super early, rode the train, walked to the parade, then...oh then it all changed this year. You see in the years past we would cram into a good spot, one of us battle out for that spot with other cut-ins until the parade started while the other searched for donuts, coffee, and hot chocolate. Well this year we were lapping in luxury as Caroleenalou's dad has an office that faces the parade. It was fabulous, warm, and we could just wak right down and see the parade when it started.

Love that look on the kids face when they watch the parade.



Enamored with the parade





Lil'Guy hanging with dad...and glaring at mom for no reason



So after that we walked back to the train, almost lost Lil'Guy, rode to our cars, had lunch, then went to the Arboretum to see Santa.

Yes, I am going to ignore the fact that we almost lost Lil'Guy.

We gave them hot chocolate, so I am still counting this day as a parenting win.

 

Santa was cool, Cooper had a "Ralphie" moment when he sat on his lap and went blank. Then panicked and told him "remote control helicopter" three times. Luckily Santa heard him and we are all good now.



Holy Batman.....it's Santa...she wasn't just yanking our chain.



Oh.

OH.

OH OH OH....the best part? Check out what I found at the Arboretum's Gift Shop:

That's right. Honey Badger don't care. Honey badger don't give a s**t.



If you have no idea what this means I will warn you...this probably means that you are probably old. Like I was, until last weekend when I watched the you tube on it also.

Now I'm totally, like, totally hip on the, like, times, like. Snap.

 

Crackle. Pop. (Sorry I never could hear somebody say that without mentally adding that. Damn. Now I'm old again.)





Okay the rest of Christmas went by in a blur of wrapping paper, wine, mimosas, lots of driving, and little to no sleep.



It was absolutely fantastic. We went back to KS and OK this year during Christmas, which will be a one time thing but it was great to get to spend that time with everyone.



Lil'Dude got a remote control helicopter (which was broke by 9:30am, returned when we got back to TX, and somehow Brewerman came out with one also...so now we have two...oh and did I mention that these shoots laser beams at each...hmmmm WHOSE gift was this again!?).



Lil'Guy got the K'nex Mario track. Yes, he still adores all thing Mario. He loved it, we hated it. Turns out being an adult blows on Christmas because, unlike when you were a kid and everything magically appears, you have to spend hours putting every darn toy together. Ugh.

I got an incredible 12 cup food processor, and Brewerman scored the highest and got his Blichmann Brewing system. He has brewed twice already on it. It's like the Cadillac of brewing. I'm just happy it looks official enough the neighbors will stop thinking we are cooking meth in our garage.

Basically like this...but instead of the cooler there is another pot. Because he "had" to have it.

Well on that lovely note, my promise to myself is to keep this up more, ya know, the whole blogging thing. I have sooooo much to say and so little time to say it. Basically: kids are nuts as always (wouldn't have it any other way), husband still sucks at sharing but after 10 years of marriage I forgive him, and my job is amazing, I love the people, location, everything...but darnit if I don't have the time I used to!

Peace love and chicken grease. Here are some photos for your all around general enjoyment:

Lil'Guy showing his signature move to Lilihipster

The boys with their Mario (MARIO!!) PJ's and swords

NOT happy to have to stop and take a darned picture

No makeup, mimosa, crappy pj's = fantastic christmas morning



Truley just posting this because as bad as I looked, my brother looks worse. Ha!



 

Oh...and my new years resolution is to cuss less.

After this post.

Stop laughing!!!

Christmas 10 lbs later

Christmas was, as expected, a whirlwind of fun, laughter, and a few tears this year. But heavy on the laughter.

We started off the festivities on Christmas eve making cookies for Santa. That was a ball, for all of 5 minutes. Then the boys got bored and I was stuck making the cookies. Well they got bored until the cookie dough was done then they rushed in to help me "put the cookies on the sheet" aka "eat all the dough until mom raced me out of the kitchen". It was a great success and even though my chocolate chip cookies were flat as all get out, the taste was amazing and the snickerdoodles ruled the roost.

Pre-boredom. My guess is they realized flour doesn't taste very good. He he.

Germs included! For free! It adds that extra "splash" of flavor.

Then I made the smart decision to start cooking my breakfast for the next day at 3:30. We had church at 5:00. Yeah. We slid in right at 4:55 only to stand in the cry room the whole time right by the bathroom, which meant the boys had to pee five times each and wash their hands 10 times. 

And if you refuse that will the time they pee their pants because they told you that you had to pee. 

Did I mention it was a children's mass? That means all the kids get to go to the front of the church during the homily while the priest talks to them. It's adorable, but my kids have never got the guts to go alone. Until that night. Lil'Dude took the usher's hand and walked up there, and sat the entire homily. He was bouncing on his heels the entire time, but he stayed up there!

