Christmas Review in Numbers

You can all thank Aimee for giving me the inspiration for this post!

9- the number of days Becca and family were in town for Christmas

5- the number of days Matthew and family were in town for Christmas

15+ the number of people in the Haverland clan 8 adults 7 children (the + is the little one in Becca's tummy)

30- the number of toes I painted for the cousins slumber party at our house

29- the date of this month that I turned 31 (I think turning 30 was worse!)

2+ the number of times I vomited after my birthday dinner (the plus is the number of times I was in the bathroom, but not vomiting)

5- the number of grandkids that can sleep in one room at grandma's

3.75- the number of ounces in the vaseline jar that Brooke smeared all over herself and grandma's night stand

14- the number of bath related items in a great big gift from my mother-in-law (she's the best!)

2- the number of naps Elise had during the week of Christmas with cousins (she did surprisingly well without naps and thankfully she is back to normal napping since then!!)

20- the temperature outside when we took a Haverland family picture at Helen Keller Park

2- the number of surprises from my husband at Christmas- lip balm and a necklace... my husband has the best test!!

100+ the number of Christmas cookies, fudge and other yummy items that me (and my family) consumed

7- the number of different games played duirng the week of Christmas

12:30am- it's a number in time... it is also how late we kept Alex and Becca up til before having to drive to Kansas the next day (thanks for the great week and fun times)

For Naomi

UPDATED: Apparently my nephew and niece don't believe in Santa! We don't push Santa either and Elise will tell you "he just pretend".

Pray they don't get run over by a reindeer,
Drivin down from Denver for Christmas fun.
You may say there is such thing as Santa
But as for Rocket and Roxanne, they DON'T believe!

She'll bring her new dog Friday
and we beg her to leave Ruby!
She'll leave a cat named Necklace,
but she bring the fam we know and love so much!

T Minus...and Counting

Here is your song Becca! We can't wait to see everyone!

Over I-70 and through the snow

to Grandma's house they go.
They'll start at twilight
and drive through the night
to make it here by Saturday!

Over the mountains and through the passes
to Grandma's house they go.
They have books on CD
and some great DVD's
to help pass the 18 hour drive!

Over the week and into Christmas
at Grandma's house they'll stay.
We'll play all day long
and talk all night long
until our fun is done!

Over to Kansas and through the flat lands
to another Grandma's house they go.
We'll cry when leave
and we'll try not to grieve
the fun week we all just shared!

Caught Peeking

Preschool Christmas Songs

I will warn you these videos are not great quality, but to me they are cute.

Christmas at Preschool

Yesterday was Elise's preschool Christmas program. This was a "first" for us. It seems we are on a new path of "firsts" and with that come "lasts". While my heartaches for the lasts, it also rejoices at the newness of firsts.

More Thanksgiving Catch Up

Tim some how beat me to posting about our trip to Tucson for Thanksgiving... well really he only posted pictures from our stop in Albuquerque. Enjoy!

Tucson Thanksgiving

What Ho, What Ho

Today we shall go 

to the land far South below.

For this holiday of turkey

we shall first stay in Albuquerque

What Ho,  What Ho.

Today we say goodbye

and the cold shall be gone.

For Wednesday we arrive

in the warmth of Tucson.

By Tim

Fall in Pictures

Here are a few pictures of what we (Elise) have been up to this fall...

Benson Sculpture Garden

We stopped at this park for a picnic lunch after our pumpkin picking. It has the most amazing collection of 123 sculptures. I am not sure how to artists feel about our kids climbing on their art, but we hope they take it as a compliment to their work. Here are a few of my favorite sculptures and pictures.

Happy Birthoween

Tim turned the big 30 last night. Yes, his actual birthday is Halloween. He says growing up he thought it was great, birthday cake and candy all in one night, it is every kids dream! Well, since Elise is cuter than me I let her do the honor of singing! Happy Birthday Tim!

