Thursday, December 30, 2010
Simple Pleasures
This Christmas...the longest post ever!
The hustle and bustle of the season is over and it leaves me a little sad. This Christmas was the Best Christmas for Matt and I as parents. This Christmas, Ryder truly understood why we celebrate Christmas. He was so excited for baby Jesus and his Birthday.
We read the Christmas Story almost every night switching it up with a book called Santa Mouse every now and again. (Santa Mouse is a super cute book if you're in the market for new Christmas books next year!)
We started out the birthday celebrations at Ryder's preschool the week before Christmas. It was a Birthday Party for Jesus complete with Happy Birthday Jesus decorations. (Note: to anyone who would like to use similar decorations in the future...stock up early. I found these at Hobby Lobby, a week before his class party (midway through December) and picked up the last few sets of plates and napkins they had. I would suggest buying them in November if you know you need them! ) It was a Pajama Day, Pizza Party, Book Exchange. I took a zillion pictures, but couldn't make my boy smile. He LOVES pizza and all he could do was shovel it in his mouth! I think he would eat it every meal if given the opportunity. He was excited I was there which always melts my heart and even more excited that I took him with me when the party was over and it was time to get out the napmats!
Matt spent the following weekend (the weekend before Christmas) hunting with his Dad and some buddies, so the boys and I went back home to my parent's house. Ryder and I shopped with my Mom and Sister Saturday. Ryder was a trooper and hung with us all day even without a nap. I let him "Build a Bear" since he was so good and realized that it is not the end product he is interested in. He just likes the building process. He loves that he gets to push the pedal, he loves even more to blow the bear dry after its bath, he is ecstatic to push buttons on a computer...he doesn't care anything about the stuffed animal. Basically, I paid $20.00 to let him play for a half hour. Whatever makes him happy!
Rustin stayed home with my Dad and ended up getting sick. I don't think it would be Christmas at our house if somebody wasn't sick. I stayed up with him, literally, all night Saturday. A week of breathing treatments and he is thankfully back to normal.
We celebrated my 30-something Birthday at Cowboy Chow. I've cheered about them on my blog before...their Watermelon Sweet Tea is amazing! That afternoon we took the boys to see the Trains at Northpark (a Mall in Dallas for those who are not in Texas)...which Matt had gotten complimentary tickets to. In true Joy fashion, I couldn't find the tickets when we got there. We bought new tickets and then about 5 minutes after we left, I found the tickets in my purse. I am trying to become better organized...and I've made some strides, but I obviously have not arrived yet! No birthday pictures, since I am the annoying one usually snapping all of the pictures (Ryder runs the other direction when he sees a camera...not a lie.).
We made a trip to see Santa...Rustin was terrified and Ryder was confused about why Rustin was so terrified. After all...if you don't tell Santa what you want how will he know what to bring you?
Christmas Eve we went to church and then came home to make preparations for Santa.
We sprinkled Reindeer food. We made sure the fireplace was open and then assured Ryder that Santa wouldn't be burned. Seriously. We set out Cookies for Santa to eat. Rustin found them before Santa arrived.
Santa came and Ryder woke up Christmas morning shouting "Christmas is Here!". He peeked into the living room and shrilled with excitement when he saw that Santa brought what he had asked for...a Train!
The best gift of the day was all of the time we spent with our families. That is the story of our 2010 Christmas. We love you all and can't wait to share our happenings with you in the New Year!
We read the Christmas Story almost every night switching it up with a book called Santa Mouse every now and again. (Santa Mouse is a super cute book if you're in the market for new Christmas books next year!)
We started out the birthday celebrations at Ryder's preschool the week before Christmas. It was a Birthday Party for Jesus complete with Happy Birthday Jesus decorations. (Note: to anyone who would like to use similar decorations in the future...stock up early. I found these at Hobby Lobby, a week before his class party (midway through December) and picked up the last few sets of plates and napkins they had. I would suggest buying them in November if you know you need them! ) It was a Pajama Day, Pizza Party, Book Exchange. I took a zillion pictures, but couldn't make my boy smile. He LOVES pizza and all he could do was shovel it in his mouth! I think he would eat it every meal if given the opportunity. He was excited I was there which always melts my heart and even more excited that I took him with me when the party was over and it was time to get out the napmats!
