Hoss' first encounter with Santa

Yesterday we attended our church's Christmas party for the kids, after practicing for the Christmas play that is tonight. I'm sure I'll be posting pictures and maybe even video of the play tonight.

Santa showed up at the Christmas party. Each child was able to go and see Santa and sit on his lap. Hoss was not a fan.

We don't talk much about Santa at our house. As a child I never believed. A personal choice made by my parents. I never felt like I had a part of my childhood removed from me, as lots of people assume.

I'm not withholding Santa from Hoss, but we have chose not to discuss Santa much and definitely not to push Santa on him. He will get one big gift from Santa each year (a bike this year) and then the other gifts he will receive are from Mommy and Daddy.

Hoss understands that Santa says "Ho! Ho! Ho!" but he doesn't seem to understand that Santa brings gifts or that you can ask Santa for gifts.

Well, when Santa showed up at the party at church, Hoss was very attentive. He stared at him and willingly walked up to see him. He was fine until it was his turn to sit on Santa's lap. Then he wasn't so sure. It was his first ever visit with Santa.

He let "Mrs. Claus" hold him, so he got his picture taken with Mrs. Claus and Santa!

Picture Meme

I was tagged for a picture meme by Lisa at Our Seven Qtpies.

The rules are:
*Go to the 6th picture folder in your documents.
*Find the 6th picture in your 6th folder.
*Pray that you remember what it is about.
*Blog about it.
*Tag 6 people to do the same.

When I checked the 6th folder in my pictures folder I did not have six pictures. I then checked the seventh folder and there was only one picture. I checked the eighth folder and there were only four. I guess I need to do some organizing of the picture folder.

Since I had such a difficult time finding a picture according to the rules, I made up my own rules. I decided I would use the sixth picture in the Christmas card pictures folder. So, here it is, checking out the Christmas ornaments.


I will tag six more people. You can decided if you want to follow the rules or make up your own!
1. My sister, Becca, who is new to blogging!
2. Natalie, my real life friend and mother of Hoss' friend, Daniel
3. Jessie, WV high school bud
4. Becca, another WV high school bud
5. Brooke, who I totally miss at work
6. Janelle at Everyday Stories, she's a busy mom with 4 boys!

Lots of Linky Love

I've had several things lately which I've wanted to share, so I decided to do it all here today. Be prepared to start clicking!

My little sister has started blogging! Her kids (who are 4 and 2) are hysterical! I've always thought she needed a blog to document their antics and humorous conversations. Go check out her blog here.

Check out this video of a family who synchronized their Christmas lights to "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carey. This song is near and dear to my heart. We played it at the end of our wedding -- December 4, 2004. The video is fabulous.

Oh, and if you haven't read "Stuff Christians Like," you are missing out! Absolutely the best!

If you aren't on Facebook, you are one of the only ones. I have been addicted to it lately. It's a million times more fun than Myspace. Friend me!

I've told you all about Nick, who passed away on November 29th. His mom blogs here and her transparency and faith is amazing to me. Nick's celebration service held on December 2nd will always remain in my memory. Go visit Youtube and search for Nick Nischan. You can start by viewing this clip of his mom, Tammy, as she is speaking at the service. Such an amazing example for God.

He's an interesting one

My three year old is not yet potty trained. I have tried and we are still struggling with this journey. Recently Hoss has been "doing #2" in his pull-up after going to bed.

Saturday evening I went upstairs to check on him and the stench filled the air. Hoss was asleep, but his pants were full. I tried to change him without waking him, but it was not successful. He squirmed and fought for a few minutes and finally fully woke up.

I told Hoss that if he pooped he needed to tell us by saying, "Mommy, Daddy I pooped!" Donnie also reiterated this with him when he came to check on us. Hoss was barely awake, so I didn't think he heard us.

The next morning Donnie heard him say, "Mommy, Daddy I pooped!" He went to check on Hoss and found that he had not pooped, but was remembering our late night conversation.

Hoss had his Larry the Cucumber and The Incredible Hulk and was talking to one of his wrestling figures who was laying on the ground. The wrestling figure was saying, "Mommy, Daddy I pooped!" as the Mommy and Daddy (Larry and Hulk) stood by.

