Wii Love Him

Can count to 100, Is getting to be a pretty good reader, Has the first 5 Articles of Faith memorized. Loves his family, especially Colton, and even the baby sister in Mom's belly, Likes to choose the right, and not the left, does his chores happily, Can be convinced to do pretty much anything, Has the biggest heart, a great appetite and eats a variety of food, is a killer Super Mario Bros. player

Ian turned 5! It was a big day. He has been waiting for this for a really long time. It all started when we were in Arizona last fall and attended his favorite buddy Max's 5th birthday party. His anxiety increased as we returned from that to realize most of his New York friends were now 5 also. This was almost as big as Christmas for him.

There is no-buddy like a brother. Ian is so good to Colton. They play so well together. The 3 hours a day that they're away from each other as Ian goes to preschool builds up an excited reunion.

I thought I can feed the obsession a little more with Super Mario Bros. by making him a wii remote cake. He loved it. I like having this little representations to reminisce on what they were into on their big day.

He loved the group hug after presents.

He also had a little celebration at preschool where they ate cupcakes and sang to him. A few months ago he took in his homemade super hero cape for show and tell and he said all of his friends loved it, and wanted all of them to have one. So for a party favor, I made 18 capes for his preschool friends. Do this and his class will idolize you.

Santaland at Macy's on 34th, Katz, and the Winner

Visiting Santa was no small quest. However, it was rewarding after battling the crowds. Macy's makes it worth your wait. Free entertainment during the line (they had a quartet singing) and a "train ticket" to enter the North Pole where there are more distractions awaiting. They even let you take your own pictures with Santa. It was a good time. We came home and watched Elf and my kids were laughing their heads off.

The line worked up an appetite so we headed to the local's favorite kosher deli "Katz" for their signature pastrami on rye. It melts in your mouth. We also headed to the Doughnut Plant that was featured on Throwdown with Bobby Flay for some Tres Leches doughnut. Unfortunately, they were cash only so we were only allowed 2. No pity needed, I quickly returned the following week for a plethora of goodness!

And the winner is........Julianna Richman! I know you'll appreciate it. I'll try and send it out this week, but I can't promise. You'll get it soon!

Christmas Giveaway

I'm doing my Christmas giveaway again, because I'm still too poor to buy all my friends a present. Win your very own Serendipity 3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix! It's delicious. If you've been here and had it, you know. If you haven't, here's your chance. This was featured on Oprah's show. It might have been her favorite things show.

It's one packet making a 30 oz drink. If you doll it up, it can look like this:

Leave a comment and I will include your name in the drawing! Good Luck.

Merry Christmas!!!

Deadline is Monday, December 14.

Mothering Boys

Most would think there's no real science to being a mother. I mostly agree with that but when you have boys, it forces you to be scientific about a lot of things. Which is not to my benefit because science was never really my strong suit. Thinking back to the last five or so years, there have been more times than I care to admit that have made me do things I wouldn't necessarily do. Or think that I could do. Like looking for bugs for hours at a time and having to google what they eat and how to care for them. Or learning the different parts of a train and, again, googling how the steam comes out of them.

Sometimes the grossness factor is a little much to take. But I'll take it when endless laughter ensues, and camaraderie is created.

I know more character names from Sodor Island and the Super Hero Squad than I ever thought my brain can hold. I secretly wish that those names could be replaced with the names of the MAC eye shadows that I have been smitten with. But when I have been giving the award of best mom in the world (and sometimes infinity plus one), or coolest mom. Or even a "Mom, how do you know that" that's really what steals and melts my heart.

I have the most tender hearted boys. If I told you how often I get unwarranted hugs, kisses, and I love yous, you wouldn't believe me. They love to snuggle me and play with my hair, and kiss my eyes through my glasses, and they peacefully agree to let me always sit in the middle so they can both be by my side. I'm a lucky girl. Mothering boys has been the single most adventure packed, invigorating, love-filled task I have taken on.

Come March I'll see what mothering a girl brings on.

Another Year of Homemade Costumes

We've been on a Wii Mario Kart kick. So naturally, this year my boys wanted to be Mario and Luigi. Ian wanted to be Mario. It took just a few minutes of rationing with him on why he should be Luigi and Colton should be Mario. He's a boy of reason. Luigi is taller and Mario does have curly hair. So here's what we came up.

This was at our ward's Trunk or Treat. Notice they came equipped with the power ups. The star and mushroom.

I was a lucky mom to be a guest at Ian's preschool party. His class performed various Halloween songs and acted out a spooky walk. I cried like only an amateur mommy could attending her first child's first school program.

Our friends Ayman and Venus invited us to go trick or treating with them. Yes, please. They live in a posh Manhattan building near Tribeca. I wish I took a picture of the streets of New York as we pulled in. It was flooded with hundreds of people all in costumes trick or treating the businesses on the streets. I got to peek in to dozens of apartments which has been on my NY check list. People are living large. Taylor also got in on the Halloween spirit by joining the boys and dressing up as Waluigi. It was a good excuse to grown in the facial hair.

We have a bag of candy that will last us half of year. I'd say it was a successful Halloween.

Westerly Vacation

We went to Arizona and California. The warm sun is our friend.

First Day of Preschool

Ian started preschool in early September. The first day was orientation with parents. He was embarrassed to have me there and wanted to go all by himself. He loves his teachers Miss Christine, Miss Lori, and Miss Marie. He's made new friends: Anthony, John, Michael, Vincent, Deanna and Alyssa. When I go pick him up I ask what he did. His response everyday, "I had a snack." He's learned that snakes smell through their tongue, you stop drop and roll when you're on fire, he's got five senses. He loves going everyday and I love that he goes everyday.