Happy New Year!!!

We have a tradition (OK, I just started it 2 years ago). But, it's still our new tradition. On January 2, I run to the store and buy up last years decorations. Hey don't knock it they sell for 90% off. We ring in the new year by saying goodbye to last year!

Total cost for all you see her $3, and the kids and our friends get decorations...

We wish all of you a SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! We are ready, the table is set, the kids have eaten something other then junk. We have movies, games, and good friends.

I leave you with this video if 2007 New Year celebration here in Yoko! The fireworks show is wonderful. Here in Japan the New Year celebration lasts for 5 days. Most things will be closed, and a lot of families will be taking vacation..

"Well you did it to yourself"

I remember being a little girl and hearing my father say to me "Well kid, you did it to yourself". At the time I was 10 and OH, the injustice of it all. How dare he say that to me. It was NOT all my fault. Nothing was when I was little. Growing up in a military home with a single father was different to say the least. There were strict rules, chores, and self responsibility was pounded into my head. The 2 lessons my father taught me were *clean as you go*, and, *it is better to be thought of an idiot then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt*. The latter took me some time to learn. To this day my father says I was born without the Cooth gene. Heck, I don't even know if that is how you spell cooth, much less have the stupid gene... I blame him 100%. Of course at 10 I didn't see my life as different to the other kids. My life as a kids was my normal. It was not until my teenager years I started to realize my childhood was not every ones *normal*. The year I turned 16 was not my best year. It was then I started to wonder why I didn't have a mother? Having a family that was and is by all accounts crazy helped a little. When my father would go away for long periods of time I would be sent to live with my grandparents. My grandfather had a job working in Germany after he retired from the Army. My step grandmother was half his age, and a busy bee. I remember she put pepper in EVERYTHING she cooked. Maybe she thought my grandfather like it. Maybe she was just crazy. My grandfather was a POW for 5 and a half years, when he returned home he was a different person. Or so everyone said. I remember they had a huge yard, and my grandfather drove very fast. Spending time with them was always interesting..
During the shorter deployments I would stay with a neighbor. There always seemed to be a nice neighbor lady who took me in from time to time. My childhood was fun, and loving, BUT!
When I found out I was pregnant with my first child I swore I would not do X,Y &Z, or say X,Y & Z to my kids! I sure thought I knew it all at 21, when I brought my first born child home to my fathers house. Christopher had colic for months. There were many nights I would have to drive him around until he fell asleep. And, he would always be up at 6. He is STILL always up at 6. Of all my boys Christopher is most like me. We quickly found out it was his formula, and he was put on neutrogamina. Talk about nasty stuff. It was the consistency of Elmer's school glue and grey. Turns out I was the same way as a baby. Both my son and I are blessed to have what I term *funny stomachs*. If we eat to much sugar, or starchy foods (that turn into sugar) we shall pay the price.
Now as my son turns 12 I have found myself saying to him from time to time *well kid, you did it to yourself*. Most notable after he returns from the movies with his friends. After eating half the candy the snack bar has to offer, along with a large soda. A few weeks ago he came home and I could see it in his face. Way to much junk had been consumed. He was up all night sick. I sat with him, while he sipped water swearing "I will never do that again". Oh, hun, you are my son. Never say never. You will do it again, and again, and again. That is just who we are.
Which brings me to yesterday, The joy in my heart, and love I felt for my first born son as he looks at his mother (who is dying on the sofa) and with all the love he could muster says "well kid, you did it to yourself". And, boy did I. I think my sugar binge started about Christmas Eve. I blame all the people who stopped by to drop off cookies, and cakes. They have to be eaten don't they? I mean that is the only respectful thing to do, isn't it?
The next life lesson I hope to pass on to my oldest son is going to be "101 excuses". I sure have that one in my repertoire.

We shall suffer for you!!!