MY Ten Minutes

Recently we heard the director of a single moms group say that she gives each mom 10 minutes for a pity party and they have to move on and deal with life. Well, today I need my ten minutes. I started this blog at 2:14pm, it is now 2:17, and I seven minutes before I have to move on and deal with life. So what has got me to this state a constipated, overtired, doesn't want to walk, can only whine requests, 3 1/2 year old, an upcoming doctor visit, customer service at the doctors office and car dealer ship, my new MOPS group, missing my old MOPS group/friends, a sermon from Sunday that is just sticking with me, a quote from my profound husband that is just not leaving my mind. I could go on and on, but I have one minute left. I don't need answers, help, or input, I just need to have my ten minutes and now I will move on and deal with life.

2nd Annual Osborne Pumpkin Patch

This was actually my first trip to the Osborne Pumpkin Farm, last year Elise went without me. It was great day for pumpkin picking. Although I don't have any pictures of anyone actually picking a pumpkin we did come home with some pretty cute pumpkins. Elise true to form found a small white pumpkin which she carried around the entire patch. Thanks to Aunt Naomi's wonderful suggestion Elise now wants to paint her pumpkin rather than carve it.
(PS. I could get the pictures to move around so they are in reverse order for the event of the day.)

Girls Night In

Q: What are two girls to do when their guy is gone for the night?
A: Have a girls night in of course!

Q: What is girls night in?
A: Baths and pj's by 6pm, dinner and movie by 6:30pm (frozen pizza and a dvd), dessert and couch cuddling by 7:30, teeth brush and bed songs by 8:30!

Q: What is the cost of girls night in?
A: $2 for pizza, $1 for the dvd rental, $1 for gummie treats = $4

Q: Who can have a girls night in?
A: Sorry, guys this is girls only thing!

First Preschool Field Trip

It's been a couple of weeks since we went to the zoo with Elise's preschool class, but I am just now getting the pictures off the camera. It was beautiful day and although I brought the stroller Elise walked the entire zoo!

Sad Saturday

As I sit in my very quiet and still house on this sunny Saturday, I find my attitude is not as sunny. I am not sure if I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or if it was certain monkey climbing in my side of the bed at 7:30 AM. Maybe it was the 20 minutes wrestling match that took place while the monkey was getting comfortable. Although I am pretty sure it could have been the fact that the monkey woke up with more energy than I will ever know or have in my lifetime. I was not wanting to feed the monkey any breakfasting fearing I might add fuel to the energy fire that was already burning out of control. Before I could come a decision my WONDERFUL husband took note of my poor choice in attitudes and offered to take the monkey with him on some errands. It was almost too much for my awful attitude as tears started to fill my eyes. So now I am off to enjoy shower and while I wash my body I plan to wash my attitude as well. Goodbye Sad Saturday.... Hello Starting over Saturday!

First Days of Preschool

Tuesday was Elise's first day of preschool alone. We went last Thursday for orientation and I got to stay with her. She enjoyed playing with the dolls and making friends while I and the other moms got last minute instructions and tips for the up coming year.
There were a few expected and unexpected things about Elise's first day. I expected Elise to be excited and she was VERY excited. She could hardly sit still to eat breakfast and I am sure I gave the same instructions at least 100 times. I expected that Elise wouldn't cry and she gave me a hug and kiss then went to join her class. I expected that I wouldn't cry, but well at least I made it to my car before breaking down. As I watched Elise through a little window she suddenly seemed so small. She is growing so fast and doing so many "big girl" things that is was totally unexpected to see her sitting there in class looking small. It also unexpectedly hit me that I was leaving my 3 1/2 year old with complete strangers. Suddenly 3 did not seem old enough to be going to preschool.

Elise's Prayer

To say Elise is obsessed with babies is an understatement. With so many friends either pregnant or just having babies Elise talks about babies constantly. Recently she asked me why we don't have a baby. I gave her the only explanation that would satisfy a 3 1/2 year old mind. "Mommy can't have a baby in her tummy again, only God knows why, and only He knows if we will have another baby. You can do what mommy and daddy do and pray for baby." So later that day when I asked her to put on her shoes, she told me to wait she had to pray for a baby. What happened next made me cry. She hopped up on the couch bowed her folded her hands, bowed her head, closed her eyes and prayed, "Dear God, thank you for this day and thank you for baby. Please let us have a baby. Amen."