A few minutes later Larry and Hulk looked like this.

I can't decide if they are about to hug and kiss or if they are ready for a smackdown wrestling match.

Either way, my kid has an interesting imagination.

I'm still trying to figure out if Mommy is Larry or the Hulk. I don't know which is worse, the tall green thing with no arms or legs and very large eyes or the large mean looking man with muscles, torn purple pants, and fists, ready to fight.

Side note: As I was typing this post, my dear child was heard saying, "that's my pee pee" from his bedroom (it was bedtime). I asked him if he pooped and he said, "I poopied." *Sigh* Antibiotics are not this child's friend.

He can sleep anywhere

My child has odd sleeping patterns. He likes to try to stay up late, play and throw toys all over his bedroom, then scream and fight every morning when he has to wake up.

It's a joy.

He's just like his Momma!

He is lucky too, his Momma has lots of patience in the mornings after her shower.

Since Hoss refuses to stay in his bedroom during the beginning of his night time routine, we use a baby gate in the hallway to prevent him exiting his bedroom.

One day last week I went upstairs to go to bed (way too late), and found Hoss sleeping in the hallway against the baby gate with his pillows and blanket.


And another view.


I love that he is laying face down in the pillows. I don't know why I think that's cute. After all, he could suffocate like that. Well, at the time, I thought it was cute.

Being the mother of the year that I am, I left him there. He was sound asleep. I didn't want to disturb him. And I have woke him before in such a sleep and I am well aware that this is a horrible, horrible thing to do. I wasn't risking it.

The next morning when I went into his bedroom to wake him (which is my least favorite part of my day), he had moved and was in an equally amusing position.

I like how the books are flanking either side of him. He looks like an airplane.

Or maybe I'm delirious in the mornings.

Christmas Card Nightmare

Oh, the joy of taking Christmas card pictures. Wednesday evening I realized that it was the TENTH OF DECEMBER! and I have not even thought about sending out Christmas cards, let alone, take pictures of the kiddo for them. I purchased several boxes of insert-your-own-picture Christmas cards last year at after Christmas sales. I was determined to get a good one for this year, but Hoss wasn't having it.

I grabbed my digital camera and discovered that the battery was DEAD! I had already changed Hoss into the Christmas picture outfit AND bathed him. I decided to try our camcorder's picture setting and, well, it wasn't good. It doesn't have a flash so an indoor picture in a house with not much lighting just didn't work out.

Hoss was also not too cooperative so I decided we'd have to try again Thursday evening. Thursday evening I change Hoss into the Christmas picture outfit again and started over.

Hoss was done with the pictures before we started. He had no desire to take pictures at all. He was mad, so our pictures looked something like this:


Then, the pictures turned into this which Donnie has named, "I like dem french fried taters" (name that movie!):


We took a break to play with toys.


Then we resumed. But Hoss was much more interested in the Christmas tree than looking at the camera and smiling.


Finally, after 50 pictures, lots of tears, and nearly an hour of picture taking, we got a winner.


I am so glad that this only comes once a year. I couldn't handle much more.

I prefer to be lazy, but sometimes I have to be productive

Today I am recupperating from a busy, busy day yesterday. I ended up taking a two and a half hour nap with Hoss today. I didn't mean to fall asleep, it just happened. That is only after it took me an hour to drive five miles today because it snowed an entire 1/4 inch.

So, back to yesterday. I was off work and I decided I needed to be productive because I was not very productive Thursday when I was off work.

I had to get Hoss to school at 7a.m. so I was up at 6a.m. ON MY DAY OFF! That should be illegal. But since I was up, I decided it was time to be productive.

I ran over to Macys after I dropped Hoss off at school (they opened at 7!) to get a Christmas present while it was on sale. Then I met Donnie at Mickey D's for a quick breakfast. We then went to get my tires fixed. I noticed a screw in my rear tire the day before and one of my other tires was having issues. We went to a used tire place Donnie has used before. I was in and out of there in 20 minutes and paid $45 for a new tire and repair to the tire with the screw in it (actually, it had 3 in it! Darn construction at work!). I was amazed.

Donnie and I parted ways and I continued on to do more Christmas shopping, stopping at 4 stores plus the mall.

