Christmas vignettes...

I'm pretty sure I have a crush on my Christmas tree...

• It makes me giddy.
• I find it very attractive.
• I find myself staring at it.

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Santa took some time off from the workshop and stopped by Preston's preschool...

...and we were very glad of it.

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There was cookie-making. Of course there was cookie-making. My children would think something was seriously amiss if mommy wasn't making cookies or something highly-sweet and highly-caloric every week. And if it's Christmas time? Well, we triple the output.

{Apron by Mommy}

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The tradition of the Nativity with the Owens' cousins, accompanied by the reading of Luke 2 by Grandpa Owens.

{I think Mary looks especially elegant in her Ralph Lauren Chambray 400 count sheet--don't you?}

Test

Huh.

I was just testing this to see if it would work and it did. Is this illegal? I went to the darling tinyprints.com and created this and then saw the price tag... and that's when I decided I think I'll go Costco this time around. So, many of you will be receiving real, paper, snail-mail holiday cards from us. Stay-tuned.

And, yes, they will be belated.

If you don't, I will be posting a copy of it here later for your viewing enjoyment. Again, stay-tuned....

Merry Christmas to all...

...and to all a good night!

Random

Look how darling I am, climbing up these big stairs on my own.

He started with terrifying me with just one step, and now it sixteen steps. We have a gate at the top, but it looks like we need to imprison him a little bit more.

Speaking of which, Paige killed me the other day with this comment:

P: Mom, what is jubee?

M: Jubee?

P: Yeah, joo-bee.

M: Umm...

P: Today at school I heard that kids that break the law go to jubee.

M: (spontaneous laughter) Ohhh--you mean, "Juvi". It's short for Juvenile Hall.

P: Yeah, that's it.

Man, that was a funny moment. Also funny, was yesterday when she asked me what a wedgie was....Well, I guess that's what parents are for--to enlighten our children on the mysteries of life. I digress...

To sum this moment up:

Gavin's climbin'

and Paige knows some more.

I'm rhymin'

Now I'm goin' to the store.

Pwee-skool

I'm Pweston.

I am fwee.

I get to go to pweeskool.

Peecuz I'm a beeg-boy.

My teacher is Miss Simbia (Cynthia).

My fwend Karner (Kauner) is in my class.

And I'm a PIWATE!! ArGGhh!

My mom wants to weemember how cute my fwee-year-old talk was.

*Click* on the links!

We had our family pictures taken last night and it was so fun! We had this very darling, very talented gal meet us at Tempe Town Lake and we ended up with some great shots. If you want to check out a little sampling, click {here} on her website. (Then click {here} for more) I am beyond thrilled with the outcome, and I've only seen a handful! I will post more when we she sends them to us.

Thank you Ashley for the awesome time! You were very patient with our crew and captured some absolutely priceless moments!!

(Wait, there's more {here}. This woman has many blogs!)

Big fan. Huge.

"By small and simple things shall great things come to pass." Right? Alma said it. So, may I apply this principle to this little, tiny tube? I think I will.

"Fix-its" performed in the last 7 days to reverse damage done by darlings:

• Wooden blinds
• Pirate ship flag
• Pirate ship helm
• Pirate ship mast
• Nutcracker's hat
• Another nutcracker's hat
• Toppled lamp
• And one of the wise men from our Nativity is no longer headless

I've quite enjoyed all the praise coming from my kids regarding my miraculous gluing skills. The latest buzz-line in our house has been, "Oh, don't worry. Mom can use the super-glue." Plus, so long as you don't adhere your fingers or eyelashes together, it's really, really fun to use.

Elf Yourself

Having a low day? Well, may I remedy that by having you click on the link below?

Owens Elves

You're welcome.

*Thank you, big sister, for turning us into dancing elves. How can we ever repay you?

Blackbird

Listen.

I LoVe this song. I love how Sara McLachlan sings it--effortless. Plus, I have a great love for folk-sy songs.

I also love the guitar in this song.

I also AdoRe my playlist.

So, go ahead. Turn the up the volume and go clean your house--or cut coupons or dance with your kids.

That's what I do.

Thanksgiving leftovers

Caption: The tryptophan has set in. We are fat and happy. And dying laughing at "Kung Fu Panda" because of his awesomeness.

• I made my first turkey and it was moist, tender, and succulent (2 of these are my least favorite words, but, they best describe it).

• I used pretty dishes and am wishing I took a picture of the table--what kind of blogger am I?

• I missed my family, but am thankful for bless-ed "Steve's side of the family" whose last name I am now lucky enough to share. They are wonderful.

• My children played hard and ate something from every food group.

• It was a good day.

Bump, Set...well, just get it over the net.

Paige's volleyball season just ended so I'm finally posting these little gems. She loves this sport and I approve. I just love seeing her find her competitive side. She had a great time, and the highlight was that she had this way-cute coach that I would flirt with on the sidelines...Also, I'm married to him.

I seriously love this shot--with all the action-ness. My favorite is when Paige would yell, "Mine!" and go for it.

Go Lady Lions!! (Again, cute coach.)

"Goodgamegoodgamegoodgamegoodgame....."
(Can you see the cute matching ponytails I made them?)

Paige is all about the side-pony.

Good season, Lions!!

Some midnight Twilight

We came.

We saw.

We enjoyed that Edward's hair.

Yes, we went to the midnight showing of the pop-culture phenomenon of the year. I was secretly a little embarrassed that I was doing this, but it only made sense to do it, since I was also secretly counting down the days until it opened...