We here at the Culture Kids have decided to try something new. Living in Japan is an adventure every day. Each time we venture out in town, we experience things unique only to Japan. So Christopher has come up with a great idea. Last night while we were playing the longest game of life on earth, I was talking to Ian about how the Japanese celebrate Christmas. Here in Japan Christmas has taken on a life of it's own. While it doesn't hold the religious feelings it does in the US, they do go all out. Christmas trees, lights, and of course the Santa suit. (the majority of Santa suits are tiny and made for the women). Most Japanese people pre order KFC and strawberry shortcake, and spend Christmas with their loved one (wife, boyfriend, or significant other). Christmas is a holiday for couples. Although kids do get gifts.. This conversation led Christopher to an idea. Once a week we should buy something new, that we have never tried before. The rules are simple, it can either be something we think we know, or something we have no idea. (and it has to come from the 100 yen shop, or be cheap) We will bring it home, take pictures, try it and then let you the reader know. In honor of Christmas here are our first 2 picks. From reading this package Christopher and Noah guessed it would be cotton candy shaped like snow balls. Everything in Japan is sold in odd numbers. After reading the bag we knew there would be 5 snow balls. Well it was cotton candy, BUT not snow ball shaped. It had more of a toilet paper feel about it. The boys said it tastes just like cotton candy in the US. To make sure they were telling the truth I tried 1 *or 2*. Next up we have caramel corn. See it says so right on the package. I purchased 3 of them for Santa to put in the boys stockings. Price 88 yen, (about a dollar). So the boys and I read the bag, and knew it would be Caramel popcorn.

Here is where living in Japan gets interesting. What did we find inside our bag of "caramel corn?" Well, Noah described it as caramel flavored cheese puffs. I have to say I agree. Now to be sure we were describing it correctly to you the reader we ate 2 bags, you know for you the reader... Just to be totally sure we were giving good information..

We had such a great time for you the reader.. Next week we will do 2 or 3 more items from Japan.

I leave you with this funny Japanese commercial celebrating Christmas..

Have a good day!!

A Priceless Christmas....

Number of Kids on Christmas morning : 3

Number of kisses given on Christmas day: 100

Number of chefs to prepare breakfast: 1

Number of hot dogs daddy pretended to eat: 30

The amount of cookies consumed on Christmas day: 2 dozen

Pounds of lasagna eaten by my family of 5: 3

Number of head injuries caused by Santa's gifts: 1



Number of hours spent playing games: 3

Walking by (with camera in hand) as my oldest son says " Hey Dad, I get to be a candy Stripper in Life"....... PRICELESS!!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!!!!

Merry Christmas Orders...

Military Christmas Orders
To All Military Personnel

Subject Official Command Visit
This office has been informed of an official visit by Gen. Santa Claus to this base on 25 December.

The following directives will Govern activities of personnel during this visit:

1. No creatures will stir without official permission. This will include all native mice. Special stirring permits will be obtained through the orderly room.

2. Personnel will settle their brains for a long winter nap prior to 2200 Hours. Uniform for nap is pajamas, cotton, light drowsing, with kerchief, General purpose.

3. Personnel will utilize standard ration sugarplums to dance through their heads. This item may be picked up in the orderly room.

4. Stockings, wool, cushion sole, will be hung by chimneys with care. Necessary safety precautions will be taken to avoid fires. Individual Sections will submit stocking-hanging plans to Capt. Kringle by 0800 hours, 22 December.

5. At first sign of clatter from lawn, all personnel will spring from their beds to investigate and evaluate cause. Immediate action will be taken to tear open shutters and throw open window sashes.

6. Volunteers are needed to drive one sleigh, miniature, and eight (8) deer, rein, tiny, for use of Gen. Claus. Driver must have current rooftop license and have night vision equipment.

7. Gen. Claus will enter all sections through chimneys. Sections without chimneys will draw a Chimney Simulator from Link Services for use during ceremonies. Requests must be submitted in triplicate prior to 20 December.

8. All personnel will be rehearsed in shouting "Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night." This shout will be given upon termination of Gen. Claus' visit. Uniformity of shouting is the responsibility of all section Chiefs.--

(signed) Ebenezer Scrooge, Colonel, USAF, Commander

This was sent to me by my great friend Sean. Sean is currently in Iraq. We miss you terribly Sean. Come home soon!!!

Don't pack your bags just yet!

