Portland snow

I may be premature in writing this post (it's been snowing for 2 hours), but when the muse strikes...

reasons I love Portland when it snows:

1. everything shuts down and is quiet
2. snow is magical
3. laughing at idiot drivers
4. Bluedog goes crazy
5. it only snows once a year with accumulation and that is the only thing besides family I really miss about Denver

so...

reasons I hate Portland when it snows:

1. everything shuts down and I get cabin fever
2. lack of shovels
3. yelling at idiot drivers
4. lack of shovels
5. it only snows once a year with accumulation and so no one is ever prepared and we get stuck inside and even walking is a hassle because of the lack of shovels

did I mention the LACK OF SHOVELS?

anyway, happy first-season-snow Portlanders!

"I pooped in the potty!"

I underestimated the pride I thought I'd feel when Harper was finally potty trained.

she's not potty trained, per se, but pooped 5 times in the toilet today.

I was ecstatic.

I am ecstatic.

and what makes it better? she went 5 times because it was so exciting for her, she held back so she could poop, wipe, flush, and start all over again. I always thought potty training would be a battle, hard fought, and never won, but with the signing of treaties and truces made. I feared crying, kicking, screaming, pee and poop all over the floor, and tons of laundry.

and we may still be headed in that direction. this is however, only day 3 of serious "training".

but for now, pride is all I want to feel. I am so proud of my big kid, my Noodle, HD. high fives all around!

the holidays

Happy/Merry Everything!

I have fought celebrating Christmas since I was 13. I didn't understand the necessity of buying people a ton of gifts for a day that was supposed to be honoring the birth of Jesus. my argument, to my parent's dismay, against buying presents was always, "if we are celebrating Jesus' birthday, shouldn't we be buying him gifts?"

in many ways, I still feel this about Christmas, and every year wear this shirt:

however, I also now have kids, and a husband who loves Christmas, the songs, and the togetherness it brings. I've never had a problem with the togetherness, just the notion that you must bring gifts to enjoy the togetherness.

anyway, this year, for the sake of a 2-year-old who has watched The Polar Express repeatedly and screams "Christmas" anytime lights, Santa, a tree or presents are seen, I decided to up my spirit a bit. we made a tree, hung lights, and bought some books from Goodwill and covered them in gaudy Christmas paper.

and on Christmas morning when Harper came out to the tree and saw all the presents, I was glad to have been part of what made her so happy to give up the Binky for the morning.

from our family to yours, happy whatever you celebrate! I hope it was filled with as much fun, love, and excitement as our holidays had this year.

back in action

completing a term of school really frees one up to do the important things. you know, cleaning off the bookshelves; cleaning out one's inbox; repeatedly singing "Frere Jacques"; making baby food; painting gifts; and jumping on the bed.

just forget the 5 months of lesson plans that need to be written.

just forget for a little while.

have I mentioned my new mantra?

I will be released from this madness in...

...7 more days.

...7 more days.

...7 more days.

...7 more days.

...7 more days.