game gone bad

Playing Candy Land with my children brings back memories for me. I remember playing this with my grandparents and some how I would always win! Little did I know then that grandma would let me win, and grandpa would just love to see the excitement in my eyes when I reached the end, so he was secretly hiding the trick that he always just let me win.

So, we received some games for Sam's 3rd birthday, but he really wasn't that interested. So 4 rolled around, and we started playing more, but still the attention span wasn't all there. Low and behold, now Matthew is 3 and Sam is 5 and they love to play games. However, in Sam and Matthew's mind, they both have to win...EVERY TIME. And, don't even think there will be a loser.

Tonight, our family game night went like this:

Sam: Okay, it's my turn first
Matthew: No, it's my turn
S: No Matthew, the oldest goes first
Mom: Well then that must mean that I go first since I am older than both of you
S: No, it's about kids ages
Matthew: No Sam, I go first.
S: Fine, I'm not playing then
Matthew: NO SAM, Fine, I'm not playing
Mom: Okay, here is the deal, we are all going to play, however, I pick that Sam go first.
Matthew: (arms crossed with the look of death on his face) FINE. JUST GO.
(Phew, moving on after 7 minutes of pure fighting and we hadn't even started playing)
``````
Matthew's turn to pick a card:
Matthew: I don't want to move one space, I want two spaces and they need to be green
Sam: BUT Matthew, your card says one space Yellow. You can't move two green spaces.
Mom: Matthew, move one space yellow
Matthew: I don't like this game...I want to pick green cards.
Sam: (Breathing heavy in the background, eyes HUGE with arms crossed)
Matthew: I'm going up stairs and taking all the green cards with me.
Mom: You can't do that because then Sam and I won't be able to play....and then we would be sad

Sam: Fine Matthew, move two green spaces...I'm going up stairs to bed and never playing with you again.

Matthew: FINE, I'll move one yellow space, but next time I WILL pick green.

(Got through that fight.....moving on 20 minutes later)

Your turn Sam-
Sam: picks a card. His card happens to be 2 green spaces....MATTHEW IS DONE. Just done. Matthew: How do you pick all the green cards? (now has tears in his eyes).
Sam, explained it in his 5 year old style that this is the way the game goes.
Matthew: {Crouches}. This is no fun.
Mom: Okay, Matthew your turn
Matthew: picks up a red space, however, the red space is right after the ice cream cone secret path on the board...and Matthew thinks it's okay to go up the secret passage way.

{I glance at Sam who has smoke blowing out his ears...}

Sam: MATTHEW, you have to go to the red space.....you cannot go up the secret passage because you didn't land on the spot.
Matthew: Yes I can, I know I can. Be quiet Sam.
Sam: I can't handle you anymore.
Mom: Boys, please please. Matthew move your man to the red space. You cannot go that way because you didn't pick a blue card.
Matthew: not cool. This game is not cool. Sam, you are going to win and I'm going to loose.
Mom: Well, there is always a winner and a loser. That is how we play the game.
Matthew: I want to win
Sam: No, I want to win
Matthew: I want to win
Sam: No, I'm winning...see.
-Matthew no response-

Mom: Okay, my turn.
Mom: I picked up my card, and it was 2 green spaces. Now I've literally lost Matthew. He threw all the cards he had in his hands out and looked at me and stomped upstairs/barking to say the least and Sam was singing downstairs, "Good Bye Matthew, Good Bye Matthew, Good Bye Matthew, I can't wait to play your guy".

Needless to say, this is life. We can't always get what we want, when we want it. After all, this was a game. Matthew's night lesson, Never to play Candy Cane again...unless it is with HIS Grandparents who will let him win like mine did!

Our Christmas 2009

Our 2009 Christmas Tree

I think I start out every Christmas post by saying it is so hard to believe that December is over and we are now into the new year. But this year, really really flew fast. We had a great month with family and friends. First we celebrated Hanukkah with the Teplin's, then my brother and wife came to town from CA for a visit, and then it was Christmas and the boys were leaving cookies and milk out for the jolly man himself. This year, Sam was so into it, it made me so excited. It brought back those memories of being a child all over again. The glow in his eyes when he was writing Santa a letter to the sparkle in his hop as he ran to bed that night, to the joy he received as he pounced out of bed early Christmas morning to see if Santa really did come. It was all the little things that made him happy. The cookies were gone, the milk was done and the reindeer did in fact take their carrots, but the dropped one at the door.

Let me back up one weekend. Darren & Ann (my Brother and his wife) decided to come in for the holidays a week early from California. What a great decision because our whole family was able to get together. My family from Minnesota along with all us Wisconsin-ites were able to share in the holidays. It's been some time since we all did this, and we were overjoyed to see all. Sam and Matthew enjoyed themselves beyond our expectations. They loved all the individual attention they received from cousins they never met, to uncles and aunts who live so far away and we don't get as much time as we would like. So, this is what the holiday is all about. Food, Family and togetherness.

The boys with my cousin Riley! They just loved her.

Darren and Ann

Moving onto the real Christmas Eve...writing a letter to Santa. All Sam asked for this year was a "Old Fashion Train". He drew a picture for Santa to see what he was talking about. He has this image of Santa's Elves making all the toys on Christmas Eve night and helping Santa drop them off under the tree.