I blame the Navy. Yep, it is ALL their fault. You see for 9 years things have always worked the same way in my life. 9 months prior to our PCS date, Ian makes a phone call to a mysterious detailor somewhere in Millington, Tennessee. (OK, why are the detailors in Tennessee, there is NO ocean there). Who's bright idea was that? I know, they don't want crazy, nutty navy wives showing up at their offices. So they put them in some obscure office in the middle of no where. The first paragraph and I am already off on a tangent. So this obscure person on the other end of the phone talks with Ian for a while, and gives him choices. Ian comes home (or if he is on the other side of the world, he calls me) and we talk about our options. Up until now our choices have been good. Taking into consideration the job at each place, and how it will work for Ian's career. We would decide, and Ian would call obscure person back, 2 weeks later we would have orders. I could then start making arrangements to move my family around the world. Easy cheezie.





Well not anymore. We started talking to obscure person months ago. Back and forth, to no avail. In the end we decided it would be best for Ian and our boys to move to a different, smaller base here in Japan. All was once again OK. I did (and do) feel a bit behind the curve having only 5 months until we move to get all the things the Navy requires done to move. I spent some time this week going through stuff, deciding on what to get rid of (moving is always a good time to purge). I am almost done. There are still 4 tubs of books that we have to decide on. I want to ship them with us, Ian is worried about our weight limit. (do the boys actually need beds to sleep in?)


Here we are this morning, Ian took off to work. I was cleaning, and helping Christopher study his words for a music final. Noah is still sleeping (lazy bones)...Peyton is running in circles with a bucket on his head. Yeah good times at the T house. My perfect Christmas vacation week is disrupted by a phone call from Ian. Letting me know we are probably not staying here in Japan. WHAT? WHY? Well it turns out that to move my family from here in Japan, to a base oh about 5 hours south of here constitutes a 2 ocean move. What the hell? I can drive there (OK, maybe not in our smokey junk of a car we currently own) but if I had say a decent set of wheels, and knew where the hell I was going we could drive there. BUT! WAIT! Our wonderful Navy, you know the one, that spends $200 on a hammer, they have come up with an ingenious idea to spend even more of the Navy's money. You see they would have to ship our stuff back to the US. Process it there, put it all back on a boat and ship it back here. And, Hawaii doesn't count, nope it has to go all the way to California. I wonder if obscure person is Tennessee's brother has that job. So it would seem we are back to square one. Ian has decided to talk to a few other people that might just know obscure person in Tennessee, and see what they can find out for us. With it being the holidays we will probably not know anything for a few more weeks! Yep, weeks, then once we know something, give it a few more weeks for the paperwork to arrive, then maybe I can start making plans. Obscure person in Tennessee must not have kids. It is not as easy as obscure person in Tennessee might think to move your entire life across the world. I wonder how Japan would handle it if I just refuse to leave. I can see the headlines now "Crazy Navy wife has chained herself to the Tokyo Tower in protest". Hey, you never know it could work.......

Week in pictures!!

The gingerbread houses with Noah's class were a huge hit. The kids sang Christmas carols, laughed and had fun. A great way to start Christmas break. We don't spend tons of money of fancy Christmas pictures. I am just way to cheap for that. So each year I try and get the boys dressed in something nice (or at least with no stains) and snap a few pictures for family. Peyton's turned out great. Christopher and Noah's are still a work in progress.

Saturday night we headed out to Ikego (a housing addition about 30 min from here). The drive there was fun *um, yeah, OK* fun. Ian and I packed the car, stopped for gas, and off we went. We managed to get on the Yoko-Yoko with little trouble. Driving here is a challenge, you get on a highway and you better know where you are going. In the US every few miles or so there is an exit, if you realize you are going to wrong way, no big deal. Just get off at the next exit, turn around and problem solved. Oh, how it is not that way here in Japan grasshopper. If you get on the highway you are STUCK! For miles, and I mean a long ass time. OH, and the best part EVERY highway in Japan is a toll road. If you find yourself lost, it can cost a pretty penny to get home. And don't even get me started on asking for directions. So there we were on the Yoko-Yoko and all of a sudden our car (remember the free car, that was given to us) well it starts billowing smoke. And, there is no way to get off the highway. We are stuck driving until we get to Ikego or break down. Yeah AAA does not exist here. I am yelling for Ian to pull over, he is basically *the only rational adult in the car* trying to explain he can't, there is no where to pull to. So we carry on. Make it to our destination and boy was I in need of a DRINK!