I arrived home around 11:45a.m. and heated up my leftovers from Olive Garden the day before. I made a few phone calls that were on my to do list and at 1p.m. we left and went to see a movie.

After the movie we stopped at another store to check prices on a bike for Hoss then to pick up some books for church at another store. We picked up Hoss and returned home where I cooked supper.

Once the dishes were in the dishwasher I started my second load of laundry for the day. Much to my husband's chagrin, I was pulling out Christmas deocration boxes by 6p.m.

At 9p.m. I was mostly done with decorating inside the house and started putting the boxes back. Hoss went to bed and around 11p.m., after catching up on DVR shows, I went to bed.

I awoke this morning around 8:30a.m. and sat around the house being lazy for hours. And that is how I get things done!

Freud is playing a mean joke

This note was sent home from school with Hoss yesterday (yes, I realize his name is on it).

I'm trying to figure out if the second sentence was a Freudian slip or if there is something I need to know.

Since no one has stepped up to be a parent as of yesterday, I'm assuming the Freudian slip is the correct answer.

4 years

Today is Donnie and my 4 year anniversary.

We celebrated with dinner at Olive Garden and a visit to K-Mart.

We are already an "old married couple" after only four years.

It's been a busy four years, but good ones.

Here's to four more (atleast!).

Haircut Pictures

Here are a few pictures of the haircut done by your's truly.

I continue to see places where some trimming is needed, but overall I think it looks good.

What do you think?


The profile.

Prayers for the Nischan Family

Nick lost his six year battle with cancer this morning surrounded by his family. He is now in a new body in heaven, worshipping with our heavenly father.

Please be in prayer for his family.

My first haircut

This morning I decided to tackle something I had been contemplating for quite awhile. I cut Hoss' hair by myself.

I got a great deal on a clipper set at a Black Friday sale yesterday for $5.88!

So this morning I sat Hoss down in a kitchen chair and went to work.

I used the clippers to cut the back of his hair then pulled out the scissors to work on the top. Amazingly he sat relatively still and let me cut his hair.

The most exciting part is that his hair looks good. There are a few stray pieces that I'll have to tackle at some point, but overall it looks good. We may never have to pay for a haircut again. Yippee!

I tried to get a picture of the haircut, but Hoss would not stand still for a good one. I'll try to get one soon and post it.

What did you get today?

Anyone else go check out the Black Friday sales?

I was out around 5:30a.m. today with my mom. We didn't tackle the sales as early as we did last year when we were out at 4a.m.

There wasn't a lot we were hoping to get, but I was able to score on some great sales at KB Toy. Hoss will be excited with his new action figures!

I was also able to get a great sale at dell.com, Norton virus software for $9.99 (after the $20 mail-in rebate). I saved $70 on that great deal! It is still available as of 10a.m. (when I purchased it), so check it out if you are interested. Shipping was free for me, but I purchased another item as well.

I'm still looking for a bike for Hoss. I found one at Wal-Mart, not on sale, that is a decent price anyway. I am hoping it will go on sale in the next couple weeks.

Did any of you venture out to fight the crowds? What did you get?

I'm off to shower and I hoping for an afternoon nap!

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Twelve

I love getting to spend time with my family. I am currently sitting in the family room at my parents home with my sister and her family as well as my husband and son. My parents are elsewhere around the house, but we have all been able to spend time together.

I made cookies with my niece and nephew (Hoss was not interested) earlier today. They were my "helpers." They helped with eating the ingredients!

Tomorrow we will be working diligently to put together the final touches on the lunch meal for our extended family to come over and enjoy. There will be a house full of our loved ones by noon.

I absolutely love spending time with my family. I enjoy laughing about our old memories and making more memories to laugh about for years to come. I also enjoy listening to stories about memories made before me.

Today I am thankful for my family. And thankful for memories and time we are able to spend together.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Eleven

I am off work today. I won't be going back to work until Monday. That means I will be out of work for five entire days!

I will be spending this time with my family, both my immediate and extended family.

Today I am thankful for being able to take time off work, especially when that time is used to spend time with my family.

What are you thankful for today?

