Our Santa

59 Months

Monkey,

This Christmas we got a special surprise.  You got chosen to play Santa in the Night Before Christmas play at school.  You were the only kid with a line, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night".  I'm still not sure how they chose you.  Your charm.  Innocent good looks.  Ability to yell over other kids.  Sheer nepotism cause Momma works there and everybody loves you.  I am going to bet on all of the above.  I got you to practice at home by asking you to say your line instead of saying please. To say that everyone was excited about your debut is an understatement.  We brought an entourage of people.  Auntie B and Pa took off from work.  Aunt Lizzy and Nana wouldn't dare miss it.  And of course Gammy and me.  You were amazing.  The confidence!  The direction!  The biggest smile ever!  With your classmates as reindeer, you rode in a sleigh.  You had an enormous stuffed belly that you grabbed like a bowl full of jelly. You put your finger on your nose and scooted up the chimney.  You waved to the audience and said your line perfectly.  The video will surely be a favorite of many Christmas's to come.

NBD.  Just making Xmas treats.

I was mildly nervous about this Christmas.  You asked for the Lego Death Star.  It was the only thing on your list that was consistent.  And it was the only thing that I was positive I was not getting you.  It is a $400 Lego set.  Made for 14 years and up.  Its epic.  Its unpractical.  I just couldn't justify it.  So I distracted.  Persuaded you to look for other sets that were just as awesome.  I was nervous that you were going to be disappointed.  We all get disappointed at Christmas at some point.  I just really didn't want it to be this Christmas; this early in your life.  Thankfully, my distraction techniques worked.  I still can't decide which choice was better, not getting the Death Star or replacing it with the Wii.  You are obsessed with your video games now and quite talented too.  My favorite pastime has become watching you jump around the den.  One day you were jumping, running, and gesturing so enthusastically that you tripped on your own legs and landed on your back.  I laughed.  I'm not proud that I laughed when you fell.  And of course I comforted you while my eyes were streaming with laughing tears.  BUT it was pretty hysterical.  You tripped on your own legs playing Wii.  Totally something I would do.

I got a pretty lucky break and got to house sit for a parishoner who happened to have an indoor pool/jacuzzi.  Perfect timing for breaking the winter blues.  I would get you from school and we would head there to feed the cats and swim.  It was glorious.  A mini-vacation sorely needed.  I kept wondering if we lived there would I appreciate it as much.  Or was it just because it was a novelity.  There is not much stress to be had when you are in the water, with a glass of wine (or ice tea for you), watching the snow fall on the glass above your head.  By the end of the few days you were pretty positive you wanted to move in.

Santa got fancy this year!

My most favorite part about this Christmas was how grateful you were for everything.  I gave you pajamas, like always, on Christmas eve.  And you professed that it was the best Christmas ever.  You went on and on how amazing your pajamas are.  On Christmas morning you actually watched us open our presents while waiting in between yours.  You TOOK TURNS opening presents.  What almost 5 year old does that?!?  You loved everything and if you got a duplicate you would comfort the gift giver.  "Its ok.  We can return it."  For a Christmas that I almost thought would be ruined, you absolutely amazed me once again.  I am so proud of you.

I love you everyday,
Momma Domma

New House - Phase One

Here's my Nana's nice little kitchen.  Its cute, but I thought it could use a little updating to make it more my style.  I had about 2 and a half months before my grandparents where coming home for Christmas.  But I figured that was plenty of time.  Not so much.  There was a lot of rushing around. Some spackling with head lamps when there was no power.  Lots of organizing contractors for stuff I couldn't do and some unforeseen issues.  Like the water line for the ice maker or the black mold we found in the bathroom or when the tile guy unplugged the gas stove and started a gas leak.  Yea.  That was fun. But I totally think it was worth it.

So this is the kitchen redo.  First to come down was the drop ceiling and all the fluorescent lighting underneath.  Then we took down the wall to open it up a bit.  Reconstructed a partial drop ceiling with dimmable high hats (in love).  New countertops, new tile backsplash, added another cabinet to extend the counter space on the other side of the fridge.  I was planning on putting up an island (and pendant lights) where the table is but I kinda like the ability to move the table around.  My pet project was painting the cabinets.  I played around with one of them and it came out so nice that I had to do them all.  Holy hell that was time consuming.  And changing out cabinet hardware was the most frustrating and annoying thing I have done so far.  But, again, I think they came out fantastic.  They don't even look like the same cabinets!