Soon after our arrival *a parade on our behalf ensued*. No, every year they have a truck that drives around, singing, and passing out hot coco. By this time my wish of a drink had been fulfilled. Peyton and I danced, sang, and danced some more.

Jeremiah and Ian are great friends........ Can ya tell?

Mike and his wife Danielle have been close friends of ours for 6 years now. They seem to keep following us from one duty station to the other. ha, ha! It was great to get to see them, play horseshoes, and some quirky game called ladder ball.

Once it cooled off we got the fire going, and had a blast. A bunch of middle aged men and women singing Baby Got Back, and jamming away! The kids thought we were crazy, and well I blame the Jagermeister.



*Me teenage boy, me play with fire*!!!!
Mike tried all night to get Peyton to eat a marshmallow. He was having none of it.

We are officially home, no more parties, no more commitments. Hanging out, watching season 3 of Battle Star Galactica is ALL we have planned until Christmas.....

Define Home School???

I am once again wireless. Oh how I have missed lying on the sofa reading blogs. Sharing one computer with 2 other people is for the birds. Especially when the said other 2 people are my children. The power cord on Christopher's laptop died. Grandma and Grandpa took sympathy on Ian and I and expressed one to us. Once again we can all be on line, sitting, or lying around here in the living room... AH, good quality family time...

Here is a bit of our home school update. (or should I say half school)?

Today officially marks the start of winter break at school. Here at home we will continue with school. Yeah, I know bad mommy. The boys and I discussed it and decided to continue with science, and music. This week we will be making snow, and snot. Talk about fun. Christopher is taking a music class in school this semester (the term ends 2 weeks after they go back). He will have a test the first day back. Yep, wonderful school, give the kids a nice long 2 week break, then boom the first day back, a final exam. So we will be studying.. Next semester Christopher will go to the school for 1 less class. We are looking at an on line art class. Or maybe Mom #1 could fly here once a week and teach him. His other 2 classes are working out beautifully. His teachers are wonderful, fun people. I think it is also worth mentioning they are both men. The kids are engaged, and Christopher comes home excited after spending time with both teachers.

Noah and I will take 15 min a day to review his Math U See, and of course reading. To us reading is not work. There are days we spend all our school time just reading. Right now we are reading The Dangerous Book for Boys. It really is a great book.

We will be taking a break from spelling, Noah is overjoyed!

Ian will be home on a strange work schedule. Every 4 days he will go pick up the phone, answer it 100 times a day, solve the latest crisis, then turn it over to Mel. I can handle ever 4 days. I think. Him being home means he will get to *help* with the home schooling. I see Math U See and snot in his future. I think it will be loads of fun for him and the boys.


I honestly think if the boys did not attend school for part of the day, we would be up all night and sleeping all day. Schooling more often then not in our PJ's. For the next 2 weeks we are going to enjoy our time without a schedule.


Starting in January the boys will both start Latin. I ordered the curriculum months ago, and we have just not found time to dive in.


So far most of the curriculum we have ordered and tried has worked out OK. I feel like I am ahead of the curve thanks to all of the home schooling blogs. Reading what others have to say helps. A LOT! A few months ago I read a few blogs (MOM #1 and Amy @ the foil hat) they were talking about breaking up and tearing apart curriculum. They use what they need from a particular source as they see fit. Listening to my boys, asking what they want to learn about, and most of all knowing how my boys learn helps as well. When Noah says can we take a break? I know to almost always say yep sure, and we read for a bit, or color. Just take a few minutes to relax the brain..


Christopher wants to delve deeper into the medieval times. Not really on the track I wanted him on, but hey, he drinks anything history related during the medieval times up. So for now I will let him take the lead.Often I will read about park days, or home school trips and envy those kids, and moms. How I wish a network existed here. Last year there were at least a few families here, this year I have meet only 1 other family. They moved their kids 2 hours away from the base, and home school for religious reasons. We just don't mesh. One of the best aspects of home schooling my boys has to be that we (the boys and I) control what and how they learn. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have someone close that understands that...

I remember.....

