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Showing posts from 2013

{joy} from the carlsons

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We hope this season finds you experiencing the joy of friends and family.  Or at least pockets of time without the stress of shopping and shoveling.   Having a 3 year old has helped us take a step back from the To-Do list this year to enjoy house decorating, snowball fights, and new aspects of gifting.  Eg. The gifts are constantly being moved to/from our couch, where Chase feels it keeps them safe from Kiefer stomping on them (one year old's new favorite thing, not kidding).  Also learned quickly wrapping should only occur while the boys are sleeping to avoid the wrapping paper rolls immediately being "refurbished" into pogo sticks or bats.... During 2013, Kevin has continued to save the world...one playstation game at a time. He continues to work as an accountant at LaSalle and also volunteers as a punching bag/jungle gym for Chase’s classmates at church. He’s a pretty big deal in pre-school social circles. Tracy is still managing events for BMO.  As a career mo

How to Become a Millionaire

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First off, You're Welcome.  Because if I wasn't so tired/lazy, these ideas would already be in motion and you wouldn't have the opportunity to be in on the ground floor of such high reward potential.  My only request is a 5% cut of future earnings.  Deal? Battery Changer: I typically buy toys without batteries (per the photos above).  You may think it is because I am an amazing mother who encourages my children to use their imagination; not allowing the toy to create the fun for them.  Uh, yeah sure, that's it.   Hours of my life and strands of hair have gone missing due to dead toy batteries.    The first obstacle is finding a teeny tiny screwdriver to release the 6 (SIX!!) miniature screws holding in the batteries.  The second issue is keeping the bouncing child calm while they wait for their toy to rise from the ashes.  Once the minuscule tool is located and the batteries are revealed, only then do you realize issue three.  You have A batteries, AA batterie

one year {take two}

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Kiefer Maddox Carlson.  One Year.  He made it.  More importantly, we survived too.    When reviewing the monthly progression photos below, Kiefer's first year of life can probably be summed up as:  0-6 months:   What's happening?  Where am I? | 7-12  months: HEY!  I like it here!  I like you guys! 0-1 Months: Kiefer entered the world as the teeniest baby I have ever seen.  And slept really really well.  During the day.  Only during the day. 2 Months:  See above. 3 Months:   The first non-gas related smiles surfaced.   At the risk of sounding repetitive,  the smiles were mostly at night, as he still hadn't transitioned to a normal sleep schedule. 4 Months:  Develops an amazing ability to grip all items.  His favorite object: Mom's hair.   His method: grip it and rip it. 5 Months:   Does NOT like to have any limbs moved against his will.  Which isn't bad...unless you need to change his diaper or his outfit.  Which is all. the. time.   6 Months:  Sat up

Picture Perfect

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Me, obviously no better than others clamoring for photos.  Chase, a social media kid in training. The emergence of social media has made my life simultaneously better and worse.  In just a few minutes, I can touch base with friends and family -- interesting trips, recent accomplishments, and funny random quips.  Please don't guilt trip me with the "face-to-face is better" lecture.  I agree, but with two small children & working full time my choice is either never see anyone or take what I can get on facebook.   One of the greatest perks is reconnecting with friends of the past.  A perfect example: My grade school best friend and I drifted apart after her family moved.  Most likely due to struggles over long distance conversation topics beyond the "I played with My Little Pony and Barbie today" from our first letters.   Whoa, sorry.  I am probably getting ahead of myself here.   For the younger generation, a "letter" is the way people commun

Mothers vs. Fathers: In the Public Eye

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Left: At the scene of the crime; Right: Celebrating Father of the Year Being a mother and a casual observer of the human race, it warrants me the right to shed light on the interesting public response to parents out and about with their children. A battle of Mothers vs. Fathers, if you will.   Thankfully it isn't actually a competition.  Because there is a clear "winner"....and it isn't me. Let's start with an the average bus ride experience.  As I board the bus, baby strapped to my front; toddler pushing his way through the sea of legs, it is business as usual.  No one notices my existence or offers a seat.  The only time an eye is lifted is if one (or both) of the children makes a scene.   And these once avoidant eyes now contain harsh scrutiny.  Most looks have a bonus "tsk-tsk" noise to accompany them.  I am so lucky to have the "village" there to help.  Now swap the mother with the father in the above scenario and watch what hap

Signs You Have a Toddler - Part II

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As a continuation of Part I , below is the second half of signs you may have a toddler.  Based on my final score of 100%, we are neck deep in "toddler" at home: (5) You eat really healthy.  Until the kid is asleep. When my son is awake, we are incredibly healthy.  We sing songs about trying new and healthy foods.  We smile as we ingest carrots:  MMM...this is so good, you'll love it!    Then our son goes to bed.  Within seconds , ice cream is removed from the freezer, and/or Doritos sit out in the open, and/or cookies are finally released from their cupboard.  If I am honest with myself, the charade is 50% health and 50% selfish.  While I want him to avoid sugar, I also don't want to share.  Those Milano cookies ain't cheap. (6) Each day has a 75% chance of dancing And a 100% chance of singing.  When spontaneous dancing occurs, it is easily my favorite moment of the day.  Music not required.  "Dancing" is defined as mostly hopping around, run