The rest of us were in the back. Well technically I was against the back wall so he could still see me. 

I may or may not have cried a little seeing him up there all by himself like such a big boy. Especially seeing him nudge the boy next to him, point at me, and whisper "that's my mom!" and wave.

At least I think I did. I couldn't hear so he could have said "Look at my mom. She is so lame!" then wave. Me waving back oblivious.

After church we zipped back home, had a wonderful home cooked meal, and unwrapped the traditional one present of PJ's. 

Okay okay so I forgot about dinner that night with all the planning for the next day so we went to a local Mexican restaurant, had dinner in our church digs, then went home and unwrapped the traditional one present of PJ's.

Mother of the Year award goes to....

 They were THAT excited. The kids poured Santa some milk, put cookies on the tray (after taste testing a cookie of course, only the best for Santa!) then put carrots for Rudolph. I even heard Lil'Dude say "Hurry! Hurry Lil'Guy!! We have to go to bed so Santa can come!!" and run to their beds falling fast asleep. Which never happens. 

Brewerman and I stayed up drinking Kahlua martini's and watching Christmas Story. At 12:00 my parents arrived, so after that, Santa came and we went to bed exhausted, expecting to wake up groggily around 7am.

Nope.

Brewerman and I wake up at 5:30 anxious and excited, not able to sleep another wink. Finally at 6am Lil'Dude wakes up and yells "Santa came!!" It was fun, and a whirlwind. But seriously? We are so lucky to have this, and have them to celebrate this with. It's just amazing to us, to this day, that we got this lucky. We are lucky to have each other too, and have great christmas' ourselves (Brewerman got beer stuff, I got a beautiful watch, and clutch, and much more!)

Lil'Dude excited Santa came!!

His Leapster Explorer that he liked a little *too* much. 

The only bad of the morning came when Lil'Dude started screaming and crying because we were going to make him put down the Leapster Explorer he got so we could open up all the other presents. After whispering to him how rude he was being he did finally dry his tears and got into opening presents. We are just mean mean parents.

Lil'Guy slapped on the Santa hat and was like an old pro passing out gifts. 

The best gift for Lil'Guy? The giant 4 feet peg peg (stuffed penguin) nana and papa got him. It's hilarious! He now sleeps with it and even though it takes up 3/4 of the bed, he loves that thing.

Then we ate egg casserole...and monkey bread...and candy.....then yoder sausage (YUM), then cheese, then hummus, then cheese ball, and steaks, and the most fabulous broccoli casserole ever, and Tiramisu Cheesecake.

  Tiramisu Cheesecake!!!

 MMMMMM.....so the 10 lbs? Gained. But it was so worth it. Every single bite.

Of course not being able to fit into any of my jeans kinda stinks, but hey, that's what they make sweat pants for! 

And the boys played a lil' wii. Okay a LOT of wii. The airplane game was their favorite I think, even though my dad spent about 2 hours on it trying to beat the same level. Boys will be boys!

Brewerman telling my dad what he wanted for Christmas playing a board game. Ha!

It ended up being a relaxing holiday, the boys got so many toys that they played with all day, I adored my parents being here. None of us really got dressed up, and we all just had fun with each other all day and all our new gifts.

Basically? I love my life!! 

4 year old Boy Gifts - Christmas Style!

So a friend of mine did a similar post on her blog. I thought I'd do one for our boys too! I hope it is helpful for any of you out there trying to buy for a 4 year old. Because my 3 year old truly believes he is also 4 years old, some of this stuff is also for him. I also have Lil'Dude's Birthday in January we'll be buying for so some of the gifts are for that too. (Although yes, even knowing that I still overspent for Christmas. I..just...can't...stop...buying!)

- Leap Frog Explorer okay so I will say that Lil'Dude is pretty hand-eye coordinated and he adores handheld games. He's been able to play Brewerman's PSP (which he is only allowed very randomly for reasons like this.) for about a year now. Santa is also bringing two games. What can I say? My cookies must be awesome.

- Iron Man Battling Headquarters Tank he loves all thing Iron Man and is really starting to get into figurines (oh wait EH HEM - ACTION FIGURES as my husband would angrily correct me while he secretly plays with his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that he keeps because "they are collectible". Even with all that rust? Please.).

- Lincoln Logs their classic. Their wood. What's not to love?

- Where's Waldo Book because we adore finding things, especially Lil'Dude.

- Nerf Gun we got the Star Wars one but also got a basic one for our 3 year old. They love these darned things, and I've tried my darndest not to go there, but alas I can't resist.

- Imaginext Firehouse they love these things!! They also like the crane, boat, batman cave, etc etc.

- Lego's any and all, they love them! But GEES them things are expensive nowadays.

