Colorado Christmas

We left for Colorado on Sunday, December 20. We left later in the day, with the intention of driving straight through. Tyler took a nap as soon as we started driving. Three hours later, he woke up and started projectile vomiting. ALL OVER THE VAN. We stopped at a hotel, and they gave us towels to clean up the mess the best we could. David considered turning around and driving home. We got Ty cleaned up the best we could, and he did it again. And then again, and then again in Cracker Barrel bathroom. The van SMELLED. We got the boys settled for the night, and David kept driving. I tried driving from 4-4:30am but that was all I could contribute to the 20 hour drive. We stopped at a rest stop from 5:30-6:00am but that was all the sleep David got. I on the other hand, fell asleep in Battle Creek and took naps off and on the rest of the way.

We made it to Colorado on Monday morning and arrived at my Mom and Bob's by lunch. Here is the view as we got closer to the mountains. Being able to show the boys what real mountains look like was worth the puke and looong drive.

On Tuesday we were ready for skiing. We went to Arapahoe Basin which is a smaller, cheaper ski area. The bigger ski resorts are also near my Mom's house, but it is 98.00 a lift ticket! This was a great place for Jake to learn because it wasn't as crowded. As soon as we got there, Tyler puked again, which he hadn't done since the car ride out. I took a few runs while my Mom stayed with him. Grandpa Bob took the time to teach Jake how to ski, which was really nice and I think they had some good Grandpa bonding time.

After my five runs, I was ready to go in. Colorado skiing is so much different that Michigan because the runs are loong. This was also my first time skiing since I was 13 and switched to snowboarding. I was afraid there might be an Olympic scout out looking for talent, so I put the snowboard away for this trip. Ty took a nap on the bench in the ski lodge so I sat with him for a few hours while the guys went out. Then I took a few more runs and called it a day. Jake did great, but he also had a professional for an instructor. He loved his poles and the chair lift.

Wednesday it snowed all day. It was beautiful and we were exctited to have a white Christmas. The only bad part was we couldn't go anywhere. My Mom's house is at 8,000 feet on a mountain so that means a lot of sharp turns and hills. We couldn't even make it out out the driveway with our van because it is so steep and the sharp turns. Here is the view from their house.Later in the day, Bob drove Mom, Ty, and I to the walk in clinic to make sure he was wasn't sick. That took up most of the afternoon. Jake got sick later that night and vomited all over the hallway. What a mess!

I was ready to get away from the sickness Thursday, so Mom and I made our way to Denver to Ulta for some girly make-up mom/daughter time. We had fun. When we got home it was time for church Christmas eve service. David got sick when we got home from church, and I named our family the hill-billy's. On Christmas, David was sick for most of the morning, but we still had a nice time with the kids and Mom and Bob. They were great hosts to us hillbilly's. We had great food, and they spent lots of time with the kids while I slept. I think the altitude really wore me out because I was always napping. Some friends stopped by for dessert later in the day.

Sledding behind the house was Saturday and then the Denver Zoo lights. That was really festive and the kids loved seeing the animals that were out.
Skating Sunday. I can't believe how many people were out for skate the lake. It was packed! Everyone is so active in Colorado either skating, skiing, hiking, or biking. You would never see that many people out skating in Jackson. Tyler loved skating, but he didn't do much.

By Monday, Mom and I needed to shop again. So we sent David and Bob to Breckenridge to do some big boy skiing and we took Jake and Ty to Denver to a trampoline place and then to the mall. Jake had a blast at the trampoline place, I took Ty to the car for a nap.

The Animals:

I have to share the animals that can be found in my Mom's yard. It is so fun. We also saw some mountain sheep or goats on the way to the ski place, but I didn't get a picture.

We left on Tuesday. I drove all through Nebraska thanks to the 80's and 90's channel on the Sirrus radio. I couldn't get enough of those old songs you forget about. We also listened to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book on tape which we all enjoyed. No one threw up and we made it straight through again. Thank-you for a wonderful vacation, Mom & Bob. Love, The Hillbilly's.

I am not ashamed to admit

That we only spent $100.00 for each of the boys for Christmas. I am impressed at my thriftiness. They are still little, and if you spoil them now, they will always expect it. Which means when they are 9 or 10 and want all the expensive video games and ect, they will expect it to be there. Another reason is we are spending Christmas in Colorado and I will have to haul all the gifts out there for Christmas day. I also think of the trip as part of their presents-we are planning on skiing one day out there which will not be cheap. And don't forget Grandmas and Grandpas! The kids have 3 sets of grandparents and 2 sets of great-grandparents buying them gifts.

I did a lot of planning for their Christmas presents. The things they asked for changed on a daily basis, but Jake did ask for an Easy Bake oven quite a few times. This item is located down the GIRL aisle, but I had Nana get it for him anyway. I'm thinking he envisions it in his room and will be able to bake cookies after he goes to bed to eat at his leisure.

My one goal was to not buy a single present that required batteries. I dislike screwing little screws, making sure I have the correct size, ect. That is a hard task in this day and age!