I have noticed lately more then a few posts on finances, money, and the lack there of. Maybe it is the holiday season, maybe it is the current state of our economy? Maybe more and more people are starting to feel the effects of the spending orgy we seem to have been immersed in? Whatever the reason, I think there are a few wonderful posts out there. Heather (www.supernaturalworld.blogspot.com) has a great post on food and money. I started to write a mile long comment on her blog, then thought better of it....

I think the only way to truly understand what being working poor, or just plain poor is, is to have been there and lived it. To have experienced that feeling (the one deep down in the pit of your stomach) when you look at your child and wonder if things will get better? When you pay the bills and know there is no money for the utilities, and hope they don't turn off your electricity. Because if they do how do you shower, cook, or call 911 in an emergency? To wake up every day and go to work, busting your ass all day, paying someone half of your paycheck for doing your job with your child. Knowing deep down that the daycare you are leaving your child at is not great, but what choice do you have? You have bills to pay, and flat refuse to be one of those people that live off the government. You try and try, climbing that never ending hill, one bill at a time. Then the hills tosses a boulder at you, and blam you are standing in line asking for help. Waking up in the morning, getting dressed, sliding your pride in your pocket, all the while knowing you are going somewhere you swore you would never go!

For a while things get better, the car is fixed, your child has food (for the moment), and the lights are on. You pick yourself up and start all over. Until the next bill is due. You spend those precious few days worry free, playing with your child, trying to sleep at night, just knowing the bills will come again next month..

To really truly get it, you just have to live it. Some people will say well you should have gone to school then had a child. Others will say, my life is not their responsibility. I made my bed now it's time to lie it in. To those people I say, nothing. Not a thing, because they will never get it. Never understand...

At this stage in our lives we are better off financially. My boys are fed, clothed, the bills are paid, and we are even investing in retirement and savings. BUT! There is not a day that goes by, that that feeling doesn't creep it's way into my stomach. For just a second I remember, and pray. I remember that cold winter day sitting on my bed counting change to buy diapers. I remember calling our extended family for help. Explaining that I, my child's mother could not feed her son, and could they please do my job for me. I remember many sleepless nights worried about tomorrow. I remember so many days consumed by money. I remember the arguments because we were both terrified of the same thing. And, both feeling guilty that we just couldn't get over that damn hill.

Living those years taught me many valuable lessons. I still shop on sale ONLY! I still clip coupons, and buy in bulk. The kids still wear hand me downs. We still eat goulash. Ian often jokes that if the end of the world comes we are all set in the food department. Deep down we both know my fear is far greater then that of the world ending. I think once you have lived it, you know how all to easy it is to arrive right back where you started. At the bottom of that almost insurmountable hill. Trudging right back up again......

Onamae wa nan desu ka? Obama!!

It sort of looks like Obama doesn't it???

Definitely a red pill kind of day....

First of all definitely looks like it's spelled wrong.. *shrug*



Have you ever had a day where you feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland? That was my day. It started off normal, I woke up, sent to boys off to their half school days, and took off with Kim. We had errands for the PTO to run. Money to deposit, and I won a gift basket Friday (the schools AVID team raffled them off). We stopped by the school, grabbed the money, and I headed up to get my basket. It is great! The boys have been asking for more games, well this thing is loaded with tons of great games. It is safely hidden in my closet for Christmas.



On the way I had to stop at the ATM, while driving Kim and I noticed a few (about 4) Marines in full battle dress, with machine guns just walking down the road. I commented to Kim they must be doing a training exercise. On the way back I wanted to get pictures if there were still there. I grabbed my money, and off we went. To give you some idea this base is small. You can drive the entire thing in just a few minutes. For the most part there are only 2 or 3 different ways to get anywhere. We headed back out the same way we had come, and there lining the streets on both sides were even more Marines. Walking along the sidewalk, Kim and I kept right on driving, and every few feet or so we would see more. (I am sure it was some sort of exercise). I was able to get a couple of good pictures. As soon as I can figure out how to get them off my phone I will post them. Living on a base you would think I would be used to this sort of thing, but I'm just not. Seeing them walk past the schools, the stores, and even my house. It was all sort of eerie, like something out or The War Of The Worlds.....