Matt spent the following weekend (the weekend before Christmas) hunting with his Dad and some buddies, so the boys and I went back home to my parent's house. Ryder and I shopped with my Mom and Sister Saturday. Ryder was a trooper and hung with us all day even without a nap. I let him "Build a Bear" since he was so good and realized that it is not the end product he is interested in. He just likes the building process. He loves that he gets to push the pedal, he loves even more to blow the bear dry after its bath, he is ecstatic to push buttons on a computer...he doesn't care anything about the stuffed animal. Basically, I paid $20.00 to let him play for a half hour. Whatever makes him happy!
Rustin stayed home with my Dad and ended up getting sick. I don't think it would be Christmas at our house if somebody wasn't sick. I stayed up with him, literally, all night Saturday. A week of breathing treatments and he is thankfully back to normal.
We celebrated my 30-something Birthday at Cowboy Chow. I've cheered about them on my blog before...their Watermelon Sweet Tea is amazing! That afternoon we took the boys to see the Trains at Northpark (a Mall in Dallas for those who are not in Texas)...which Matt had gotten complimentary tickets to. In true Joy fashion, I couldn't find the tickets when we got there. We bought new tickets and then about 5 minutes after we left, I found the tickets in my purse. I am trying to become better organized...and I've made some strides, but I obviously have not arrived yet! No birthday pictures, since I am the annoying one usually snapping all of the pictures (Ryder runs the other direction when he sees a camera...not a lie.).
We made a trip to see Santa...Rustin was terrified and Ryder was confused about why Rustin was so terrified. After all...if you don't tell Santa what you want how will he know what to bring you?
Christmas Eve we went to church and then came home to make preparations for Santa.
We sprinkled Reindeer food. We made sure the fireplace was open and then assured Ryder that Santa wouldn't be burned. Seriously. We set out Cookies for Santa to eat. Rustin found them before Santa arrived.
Santa came and Ryder woke up Christmas morning shouting "Christmas is Here!". He peeked into the living room and shrilled with excitement when he saw that Santa brought what he had asked for...a Train!
The best gift of the day was all of the time we spent with our families. That is the story of our 2010 Christmas. We love you all and can't wait to share our happenings with you in the New Year!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Reindeer Treats
Its waaaaay past my bedtime and I have been sitting at the kitchen table making reindeer treats for Ryder's Christmas party tomorrow. As I sat there, I thought about a post my sweet friend Heather made about Good Intentions a month or so ago.
I want to make cute and fun things for Ryder (and one day Rustin) and their friends...but do they really care? Probably not...pizza and cupcakes will make them happy and they won't care where they came from. None the less, I've spent three days making these little treats. They did turn out cute and if you'd like the directions I can always post them!
I want to make cute and fun things for Ryder (and one day Rustin) and their friends...but do they really care? Probably not...pizza and cupcakes will make them happy and they won't care where they came from. None the less, I've spent three days making these little treats. They did turn out cute and if you'd like the directions I can always post them!
Fruitcake
For most people, just saying the word fruitcake, makes them want to vomit. It makes me think of my Granddad. After he retired, he spent the holiday season working at the Collin Street Bakery, for extra Christmas money. Collin Street Bakery's Deluxe fruit cake is world famous and has been a favorite since 1896. My Granddaddy made one every year, even after he had quit spending his Christmases at the Bakery.
Ever since he left this World in 2001, I've baked his fruit cake for our family. Especially for my Dad. I don't know if he likes the taste of the fuit cake or if it just brings a little bit of home back to him. After Rustin went to sleep tonight, Ryder and I pulled the mixer out and got to making the annual fruit cake. He tasted the batter and surprisingly enough said "Yum!". Little bit of that Nekuza blood is running through him...not sure there is any other explanation for enjoying the taste of raw fruitcake batter!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Documenting Milestones
Just to document a few milestones here:
Today, December 13, 2010, Ryder accomplished driving his big wheel. He can reach the pedals and pedal forward! He was so excited!!!!
A few Ryderisms: We used the "Micker" to make some Christmas Cookies over the weekend.
This morning we got his "Pack-Pack" all loaded up for preschool.
