Getting Caught Up

OK, it's been awhile since I've been able to blog. Last week was insanely busy with report cards and school responsibilities. But, by Friday I was done with school and ready to celebrate Christmas all weekend. Saturday we woke up and drove to Sacramento to do an early Christmas with my parents. It was a lot of fun watching P sit in awe as he saw each gift. He then proceeded to play with them all, not able to decide what he liked best. He is one loved little guy! When we got back home I addressed our Christmas cards to get mailed out.
Sunday I went to one of the best church services I've been to in a long time. I left with a lot on my mind in regards to Christmas and Jesus's birth. After P took a long nap (due to a rough night's sleep) we went to a Christmas party for his little play group. I love the parents in the group so it's always nice when we can find an excuse to all get together.
Today P went to daycare while I ran errands and had a dr's appt. On our way home he put 2 words together for the first time, asking for his cup please. Then at dinner he signed "Eat More" and I haven't worked with him on the "eat" sign so he must've learned it at daycare. It blows my mind with how smart he is! He's also hilarious. We had breakfast for dinner and apparently he liked the syrup from his waffle or he was still hungry. Either way he picked up his plate and started licking the syrup off it. Both Rob and I laughed, which encouraged him even more. He always has us laughing at his antics and sense of humor!
Well, folks, I think I'm going to take a break until the holidays are over. I may surprise you and blog once or twice between now and then but if not....MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I hope you enjoy the blessed time with family and friends surrounding you, creating lots of fun memories!

Monkey See, Monkey Do

I'm in over my head with professional duties today. After school I juggled Mommy Mode and Teacher Mode. Right now I want to take a break from school stuff to be a bragging Mommy. I don't have a lot to compare to but I think P is a pretty smart lil guy. He's shown that time and again in the past 24 hours. Last night, after we got home from a wonderful trip visiting Rob in Elko, I walked into P's room. Our puppy, Ruby, was under his crib. P thought that looked like a fun place to be as well. So, "Monkey See, Monkey Do"...the lil guy followed suit and crawled under his crib as well. Then I got frustrated with Ruby because she was covered in mud and got it all over the walls when she came back in the house. I put my lips together and blew out in a frustrated, horse type sound. P copied me and went around the house doing that the rest of the night. He did it this morning when I was trying to get out of the house and one thing after another held us up.
I picked P up from daycare and, of course, had to put his 1 sock and 2 shoes on. He watched me as he always does. But tonight on the way home he spent most of the time trying to put his shoe on himself. He didn't quite get it but he will soon enough. Something in all our errands made me say, "Iye, Iye, Iye" (or however you spell it). Pretty soon my lil monkey in the backseat was saying the same thing. Then to top it all off it started stinking in the car. I said, "Ooh, it's stinky. Did you toot?". He replied, "Toot" in his cute, high pitched voice. My lil monkey is so cute and not to mention so smart! I love all the things he learns...and shows off....EVERY day!!!

Today (As Told By Holly Girl)