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Ten

My kitchen table is a catch-all for all of my junk. It catches the mail I need to sort, the coupons I clipped two weeks ago that I haven't organized, the sale ads I need to review to plan my shopping adventures, the art projects Hoss makes at school, my purse, coats that didn't make it to the coat rack, and usually a few crumbs here or there.

Even though it usually is a mess, my kitchen table is useful.

I use it as my desk on most occasions. We have a small home and do not have an office or a desk for our laptop. I have a difficult time staying focused on blogging or other tasks while I sit on the couch with my laptop. Usually I get addicted to a television show or I fall asleep. Either way, it doesn't allow for much progress. Thus, my kitchen table has turned into my desk. The place I pay the bills, write my blogs, organize my "deals," and where I stay in contact with friends and family.

However, we scoot the mail, school projects, and the computer out of the way nearly every day and sit down as a family for our evening meal. Some days we just sit and stare at each other as we stuff our faces. Other days we laugh and make our family inside jokes. And yet, there are days we discuss serious matters. But what matters is that we are together, just the three of us. The television is off, we are sitting down looking at one another and we are a family.

And that is why I am thankful today for my kitchen table. The center of our home and our family.

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Nine

My husband is the survivor of a serious illness. When he was 11 he developed spinal menningitis. He was told at least twice that he just had the flu, but when he collapsed with a 104 fever, it was determined that his illness was far worse. He was hopsitalized for over a month and also developed a staph infection on his brain, which required surgery. He still has a scar and a small hole in his skull from this surgery. While, he still has some lasting side effects from his illness, he was able to recover and continue with his life.

I am so thankful he was healed and that modern medicine was available to help him get better so that one day I would meet him and marry him and we could have our beautiful child (who is turning out more and more like his daddy every day).

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Eight

I am so very thankful for naptime.

Yesterday, after going to the theater with our friends to see Madagascar 2, Hoss and I took a nap.

When we got home I was suddenly very tired, despite sleeping in that morning. Ok, so maybe 7:30a.m. is not really sleeping in to some, but its an entire hour and a half more than I get throughout the week.

I scooted Hoss up the steps to nap time. He was not very happy about it, but that was just a perfect sign that he needed a nap! He ran to his room, but I asked him if he wanted to go to Mommy's bed for naptime. He stopped mid stepped, turned around and ran into the other room. Even though he continued to be upset, he climbed on the bed and laid down, falling asleep within minutes.

I also fell asleep within minutes. Two hours later Donnie was waking me up.

It was a perfect Saturday afternoon nap.

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 7

Today we have a guest post from my dad. My dad is the General Manager of two weekly newspapers in Mid-central Kentucky (I was trying to decide how to describe the area without actually naming the area, but then I realized I am going to link you to a website that tells you exactly what area it is so it was pointless, at least this makes you more interested in clicking the link and reading, right?).

My dad writes a column regularly and the one he wrote a few weeks ago spoke to me. Plus, Dad told me to read it, and what it was about so I guess it literally spoke to me as well.

I think it is a perfect reminder for the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

Please, click here to read today’s guest post!

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 6

If you are a man, you may not want to read this post. Or maybe you will; it may give you some insight into the mind and mood of women. Well, at least this woman. I really can’t speak for all of us.

I am so thankful for hormones. Yes, I said HORMONES! (I warned you men!) I know you are probably shocked to read that, but allow me to explain.

Without getting into too many details, let’s just say that the regular cycle women get each month has not always been happening for me. I was diagnosed 5 years ago with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). My dear Hoss is a miracle child as I was told I probably could not conceive. You can’t believe everything you hear because 10 months and a day after our marriage Hoss made his appearance. However, at the same time, don’t take things for granted because, we are experiencing the inability to conceive now.

Along with the loss of the monthly visitor, I had the loss of regular female hormones. I did not realize just how much I missed the hormone until my active medication therapy began over in the past few months.

I can FEEL again, people. I didn’t know I had stopped feeling, but I had. I can cry now and boy, can I cry, I had a big reservoir built up. When someone else hurts, I hurt. I am no longer sitting by wishing I could be genuinely authentic about my empathy. I don’t have to fake my feelings anymore because now I feel again.

I am even gullible. I am not second guessing everyone’s motives. When someone says they feel something I believe them and have compassion on them. I’m not jaded. (This is not an invitation to take advantage of me, some of the bleeding heart is still sealed, from this thing called life).

