Resolved? Not This Year!

For the past two years I have made New Year's Resolutions and posted them here for the world (or the three people who actually read my blog) to see.  And you know what?  I've done pretty well.  The first year I accomplished all but one (not eating treats) and last year I got all but three (cut sugar--I should just give up on that one, blog weekly--only nine posts all year!, and temple monthly--though I did go a little more often).

But this year, I'm not doing ANY.  Though there are certainly things I could work on.  I could just rewrite the goals about the temple, cutting sugar, and blogging more often.  I could also really use a good pep talk on being organized and doing more housework.  As I sit here, I can see the cheese crumbs on the counter from the nachos I made last night along with two apple cores that have long since turned brown.  On my desk in front of me are piles of coupons I cut out days ago and have yet to put into my coupon organizer.  That is how we have rolled as of late.  I drag myself out of bed, do a lot of talking to get myself to complete even a twenty minute workout (a few months ago I was doing 60-90 minute workouts everyday!), and take naps.  I can feel my waistline growing, my energy depleting, and I'm sure my kids think I am the most boring person on the planet.  That, or the one who yells the most.

But, even with all this, I still refuse to do it.  I refuse to do anything but survive this little math problem I've got going.  I've always been good at math, but this one is overwhelming.  And I figure it is going to take over my life all year long in one way or another.  So that is the only thing I'm willing to focus on as I forge into this new year.  See for yourself:

See my problem?  Little Bundle is due July 15 so I figure it will be 2013 before I get my act back together.  You'll just have to excuse me until then!

Halloween, Sweet Rides, and a Pilgrim

 I know that we are SO over Halloween.  I mean, we are on to Christmas for heaven's sake.  But not many got to see Russell in his doggie costume since he most definitely didn't want to wear it.  He wore it for trick-or-treating though.  It is amazing what you can get a kid to do when you bribe him with candy.

 Russell plodded along behind us all.  He couldn't keep up.  Lydia was so excited about the whole prospect she practically ran the whole time.  Every time we left a doorstep she would run down the driveway and say, "I LOVE Halloween!" Below:  Enjoying their loot.

Our friends down the street got these awesome toys for their birthdays.  They go about two miles an hour, but the kids love them.  We had a riding party in our driveway one day.

Lydia made this pilgrim hat at school.  When I went to pick her up, she was wearing it and I thought it was adorable.

 I ran a 5k in all this snow on November 19.  Chad and the kids came out to support me.  They loved the snow and I had a pretty good run.  The kids have loved the snow this year and have gone out to play in it every time (which has only been a few, really).  When Lydia has seen a fresh blanket of snow on our yard she has said, "We need to go make footprints!"  So far, we haven't had much snow and I am not complaining.  It was so nice and warm outside today.  Love the warm winter weather.

Word

• Word.  I'm thinking this might be a better title than "My Weary Mind" for my random column.  Whatchya think?
• Word.  This peanut-butter chocolate chip cookie recipe I found is life-altering--and absolutely waist-altering as well.  It makes a lot of cookies though so go on: brave up, make them, and then freeze a few for later (betchya it won't be much later though).
• Many nights I lay in bed and come up with the most fantastic thoughts.  They are usually profound, well-thought out, funny, insightful, and totally blog-worthy.  However, if you think I am going to get up, ruin that delicious, drowsy feeling that will eventually lead to a blissful sleep, and go write them down, you are out of your mind.  In the morning I can't for the life of me remember what those thoughts were--at all. And that is why you will find a lack of funny, insightful thoughts in this post.
• I think I may have discovered a solution to all our political and governmental problems: let's pay politicians the same salary that we pay our teachers!  Then the only people who would actually want to participate in politics would be people who were there for the right reasons: to represent the people, make the rights choices, and make a difference.  
• I totally scored at Old Navy the other day.  I got a pair of capris for THREE dollars.  Wahoo!  Maybe I should've looked at more clearance stuff.  
• The Vegas Ragnar is this week.  I am so not in shape for this race.  I ran six miles yesterday and it was WORK.  I think I need to retire.
• My little man looks adorable in his blanket sleepers.  However, his new found sense of independence is not so adorable.  He thinks he can pour milk, squeeze toothpaste, and cross the street all by himself-- or "elf" as he likes to say.
• Business trips are a bummer!  They bum me out because I have to wrangle the kiddos knowing there is no back-up coming at 5:30, I have to go to bed alone, and there is no one to help me eat the leftovers.  But I'm pretty sure it bums Chad out too.  Who wants to go to Fargo, North Dakota (where the average temperature is like 45 degrees), eat dinner with a little, old Hispanic woman you hardly know, and finish your day in one of Hampton Inn's finest hotel rooms?
• Word!

Kiddos' Goings On

 Lydia's first day of preschool and Russell's second birthday fell on the same day.  I think my kids orchestrated that so they could make sure I knew just how grown up they were getting.

She was so EXCITED!  And call me rotten if you want to, but I didn't choke up in the slightest as I dropped her off.  I knew she would love it (and that I would too).

I picked her up two hours later and we headed to the park to meet with friends and eat cupcakes.  It was a hot, sticky mess, but we have fantastic friends and neighbors.  And after Daddy got home, we did one our favorite family activities:  ice cream cones at Macey's.

We had his actual birthday party on Saturday so we could accommodate family.

 I decided to forgo the crazy cake in the shape of an animal, steamboat, or tank and just did a simple (but delicious) chocolate peanut butter cake.  He doesn't care, right?

Russell was not going to blow out his candles, and I must say that I was very pathetic in attempting to help him.  Not sure he will get his wish this year.

 Yes, I put the kid in a girl bib to eat his cake and ice cream and then I took a picture of it.  I didn't even think about it being a girl bib until the picture was snapped.  Oh well.  Call me a politically incorrect mom if you must.

Russell was in boy HEAVEN after he opened all his gifts.  He might as well have been in some magical place where every toy is a different kind of truck.  What more could a boy ask for?

As his mother, I could ask that he be a little more fearful of my disciplinary tactics, wasn't quite so messy with absolutely everything he ate, and that he not pick up on so many of his older sister's sass.  But then he flashes that dimple at me, asks for "choc nupe" which is his word for milk, says "thanks, Mommy" or "lub you, Mommy" and he knows he's got me right where he wants me.  I might be in trouble with this one.