Above, the cookies and the letter that was left for Santa
Below, after Santa left our home



And this was for Sam...and Old Fashioned Train set. He was thrilled. Matthew asked for a Star Wars Costume, which he got as well, but darn it, I didn't get a picture. He was also pretty excited about the train!

Nintendo DS was also another huge hit this year. Sam loves his DS and Santa also brought him a game!

Matthew just wanted Star wars "stuff", so that Santa got. So excited!

...after we opened up gifts, we showered, ate some cinnamon rolls and went over to Mimi and Papa Tom's home for Christmas Day! Merry Christmas to all, and to all another great year!

Snowball fight!

Ah, yes, the snow finally has set in the North! We had a large accumulation of snow fall right before the holidays and were the boys thrilled! We happened to have a play date at our home that day and Sam made sure to tell his little friends at school to bring their hats and scarves because he insisted on building a snow fort! And that they did.

As you can see, my children insist on not wearing hats...darn them...it's COLD out.
Matthew and his friend Lauren, who funny enough he insisted on me taking a picture of them, just them. He wanted Sam and Alley to leave and Lauren to stay! Love his spunk and if I must say so myself, him and Lauren are so similar it is hilarious! They both have that wit about them.

Celebrating Hanukkah

Sam was overjoyed that Hanukkah was here! He has been practicing lighting the candles and saying the prayers at Sunday School and was thrilled this day was here! The boys had way to much fun in the kitchen with me as I tried my best to put on my Jewish Hat! I must say, Brad can attest, that after a few years of practice, I think I am doing a darn good job. We made Hanukkah cookies, potato latkes, Applesauce, Brisket and carrots! it was a darn good meal...until our guest of honor let us know they were vegetarians and didn't eat meat.

Oh well, they enjoyed the meal without the meat as did we.

Lighting the candles with Daddy

This week was supported by great family dinners and a little birthday celebration in the middle for our Nephew/Cousin Josh! The boys had a great time.

our warm welcome

A few months after we were settled in our new home, we got a phone call. The phone call was from the local welcome wagon lady. She wanted to welcome us to our new city/home and she wanted to arrange a time when she could come over and drop off a basket of goodies! Great.

So, the day came and she pulled up in the driveway. She was whispering when she stepped inside my home, after she rung the door bell, and I could barely hear her. I asked her if she could speak up because I was unable to hear what she was saying and I was sick and tired of asking, "can you please say that again?". She thought my children would awake if the talked in a loud tone. That was nice of her.

So, I thought she was going to drop off some stuff like she originally told me over the phone. Well, not the case. She plopped herself down, after giving herself a tour of the first floor, at my kitchen table. So, kindly I plopped myself down next to her. I wasn't prepared for her to want to stay and chit chat, but okay, whatever.

So, her "drop off packet of information" visit turned into a 25 minute conversation. She went through, paper by paper of all the places we could go around our area. The funny thing is, all this information was about a nearby city, and not the city we currently live in. So kindly I asked her where the information on Grafton was...she looked at me funny and said, "there are some things in here". She then said, "well, did you check out the new Target and PetSmart up the road?"

Great Welcome Wagon lady, I think I've been to target 100 times already and Pet Smart is not a place I visit because as you can clearly see I do not have any pets. Again I asked, "where is the information on Grafton". She then handed me a library card information sheet to fill out. I kindly told her I already have a card. She then handed me over a DMV license form to fill out, and I kindly told her I already changed my address on my license. She then handed me a form to Crossroads Church and she went on a soapbox and tried to convince me and my family to join services and I said, No thank you. She then started drilling me about why I didn't' want to check out her church and tried to convince me there are good people there and there are really good people who live in my city and she really thinks we should try it. She would introduce me to all her friends etc. etc. etc. I said, "no thank you, we already belong to a congregation". She then insisted I switch to Crossroads Church and give them a try....etc. etc. etc. I said, "well, we wouldn't fit in there because we are raising our family Jewish". She shut the hell up so fast I saw her bottoms of her feet twitter.

Phew, dodged that one...now what was going to come out of her mouth....

After another 10 ish minutes of her preaching about things I already knew about (I mean come on, I already have been here for 2 months....) she asked me if I had any questions...
I asked, "Do you have any information on the public schools?" Her response, "um, well, no, you can call the school to find out information." "Okay, do you have a number?"
"um, no, you'll have to call 411. All you do is pick up the phone, dial 411 and ask the operator to connect you with the Grafton Public School System".
My response (because now I was going to have fun with her)
"really? that is neat. who answers the phone?"
Her "Well, you see, this is a service we have here in Grafton that let's you have access to all the phone numbers in the world".

...moving on...

She was getting ready to pack up her stuff and high tail it out of my house....she was done with me...and I with her, but before she left, she asked me where I moved from. I gave her the story and she said, Jacksonville Florida? How neat! I have tons and tons and tons of family who live in Jacksonville. We visit there all the time.

So, I decided to attack this, "oh really? Where in Jacksonville do you visit?"