I believe it is all because, the hormones, they are back. And I am back.

I never thought I’d be so happy to wake up crying because of a bad dream.

Of course, don’t ask my husband what he thinks about my hormones. There are good and bad sides! We will focus only on the good side, okay?
If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day 5

Oh how I love giveaways. I had no idea what great benefits blogging would have regarding free stuff! Since the Christmas season is nearing several blogs are having giveaways.

Over at 5 Minutes for Mom they are having their annual Christmas Giveaway which runs now through November 28th. The giveaways planned for this year are both toys for mom and the kids. I have already entered this one, and this one, and of course, this one. I can't wait to see what other giveaways they will have!

Ruby and Roja are having a fabulous giveaway at their design blog. They are giving away a year's worth of blog designs, changing for the season, to two winners! I love my blog design, but an alternative for the seasons would be great as well!

Money Saving Mom hosts a weekly post with several giveaways ranging from several different items. This runs every Tuesday. This week's list is here.

Of course, there is also Bloggy Giveaways, where I have had success in winning in the past! I am really hoping to win some custom Christmas cards! There are daily giveaways over there. Go check it out.

I'm very thankful for giveaways!

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Four

I began blogging nearly two years ago in January 2007. I had spent numerous hours reading blogs and I was addicted. I decided I should try this blogging thing as well. So I did and "Don't Give Him Crackers" was born.

I didn't expect to develop friendships along the way. However, I have and it has been a great unexpected bonus.

The friendships I have made have been great, but it is the friendship that Hoss has made that warms my heart the most.

This past March I began blogging on Bluegrass Moms, a website run by our local newspaper. In April, Natalie moved to the area from out of state. She posted a message on the board stating she was new to town. She mentioned she had a son, nearly three years old.

Hmm, I have a son around the same age. I commented to her that we should have a play date. She agreed. Fast forward six months and the first play date occurs. Hoss and Daniel are now friends. They have been able to play several times and despite Hoss' silence on most occasions and their choices to often play with other kids around, they seem to be friends. Hoss talks about Daniel's cat, which we have never seen and Natalie reports Daniel draws pictures of him and "Hoss."

I'm so thankful for Hoss' friendship and I am thankful for mine as well!

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving (and I hope you do), write your post on your blog and come back and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Three

Before you view the picture below, let me explain.

I am a junk food addict. It is rather obvious if you look at me. When I was four I had a shirt that said "Junk Food Addict." I promise. I did. It's been a lifelong goal. A goal I accomplished long ago, but I continue to work toward.

I am always trying to discover new, delicious snacks. One of my favorites is Doritos with melted shredded cheddar cheese. Oh my word, it's delicious. It is also my husband's favorite so we fight over the Doritos.

Doesn't it look good?

No? Well, trust me, it is good.

I'm thankful for the Doritos and the shredded cheese. And the microwave which melted the cheese onto the Doritos just perfectly. YUM!!! It was delish!

If you would like to participate in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving, write your post on your blog and link to it on Mr. Linky below. Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day Two

I apologize if you tried to post a link yesterday. I had not set up Mr. Linky correctly. It should be working fine now.

Click here for more information on the 12 Days of Thanksgiving.

Yesterday after his nap Hoss came downstairs. His eyes were barely open and his face was red from being bundled under his blankets. He stumbled over to me and cuddled up against me as I sat on the couch.

I picked him up and sat him on my lap. I put my cheek against his warm, red cheek and held him. He scooted in and allowed me to hold him in my arms for only a few minutes until he completely awoke.

During those few short minutes, I cherished each second. I loved how his body was warm against mine. How he still squinted his eyes as if he was seeing daylight for the first time. I loved that he allowed one of his arms to gently drape across me.

It made me thankful that despite his growing older, Hoss still wants and needs his mommy to cuddle with him. I don't want him to stop wanting to cuddle. I doubt Mommy will ever grow out of it.

12 Days of Thanksgiving, Day One

Thank you all for joining me in the 12 Days of Thanksgiving. Please feel free to participate. Simply right click on the logo above and save the picture. Post it on your thanksgiving post, then come back here and sign Mr. Linky.

