Moore...Party of Four

Christmas

Christmas dress

After spending hours on Macy's Christmas dress and even putting a bird on it since Macy will only wear things with birds and owls on them these days (SOOOO Anthropologie Macy), her reaction to it was a far cry from excited.

 
Here's the finished product:

 
 Once the camera came out both brother and sister were again less than excited about their holiday church apparel:

 
However, she did decide this dress is the perfect cookie-making costume. It is machine washable right? Maybe next week I'll get one of those full length pics of the child happily dancing around in her home-made dress. Fat chance but I'll try.

 
   

 Yes....that IS pink frosting in her hair....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

Let the Countdown Begin!

I know....It's already Dec. 2 and the tail end of Dec. 2nd at that. I actually did have this advent calendar finished in time to begin the countdown on time but purchasing things to fill the pockets is another story. As you'll notice, the pockets are still empty. Since my kids don't really understand the counting down tradition or even have clear concepts of time, I might just keep them empty this year.

 

And since I've taken the time to log in and post, here's a fun scene from the Moore house. You know, some days a girl's gotta get out every tutu and dress up dress she owns and just sit in them while watching "The Grinch" (which plays multiple times a day at our house).

Out of touch

This is how long it's been since I've posted. When I logged in to attempt this one I found that typepad has changed their site and it took me a bit to figure out how to even post now. Wow. One of these days when I have more time I'll play around and see what sort of treasures they've added.

In the meantime, I must address a couple of things that have been sorely neglected due to my lack of energy, lack of time and lack of sleep. And let me add that I believe all of these typical problems of mine are intensified by the lack of sunlight we get now that the time has changed. It's really throwing me off.  Anyway.....

First I have to show off my sewing space. I keep telling everyone, "You must get a desk and set up your sewing machine and have everything out in one spot! It's the only way you'll find time to sew!" My husband bought me this and lets me take up way more than my share of our bedroom to have a spot to sew. It keeps me sane! I love this little spot!!! 

 

 AND...Isaac and Macy are very intersted in a few things these days:

1. Star Wars. Both of them are obsessed with Star Wars. They hum along to the opening song, they know all the characters and they walk around the house making light saber or space ship sounds.  Ike wears his Darth Vader costume to the babysitter's house most days. She humors us by acting surprised and scared each morning. Good old Polly.

2. Ariel. They both watch the Little Mermaid frequently (I'm realizing as I type we should minimize the TV time a bit more huh...?) but Macy really wants to BE Ariel while Ike has a crush on her. "Ariel's really pretty, huh mom?" to which I always reply, "Yes and she's smart and funny too!" Then I remind Macy that she's not to get married at age 16. Ariel really isn't making a good choice with that one.

3. i-phones. Jake and I each have one and I told myself I'd keep it from them, hide it from them and never download children's apps until I discovered how well it keeps them happy, entertained and QUIET. What is amazing to me is how good they are at navigating the i-phones. They can turn it on, unlock it, find the app they want (or pictures, or the camera, or music.... etc...) and pull up anything they might need. It really amazes me. I know they're pretty simple, but you should see these kids. Ike is even really good at some of the games. He must have gotten that from his Dad.

Finally, Jake and I had our 5 year Anniversary earlier this month. We celebrated with a family breakfast at i-hop. Poor planning, no energy and no babysitter meant that was a fancy as it was going to get but I want to mention what a lucky girl I am. I have a sweet husband who is kind, loving, sensitive, thoughtful, hardworking, honest, and get this.... he does laundry, dishes, gets the kids fed, dressed and bathed, takes out the garbage and makes the bed. Oh yeah - and he doesn't watch Sportscenter. Ever. How lucky am I? Here's us after 5 years together. We're looking a little older and more tired but at least we're in it together. This is from a trip we took up to Pismo Beach last month when my Mother-in-Law came and stayed with the kids. We'll count that as our real Anniversary Celebration:

  

updates from HB

Man I have been lousy at keeping up on this blog ever since I realized I can't SLURP it into a book as easily as I thought. I still love blogging though. Love the idea that I might have something interesting enough to post on the internet for any random person to read when in reality nobody probably does land on this page now that they've seen how uninspiring and boring I really can be. :)

My kids though... they are always cute and always worthy of a post. Since my last postings, Ike has turned three, been using the potty pretty regularly although still no #2 "cause it's kinda hard to do that" according to him. He really looks out for his little sister and will even ask me, "Mom, is Macy in there with you?" when he hasn't seen her for a bit.... just to be sure she is OK. Macy has ALSO been using the potty a bit in the tradition of doing everything her brother does. She is also very good at singing along with any kid song and saying "No Mom!" They have seen the Jack Black episode of Yo Gabba Gabba probably over a hundred times but I'll admit- that Jack is so funny. Who can resist?