Then Kim and I headed to Livin a great Japanese store, and decided to try out a new Japanese Italian restaurant we have heard about. I am not sure what my meal would be called, but it was good. Rice with a white cream sauce topped with red meat sauce. You mix it all up and enjoy with a side of extremely salty bread. For 300 yen it was well worth it. While we were there eating our lunch, I excused myself to the potty. I sat on the nice heated seat (I have become accustomed to heated seats, whatever will I do when we get home)... anyway, as soon as I sat down I hear a nice soft spoken Japanese voice coming from the potty. YIKES! I about jumped up. Seeing as how I don't speak Japanese I am not sure what the voice was trying to say. Maybe something along the lines of "you know a spin on the treadmill would slim that backside down". Following the voice the toilet started making a flushing sound (all on it's own). By the time I left the bathroom I was cracking up so hard all the nice Japanese people were looking at me strange on the way back the my table. I told Kim she HAD TO go potty while we where there. Kim and I thought about running a few more errands but by that time I was ready for the safety of my own potty.. Tomorrow I am taking the blue pill....

Any given Sunday....

We woke up this morning to howling wind and pouring rain. In light of the nasty weather I moved some things around. We did manage to head to the kids Christmas party. Pictures with Santa were a success. Last year Peyton was terrified of the big jolly man in a cheap red suit. Today he was all smiles as he climbed up for his picture.

Once the festivities ended I ran over to the NEX to grab the last few presents for the boys, and try and get some good ideas on what Ian needs this year. The boys have asked for board games, and they were buy one get one free! At this stage of the game I will take all the help I can get. Ian is a bit harder to buy for. We do buy for each other, but it usually ends up being things we need. Generally I get perfume, once a year on Christmas. Simply because it's on sale.

One thing I have noticed as the boys get older the requests change. Christopher has asked for clothes. Now Ian and I don't normally buy clothes for Christmas, but when said clothes happen to be $50 hoodies they become a gift. We are funny like that. Somehow I thought boys would not be into the fashion thing, Ian assures me I am wrong. And here I thought having 3 boys I would get off easy in that department. I truly think part of Christopher's new found fashion sense stems from being in middle school. Even for half a day. Thought I must admit being overseas the kids seem to almost skip over some of the latest fashions. Next summer Christopher and I plan to hit every Goodwill and second hand shop in all of Colorado, and Oklahoma. After all vintage is so in right now.....

While I was shopping, I ran into ( I mean I literally ran into) a side display of brown packing paper. (hurt like heck, and I knocked the entire display over). After picking up 50 rolls of packing paper I noticed the price.. One dollar a roll. For 60 sq feet. This lead me to an idea, so I grabbed 4 rolls and headed home. I have sent Ian on a mission while at work tomorrow. Get me some twine. We are going rustic this Christmas. None of that $5 a roll wrapping paper for us this year. Amy over at The Foil Hat has mentioned doing this. I hope it turns out as I see it in my head. And if not, well they are just going to tear the paper up and toss it out.

Following my destruction at the NEX I had to run into the commissary. I think I have mentioned here how I HATE the commissary. People everywhere, (and with everyone home for the holidays) today was worse then normal. What seemed like 100's of young sailors picking up what young sailors need for survival when there is no access to the mess. I have never seen so many boxes of cinnamon toast crunch sold in all my life. Upon arriving home I immediately added a cooking class to the boys school lessons. My boys will at least know how to scramble an egg, or *gasp* cook a vegetable.

*shh* I did sneak and get myself one gift early this year. The last installment in the new Nora Robbert's series...."The Pagan Stone". Tonight I plan to make a cup of coco, crawl in my bed and read myself to sleep. The perfect end to a cold, wet, crowded day......

Snapshots in time.....

Being so far from family this time of year seems to get harder and harder. As the boys grow older it seems we get home less and less. Here are a few snapshots in time for everyone we miss so much.

Chess seems to be a regular game played around here. Christopher just gets better and better. Soon the day will come when he kicks Ian's butt.

On Noah's field trip we were able to make bread and butter. The kids had a blast, my arms got one heck of a workout shaking all that butter...

He tried to shake it all on his own, but soon gave up and handed it off to me.

This started out as Rodolph. He ended up being a mouse.