 

This was the day the wall came down.  It was a little impromtu, quick decision.  Wyatt was AMAZED!  He keeps on saying "Its not ours yet, but Momma is making it ours."  I think that is the cutest way to think of it. He really is very patient and makes me tons of drawings, "comics" he calls them, to put on our fridge.  I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of good things going on our fridge.  We have fallen into a routine: I work, Wyatt draws or watches TV or makes some kind of spaceship out of blue tape and levels, and then Gammy comes over with pizza on her way home from work.  Its getting there.

 

 

This is the downstairs bathroom.  Aka "Grandpa's Bathroom".  Once I took the wall down in the kitchen, we noticed that the bathroom was a little exposed and clearly needed some updating if it was going to be more noticed then it usually was.

 

Viola!  We took down the wallpaper then painted everying a crisp white (its actually the same white in the kitchen.)  I've picked out a blue, white and green that I am going to continue throughout the downstairs.  Mom and I put down a new lineolm floor.  I would have prefered tile but I think it still looks good and cost $30.  I am OBSESSED with my new vanity.  It is beautiful.  Mom found this gorgeous mirror from Dad's Nana's house so I refinished it to match.  Top it off with a blue ceiling, new light fixtures, and a new toliet.  I would have liked to do a lot more, but I love it and really love that it was in my budget.

 

The next phase is ripping up carpet, some new moulding, and lots of painting. I really would love to be all moved in by March but don't hold me to that.  We'll see how long it all takes us! 

 

And I have to give a huge shout out to all those who have helped out so far and so generously.  Too many to list, but know I love you guys.

Things I Learned in 2012

I learned how to remove a vanity and repaint cabinets.
Turning 30 is much easier in sunny weather with people who have known you forever.
Everyone's pain, pleasure, sorrow, despair, elation is relative.
I find fireplaces endlessly comforting.
Wyatt is becoming social being.  Its going to be a long few years.
I learned that sometimes it is worth spending a little more money to get exactly what you want.

Canceling a trip really sucks but knowing that you're part of a family that will never leave anyone behind is priceless.
Wyatt will always be able to make me laugh no matter what.
Lizzy continues to be the strongest woman I know.
Therapy is about bettering myself not about fixing something that is wrong.
Rich drunk or business drunk its ok to drive on Centre Island.
I learned that Wyatt is far more patient then I will ever be.

You don't know what you have till its gone.
Some people get stuck in my heart for way longer then they deserve to be there.
Disney will always get me giddy.
Nothing ever goes as planned in renovations.
I would rather be disappointed then lower my expectations.
I look forward to time away from Wyatt but I also look forward to coming home 10 minutes after I leave.

I love making places my own.
I can't wait to teach Wyatt about things that I love; skiing was the tip of the iceberg.
Natural disasters bring out the best and worst in people.
I am still a sucker for pick-up trucks; works every time.  Its embarrassing.
You can predict how you will react but you don't ever really know till you're there.
I learned to never let someone else make me feel bad about myself.

Cash still needs a lot of work but somehow he fits right in.
I am committed to not making the same mistakes over and over again.
Wyatt's stage acting debut was everything I ever hoped it to be.
My downfall has been getting an iPad and iPhone.  I am officially addicted.  How did I functional without them.
Dating with a child is hard.  Like really hard. Or maybe I just haven't found the right person yet.
I miss crazy nights in Long Beach with Jen.  Long Beach, I love you.

Saying "yes" to all options opens up endless doors.
I learned how to make a mean lasagna.
I am hoping that moving out will give us more space to let good things in.
All this responsibility gets overwhelming, every once and while I have to go out and be reckless.
If you say "Hey Wyatt, ring ring."  He will respond with "I just called to say I love you."  Its the best.
There are so many things in 2013 I am looking forward to already.  I am excited for the surprises that lay in store.