2 Girls and a Museum

Last Wednesday Elise and I headed to Denver to go to the Children's Museum with Roxanne and Naomi. The girls had a great time and we discovered some fun new things.

Little girls make cute firefighters.

Contrary to what Noami may tell you to make you feel better, painting is an ability. You either have it or you don't and well, Elise and I don't!

Each girl found their niche and possible future job at the supermarket. Roxanne the shopper and Elise the cashier.

Broken and Behind

I have managed to break both our home computer and my iPod within a week of each other. So my access to electronic devices has been limited. Tim is bravely allowing me time on his laptop and I love him for sharing! So for your reading pleasure here is the latest beauty, business, and babble for the Bennetts.

Beauty:
Missing Items have been found and returned!!! The digital camera case and battery charger was found in our tent pocket when camping in July. The scrapbook paper case was found in an acquaintance's car and was passed to several people before making it home to me. Why are these under beauty? Two reasons first and I think most important I am not losing it as neither items where found in my house! Secondly it is a beautiful thing that both items have been found!

Business:
I am thinking of starting my own business called Bird Bowls. After two days of catching a bird, using a bowl, trapped in our bedroom window, I feel confident that my skills are very marketable. Elise will do my PR because she says it best, "If a bird comes in our window, you get the bowl and catch the bird and let it go." Maybe I should patten this process.

Babble:
A few of my favorite Elise words.

"Lickertish" Licorish
"Pain Nolish" Toe Nail Polish
"B-arski's" Family friends last name Bednarski's
"Hi Naughty Daddy" A greeting to Tim, when he comes home from work and says to her " Hi, silly monkey."

Becca's Birthday

I tried to think of 33 way to say Happy Birthday, but I am not good at foreign languages. I was going to think of 33 things I love about Becca, but there are way more than 33. So I decided three Colorado camping families would work too! Happy Birthday Becca!



In case you can't see what is in the foreground, it the number 33 made from camping supplies, a chair, lantern, broom ect. Why 33? It's how old Becca is turning! (Sorry Becca)

Never Going Back To Okay

I promised Tim this video would not end up on YouTube, but my blog is another story. I cannot tell you how much I love this video. It is a great combination of cute and funny!

Camp Family

Since both my mom and sister in law beat me to the post, you can read each version of the trip. I'll spare you all the details of my version, but give you a few of my favorite memories.

• Mom & Dad taking Elise to camp and Tim & I joining later (it was the nicest & quietest drive)
  

• Riding ATVs in the rain with Tim and my dad (racing in the rain is totally fun)
  
• Riding ATVs with Tim at dusk (totally romantic and fun)
• Watching Elise, Rocket and Roxanne play NICE together (see a memory without an ATV)

Camp Cuddles

Ingredents:
6 adults
7 children (ages 13-3)
1 infant (6 weeks old)
1 tent
1 pop up camper
1 truck bed camper
2 ATV's
2 dirt bikes
1 jeep

How to Prepare:
Take three sets of good friends and set a date for camping, but the not the place. It adds a little more fun if location is added last minute! Pick one couple to go early and choose the perfect spot, big enough for everyone, trails to ride, and of course water and mud for the kids to play. Wait, wait and wait for the other families to arrive, but have fun naming the weekend "Camp Cuddles" where kisses and huggles abound. Survive the first night of rain with the best attitudes possible while everyone prays for sun in the morning. Praise God for wonderful sunshine which gives everyone a chance to play the away. Pack up the next day after a slow breakfast with wonderful conversation and go home completely exhausted, but completely content.

Anniversary Plan A, B and C

Plan A:
Tim and I "planned" (we talked about a few ideas one night) to go out for dinner and a movie leaving Elise with the babysitters (grandparents). Due to our great planning both sets of babysitters had plans of their own! We are still in shock that they had plans of their own, and they don't just sit around waiting to hang out with their granddaughter!

Plan B:
We still wanted to keep the original plan to do dinner and a movie, but we decided to do it as a family... ah how romantic! I found Horton Hears a Who playing at the $1.50 movie theater and I had coupons for Chick-fil-A. For being Plan B, it was a great night. We got a milkshake, an ice cream cone and dinner for all of us for only $9.41. Even the movie was truly enjoyable for everyone. It was a great way to celebrate where eight years of marriage had brought us..... one great family!

