Extinguishing the flame

Human fire. This is what Nubbin calls the humidifier. He's been sick, so we had one in his room. Tonight, we took it out and had a major meltdown that bounced from 'I want my human fire' to 'I want Superman' to 'I want Batman.' Husband held firm and after 45 minutes or so, he was able to tuck Nubbin in his bed. As Nubbin laid down, he said, 'I don't like it when grown ups take my human fire.'

Loser. With a big L

Today, I struggled.

1. Puddles. Nubbin jumps in every one from here to the front door of preschool. wet kid delivery.

2. Work out. no way. Fafa freaks out at the babysitting room.

3. Shopping. I thought I had something to wear to husband's Xmas party. so wrong.

4. Lunch. hungry 2 year old. the hungrier they are, the higher the pitch of their scream.

4. Batman. Fafa freaks out because he can't find Batman.

5. Umbrella. Again, Fafa freaks out because he wants to carry the umbrella.

By the time I pick up Nubbin, I've had it and find myself shoveling Fafa under one arm like a sack of potatoes and he's screaming like he's being kidnapped (safety part of my brain is elated, the rest just deflated). I let him down with a 'I had enough' sigh and he loses his balance, falls and hits his head on the door. Too terrified to look up at the hall full of parents, I grab Nubbin's stuff from the cubby and stare at the door.

When the teacher hands over Nubbin, she politely asks, 'Was that Ethan hitting the door?' I mutter 'yes' and she says delicately, 'We all have days like this.' Silently, she knows that I'm at the end of my rope. Silently, I know that I should try harder. Tomorrow will be better... that's my mantra today. Tomorrow will be better.

Cold people on parade

We went to the Apex Xmas Parade this past weekend. Some of the highlights included: me, silently pinching my gut every time the jump rope performers passed due to the guilt induced by watching fit, coordinated people jumping rope, the awesome food that the Getz gang almost left behind (grape kabobs rock!), not being able to park in the best spot ever, the lady next to us saying that they were 'attacked' by candy at an earlier parade, watching Fafa wave at every person that passed us and watching 1/2 charliegraham shake his booty when he heard music... great family + lots of laughing/yelling + frozen butts = memories. Good enough for me :)

Which holiday were you thinking of?

Sissy let Nubbin borrow one of their Halloween costumes because 1/2 charliegraham had one on too... Of course, Fafa wanted to be a dinosaur too, so I searched through my Halloween costumes to find this. The back drop of the Xmas tree is enough to confuse even the most rational person.

Thanks for the memories

Grandma Dudziak - Nubbin and Fafa's great grandmother

Grandpa Dudziak - the Great Grandpa

Grandma with her grandkids

We celebrated Turkey day in Columbia with husband's family... btw, little known fact about husband is that this is his favorite holiday... has been and will always be. Grandma outdid herself with the most awesome meal and our stomachs would like to thank her for her generosity :) Nubbin followed his cousin around all weekend and is still asking about him. The kids got to see their aunts and great grandparents, so it was definitely a weekend to remember. We love you! Can we come next year?

You bust a move and I'll bust a gut

Fafa is trying to break dance... too funny!

Turn at the table

There are very few things that I don't like to eat. However, there are two food items that I don't much care for.... bananas and raisins. I once heard raisins described as humiliated grapes and I think it's a fitting description.

Having said that, Nubbin loves raisins (and bananas for that matter). Today he was eating raisins and shoved one 2 centimeters from my face and said, 'Here mom, eat it.' I gently explained that I don't like raisins and he looked at me and in his best 'mommy' voice said, 'No. You have to at least try it once. You might like it.' I frowned at him and he squashed the raisin between his fingers and said, 'I made it flat, so you might like it. Try it now.' Needless to say, I ate it... so, this is how he feels when I'm trying to get him to eat green beans. You have to walk the walk, right? oh, and I still don't like raisins.