Tonight he asked me to, "Mommy read you a story.". We are working on You, I and Me...obviously.
Rustin went for his 15 month check up last Wednesday and checked out perfectly...except for the fact that he still doesn't walk. No interventions are necessary until 18-months. Fingers crossed we'll be there by then. Here are his stats:
Weight: 21# 2 oz.
Height: 31.5 in.
Head Circumference: 18.25 in.
Today, December 13, 2010, Ryder accomplished driving his big wheel. He can reach the pedals and pedal forward! He was so excited!!!!
A few Ryderisms: We used the "Micker" to make some Christmas Cookies over the weekend.
This morning we got his "Pack-Pack" all loaded up for preschool.
Tonight he asked me to, "Mommy read you a story.". We are working on You, I and Me...obviously.
Rustin went for his 15 month check up last Wednesday and checked out perfectly...except for the fact that he still doesn't walk. No interventions are necessary until 18-months. Fingers crossed we'll be there by then. Here are his stats:
Weight: 21# 2 oz.
Height: 31.5 in.
Head Circumference: 18.25 in.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hmmm...
Sheesh...how has it been a week since I updated here? Is your life crazy or is it just us? I guess crazy isn't the best word. We just have too much to do and not enough time to do it all. Not complaining...just saying.
Thanksgiving was delicious. I ate way too much. Ryder ate nothing. Well I take that back. He ate some cookies. No healthy foods for him. He doesn't care...he'll starve before he caves in. I ended up making pumpkin spice cake crumb balls. Bobby Flay's recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding sounded wonderful...but too complicated for this mediocre cook.
Black Friday = Me + Kohls @ 3a.m. Crazy, I know. But its so worth it to fight the crowds one day a year if for no other reason than to have fun stories to tell. Kohls, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond all before 6:15 a.m. The mall by 7 a.m. Lunch, rest, different mall until 9:30 P.M. Still not finished, but I've made a dent.
Sunday, after having to have my car towed from the park for the SECOND time, due to a lost key...Matt and I had a long talk. My organization skills are terrible. I've spent this week trying to take control of my schedule, duties, etc... In turn, that is really why I haven't updated in awhile. With everything I have to do just to keep ahead or in the ballgame...I hardly have time to sit down at the computer. This time the key loss was actually not my fault at all...someone snatched my bag from right behind me....but it was just a wake up call for me to pay attention to my surroundings and take control of everything that seems to spin out of control at times.
We are all decorated for Christmas. I picked up RR's keepsake ornaments today. I get them one each year and hopefully find one that fits their current likes. Ryder LOVES Mickey Mouse & Pluto right now and I found the perfect ornament!
Love y'all!! Night!
Thanksgiving was delicious. I ate way too much. Ryder ate nothing. Well I take that back. He ate some cookies. No healthy foods for him. He doesn't care...he'll starve before he caves in. I ended up making pumpkin spice cake crumb balls. Bobby Flay's recipe for Pumpkin Bread Pudding sounded wonderful...but too complicated for this mediocre cook.
Black Friday = Me + Kohls @ 3a.m. Crazy, I know. But its so worth it to fight the crowds one day a year if for no other reason than to have fun stories to tell. Kohls, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond all before 6:15 a.m. The mall by 7 a.m. Lunch, rest, different mall until 9:30 P.M. Still not finished, but I've made a dent.
Sunday, after having to have my car towed from the park for the SECOND time, due to a lost key...Matt and I had a long talk. My organization skills are terrible. I've spent this week trying to take control of my schedule, duties, etc... In turn, that is really why I haven't updated in awhile. With everything I have to do just to keep ahead or in the ballgame...I hardly have time to sit down at the computer. This time the key loss was actually not my fault at all...someone snatched my bag from right behind me....but it was just a wake up call for me to pay attention to my surroundings and take control of everything that seems to spin out of control at times.
We are all decorated for Christmas. I picked up RR's keepsake ornaments today. I get them one each year and hopefully find one that fits their current likes. Ryder LOVES Mickey Mouse & Pluto right now and I found the perfect ornament!
I had a harder time finding one for Rustin, but I loved this 1...they have them up through 3 I think.
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