Toys and books and naps

1. Target toys clearance was 70% off today and I was overjoyed to score Mina her first Cabbage Patch doll for only $11! Remember when those things were so hard to find for less than $100 when we were kids... some of you anyway...
2. There were also President Barbies for only $7 and I really wanted one. But it looks like Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann. Until they make one that looks like Hillary, I'll pass.
3. Ash got his 1st My Little Pony last week - Rainbow Dash. And today we let him pick another - Fluttershy. ;) love that kid!!
4. Bill washed the dishes, let me take a nap and cooked dinner today. It was the best day ever.
5. I started reading Angelfall while the boys were doing their homework. (A surprise gift from a great friend.) Classical music was playing which always inspires me to read. I'm on chapter 6 and so far it's really interesting. I've still put off finishing the last book in the Hunger Games series because I don't want it to be over. I'm still torn up over the end of Harry Potter. But I have JK's new book to read too - even if it's an adult book.

Post holiday ramblings

1. I haven't been sticking to my resolutions except for being more patient with my kids - which really is the most important. But today I did yoga, worked on a garland for the mantel and I'm writing right now... So I'm getting there.
2. I love yoga. It makes me feel so good. I love knowing that today I could barely touch my toes but each time I'll become more and more flexible. And I'll keep getting better and feeling better. I'm totally fine with gradual results.
3. I wish I could say I'm in good post baby shape but this holiday season I pigged out big time. But I know with exercise and better eating (less snacking) I will get back to a better weight. I'm trying not to be so hard on myself about it. So I'm just going to ease into better habits all around and not stress it. My short-term goal is yoga every day and better eating to get myself down 5-6 pounds by January 31st. And then we'll go from there. With breast feeding I think it's feasible.
4. Okay enough of that. Blargh. Does anyone have any good tips/tricks for dealing with a dog that likes to chew everything? Sparky is a chewer. The good thing is my house is cleaner because my kids don't leave toys around anymore. But he's chewing things like remotes and the baby monitor which are hard to replace. I guess we're off to obedience school. (No jean crotch eating, Vann... Yet...)
5. Going to sleep before midnight tonight. I'm boring.

New Year's 5 Resolutions

1. Get back to doing yoga/pilates a few times a week. I was doing this 5-7 days a week before I got super pregnant and it felt really good. I want to get back to that.
2. Be less abrasive with the kids. We all can get a loud and sassy with each other around here. And in order to keep my sanity and keep my kids more tamed down, I need to set the example.
3. I bought a craft a day book for an entire year and I'd like to try to complete it in 2013.
4. Get my kids to try more different foods. Gonna have to get creative here so my kids are eating more healthy and setting better habits for life.
5. Write more. Always.

A very geeky Christmas

What are you getting your kids for Christmas? We tried not to go super crazy over the kids this year. We really tend to spend a lot on them throughout the year as it is. So I wanted to make sure each item felt "special" by either being something we don't usually buy or that they've been asking for a long time. Here's what we came up with...

Back to 5 Things a Day

1. Starting today I decided I'd let the boys pick a country and we'd learn about how that country celebrates Christmas or other religious holidays like Hanukkah (or "Harmonica" as Luc called it, accidentally). Tonight Lucas told us about the menorah and dreidel. And Holden picked Germany so we learned about the Christkind and a tradition of getting presents or a switch in your shoes on Dec. 6th. Tomorrow Luc wants to learn about Thailand or what he referred to as MY Asian country.
2. I've been watching Korean dramas almost non-stop the past week or two. I finished Flower Boy Ramen Shop and You're Beautiful. Now I'm watching Heartstrings.
3. Mina has been cooing and babbling a lot lately. Bill said she's going to start speaking Korean since all of my shows are in Korean and English subtitles.
4. I wrapped presents and put them under the tree last night. Ash said that's Santa's job and I got chewed out. One less present for him. (Kidding)
5. Mina is 4 months old now (as of yesterday). She has her checkup tomorrow. Going to see how fat she has gotten and hopefully good news that she's developing okay despite being born so early. I think she's doing great but I'd like some reassurance. I may be blinded by her cuteness.

All I want for Christmas is...

Last day

Day 30 - three wonderful things that happened this month

1. President Obama was re-elected. Best thing ever.

2. Bill's family came to visit. His grandmother got to hold Mina which was a really sweet thing to watch. She's the first girl in this family since Aunt Jennifer was born 50 years ago.

3. The boys won an Angry Birds basket at the school fundraiser. It may seem like a silly thing but Lucas had mentioned before that we never win anything. Sometimes it's just nice when it feels like the Universe hears you.