Christmas in pictures

This Christmas season was a lot of fun. Punkin really got into the whole Christmas season for really the first time. He wrote his first letter to Santa and left out cookies and water for Santa (yes, water - that's what he said Santa wanted). Though he didn't want to go to sleep on Christmas Eve (though, that's no different than any other night), he heard "Santa's sleighbells" during story time, which encouraged him to go to sleep with less trouble (along with the threat that Santa would pass by our house if he was still awake - hey, whatever it takes).

Decorating gingerbread house with Daddy:

Oh Christmas Tree:

The Stockings Were Hung:

Santa's Message to Punkin:

Merry Christmas Punkin!

Merry Christmas Papou!

Ooohhh...

Merry Christmas Great Grandma!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

merry christmas

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:11

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. May you be surrounded by love, joy, and peace today and always.

ketchup, catsup, catch-up

Wow, it's been a month and a half since I posted anything. I know I've never been a "regular" poster, but this is ridiculous.

Hopefully, over the next few days I can add some posts that provide more details on what's been going on here.

I still need to post some pictures of Punkin's new big boy room that I referenced a couple of months ago. He's enjoying it, though having him out of the crib definitely presents some challenges. Getting him to go to sleep easily has been a struggle, as he often has to "go potty" - like 3 or 4 times within a 20 minute period, but we're working on it.

Speaking of "going potty", Punkin is thisclose to being fully potty trained (knock on wood). He is a champ in big boy underwear all day long. Our biggest issue is going #2. He's not a fan of doing that on the potty. I'm not a fan of him doing that in his underwear. He's still wearing pull-ups at night, so thankfully, he occassionally chooses to wait until then to do #2. But he's definitely not as "regular" as before, I'm sure because he's holding it in. But recently we've had some success with #2 on the potty, so hopefully that will continue. You'd think Punkin figured out how to create world peace with the celebrations we have around here when he does #2 on the potty. Miraculously, Punkin is usually dry in the mornings too. I thought that would be our biggest potty training issue - I've heard stories of boys not being dry through the night until around 5! So, I'm very thankful that he's doing that so well (knock on wood).

Okay, now that you know more about Punkin's potty habits than you ever wanted to...

Punkin also started preschool in November. He goes 3 days a week, all day. Punkin was in daycare from about 4 months until about March of this year. At that time, we pulled him out and shared a sitter with another family who had 2 boys. That was a great time for Punkin and the other boys. They really became good friends. Unfortunately, that family is moving to Pennsylvania, so we had to find another solution. While the sitter was great in helping Punkin try new foods (that's a whole other post), I also think it was a good time to find something with more structure and more learning opportunities. I was blessed to come across Primrose Schools. I was not aware of them previously, but I can't say enough good things about them. If you're considering a full-day option for your kids, I would highly recommend them. When I picked up Punkin after his first day, I asked him what his favorite thing was. He said, "EVERYTHING!" and proceeded to tell that to everyone we walked by. He's done some cute crafts as well.

Here's a picture of one of my favorites.

It was done around Thanksgiving. It's a turkey made from an apple, fruit loops, orange slices, and marshmallows. So creative and so cute.

So, anyway, I'm sure there's a million other things I've left out (like how Punkin got the flu after 1 week of preschool), but my brain can't think of anything else right now. My hope is that I will do a much better job of updating this blog. Because I kinda miss it.

Hope you are all doing well. Leave me a comment letting me know you're still out there!

sunday reflection

Random things heard in church this morning.
I'm posting them here, so I don't forget them. Hopefully, I'll come back to them and think of them often.

He doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called.


It is great, if God is in it.
Little is much, when God is in it.

Being attentive to the words & life of Jesus is absolutely necessary if you hope to get better at reaching out to others.
If we are going to go and DO, then we have to lay our burdens down and sit at the feet of Jesus.

Be ready, because a few moments alone with Jesus and you'll be off on a new adventure.


Choose what is better.

giveaway: harry connick jr, your songs

** UPDATE: The contest is now closed. **

Who doesn't love a little Harry Connick Jr? That man can sing!


His newest album, Your Songs, is a mix of cover versions that he sings with a full jazz big band and string orchestra.




Here's the track list:

- All The Way
- Just The Way You Are
- Can’t Help Falling In Love With You
- And I Love Her
- (They Long To Be) Close To You
- Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)
- The Way You Look Tonight
- First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
- Your Song
- Some Enchanted Evening
- And I Love You So
- Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
- Smile
- Mona Lisa


Harry's voice is unmistakable. This CD took me straight back to high school (the good part of high school, anyway).


If you'd like a little Harry to enjoy for yourself, leave a comment below letting me know.


For an extra entry, follow me on twitter @punkinmama and tweet about this giveaway. Leave a comment below, with the link to your tweet.


For another entry, subscribe to my blog in an RSS reader, and leave another comment letting me know.


The giveaway will end Friday night, October 23, around 8 pm EST (or whenever I get around to closing comments and picking a winner).



Thanks to One to One Network for providing me with the CD for my listening pleasure, as well as the CD for the giveaway. The above post is based on my own thoughts and is not influenced by the sponsor.

three

September 2006

2007



2008



2009

Punkin has turned into a Big Boy overnight. On the morning he turned 3, he refused to even consider wearing a diaper. Unfortunately, the desire to pee on the potty didn't coinside... Buy stock in Pull-ups (you heard it here first) , because I think he'll be living in them forever. They're the only thing he'll allow us to put on him. Somehow, the Pull-up equals big boy underwear in his mind. And he is suddenly afraid of the potty. Given the other things he's accomplished, I think I'm going to have to just let this one go... for now...

Punkin also moved into his new Big Boy Room (another post to come) on his birthday. This included sleeping in a Big Boy Bed for the first time. I'm proud to say that it went very well. I did sing him to sleep (which I actually enjoyed... shhh... don't tell *him* that). The other unbelievable feat is that he didn't even ask for his paci one time. I had dreaded the "no more pacis" and anticipated a few nights of major crying before Punkin would sleep without it. Even though he had been telling me for weeks that turning 3 meant "no more pacis", I really expected some major withdrawals. I don't want to jinx it, but he's gone to bed the first night and taken a nap in his new room without even mentioning the word paci. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that in a few days, he doesn't suddenly bring it up and cry over it. (So, it's now 10:30 and Punkin is still awake... calling out every few minutes... he's not asking for his paci, but he's also not sleeping. How bad is it that I want to just give it to him so he'll fall asleep faster? )

He really is turning into such a big boy. But he'll always be my baby.

Happy Birthday Punkin! I love you more than you'll ever know!

I've added this post to Real Life's "Your Life Your Blog". You can read more great posts there.

wordless wednesday: camera play

If you haven't tried picnik.com, you should!