100 things

100 Things
I stole this from my friends, Holly and Stacy, who stole it from someone else. Please feel free to steal it from me. Everything I did is in bold and in Green.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (yes, if world tour counts)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own

Trains, Trains and more Trains

Today we headed out to the museum center to check out the train display there. Boy am I glad we did. So less crowded than the downtown display. I will admit that we went early in the day, so that might be part of the good luck with the crowds. Th exhibit is set up so that you have to buy admission to one of the 5 museums in the building- we choose the historical museum since that has another train display. I guess the ticket person could not believe that we wanted tickets to the historical museum with a 3 year old in the party because he actually gave us tickets to the children's museum.


Here are pictures This is at the back of the historical museum- they have 2 tables set up with tracks for Thomas trains. You have to get the trains from the information center- I guess a few went missing at one point. Bug played for an hour - happy as a clam that no one was trying to take his trains. Here he is sending them through the train washer.

In the Holiday Junction portion- he played with the trains but was worried that someone was going to take his trains. Mam got in on the act too.

Playing trains

Playing trains with Momma

By one of the exhibits- we had fun looking for things in this display. I find it interesting that all the displays are set up like the 1950s- aren't there more modern display pieces (towns, cars, people, etc)?

Looking at the trains

Making the trains go- this was neat because each button controlled something on the train display.

riding in a train- same basic train as the mall train- only about 50% faster.

Train getting ready to go over the bridge.




We had a good day- Tomorrow is the last day of our long weekend. It has been wonderful hanging out with Bug. I am going to miss the afternoon naps and the extra cuddles as we head back into our normal routine.

Love to you,

Deb

Friday fun

UPDATED to add video from Thanksgving dinner.


Today is a shopping day in the US, but Bug and I had better things to do. In reverse order-

1. Swinging at the park. I think this is the last season that Bug will fit into the baby swings. With his boots on, we could barely get him in the swing.
2. Sliding at the park- Bug was not happy here because I was standing on the slide to get a picture of his face.
3. more sliding - with his reindeer hat on.

4. We had a cookie at the Mall- more below on why we were at the mall but it was not for shopping.

5. riding the train at the mall- Last year Bug made it one circuit around in the train before he freaked out, this year he was begging to go on the train. He had a great time sharing the bell pulling duties with the other little boy.

6. Train riding again

7. doing flips in the play area of the mall after

8. sliding down the slide head first.

9. riding the horse at the mall (picture by Mam)

10. riding in the apple at the mall

11. riding in the cars at the mall

We headed out to the mall at 10 am this morning so I could give blood- there is a donation center at the mall. I though this was a perfect end to the Thanksgiving celebration- helping others. But unfortunately my iron level was too low (only by one point) and I was unable to donate this time. The donation team will be calling me next week to schedule another appointment, so I am upping my vitamins and making sure I eat lots of dark green leafy veggies.

Since I was going to donate blood, I asked my mom to come along and watch Bug - which really meant, go let him ride all the rides. He had a blast. It is so amazing to see how different he is the year in terms of his play and willingness to do things- heck just the change from Spring to now is amazing. This year has been a huge change for him.

Bug is busy napping now- apparently lots of playtime at the mall and then some play time at the park equal one tired Bug. he finally gave into sleep at 3 pm- so I am in for a long night. But I think we are going to rent a video tonight and we will have movie night.

I have to say, he was too cute when we got home from the park- he told me he was putting on his jammies and he put them on. Let's hope I can get clothes back on him to go rent a video from the library.

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Love to you,

Deb and Bug

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for my happy little boy. even when we are having a hard week- he is the joy in my heart, the icing on the cake. Bug is happy for whipped cream- including being able to lick the bowl

I am thankful for family who love Bug, who are always there for him

Bug is thankful for getting the entire bowl of "cream"

Bug is thankful for family who love and cherish him- here in the US and in Guatemala.

We are thankful to be a family

We are thankful for Aunt, Uncles and grandparents (Sister, brother in law, brother and mother).

We are thankful for cousins and friends (nephew, niece and friend).

We are thankful to have a morning to spend in our jammies just playing and watching the parade

We are thankful for parades that celebrate who we are as Americans. bug can not decide if he likes the tuba players or the flag corps the best, so he is both.

We are thankful for Mam who hung out with us all day. Maybe Pap will come join us one of these days.

We are thankful for drums and music- they make our world loud and joyous.

We are thankful for family to play with, toys to play with and the start of the celebration of Christ's birth. We are thankful

Love to you,

Deb and Nene

Busy, busy decorating day together

Today we had a busy day- we got just about about everything today that I had planned. Here is our day in reverse.

Santa Nene- as I was pulling out ornaments, he found the Santa hat and he was happy to run around in it for the night. Decorating his little tree- no ornaments were hurt in the decorating of the tree. but one was hurt when little man decoded to play with it before he put it on the tree. I have to find some craft glue this weekend to fix the ornament.

Decorating the big tree. No ornaments were hurt while decorating

Santa Momma and Santa Nene- we had a good day

Our house- with the lights on outside.

Bug with his pepper mint sticks- he was so excited to put these up.

The tree with lights finally. I bought lights last night, but that only covered half of the tree, so this morning we headed back to pick up another set- so in total we have 400 lights on our tree. Thankfully they are the new LED lights.

Lunch was at Wendy's today. After 2 hours of baking and 1.5 hours of working outside, we were tired and just wanted some food. After lunch we came home and slept for 1.5 hours.

Bug helping me withe lights. he stood at the bottom of the ladder and handed me things or he danced around the bottom, scaring me. He took tractors outside, but apparently Momma being on a ladder was far more fascinating then playing.