Jake is wonderful. Always at work it seems, but wonderful none the less. Me - I'm hanging in there. Barely hanging on some days but wouldn't have it any other way.

  

blue bird wish

If you grew up in Spokane in the mid 80's chances are you joined up with the Blue Bird program. There were many great things about Bue Birds. First, the chance to get together with all your little girlfriends and do fun activities and projects. Second, you learned which Moms liked to be called by their first name since "Mrs. __________" made them feel too old, and which ones felt it was more respectful to be called Mrs. ___________ than by a first name. And perhaps best of all, each week we would recite the "Blue Bird wish." There's no motto or creed in Blue Birds. Just a wish. I love the lack of pressure or stress that comes with a wish. Especially the Blue Bird one which goes like this:

To have fun (hey, who doesn't want to have fun)

To learn to make things (we did make a lot of what I would call "things")

To remember to finish what I begin (take a gander at all my abandoned projects at home and you'll see I'm still "wishing" to be good at this one)

To keep my temper most of the time (it's the MOST part that keeps me compliant with this one. And by the way, is loss of temper really that big of a problem amongst elementary school girls?)

To learn about nature and living outdoors (really? nature is nice and all but I prefer to keep living indoors)

To make friends (good one)

Anyway, I have really fond memories of my tenure in Blue Birds. I still remember the felt vest I made with roller skates on the back. I think I felt roller skates were what really defined me at age 10. What went wrong? I wonder if Macy will want to be a Blue Bird one day. Maybe we can write a new wish. I'm thinking something more along the lines of:

To be happy

To learn to produce quality goods that my Mom can sell on Etsy

To remember not to finish all my sweets or junk food lest I'll pay for it later in life

To keep my room clean most of the time

To learn about why it's worth it to pay more for shoes

To make friends

Happy Birthday Jake!

I'm a little late posting this but wanted to assure you all we celebrated Jake's birthday with more than just a trip to the ER. Dad had lots of help opening his presents.

And he shared his new toy with everyone.

Since Mom forgot to buy candles to put ON the cake, we had candles NEXT to the cake and again, Dad had plenty of help.

Macy quite enjoyed her piece of cake.

Ike tried only one bite. What child doesn't like birthday cake?

Happy Birthday Jake! We love you!!! - jody, ike and macy

overheard

"here your toy EC... Say 'tank you ike' EC"

"EC you silly"

"No no EC, dat Ike's"

"EC sit down"

"EC I see you!"

"Night night, sweep tight EC ... I wuv you."

"Don't be cared EC, mama just gotta baccume" (cared = scared; baccume = vaccume)

"Ike gotta help take care EC at sursery" (sursery = nursery)

two of my favorite girls

I've always said Macy reminds me of my sister Lindsay and this picture just confirms it. LOVE these two girls!

 

On a side note, I've been in the beautiful city of Riverside, California the past couple of days and nights for work. Even though I'm only an hour or so from home, it feels like another world. The best part has been when I explained to my husband that a train not far from the hotel kept me awake all night (on our morning phone call) and he reminded me that trains are still the primary form of transportation out in "Rivertucky."

And while I was away... (THIS IS BIG).... Ike and Dad picked up a kid sized potty since Ike is expressing interest in using it and tonight for the first time ever, our little Ike man peed in the potty! Or as he calls it, he "leaked" in the potty. I am so proud! And so sad I missed it!

 

get away

Jake and I went away together for the first time since bringing little ones into our lives. It was a long overdue and much needed extended weekend. The kids didn't even miss us with all the fun they had with Aunt Yeazy (Aunt Lindsay in non-cave-man talk) and Unca Derwed (Uncle Jared).

Jake got to golf at this beautiful course

    

I slept in, laid out at the pool (it was over 80 degrees in Palm Springs!), and got my toenails done. We went to movies, played mini-golf, went shopping, ate out for every meal witout asking for the check at the same time as the food... Ah.... It was heaven! 

We also rode the Palm Springs tram which takes you up to the 8,000 plus feet above sea level in a matter of eleven minutes. It was beautiful at the top. 

   

And there were some fantastic Asain tourist teenagers taking fantastic photos of themselves in all kinds of poses. We attempted to imitate but not sure ours are as glamorous as theirs. We'll have to work on it...

     

At any rate - I highly recommend if you have children at home, leave them (hopefully you have an Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Jared handy) and just go enjoy a little time away. It was nice to see the kids when we got home but we're already ready to go again. :) Thanks honey for a fantastic weekend!