- Candy Land and Chutes and LaddersI'm loving that they are old enough to play games now!! We'll see how this goes, or if it just makes them scream for candy. Or if they are like their daddy they will only want to play games he can beat me at or he'll end up throwing the Monopoly board across the room in a fit to rival our 2 year old. Oops? Did I just mention that?
- Memory Game I would stink at this game since I've had kids and it's basically fried my memory board.

- Don't Break the Ice okay okay so I went overboard with the games...whatever.

- Monster Jam Smash and Crash Stadium yeah this might have been an after thought, it was on sale. But they DO love themselves some Monster Jams. We are even going in February! Such rednecks...

- Monster Jam for Wii this is a game he can actually play! And again, they love big trucks and smashing things sooooo.....

- How to Train Your Dragon we saw this movie in 3D in the big theatre and they loved it so now they love watching it at home. Some kids are scared, my kids just think fire and blowing up stuff is "awesome". I'm so in trouble.

- Chipmunks the Squekquel DVD much to my dismay...man those things are annoying!! No like really really annoying. Bring me Wiggles anyday.

-Tonka Lights N Sound Fire Engine and Tonka Might Motorized Trash Truck okay so technically they got these last year but they still play with them daily!! They love these things!  I just have to include them for anyone looking for gifts.

- Leapster Tag Reading System this will be a birthday gift for Lil'Dude. We have the Tag Jr but we need something a little older and less "let's pound it on the table as hard as we can" ish.

- Paper Jamz Guitar Okay so this is really for our "cutest most baddest rocker" 3 year old ever. He loves anything and all "Rock Guitar". His favorite song is Master of Puppets. Favorite game Guitar Hero (which is so funny Brewerman doesn't play that anymore either since I've gotten better than him...hmmmm). I know. Your all "dude. it's paper" but it's more plastic-y and it's 20$. It's what he wants. Why bother NOT doing it?

- We also always buy them coloring supplies for their stocking, and bath toys. Plus some un-cool stuff such as new toothbrushes. Yeah I know, gotta have one lame gift in there. I figure it makes up for the 5 lbs of candy we have for "them". Even thought it's all our favorites. Or something I'd really really love if I was a kid. But never got. *sigh* I was so mistreated as a child.

We do big for Christmas but not as big for birthdays and we never buy throughout the year for our kids so we feel like that makes it okay. Have I told you how much I love Christmas? No? Well let me just enlighten you on how much I adore Christmas with this post. Did I tell you my name mean's Christmas child too?

Elf on the Shelf! A new fun, slightly creepy, tradition!

We would like to introduce the newest member of the household - Ian Peanut!


It's our New Elf on the Shelf! 

Those of you who, like me, have never heard of this fun little tradition, here's the gist of it - The Elf is sent to the house to look after the children and report back to the Big Man..the Big Kahoona...Santa. Every night he goes back and visits Santa, telling the jolly fat guy about how good/bad the children were, then each night "returns" to a different spot in the house. You can find it in most book stores (we got ours at Barnes N Noble, they had lots to choose from and were very helpful).

It comes with an Elf and a very well made hardback book. There are two Elves that you can choose from, Dark or Light Skinned.

I'm expecting great things from this. We got the "dark skinned" version which, as you can see from the pic above, is basically just a Elf on the Shelf after vacationing in Florida. Just a teeny itsy bit tanned. I literally had to hold it up to the light to tell the difference. It's rather hilarious on our quest to integrate all shades of color....an obviously lame attempt.

Last night was the first night we set it up on the shelf, Brewerman freaked a little as it looks a little similar to a clown. Oh, and Brewerman is freaked the F out by clowns. We'll see if this works. I expected joyous reactions, giggling laughter as the kids try to find "their" Elf, maybe a tear or two of happiness. Then we we all skip to work in our pressed suits and freshly made sack lunches. *sigh* In reality I had to force the kids to name him, and they looked at him with doubt in their eyes like "he doesn't look real".  Smart kids suck sometimes!

Of course by the time we read the book that comes with it (and is very cute and well made) they got into it, finally naming him.

Ian Peanut.

Ian Kinsler (baseball player - Lil'Dude's pick) + Peanut (Lil'Guy's pick)

(not our actual elf)

I know, the Elf is a little creepy. But we are focusing on FUN here. I won't let Brewerman slap the Elf around, not even a little, no matter how bad he wants to. Might scar the kiddos. And ruin the tradition.

Plus I told him it would make the Elf mad, and he'd come alive at night and end up on his pillow. That straightened my manly hubby out. He he, I'm so mean.

I think the boys will have more and more fun with this as we get closer to Christmas and they get to find Ian Peanut each day.

It will be fun.

We are making happy memories damnit!!