I decided last week that I wanted to do the 12 Days of Thanksgiving again this year. I began this carnival on a spur of the moment thought I had last year. I was mostly disturbed by the way our society passes over Thanksgiving and focuses on the materialism and pageantry that we have made Christmas.

I want to remember to be thankful. I want to remember that we live in a country where we can be free to have our own beliefs and make our own choices independently. We were just able to do this only weeks ago as we voted for our next leader. We do this daily on our public blogs.

I need to remember that I am blessed with my warm home, my clean clothing, and running water which is constantly available. I need to remember that others are not as blessed so I can help them.

Most of all I need to remember to be thankful for what I have and who I am as well as who I can be.

Today and throughout the celebration of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday I choose to remember to be thankful.

Sorry for any confusion on the Mr. Linky today. I had some technical difficulties today. Hopefully all is well now!

Thanks, Thank you, Gracious, Merci...

Don't forget about the Twelve Days of Thanksgiving Beginning tomorrow!

Spread the word!

He is only three, yet he comes home with homework

Tuesday there was a piece of yellow paper in Hoss' backpack with a picture of a turkey. It had instructions to decorate the turkey creatively and return it to school today.

Well, that sounds like a challenge to me, folks.

I can be creative.

Sometimes.

I searched our art supplies and wouldn't you know that we had NO construction paper. Or feathers. I just HAD to have feathers.

Off I went to Wal-Mart and purchased the needed supplies.

Last night Hoss and I sat down to work on his first ever school project.

Hoss thought ripping up the piece of brown contruction paper for the body of the turkey was the best part. Well, actually, smearing the glue everywhere and rubbing the feathers on his hands and face was fun as well.

The final product met my satisfaction.

And that's our first completed school project. Many more are sure to come.

What is that?

I had a "Who's on first" conversation with Hoss the other day. I was trying to get him to tell me what he had done at school. I was asking him several questions to get him to talk.

I asked him what he played with on the playground. He has discussed the tunnel as a favorite part before so I know he enjoys his time there and thought he may tell me something.

Hoss said, "I wanna ride that" in a whiny voice.

I said, "What do you want to ride?"

Hoss: "I wanna ride that."

Me: "What is that?"

Hoss: "I wanna ride that."

Me: "What is that? Is that a swing?"

Hoss (a bit more whiny and fierce): "I wanna ride that!"

Me: "Hoss, what is that? Is that the see-saw?"

Hoss (in a questioning tone): "I wanna ride it?"

Me: "What is it?"

Hoss: "I wanna ride it."

Me: "What is it? Is it a slide?"

Hoss: "I wanna ride that?"

At this point I sighed and changed the subject.

We were getting nowhere quick.

12 Days of Thanksgiving Returns

Returning for the second year, the Twelve Days of Thanksgiving will begin here at Don't Give Him Crackers this coming Sunday November 16th and continue until Thanksgiving morning, the 27th.

I will have a Mr. Linky up each day for others to participate. If you would like to participate, just post on your blog what you are thankful for that day and then come back here and enter your link for others to view. You can post a humorous thankful post, a heart felt post, or something in between. Just make sure it is in the spirit of the season. And please be sure link back to my post for the day. I'd really appreciate it!

Feel free to take the great button above for the carnival. Just right click and copy or save it and enter it on your post.

My first order of thankfulness is given to Liz for designing the great button on very short notice! She's very talented folks (she designed my background as well), so contact her if you need blog design work done!

I hope to see you all back here on Sunday!

Gym Fun

Hoss was invited to a birthday party today for a friend from church. It was held at a gymnastics gym which had lots of fun trampolines, an awesome foam pit, and inflatable obstacle course.

Hoss had a great time and was upset when it was time to leave. He lost his socks in the foam pit so he spent half the time without socks. In the future I'll be sure to take a spare set.

Here are a few pictures. My camera does not take action shots very well, so a couple are blurry.

Veggies dancing on stage, the best Saturday afternoon activity!

This past Saturday Hoss, Gigi, and I went to Veggie Tales Live in Louisville.