Our baking for the morning- 2 pumpkin pies- one fore our house and one for the family Thanksgiving and 24 banana, nut, chocolate chip muffins. Friday we are going to bake pumpkin bread and muffins- YUM. Bug let me know this afternoon that he did not like the banana muffins. Hopefully he will like the pumpkin muffins

Scooping the banana muffin mix into the Christmas tree muffin pan.

Pies are ready for the oven. YUMMMY. Our house smells so good tonight.

Mixing the pumpkin pie filling. Bug says he is cooking with me

Having a great time. After our experience last year with baking left me leery of trying again this year- but a year makes a huge difference. Bug was able to mix everything and he was not making a huge mess. Actually we had no mess this time. I think baking with Bug is going to be fun this year.

Well, we are off to get Bug to bed. We have the Thanksgiving parade in the morning to watch and then Thanksgiving with the family.

UPDATE on the situation with Pap- he is still not talking to Bug and is apparently not talking to anyone now- his loss. So he will not be joining the family for Thanksgiving (not the first time he has skipped a holiday). At this point, Bug and I have made 4 attempts to talk to him to apologize- we are done trying - this is now on Pap. Bug and I are heading over to pick my mom up in the morning so she can have a restful day with us (Pap is not talking to her either). We could sure use some prayers for this situation since Pap has been known to use this silent treatment for up to 6 weeks.

Love and hugs to you,

Deb

Revenge of the toddler

Don't be fooled by this face (picture taken over the summer), this is the face of a child who willing shares his illnesses with others. yep- Bug has shared his gastro-intestinal virus with ....

cousin Jason. Bug spent the day with Mam and Pap today since Jason was sick and we don't want Bug sick again. We'll see how Thanksgiving plays out.


On that note: The family drama has started. We went shopping with Mam and Pap tonight, Bug had a melt down- I am not sure why- and now Bug and Pap are both not talking to each other. I should say, after much discussion in the car and at home, Bug is willing to talk to Pap and apologize for hurting his feelings, but Pap is not ready to talk to Bug. We'll see how it goes tomorrow when we attempt to call Pap again. Oh the drama of being in a family.


Love to you,
Deb

pictures of undecorated trees

This is the big tree. The year Big was not home at Christmas, I put it up, put lights on it and never could bring myself to decorate it. It sat undecorated for a month before I finally packed it up and put it away The little tree- for the last 2 years it has sat on the entertainment center. The first year, I put every ornament I bought for Bug on it and it stayed up until he came home- I actually think it stayed up until his birthday. Last year, it again got Bug's ornaments on it and he was not happy that he could not reach it. So this year, it is on the end table and he will be able to climb up on the couch and look at the ornaments.

Do I think we will make it through the holiday without the tree ending up on the floor- no. But at the same time, the ornaments are meant to be enjoyed and what is a little damage in the end.

Love to you,

Deb

Sunday update

Bug seems to be doing better today- no eruprtions- from either end. I was concerned that there would be one today at church- but he did fine. And yes, I sent him to Sunday school- no fever, no vomitting or diarrhea for 24 hours, he seems to be fine.



he did have yogurt and banannas today so that might have helped.



I only have to work 2 days this week thanks to the Thanksgiving holiday. I am looking forward toa short week and some time with Bug.



We set up our Christmas trees tonight- just the trees and lights. We have a small tree that was for Bug's ornaments last year and a big tree. This year, I am going to let Bug decorate his tree with whatever ornaments he wants to put on it. I have feeling it will be a tree of trains, motos, and tractors and all the other ornaments will be on the big tree. My goal is to have the trees decorated by next Sunday.



This is our schedule for this week:

Monday: work and swim class

Tuesday: work

Wednesday: making pies

Thursday: THANKSGIVING

Friday: trains at the musuem center

Saturday: trains if we did not get over to see them on Friday

Sunday: rest



I think we have a god week ahead of us.



Pictures should be coming every day this week.



Love to you,



Deb

Bugisms

Heard recently:

"I would like snowflakes for breakfast" It took a phone call to my sister to figure out that "snowflakes" are frosted flakes.

"You can't get married until you are bigger like me" This came as we were watching a movie tonight and Bug said he was going to get married and I asked if I could get married too.


Some days, little man is the funniest thing in the world. We are off to bed now.

Love to you,
Deb

Bug is sick again

See my post from Tuesday on what that night was like- well, he is sick again today. He had a temp of 101, vomiting and sleeping all morning. I left work early to take him to the doctor. The confirmed he has a gastro-intestinal virus.

So we wait it out, hopefully it will be over soon. Bug is sleeping now- he went right to sleep tonight.

Love to you,
Deb

One more for tonight and then I am off to bed

Did you read this story?


http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081121/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/cb_haiti_food_crisis

My new toy looks stupid compared to this. I am off to make a donation to an aid organization- these people need help and lots of it.

I know there are lots of pleas for your money right now- but this is critical.

I hope you can help too.

Love to you,
Deb

Momma's new toy

I got the black one. I used it to take a video of Bug tonight. I can't post the video- Little Man was splashing in the tub and that would not be appropriate to post out here.

So mom, the subtle hints to Pap that we would like to take his camcorder to Guatemala- forget about it, we have our own and I can download the videos immediately.

I am very excited. Of course, I am starting to carry a lot of electronics with me- counting my 2 cell phones (one for home, one for work), I usually have my camera and now I will have the camcorder. Note about the cell phones- usually the only time I have them is when I am in the car- but I have to admit- I regularly forget to charge them. I still have not gotten used to them being for all my calls, versus just for emergencies.

I was going to take the camcorder to Portugal in 2 weeks, but then I remembered that I can not download the software on to my work computer, so I might take it, but I will have to watch the time on it so I don't exceed the limit or run the battery down.

Maybe I will not take it- again the carrying all the electronics.

Take care,

Deb