Plan C:
This really wasn't planned as much as a great surprise gift. Tim's parents arrived back into town and offered to watch Elise while Tim and I enjoyed an anniversary date! We arrived only to find out that Elise was going to stay the night and we had the rest of the night to ourselves. It was a wonderful evening. We had our favorite subs from JJ's (Jimmy John's), ice cream from BJ velvet freeze, then watched a movie at home. It was so much fun just to hang out the two of us. We talked, shared, questioned, laughed and celebrated where we have been in eight years of marriage and where the next eight and more will bring us.

A Goofy Girl & A Goofy Grandma

Losing It

The following items are missing from my home. Would some please return them or tell me where to find them?
1. scrapbook paper case FULL of paper
2. digital camera case and battery charger
3. library book

Top three reasons it bugs me these items are missing
1. My house is not that big!
2. Although I still have a digital camera with a battery neither are working without the charger!
3. I hate paying fines for something that could have and should have been avoided!

PS Praise- Happiness is finding the book (under a shirt) by my night stand. Is it wrong that I would have preferred to have found #1 and 2 more?

Yes Nap... Nap Now!!

About the time I ended my last post things got quiet, a little too quiet. I peeked in to see what might be keeping Elise so quiet and it was sleep! About two hours worth of sleep :) I am still debating if the nap is worth the horrible attitude that awoke with her:( It might be early to bed for Elise if attitudes don't improve.

No Nap... Not Yet

As I sit her typing Elise is upstairs "sleeping" as least that was the plan, but all I hear are little bumps and thumps. How can this happen?
It all started yesterday after church, I put Elise down for her afternoon nap and well this is how it went:

Elise: Mom I'm not sleepy.
Mom: Elise try and take a rest anyway you body needs it. (ie your mom and dad need it)

20 minutes later...
Elise: Mom I have to go potty.
Mom: Okay, go, but then straight back to bed.

30 minutes later...
(from downstairs)
Sarah: I don't think Elise has slept during her afternoon nap.
Tim: Really?!?
Sarah: Yes, can't you hear her up there playing?
Tim: Is that the bumps I keep hearing.
Sarah: YES.

Surprisingly she was very good the rest of the afternoon and evening. Only when she was told it was bed time did she put up a fuss (which was not a pretty site). I thought for sure she would take a great nap today after not having one yesterday. Can she really drop her nap so easily? Without warning? I am not ready for nap time to be coming to an end.

Swim Lessons and Life Lessons

Today was the end of a beginning. Elise completed her first swim lessons... well her first swim lesson where I wasn't in the water with her! Elise is 3 (going on four) and is concerned with everything BIG. She can't wait for summer to be over to start preschool. She can't wait for her next happy birthday with she will proudly be 4. While Elise can't wait to be big, Tim and I are can't figure out how to slow, stop or even rewind time. I am not sure why, but the older Elise gets the more nostalgic I get for a toddling toddler, who knew more animal sounds than real words, for a baby who was always in the 5th percentile for height and weight, but had a belly which hid a watermelon, for hair so dark with a single Elvis wave, it looked so cute pulled into a sprout on top. Ah so many,many things I miss. I would not change who she is now or who she is becoming, but why dose she have to be getting there so fast?

Birthday Wishes for Elias

HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY ELIAS!
We would love to be there to help celebrate, but since we can't here is a birthday video just for you!

Camping Cousins

As if Elise was already in cousin heaven we spent even more time with cousins last weekend. We headed out to Cottonwood Lake, CO with my brother Matthew and his family for a little camping, ATV riding and lots of dirt!Me: Rocket I think you have a little dirt on your face.

Rocket: What?! Where?!

Elise demonstrating: she drives like her dad!

Roxanne demonstrating: how not to ride an ATV!

Every year my husband Tim and sister in law Naomi become obsessed with the campfire and this year was no different. I think Noami just like to work out some of her issues by chopping wood. As for Tim, what could be more manly than chopping wood with your feet!