Hoss enjoys watching Veggie Tales so I thought he would enjoy the show, but I was apprehensive as Hoss often does not like crowded, unfamiliar places. He did pretty good, considering this. Before the show started he whispered or spoke quietly, "Wanna get out?" indicating he wanted to leave. I knew leaving the room for a few minutes would only make it worse so we didn't leave.

He did okay, but insisted on sitting on my lap the majority of the time. I think the music and characters scared him a little at first.

The show was cute. A bit corny, but it's for kids, so what do you expect?

Hoss tried to fall asleep about 20 minutes in, but I managed to encourage him to stay awake for the majority of the show. He fell asleep about 3/4ths of the way through. It was that or a scream fest so we went with the sleep.

Otherwise, Hoss had a good time. He definitely enjoyed his time visiting with Gigi and Grandpa throughout the weekend.

Halloween, Part Deux

Finally, I am getting around to posting pictures of "Twik or Tweet." Hoss had a great time. He enjoyed ringing the doorbells at each house. I had to pry his hands away from a few he pushed 5 or 6 times.

Hoss was the hit of the night.

We stopped at McDonalds for a quick dinner before going door to door to beg for candy. The employees at McDonalds were thrilled with his costume and came out to take his picture. Donnie joked that they were going to post it in their breakroom. I'm fairly sure a breakroom doesn't exit. Wherever they post it, I hope it brings a smile to someone's face. Hoss also got a coupon for free french fries. How appropriate!

After eating at the Golden Arches we started the candy hunt. A family across the street who were also "Trick or Treating" yelled across the street that they loved Hoss' costume.

I had Hoss carry his bucket. By the end of the night it was practically dragging the ground. I don't think Hoss could have gone much farther. (He is definitely left handed. YIPPEE!!)

We drove over to visit Gigi and Grandpa for the weekend after visiting the local neighborhood. Hoss got to ring their doorbell and get some candy from them as well. Then cousins M and K came over. Aren't they the cutest?

I think the kiddo had a great time...and still is, as he eats candy every day until Thanksgiving.

Spaghetti Face

Five Minutes for Mom is having a contest to win $500 in groceries. Check out the contest here.

I decided to scour my pictures looking for a cute one of Hoss enjoying some food. Trust me, the kid loves to eat! I got lost in the years of adorableness which is on my computer and I even ended up changing my computer background to a wedding photo I love.

Finally, I decided on this pictures of Hoss from nearly 2 years ago. I think he was around 15 or 16 months old in this picture.

This was his first experience with spaghetti. As you can tell, it was a hit!

Do you want fries with that?

We had Trunk or Treat at church this past Saturday. We had a good time. Hoss got to show off his awesome costume for the first time. He was an original. No duplicates of his costume!

If only Donnie and I were a coke and Big Mac. Then we would have really been the hit of the party! :)

I'm cranky!

Yesterday I talked about my 7 favorite things about being out of my house at 6:30a.m. I didn’t want to make you think that I liked it or anything because I sure don’t. We are lucky to make it by 7a.m. to school each day and I am NOT very nice when I’m in a rush. I hate being late.

Since I don’t want to deceive you here are my 7 least favorite things about our new schedule.

7. For some reason there are other people who believe they too should be out at 6:30a.m. and there is just way too much traffic for a sleep deprived mother listening to “Apples and Bananas” on the car cd player for the 5th time in 10 minutes to handle.
6. I get the bejeebies walking into work alone in the dark while people sit in their cars and stare at me. (I lock the door behind me!)
5. The alarm sounding at 5:30a.m. and again at 5:37a.m., and 5:43a.m., and 5:50a.m., and finally 5:57a.m.
4. Hoss is not a morning person. Oh my word, there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
3. My bank account is hurting from the early morning breakfast trips. I need to get some portable breakfast foods at my house.
2. There is only one cash register open at Wal-Mart. What is that about?
1. If I have to hear the whining and crying from Hoss in the morning every day for the rest of my life I will loose my mind.

Did you know the sun doesn't even rise until after I am at my desk at work? That is just not right.

Since Hoss began school our morning routine has been dramatically changing since Hoss has to be at school at 7a.m. That is BEFORE 7a.m. Like, school starts at 7a.m., so not 7:05 or 7:10a.m. Nope, more like 6:50a.m. That means we leave our house at 6:30a.m. Did you know that the sun has not even begun to rise at 6:30a.m? Yeah, I didn’t know either, until last week.