Peyton had his Christmas concert and it was funny as heck. None of the kids lined up (um, HELLO they are 2). They did shake their maracas, while screaming an ear splitting rendition of jingle bells.

Peyton loved walking outside singing their 2 Christmas carols.

Today was our marathon football gridiron. We headed out at 8 for Noah's first game. He finished up and we ran across the base to Christopher's first game. Then back to Berky field for Noah's last game. Noah's team has progressed so far. They even managed to score a few touchdowns.



Look Grandma I blocked the play!!! He was so happy. It made sitting in the cold for hours so worth it.

Christopher was the quarterback for his team again, and I have to say the kid is GOOD! Darn good. All told today his team played 3 games. Like anything else Christopher decides to do, he concentrates and gives it his all. He wants to play football with pads and everything. OH, yeah, he decided to cut his hair. I think the dye has something to do with it. Today all the other parents were yelling "GO RED".. after his last game Christopher said "Mom, I so want to dye my hair back."

The end finally came (Noah was exhausted). We headed over and picked up their trophies, the boys had lunch with their teams and then it was home for a nap.

Noah is finishing up his season with a team sleepover at J's house. Bless J's mom!!

Our trip to Tokyo has been postponed for a week. The boys and I ventured over the the NEX to buy gifts for their trip Saturday. They will be going to an orphanage to help serve lunch and bring Christmas gifts to the children there. I think it will be the highlight of their holidays. Noah has been bringing me toys and clothes to pack up and donate for a few days now.

Have a great weekend...................

Tis the Season!

To be tired, exhausted, and worn out. Is it really all that bad when you can't remember your kids names? I am thinking so. There are benefits to sending your kids off to school, but right now I am to tired to think of any.

The PTO is hosting a Scholastic book fair this week, and interacting with the kids has been fun and interesting. We have had kids come in and buy TONS of books, raising money for the many things we the PTO pay for. It really has been great. Some kids have come with $100 bills, and their own Credit Cards. One child announced that his parents got him his very own credit card for his birthday. Um,K, Wow! I wonder if that is normal? Somehow I don't think so. Tonight is the last night then Kim and I will repack all the books we did not sell.

Noah had a field trip to a bread factory and dairy farm. I had the same group of boys from the last trip (with one itty bitty girl thrown in). She was the life of the party. Had me giggling the entire day. At one point she declared "Mrs. T, do you know all boys smell?" "They do, and it doesn't matter how many times you make them take a bath, they just smell." ha,ha.. I have tons of pictures to post and will try and get it done before Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas...Why is it that Christmas is the one time of year you have to do EVERYTHING all at once? I have graciously volunteered to help with Noah's class next week. Wednesday we are going caroling, then Thursday (we are making gingerbread houses), and again Friday we are doing a party for the class. Ian and I will tag team with Christopher on Friday his team is going bowling and they need chaperone's. Following bowling all 105 kids will have lunch and a party. So that means making something edible for 110 people.

This weekend the boys have their end of football gridiron and lunch. We were invited to go with some wonderful friends to see all the Christmas lights. (that is 1 thing I want to do) 4 trains and dinner later Saturday will be done. Once again another weekend of parties for Ian's work. I swear this is the second to LAST weekend. No more. Sunday is the kids Christmas party for Ian's work, followed by another cookie exchange. Is your head spinning yet? because mine is a mess. I love people, friends, Christmas music, dancing, and all the fun that comes with the season. BUT! (yeah there is always a but), I think I love sleep more.

One more week folks, then it is BREAK time. I am considering unplugging the phones, and placing a do not disturb sign on the door. Would that be tacky? The boys and I will need it. I think having them both home for half a day has changed the way we function in society. All of us love our quiet morning and afternoon time. Time to just read a book, or watch a good video. Time to cook lunch together, or take a much needed nap. Being committed to so many functions I think we are missing our time. We have come to realize a good mix of social and hermit time is what we all need. The next 2 weeks that mix is all out of whack. Someone pass the vodka laced eggnog!!!!!!

Meme time......

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping Paper. When the boys were smaller I would do elaborate bows. Spending hours wrapping gifts. Yeah, now I realize all the time I wasted. So we use gift tags, and store bows. I have even been known to just write on the paper itself...


