Go Ahead And Jump!

This was Lael yesterday morning jumping off of a snow hill hubby shoveled.

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We don't get much snow her in DC.

I mean it snows but not snow.

I remember when I was in '96 we had a Blizzard.  It was all of 16-17 inches.  To some states I know that is nothing but to those of us here it is.

For the last few years we've gotten and inch here and there but nothing to hoop and hollar about.

So Friday when everyone had their panties in a bunch about the apparent "snow storm" that was going to come through and sweep us away I shook my head and giggled.

When I went grocery shopping after work and had to stand in lines all the way down the aisle, I cursed under my breath.

But it came.  A storm like we haven't seen in years.

It started about 8pm Friday night and didn't stop until around the same time Saturday night.

Hubby shoveled and a few hours later it would look like he had done nothing.

Everything shut down.  I big plans for Saturday.  None of that happened.

I had HUGE plans for Sunday (Radio City Tickets).  Didn't happen either.

I had plans to go to work today and have my work Christmas Party.  Guess what? I'm home.

Why?

Because they closed the Federal Govt today. 

I'll be finishing up my shopping and wrapping gifts because Lael will be with her grandmother today.

Happy Monday yall!

Judging A Book

I got Lael this little Christmas Tree from Target last year.  It's a bit puny looking bu it' pink.  And it's Disney Princess.  And it's pink.  So naturally she had to have it.

It only cost me about $5.  I thought I got a good deal and stuck it on her shelf in her closet.

I forgot about this tree until it was time to put up decorations.

I pulled the box down and and quickly realized why it had been on clearance.  There was no tree stand.  Well how the hell was I supposed to put up her little tree with no tree stand.

I aplogized to Lael and told her that we weren't going to be able to put the tree up in her room.

She didn't take no for an answer.

She disappeared in the kitchen and came back with a green raindeer cup.  I asked her what I was supposed to do with the cup and she said to sit the tree in the cup.

Of course the tree fit in but it fell over. 

She then climbed on her step stool and grabbed some socks.

She then proceeded to stuff the cup with her little socks until the tree stood upright.

She has not let me forget to light that tree up one night. 

Like clockwork she gives me hugs and kisses before bed and reminds me to plug up her tree.

Children have such a spirit that it is hard to explain.

Lael and that tree have a lot in common.

From the outside they are small and underestimated.

But if you give them a chance they can surprise you and literally light up your life.

Good Things Do Come In Small Packages

Look at this cutie pie.

Can you believe how little it is.

4 oz of goodness that comes with a spoon under the top.

I found this at my base commissary (grocery store) the other day.

I haven't had many cravings but at times I just have to have something sweet.

It's nice because I'm not eating out a a gallon container feeling like a fat slob.

It's just enough. Ben and Jerry's also makes them this small and some flavors are like only a little over 100 calories for the whole thing. I kid you not!

Yummy! Guilt Free!

The Little Things

Today wasn't a particular good day.

Messy things at work and messy things at home.

It was one of those days you pray to the gods to be over.

I got home from work and it was finally almost over.

I just had to get through helping Lael with her homework without strangling her and ignore my husband to refrain from to dispose of his remains.

It had been a while since Lael had lost a tooth and we had pretty much gotten past the tooth excitement.

What I had forgot was that this one pesky tooth has been lose for MONTHS.  It was kind of hiding behind her newly grown in "big girl" teeth and I had forgot all about it.

Until she came home yesterday saying that it was bleeding.  I wiggled it a little and could tell it only had a few days left at the most.

Well Lael showed it to me when she finished her homework and I just reached in and gave a gentle tug and out it popped.

She looks at me and said "Well, that was easy."

True.

For many things.

It was that simple.  It turned my night around.  That easily.

Isn't she precious.  Big buck teeth and all.  Well except for that scarf, let's just pretend you didn't see that. 

USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) takes care of the military.

Whether it's free tickets to the Radio City (Rockettes) Concert ((which I may or may not have stood in line for 3 hrs on Sunday to get only to miss out by just a few people)) or calling cards to those that are deployed, they are there.

I haven't been on the up and up the past few years but that's what I have military friends for right?

My girlfriend called me up Saturday and swung by my house to pick me and Lael up for some USO Kids Christmas Event.

I wasn't sure what to expect but the USO never hardly disappoints. 

We go there and they were giving aways tickets for door prizes which included kids bikes and more.

There was free dinner, popcorn, cotton candy, treats, face painting, and even a Gingerbread House for the kids to climb through (yeah, it was that big).

But of course no Christmas event is complete without a Santa.  Even though he looked like he was maybe 25, the kids loved him.

Thanks USO for a fun filled night.  Especially because it was free, free, free.

Go! Go! Go!

I'm 5 months now.  Seriously.

It seems like time has flown but at the same time is dragging along.

I can't wait to hold my little bundle in my arms.

I had an appt Friday and was supposed to have my Sonagram to determine the sex but of course nothing goes as planned.

Apparently some things didn't work out and my appt was scheduled correctly.  I did get checked and got to hear the little heartbeat so things are perfectly normal.

However I have to find out until Jan 8th to find out the sex.  I am a little relieved so now I can focus on the holidays and deal with buying the baby things later.

So, there you have it.  5 months and counting.  Go baby go! Keep on growin'!

Christmas Party #1

Take a good look.

It's me and my mother-in-law at my work Christmas Party last night.

Take another good look.

I believe my body is officially gone.  Because of that, from now on you will only see my face or just my belly.  No more whole body shots. M'kay?
Not until after the baby and many, many rounds of the 30 Day Shred. LOL!

We had a blast though.  Good food, good drinks (for everyone but me), dancing and lots of pictures.

Just what I need to give me that EXTRA Christmas Spirit. ;o)