I am currently in the works to change my work schedule to 7:30a.m.-4:30p.m. from 8a.m.-5p.m. This is not officially approved yet, so I have been arriving at work early for the past few days. However, I have been trying to be constructive with my extra time. I have learned a lot of things about being out and about at 7a.m. Here are my 7 favorites (because this is about 7a.m. and I couldn’t think of anymore).

7. There is a 24 hour CVS! Enough said.
6. You get to watch the sunrise every day.
5. You can find GREAT parking spots at the 24 hour Wal-Mart.
4. Those McDonalds drive-thru lines are not nearly as long at 7:10a.m. as they are at 7:45a.m.
3. Sweet tea is a great breakfast drink.
2. You have time to actually shop for shoes for yourself at Wal-Mart, especially since it didn’t take ten minutes to find a parking spot.
1. I score a great parking place at work. And no one cares if I put my head on my desk for 10 minutes before I start my day because NO ONE ELSE IS THERE!

School, week one

Hoss has been going to school for about a week now. He seems to enjoy it. He sometimes whines in the morning when I drop him off, but I don’t think he is all out crying. At least, the teachers are not reporting that to me. He doesn’t talk much about school. I have to drag it out of him. From what I can gather, by harassing the poor kid, I have figured out that they read “Humpty Dumpty” on Monday and they are learning their days of the week. Tuesday he told me that “Monday and Tuesday are da days of da week.” He said it in a sing song voice so I assume they are singing a song teaching the days of the week. If not, then Hoss has developed a song about Monday and Tuesday. He looked at me like I was losing my mind when I asked him about Wednesday. Oops, I guess I ruined today’s lesson for him.

He started riding the bus Monday. So far, so good. Unfortunately he has to be dropped off at a bus stop down the street from my in-laws so they are walking a little ways in the cool weather. I may be taking up quite a battle with the bus garage over that one soon. It may get messy.

The only thing that slightly concerns me is Hoss’ nervousness level. He is an extremely sensitive child. I was very sensitive and nervous about new situations and my husband was the same, so put both together and poor Hoss is a mess. The first two days he chewed on his thumb, which is a new thing that I had never seen him do before. He is not doing that now, at least not on the way to school or after school. However, he is peeing ridiculous amounts while at school.

Hoss is still not potty trained, much to my chagrin. I have started an informal schedule of sitting on the potty at home this week and Hoss has had one success so far. He is receptive to sitting on the potty and gets really excited when I ask him. He said to me last night, “wanna fwush it?” indicating that he wanted to flush the toilet. Of course I let him and he doesn’t budge until the last drop of water swirls out. Then he has to wash his hands, which he also loves because he gets to splash in the water. My nephew told on him yesterday and said that he likes to play in the potty at Grandma’s house. Interesting.

Anyway, my point is that Monday and Tuesday he soaked his clothes at school. He wears a pull-up and they changed him at least twice Monday and he still soaked. Tuesday he wet walking back to Grandma’s house from the bus stop and soaked his pants. I’m not sure if his nerves are causing all the extra peeing or if it is something else. I give him a cup of milk before we leave for school each morning and he drinks another at school, but that really isn’t much more than usual for him.

Today he had no accidents so maybe it’s just a new process for all of us to get used to. He gets to sit on the potty at school as well, so maybe that is helping.

Whatever the case, if peeing is the only concern, I think we can handle it.

Pumpkin Patch 2008

We have been busy. So busy I haven't had the time to update pictures. With Hoss having to get to school by 7a.m. I have been trying to get to bed earlier, although with little luck on most days. Now I'm trying to play catch up.

Saturday Hoss and I went to a local Pumpkin Patch with some new friends. We had lots of fun. Hoss got to enjoy lots of fun activities like feeding kangaroos and a zebra (which bit Hoss's finger) at the petting zoo, riding a pony and a camel. I know, a camel. At a pumpkin patch. Interesting, isn't it.

Hoss also enjoyed playing in the hay castle and picking out pumpkins, although he refused to look at the camera, but said "cheese" non-stop. The stubborness is definitely from his daddy. Definitely.