I figured I'd roll my eyes at the first crowd-squeal that was sure to come when a certain Cullen appeared on screen. Then our favorite vegetarian vampire made his debut, and I realized that the tiniest squeal escaped my lips...

But, would you expect anything less from a hopeless romantic?

It was very fun going with my cute friends. We all came to the same concensus: They pulled it off! Looked like they were dealing with a low budget, but casting was pretty good and the chemistry was definitely there with those two. Thanks Jenny for the hook-up with the tickets and for letting me steal this picture off your blog.

New Moon Movie: 2010.

Sign me up.

How to Boost Your Self-Confidence 101

1) Birth a little 4 pound preemie who fights for his life.
2) Over the next few years, watch him grow into a solid, manly boy who has a tender spot for his mommy.
3) Then wait for him to say things like:

"Mom, you are so cute."

"Mom, you look really beautiful in that outfit."

"Mom, I really like your shiny lips." (new lipgloss)

"Mom. You're pretty funny."

(sigh) "Oh, Mom. I just love you."

I'm telling you what. It will make your day.

A drive home and some mathematicians

It went like this:


Trevor: I have to go potty!!!

Me: Okay, honey, we'll be home in about 4 minutes.

Trevor: 1, 2, 3, 4. Okay, well, we're not home.

Me: No, that's 4 seconds. 4 minutes is longer....Basically, you have to count to 240.

Trevor: Well, I can't do that, but Paigie can.

Paige: (after a glance at me in the rear-view mirror and a short pause) Okay, Trev, count to 10.

Trevor: 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

Paige: Now, you just need to do that 24 times.

(My passengers proceeded to count to 10---24 times....)

Paige (to Trevor): Can I tell you something? You just counted to 240!

Trevor: Hmm...well, we're still not home yet.

Are 9-month-olds allowed to eat chocolate cake?

Apparently.

And, studies show, that they really, really, really enjoy it.

I love my life.

This particular morning, Preston was marching back and forth behind Trevor while chanting some sort of pirate oath or what-not. It was one of his funnier moments because he was oblivious to any of us.

He just kept marching.

And chanting.

And then he and his big bro obliged Mom for a pose.

{This particular morning, Preston was also dressed in a "Gap Girl" shirt. Don't know why.}

A practical portrait.

What do you see?

I see a mother with a bored three-year-old, who is teaching her children not to waste our precious resources.

She's not quite green, but working toward, saving the "green"--if you know what I mean.

I'm a poet and I didn't know it.

The end.

Friend.

Seriously.

Deliriously.

For Sale

When Paige gets an idea....

...nothin' stands in her way.

I wish I was this cool when I was seven.

Entrepreneur and her apprentice.

Total Profit: $5. 25.

Sweet.

The Brothers' Club

We made a fort.

And then our baby brother said, "Whatcha doin' in there guys?"

And then we said, "Here, baby brother, we'll show ya."

Later that day....

"And this is how you get the bad guys..."

Quote o' the day

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be."

--Abe Lincoln

*Honest Abe is also the author of another fave quote: "Whatever you are, be a good one."

A day in the life.

Trevor says...

"Paige, you are pretty impressive."

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"Mom, Preston is freaking me out!"

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(After I've made PB&J and apple slices): "This is what I call a meal!"

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(Gum found on the carpet): "This is a sticky situation."

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(Trevor heard, crying) Me: " Trevor take a deep breath and try to shake it off, honey."

Trev: "But, Mom, it's my bummer that got hurt. I can't shake my bummer off!"

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Mom: "Trevor, do you know how much I love you?"

Trev: "Um, like...a thousand dollars?......or eighty-five dollars--that's bigger!"

#3 turns "3"...

...and it's pure glee!!! Preston had his b-day a couple of weeks ago and his mama is finally posting some of the fun. Do you love the cake(s)? He kept saying he wanted a baseball cake, so I threw a bat in for fun.

Is he blowing out or spitting on the candles? Can't tell.

We had eight 3-year-olds, plus our kids and Preston was thrilled that he had so many "best friends" come to his "paw-ty".
Our little "jock" got lots of sports games and parafunalia, and he thought it was pretty much the perfect day.

This picture was taken the next day, on his actual birthday. I've always wanted to make those cute sports-themed cupcakes, so "viola!"

We love you so, so much Preston. You make our lives vibrant and joyful and LIVELY! You are a spirited spirit and we can't believe you are "3"!!!!

Funny things our three-year-old does:

* You say "yeps!" instead of "yes".

* You start a sentence and then say, "...oh, nevermind..."

* You say, "Mom, can you ask me something?" This means you are ready for some dialogue and just want to talk.

* You are so friendly with strangers, ask their name and then ask where they live and if they have any friends....

*You are a great dancer!

*You are always in character--pirate, etc.

Happy Birthday!

Loving her.

Favorite quotes from Paige today:

"Dad, after we finish our ice cream, can we go out and shoot some hoops?"
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"I know the best plan! I am going to start a reading class with Trevor every Tuesday at 4:00 and I'll be the teacher."
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"Wait! Turn the channel back to the election!"

Pirates and pom-poms and powers--oh my!

This wins as my favorite photo of Halloween. My two little pirates were mesmerized by the big pirate who shared some of his "booty" with them.

Other highlights:

• Preston proclaiming his pirate status to every passerby and treat-bestower.
• Gavin's giddy-ness throughout the night. It's like he knew he was really cute in that costume and found it funny.
• Trevor offering to donate some of his candy to our bowl for the trick-or-treaters after we ran out.
• Paige's excitement as we gave her the green light to trick-or-treat later than her brothers (with the neighbors)