2. Real tree or Artificial? Real 2 years ago we tried it and I just love the smell. Ian thinks it's a pain, but the boys and I enjoy the real deal.

3. When do you put the tree up? November 29 Th, the day they begin selling them. If we don't get one the first day, we won't have one.


4. When do you take the tree down? December 27 Th, that is about all the life we can squeeze out of a real tree, that spent a month on a boat just to get here.

5. Do you like eggnog?LOVE it! So do the boys, Ian can't stand it. We drink tons of the stuff..It tastes great in pancakes.


6. Favorite gift received as a child? Twin cabbage patch babies. I begged for those dolls for months..


7. Hardest person to buy for?My in laws, what do you get someone that has everything. Chocolate of course..


8. Easiest person to buy for?My kids, they give Ian and I lists. Ya know so our shopping can be easier.

9. Do you have a nativity scene?Yes, the manger is special to our family. The design, and making has been handed down. We also get a piece to our manger scene each year from family.


10. Mail or email Christmas cards?Every year I have good intentions of getting them in the mail BEFORE Christmas. Let's see if I can make that goal this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?An UGLY (sorry dad) sweater from my dad. I was about 9 and he thought I would just love a grandma style holiday sweater.


12. Favorite Christmas Movie?It's a wonderful life... I remember watching it as a child with my grandma.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?Around the time things go on sale. I am a HUGE sale shopper. Living here most things need to be shipped so I get the kids in bed, and shop at my leisure.


14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?Yep, I even recycle the wrapping paper, and gift bags. I am so cheap.


15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?Pie, Turkey, Dressing, um, just about anything. Oh, and Ginger bread.... yum


16. What decorations are on your tree?A bunch of ornaments I bought at the 100 yen shop, and snowmen. I seem to have a snowmen theme going on.

17. Favorite Christmas song?Christmas, Christmas time is near, time for joy and time for cheer. You know Alvin and the Chipmunks sing it!!!


18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home?Yeah right, like I would spend that kind of money to fly home. Nope, we stay home. Enjoy the day with the boys. If we were living in the US we would fly home.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?Let's see, um, there's Dopey, sleepy, sneezy, grumpy, happy, Doc, and Rodolph?


20. Angel on top of tree or star?Our angel passed quietly in the night last Christmas eve, now we have a cheesy star from the 100 yen shop...


21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?We open 1 gift on Christmas Eve, then the kids go to bed, and Ian and I wait up for Santa..


22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?Geeze, where do I start. How about the people that mull you over trying to get to that DVD player for $20. And, you know they have 15 others in their closet.


23 What theme or color are you using when you decorate?I seem to have a white lights and crystal theme going. I love golds, and deep red. It is mostly a Hodge podge of things the kids have made, and snowmen.


24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?This year we are having lasagna with wonderful bread. Growing up we always had lasagna for Christmas dinner.


25. What do you want for Christmas this year?I don't know. To make sure I have enough batteries for all the crap the kids will get!


Things on the holiday front are moving right along. I am just about done shopping, I need some plastic food, and kid dishes. Yikes, I can't believe I forgot them. Let's hope they get here in time. The boys have one more half week of school then it is full break. Ian and I have one more Christmas party to attend. I do enjoy going to some of the parties, but more often the not I am tired by 10.

Football season is just about over. Today was the last regular game. Next week is the grid iron, and luncheon. How I wish football was played during the summer, sitting out there freezing my tush off is for the birds. Next up will be hockey, followed by rock climbing. Ian holds a few climbing certs so he will be one of the instructors. I hate the idea of my kids dangling from rope high atop a hill, but at least my husband will be with them.

The boy scouts here are really dwindling, most of the boys only participate about once a month. It is just hard with dad or mom deployed and all the other activities going one. Christopher had taken advantage of the time on his hands and joined the chess club. He seems to be enjoying it A LOT! I am just happy he is doing something that doesn't entail bodily harm. Noah is finishing up Math club and received an award for reading. YEAH! I am so proud of him. Right now we are reading the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books. They are great reads for 8 year old.

We have still not received hard copied orders, and I am a bit worried. I sure hope they don't wait until the last minute to give them to us. I am way to anal for this last minute crap.. Maybe that is what I should have asked for this Christmas season.