I absolutly love the company eeboo. They have CUTE toys and games. I got quite a few eeboo items this year.

Here's what they got:
Jake

• Matchbox meg rig space rover- (part of a set he already has) 17.00
• eeboo United States map for his wall 20.00
• Saucer Scramble game-oops needs batteries 18.00
• Playmobil Ranger Post- it's a deer hunter guy-so cute! 30.00
• Leapster Batman game 10.00
• Leapter Tag Scooby Doo book 7.00

Total: $102.00

Tyler

• 5 Automoblox minis -a little pricey-worth it!! 35.00
• Rubber piggy bank- learn about saving 14.00
• eeboo lacing cards-for the car long car ride 14.00
• eeboo story cards-make up your own stories 10.00
• Lincoln logs 14.00
• Play doh burger builder 10.00
• Wee Sing finger plays CD 10.00

Total: 107.00

They each will get six gifts, I think Ty might have seven but oh well. I think I spent another 15.00 for stockings: matchbox monster trucks, a DVD, candy, dollar store stuff.

I will say although I feel bad doing it, I ordered a majority from Amazon.com. It was all free shipping and I did it after they went to bed so I didn't have to worry about someone watching them while I went shopping. I was hoping the Toy House had their 20.00 off 100.00 coupon, but they didn't do it this year! I got some things there, and some from Target and K-Mart.
Now I just have to wrap it all up!
If you have kids and don't mind sharing, I would love to know what you got them! I love toy shopping :)

Cheap and easy fun

Here's a quick and easy activity to do with the packaging from all your Christmas presents. My sister gave me this idea a few years ago and every now and then I get it back out.

What you need:

Plastic hammer

Golf tees

Styrofoam

Note: This can turn messy. My kids start out playing nicely with it, but give them time and I have little pieces of styrofoam all over, but it vacuums up nicely.

Directions: In case you can't figure it out:

Have the kids pound the tees into the styrofoam.

If Anybody Still Reads This

I am still here. I can't believe it's almost been a month! Talk about a stale blog. Yuck. And now I have to catch up on:

My 30th Birthday

Thanksgiving

Tyler's 3rd Birthday

My mom's visit here from Colorado

Christmas Shopping

And that's all I can remember because it's been too long!!

Anyway, I'm skipping all that old stuff for now, and moving onto my next project.

I'm trying to do a Christmas activity with the boys for the next 25 days. So, with it already being the 6th of December we have accomplished some. Here is the list. These ideas I got from other blogs, the web, or magazines. The numbers coordinate with the date.

1. Write letters to Santa. I got a cute kit from Target last year on clearance for .75 cents so I couldn't wait to use it. Jake had to write his, but Tyler just cut pictures and glued them on the paper. A cute book to go along with writing letters to Santa is: My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel. I found this book on a blog I use a lot: No Time For Flashcards.2. Today was Tyler's Birthday so I didn't have time for an activity today. His Birthday was enough activity for me! The boys helped me make his cake so that counts for me!!

3. Make snow globes. I found this idea in a magazine, but when it came time to do the activity do you think I could find the magazine??? I got some snowmen and trees from Michael's, but next time I'm going to have to be more prepared for this activity. We glued the figurines tonight and that is all we did because I wanted them to be really dry. I used epoxy glue and that did not work so great.

4. Today was a special outing for Tylers Birthday. We went to Great Lakes Crossing, which has the Polar Express snow globes on display so that was the special Christmas activity today.

5. Today we finished the snow globes, but I am not posting pictures because they did not turn out! The glue did not stick and the trees made the water cloudy. The glitter I bought was to light and we really need to just re-do them. I am not sure where to find cute figurines that will stay glued down. I just need the magazine and more preparation!

6. Today we did a Christmas tree craft from No Time For Flashcards. I was ready for a simple craft, and David even helped cut shapes out- his is the giant star. It's a good way to teach shapes-the ornaments are circles, squares, and triangles.

7. Today there is a craft and cookies at the Summit branch library-love the library! Hopefully we will make it, but sometimes Tyler just likes to stay home and play! Oh, and mailing Santa letters at the mall.

8. Charlie Brown Christmas is on tonight. We are having popcorn and watching it snuggled up on the couch.

9. Make popcorn and cranberry garland for the birds. A book to go a long with it: Night Tree by Eve Bunting.

10. Make cookies. Not sure what kind yet.

11. Make cocoa, get in pjs, and drive around to look at Christmas lights. Any good spots? Or do Nite Lites at the fairgrounds. Not sure if I want to spend 10.00 or not.

12. Make felt ornaments. Trace tree cookie cutter onto green felt, then punch multiple holes. Then glue beads over the holes.

13. Visit Santa at the mall. I don't think Tyler will be participating in this activity!

14. Make a snowflake garland. Or paint pinecones.

15. Make snack for Jake's snack day which is the next day. I need to be finding ideas for this.

16. Make elves ornament. We did these last year and they turned out really cute. 17. I think Jake has a dentist appointment today, so it is a good day to visit the dollar store for the kitty's presents and one for daddy from the boys. We will also get a toy for Toys for Tots today.