UGH, it can't be bright outside already. I just got to sleep. I better start trying to get up because before I know it my master will be up, which means the holy terrors will be up also. Oh, my aching back and my aching legs! I'm getting too old for this. Outside to do my business...uh oh, I hear the garage door opening. I better be fast! Too late. Here she comes! No I don't want to run in the snow with you. No I don't feel like chasing squirrels. OK, maybe I feel like chasing after a ball but I doubt our master will be up for it this early. Think I'll just go back inside and sit a spell.
Perfect timing! The little guy is eating his breakfast which means, if I sit real still next to him, he might share. Yippee! My lucky day! He not only dropped some food for me but he still has some on his clothes to lick off! All this excitement has worn me out. I think I'll go take a nap out of the way of my master. She is making those noises she makes when the holy terrors are frustrating her.
Man, I can never be out of the way of the lil guy or the mutt. Here he comes, trying to lay on me like I'm his bed or sit on me like I'm a horse. I don't mean to be short with him but he don't know how bad it hurts me.
My master said the magic words:bye bye! I hope I get to go this time. No such luck but she offered to let me stay outside. I wanted to enjoy the sun but the mutt has to be locked in a box and I like rubbing it in her face that I get to go wherever I want in the garage because my master trusts me. So I decided to stay in.
YAWN! That was a long nap and now my master is back. Oh, she's letting the little man explore outside! I like when we go exploring because she pets me while he and the mutt get into trouble. The sun makes my backside not hurt so much so this is a win-win all the way around!
Well, that was short lived and now we're back inside. Wait! The mutt is making her mad so she got locked back in that box in the garage. And wait! The little guy is going in his box too. My lucky day indeed! My master is laying down which means I get the whole house to myself. What should I do? I think I'll take a nap.
What is that banging? And what is that noise? It must not be good cause my master is taking to herself. She only does that when she is frustrated. Oh, it's the kids next door. I like them because they pet me then leave me alone. I guess I won't get a nap cause the mutt is now barking and the little guy is awake again. Oh well!
It's dinner time already? I only got one piece of a yellow noodle tonight so the lil guy must've been hungry! Now I'm outside to eat with the mutt. Doesn't my master know I can't stand sharing a meal so close to her? Maybe if I growl enough I'll bully her away. Yes, it worked! She made her usual mad dash and now I can eat in peace.
Wait! They're leaving again? The mutt isn't around and quite honestly, I hope she DOES run away. It'd make my life easier. My master was so busy calling for the mutt that she left me upstairs all by myself. Or maybe she feels sorry for me. Either way I'm a happy camper to have total peace and quiet! She said something about going to sing at church but I don't know why she has to sing somewhere else when she ALWAYS has music playing here, which interrupts my naps by the way.
Well, she wasn't gone long so I guess she didn't want to sing much. Oh, and lucky me, she found the mutt...again! The little guy is running over to give me some "lovin'" like he hasn't seen me in weeks instead of just an hour. What is that smell? I know it can't be me even though I am a little gassy! Oh, it's the little guy. Maybe she'll put him out like she does when I accidentally let one rip. No such luck but she is putting him back in that box and closing his door. And the mutt has settled down and is asleep. Guess that means I'll call it a day. Boy, I'm one pooped puppy...or rather an old girl. It was a good day and I'm glad my master stopped making weird noises and talking to herself. That means she's happy when she goes to bed and that makes me happy. G'Night all!

Tis the Season!

As Rob likes to say, I'm a "plammer" so it's no surprise that my Christmas shopping has been done for awhile. The decorations are up, as is the tree. So now I get to just enjoy Christmas. I'm not a huge fan of how commercialized Jesus' birth has become but I try to find a good balance between knowing the Reason for the season and all the other stuff. Today, P and I took part in all the other stuff. We had a VERY lazy morning then went down the hill after P's nap. He sat on Santa's lap. Or rather he kicked and screamed and writhed on Santa's lap. Luckily there weren't many people around so Santa and his helper let us take a few pictures. Finally we were able to get a happy one but that's only because P didn't realize that Santa had snuck up behind us! After that we went up to VC to partake in some small town fun.




We went on the Santa Train, which he and I both thoroughly enjoyed!Santa's elves came around, giving everyone cookies and hot apple cider. The kids all got antlers and candy canes. We sang Christmas carols and were read the story, "Twas the Night Before Christmas". For being such a wiggle worm, P did a great job and seemed to have fun.



After the train ride we went to pizza at the Red Dog. There was a live band so P was too busy dancing to eat some of my pizza. From there we bundled up and braved the cold to go see the Parade of Lights. I have to admit that it was a little disappointing but the neighbor kids that we were with seemed to really enjoy it. Maybe it's one of those things that P will like when he's older and can get the candy the floats provide. Since he was more into his truck than the parade (except for the horses that came by with bells and lights) and I was getting cold, we left early. I didn't feel bad, though, because we packed a lot of holiday cheer into our afternoon and evening.
Before bed P chose 2 Christmas books that are about the real Reason for the season. So we were able to enjoy all aspects of such a wonderful holiday!

Perfect Place

This morning, while P and I were eating breakfast, I was daydreaming about all the things I'd like to add to the house.... hardwood floors, new dishwasher, new flat screen TV, matching bedroom furniture, wooden blinds.... when a plane caught my attention. I quickly pointed it out to P, who sat in amazement as it flew by. That moment made me realize how blessed we are to live in such an awesome place! 10 years ago I wouldn't have said that. I didn't understand why anyone would want to live in Reno. But, after living here for almost 3 years, I understand. I love that P can see planes fly by our house while eating a meal. Or that we wake up to mustangs in our yard. We see cows and tractors every day as soon as we get to the valley. There's always a layer of snow from November til June. We definitely get to enjoy all 4 seasons! I can walk out our door and be hiking within yards of our house. A short drive can take you to many beautiful places that people spend hundreds to vacation at each year. Rob can hunt most big game within a 5 hr radius. This is my home and whether it has all the amenities that I desire or not, it's the perfect place for me!