Her, "I don't really know...but we do go there all the time"
Me, "do you know any major streets if you visit there all the time?"
Her, "Hwy, something, I always forget"
Me, "when was the last time you visited?"
Her, "Oh dear, many many years ago. I can't even remember."
Me, "I thought you visit there all the time?"
Her, "I'll let you know...I just get so confused."
Her, "Oh and I baked you some brownies that I thought you and the kids would enjoy"

Would you eat these?

Yikes....

She has called me twice since our "drop off session". She also said she will refer my photography business to all the new people who move in the area. She also called telling me about a friend she wants me to meet. She also wanted to know how we liked the brownies.....

....just wait until I post my cleaning lady interview story!

We are waiting...patiently

Santa is coming to town....and soon he will be here! (and soon I will not be able to use Santa as a bribe). The boys are super excited this year for Santa. They just cannot wait. They have been discussing between the two of them who gets to leave what cookies for him...who gets to open presents first after he comes....how he will get in our house...what color his sleigh is etc. etc. etc. Of course Matthew declares his sled to be green, and Sam totally disagrees with him and is convinced it is red. Matthew continues to insist that Santa is going to go down the chimney, Sam reminds him that we don't have a chimney. Matthew demands that we leave our tree on all day, every day/night because if we don't Santa won't come...Sam corrects him by saying, "We have to turn it off because it is expensive to leave the tree on!". They are so funny. Together they are so anxious.

So, it had been very cold here...and it's been ages....I mean ages since I've took the kids to the mall. I can't even remember the last time we went shopping together. So, we went to Mayfair. They boys were not to excited about shopping, but when I told them if they were good, we could see Santa AND we could then do whatever they wanted....the smiles glistened.

So, they were okay listeners as we were fighting the crowds of people. And then it was time....the big guy in the red and white suit. Much to my surprise...Matthew was very anxious to sit on his lap and talk to him! Sam, he took a couple deep breaths and went to sit on the jolly man's lap...along with brother Matthew. They were so cute! They looked a little intimated, but plowed through. I was able to take a picture with my phone and not have to pay $20 for a 4x6 print!!!!! Super great!

Then it was off to Macy's Department Store. Sam thought it was funny the girl holding the purses was naked...

Matthew demanded we bring the stroller along so they could fight about who got to sit in it.

Then we stopped at a favorite store of mine and they played air hockey...for about 45 minutes....they had sooo much fun!!! And actually, to my liking, they got along so well! Love this when it happens. Although, I did try to leave the store about 80 times and got a huge belt of "NO" and after 81 times, I had to drag one of them out kicking and screaming...but, a few steps down the way, we were all good...and now I was off to find some coffee!

2009 first snow fall!!!

We went to sleep last night...and we saw the big white flakes pouring out of the sky! Brad had to wake up Sam and Matthew as they have been SUPER DUPER excited for the first snow fall. However, Brad heard Matthew snoring away, but heard Sam tossing and turning, so he opted to grab Sam and let sleepy head Matthew rest. Sam was overjoyed with excitement! He loved the snow. Brad actually opened up his blind so he would see the snow falling.

So, we all awoke this morning to white white everywhere. It was so fun to see!!!! The streets were covered. They boys were glowing! However, it was Monday and Sam had to go to school. So it was a morning for Matthew and I to enjoy. We did wait for Sam to play outdoors, however, Matthew had some fun starting to shovel with me!

So excited!!!!

Some pictures of the white stuff!

Matthew getting cold, requesting to come in

Paint! Paint!!!!! PAINT!!!!

It's just feels so good! We have color up on the walls. It's called Latte. And every morning when I awake I run downstairs to heat up my cup of Joe! I love the color. I love the change it has made when you walk into our home. Here is a little bit of a tour of the painted walls!

Upstairs hallway

Looking at the new toy room/tech center area

Closer view of the tech center area

Looking down from second floor. See my color in my bathroom as well!!! That is called, Chocolate swirl. So after my cup of joe, I want to eat!!!

Close up color on the walls

View from front door looking into the kitchen area, where the paint stopped

Stairs going up

Chocolate Swirl powder room! Yummie :)

View standing in the kitchen

View of the foyer area

Them

Meet them. They are ours. We love them.

They make us smile, steam and melt.

Boys...we are so lucky!

Halloween 2009

Samuel was a Army man... Matthew was a pirate, wait that was last year..wait, he was a UPS man...but wait, he didn't want to wear it. So we agreed he could wear his pirate costume again....for the second halloween in a row...but wait....he didn't go trick r treating because he was too cold....so no one saw him anyways....he handed out candy with his MiMi in a nice warm house...dressed as a UPS man. So, what was Matthew this Halloween....you be the judge.

Sam and Nico bundled up, waiting for our neighborhood Halloween parade to start! Where is Matthew you ask? In the wagon, crying because he was cold....requesting to go home...

Our Pumpkins!

Sam's Scary Pumpkin....

The UPS man and the Army dude! Ready for battle!

Here he is...after being warmed up inside a warm home..

...and yes, he thought he was darn funny.

The candy

waiting for the door bell to ring

Our pumpkins at night.