18. Make gingerbread cookies and read the Gingerbread Boy book.

19. Watch a Christmas movie- not sure which one.

20. Today we are celebrating Christmas with my dad and my siblings. That is the activity!

21. Today we will be in the car driving to Colorado. I have Charlie and the Chocolate factory book on CD. We will be listening to that and my kids will not be asking "are we there yet?"

22. Hopefully we will be in Colorado today. This is were it will get a bit challenging because I'm sure my mom has some fun things planned for us. Hint hint, mom!

23. Make rice pudding. This is a tradition from my Grandma. You serve the rice pudding in bowls and put a nut in a random bowl. While you are eating the pudding, whoever finds the nut gets good luck the rest of the year!

24. Christmas Eve- not sure what to do for this special day. Any suggestions??

25. Merry Christmas!! Open presents and be thankful for all that we have.

If you have any special activites you like to do please let me know! I'm always looking for new ideas!

Want Free Kids Books??

I am a library dork. I love, love, love the library. My friends make fun of me, but I don't care. I have been known to go twice, maybe even three times a week. I for sure go once a week, and I vary my visits to different branches depending on errands. Anyway, back to the point- I learned about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library at my library. When you sign up, your child gets a free book in the mail once a month up to age five! Tyler has gotten some really cute books the last few months and he loves them and wants me to read them over and over. The bonus-he gets mail, and who doesn't like to go out to the mailbox and have a book waiting for them?



Here is the link-

We kissed and made up

The office manager for the cardiology dept. called me today on my way out the door to Jake's post-op appointment at U of M again. She apologized for yesterday and was very sorry for the long wait, ect. ect. I told her I was on my way back to U of M and this was the only day I was willing to come back to finish the appointment. Jake already missed 4 days of school last week and 2 days this week because of the appointments. I think he has made it to school 3 full weeks this year.

Dr. Armstrong was not in the clinic today, I know this because I had already tried to schedule these 2 appointments for the same day. The office manager told me to come in after the post-op visit and Dr. Armstrong would meet us there. I was pretty impressed. Not only did I not think they would call me, but I never would have thought they would go out of their way to re-schedule the appointment.

The post-op visit was a breeze. We were 5 min late for this appointment, and only waited 5 min in the waiting room, which had Max and Ruby on tv-bonus! When we were in the exam room, the nurse brought crayons and paper for the boys- another bonus! Not that we needed them today, I had the boys bring a backpack full of toys for the appointment. We waited another 5 min in the exam room, and the docotor saw us for another 5 min and we were outta there! The otolaryngology dept. has got it down! Plus they gave the boys a little treasure and Jake has not stopped playing with the sticky eyeball they gave him.

Down in the cardiology dungeon, the office manager was there and apologized again, and even offered the boys large gifts-one was a Matchbox race track! She felt really bad, or she really wants her Christmas bonus this year! I declined and told her it was fine-stuff happens. Dr. Armsrong meant with us and we were on our way! And we don't have to come back for three years! So, I have made up with the cardiology dept. I will not complain anymore about my crappy appointment. We can be friends again.

What a waste of a day

Today Jake had an appointment at U of M for his heart defect. He has one every year just to make sure everything is fine. His appointment was at 2:00pm. I picked him up from school at 12:00, when his lunch started. I'm always late for everything, so I was excited to not have to rush for once. We got to the parking garage at 1:30. I was so proud of myself! I had a whole 1/2 hour to get where we needed to be! I let Tyler sleep a bit longer and then went to the hospital and got a coffee. It was great to have extra time to do this.

We got to the 1st floor at 1:55. We were the only ones in the waiting room. After about 15 min, the called us to do weight and height, and then an ECHO. Then they sent us back to the waiting room. At 3:00 they finally called us back. For some reason, I decided to pack raisins and juice boxes-which I always forget to do- so thank goodness that kept the boys occupied in the waiting room, because there were no toys besides a kitchen with no accessories and a magnet toy, which didn't hold interest for very long.

When we got called back to the exam room, I was already tired of waiting. Tyler was on my last nerve. He had this constant dry cough the whole day. He was whiny and clingy. Being on the 1 st floor drives me crazy. It is like a basement. I'm not a claustrophobic person, but being there makes me feel confided and I don't like not having windows.

So anyway, the resident comes in at 3:20 and is done by 3:30. He says Dr. Armstrong will be in to see us in a few minutes. At 3:50- I've had it. I walk out on the appointment. I was so pissed at that point to have had to sit in a basement for 2 hours with whiny kids and nothing to do. So that was a waste of my day. Nothing accomplished at that appointment.

I decided since we were in Ann Arbor anyway, and the appointment was a bomb, why not go to Whole Foods? I've never been there and thought I would check it out. Another waste of time! It was an overpriced grocery store for hippies and granola moms. Sorry for those of you who like it.

To top off my wonderful waste of a day- Jake has another appointment at U of M tomorrow for for a follow up on his tonsillectomy. Can't wait.