The Grocery Store...Ugh

Going to the grocery store with 3 kids is becoming more of a challenge lately because Jules doesn't want to sit in her carseat in the basket but I still NEED Jack to sit in the grocery cart seat. So today I had to go to the grocery store because I was completely out of diapers & wipes as well as everything else! Juliet is teething too, so she was fussier than usual and was not going to do the carseat bit. So I grabbed my baby backpack and kids and headed off to do a Costco run and a Wal-Mart run on the last day of 2007. I also forgot to take into account that most people had the day off too so it was busy.

The outcome?? Everyone behaved great! I snapped this in the produce section with my phone. Jack sat in the cart the whole time!! That NEVER happens!! Juliet was content except for the 5 minute drive between Costco and Wal-Mart (she really just wanted to be held because of her teeth.) A quarter of the way through my Wal-Mart run, she fell asleep in the backpack. Can you tell she's tired in the pic? I got so many smiles from old people and comments like, "Looks like you've got your hands full today!" Maxine rode in the basket until there wasn't room for her and then she walked. She was pooped by the time we were checking out so she sat on the toilet paper while we waited. What a trooper! But everyone stayed happy and spirits were light. No screaming, no yelling, no "get back here this instant or I'm going to rip your arm off and beat you with it." Nope, it was a good day at the store.

Here's some more pictures I've taken that I like!

Jack wanted his picture taken too. His shirt's all wet and there's a car in the frame but whatever!

And then there was the train at Grandpa's house. Let's just say that it needs a constant adult helper because the kids get so excited and grab it off the tracks and then want someone to put it back on again. Happy New Year!!

New Camera.....YES!!!

My digital camera has been on it's last leg for quite a while. The kids have stuck their fingers in the lens door, rubber bands are holding the battery door closed, you get the idea. So I asked Santa for a new one and viola, one arrived on Christmas morning. I've taken over 100 pictures since I got it yesterday so I could play with the buttons and settings. So I decided to set up the living room like a studio and see if I could get a new "portrait" pictures of Maxine since she's 5 and my last portrait of her was when she was 4. This one is my favorite-

Besides the camera, I got a new blow dryer (that has some how made my hair softer and smoother than usual!!), some new jeans, new knives and new pots and pans. Did you get anything fun?

What do you want to accomplish by the time you're 30?

The other day, Merril asked, "What do you want to accomplish by the time you're 30?" (Merril's always been very goal oriented and reorganizes his goals about once a month.) I sat there and thought, "I don't know, I just want to survive until I'm 30." I thought some more and said, "I guess I just want to take care of the kids." But that's not a goal; not something to accomplish. So I've been thinking more and I can't really come up with anything. I want to finish the basement and back yard but I tried to think of a personal goal and came up with zilch. Where am I going if I don't have a goal? I have a goal to get the celestial kingdom. (Hopefully not by the time I'm 30.) So it's spun me into at least 10 minutes of introspection, of which I have emerged with this goal: No more diaper changing. All kids potty trained. :)

Eight years ago today...

I can't remember the day he proposed or the day we first kissed but our first date has always stuck in my head. Eight years ago today, one week before Christmas, Merril and I were set up on a blind date and he showed up at my parent's house to take me out. We went wheeling and after a huge mishap that involved Jason D. and Danny Z., we went to Denny's and stayed out until almost 4:00 a.m. I can't believe it's been that long, the time has flown by. It's definitely been a lot of fun. He changes things up and keeps me on my toes, mostly because he gets bored easily of one thing or another. That's why I'm so surprised he still hangs around with me. Someone out there has certainly lost a bet. I must be keeping him on his toes too.

Jack, my sweetie!

Max is at preschool, Juliet's asleep and Jack is playing with his cars quietly in the other room. I was checking blogs on the computer and answering e-mail when Jacky came in and said, "You're my best sweetheart." Cue the, "Ooohhhhhhh." Jack has always been more affectionate than Maxine, always snuggled more. He's making my day today. :)

Christmas picture...

I don't feel like I'm getting anything done and Christmas is coming too fast! Yikes! So instead of cleaning the kitchen and wrapping presents, I was taking pictures of my kids in front of the Christmas tree. This one was the best. I wish the light would've been a little different but I was working around the tree's position. However, 3 kids smiling is quite a victory in my opinion. :)

Maxine's backtalking has been steadily decreasing and I've only been working with her for about a week! Yeah!

Woosh. I need a nap! Two kids are down and I'm about to follow. Sweet dreams.

Backtalk...

Maxine has always been one to speak her mind but lately I'm sick of the sassiness associated with her comments. So I researched some websites and implemented a new "no backtalk" program. I've only been doing it for one day but she seems to be doing well already. The program emphasized commitment and keep at it for at least 3 weeks to be successful. If I can keep at it, she'll come around.

Merril was buffing a wheel for his truck with a power tool (angle grinder with a buffing wheel attachment) and it got away from him and ran into his face. He came in from the garage and I was like, "You have something on your face." He's like, "Yeah...I know." I followed him into the bathroom and he'd taken a fair amount of skin off right under his bottom lip. "Yikes! Does it hurt?" Merril-"Not really." Anyhoo, I'm just glad it was a buffing attachment and not a grinding attachment or he'd be missing some teeth. (He went out yesterday and bought a full-face shield for just such an accident next time.)

Christmas candies...

I'm longing to make some toffee, caramels, butter shortbread cookies and a few other Christmas favorites. The only problem is all the Christmas yummies I want to make are butter specific and I can't substitute margerine (Jules is still having a reaction to milk products). So I flipped through recipe books one after another, searching for a Christmas treat that I can substitute margerine for butter. The pickings are pretty slim. I also can't have chocolate or peanut butter. If anyone has any ideas, please pass them along!!