Made in the shade(s)

 

Goofing a little.

 

 

Dates now and then.

 

 

Dog sitting

 

Force games with the family

 

Anthony and his pals

 

Alex's self portrait of toes

 

Talia getting snuggled.

 

 

Sure not about me anymore!

I knew as the kids would get older our lifestyle would switch to be more accomodating to theirs. I would see how parents that were a little older than us with a children a few grades ahead were busy with their kids. But I was determined to not be one of those parents who no longer had a life because they were so busy running their kids around they no longer had time to meet up with their girlfriends, make a call, or go on on date. That is indeed my life now. I would say that I have a great work/family life balance. But I do not have a me time versus anything else dedicated to my family or work time balance. Granted this week has been more crazy with Erik gone. I cannot truly remember the last time I was able to walk out the door by myself and that includes even going to Target or the grocery store for a reprieve. Do not take this as some whiny post, I know what I signed up for. I just miss a little bit of that "me" time lately and would love to have a weekend of shopping, mani/pedi's, sushi, and blood mary's.



Lately...

 

We have been playing lots of hockey!

 

He was not happy with how his hair turned out, I told him he looked great with hockey hair. Not sure if he bought it or not.

 

Watching football with friends. Like the hats Leslie gave me for Christmas?

 

Talia was bored with the game, who can blame her?

 

All pictures are taken on my cell phone which automatically uploads to Google+, love that feature! I need to invest in a camera but I am so undecided on what to get...

 

Erik is in Colorado for the week supporting his family. His Uncle Paul died unexpectedly at 67, so sad. Everyone is devastated and I feel so helpless back here with the kids. I will have to say it is once again confirming to me how hard single parents work. It is Wednesday, he left Sunday and I am exhausted. Up at 5:30 am to get everyone ready, work all day, pick everyone up to either go home for supper or hockey. Last night a couple of that dad's from hockey watched Alex while I ran to get a couple of prescriptions with Talia. A reminder why I do love living here. When you need a hand someone will extend it. Even if it is a couple of dad's at the rink. Erik gets back on Saturday but before he returns we have one more hockey practice, 2 games, EB partner dinner on Thursday, EB's Christmas Party on Friday, and Lisa Lampinelli Friday. I can do it! I can do it! I can do it!

 

It was a holly jolly Christmas!

 

My dad resembled a famous holiday icon, any guesses?

 

Gloves that you can text with? Really not sure about this gift.

 

Chipped my two front teeth eating mash potatoes, I think it was a sign to QUIT EATING!

 

Thank you Dr. Harnish for getting me in New Years Eve. I can handle a little chub I cannot excuse bad teeth, it drove me CrAzzzY!

 

 

The cops came to our house!

So did a reindeer and an obsessed Gopher's fan!

 

Talia cooked for all of us.

 

Then gave us a show with her new baby.

Dad built the kitchen.

 

We all were merry! Ate well and snoozed more. One more holiday season under our very tight belts!

Tis the season!

 

I had the Love Boat vibe to my outfit for EB's holiday party for our clients at Microsoft. We had fun!

 

I have been granted into Birthday Club. A group of about 16-20 women that get together once a month to celebrate! Super fun! Brandy my neighbor from the lake was one of the December Birthdays! It is so important to get out with fun girls that you can let loose with. Glad I am part of it!

 

Can you tell it was Brandy's night? Love her!

Very grateful she ended up being my neighbor at the lake.

 

 

Shifts

 

Eileen turned 65! We had a great day with a hockey game and Mexican Village.

 

Our one and only tree. Last year we threw out our tree-too many burned out lights. Alex and I went shopping for a new one and this is what he chose. Still have not found one I am in love with and Erik will not go for a real one so here we are. Actually works out well this year with Talia on the loose. What I have learned is no matter how big or small, how we really don't picture a stark white tree adorned with hot pink, a Christmas tree is always pretty when glowing in the night. Alex is so proud of it and insisted he put the glittery star on top.

 

Talia crawled in the bath with all of her clothes the other night. NEVER turn your back on her, not even for a second. This is what happens. She thought she was pretty funny.

 

Hair cut before

 

 

Hair cut after

 

 

Obsessed with hockey! Was at the rink Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday last week...his room smells like a locker room.

 

 

Had fun at the Oberg's Force Suite

 

New shades!



Milestones

Talia is in semi-toddler mode. She is into EVERYTHING big or small. LOVES to play with her big brothers and follow them around as if she is one of the pack. If I find my makeup brush or my favorite lip gloss gone I now get on all fours and search at her level. Odds are in my favor that I am going to find what I am looking for. She loves the thrill of the chase. If she is successful in nabbing my cell phone, remote, or a kitchen utensil she likes to take off running squealing as you strategically get back what she has. Talia is now saying "Peeass" (please) and "Tankoo" (thank you). She will beg for whatever you are eating -uh, uh, uhhhhhh and make her hands into little look alike pincher's. She loves music and dancing. Now that Dancing with the Starts is over for awhile we will all be sad because she gave them a run for their money. I think her and Alex could be some serious competition. If you put her in a new outfit or even just get her dressed for the day or bed she has to go show her brothers so they can tell her how cute or pretty she is. But she also likes to play with cars, trains, and get as dirty as possible when she feeds herself. She hums "ABC" and when we sing it will chime in with three of the letters "E,F,G". Itsy Bitsy Spider and Twinkle, Twinkle are also hummed, sang, and demonstrated. She really has completed our family and I am so grateful that we are the five of us.

Alex has been sick A LOT. The poor guy had a three week stretch where every third day he was either throwing up, had a fever, or just plain miserable. I took him to the ER on a Saturday because his temp was 103.5. They told me it was just a virus but he was down right miserable. I felt so helpless. He would get sick and say,"Sorry Mama." No buddy I am the one that is sorry that I cannot fix this. He is the one I struggle with when it comes to getting sick, if there is a virus he is going to get it and he is going to get it good. He threw up all over the art table at school one day. But when he is feeling good you can see the wheels constantly turning in his head. Our morning conversations when it is just he and I are some of my favorite.
"How big is the earth? It is a planet, right mama?"
"How does Santa get the sleigh up, those reindeer are strong you know, it is not magic."
"Why is it so dark out?"
"Mom, you can't go on yellow, only green!"
"Don't yell at the car in front of you, that is not nice!"
Alex loves to go to the hockey rink with Erik and Anthony to chase the girls. He loves the ladies and I get a good chuckle out of it now but if I think of the future I wince. I keep reminding him of all the other things he likes too to distract him. He has his whole life to worry about girls.

Anthony is engrossed in school and hockey. I tried to discourage him from hockey. I did not want to sell my soul to hockey. We made him wait until third grade to join. I was nervous we waited too long. I was right only in the fact that I had no idea how much he was going to love it! Any time Anthony has started a sport about three weeks in he wants to quit. This summer with baseball was the first time that did not happen. He LOVED Babe Ruth. Never complained and was always excited to play at practice or game day. Same thing with hockey, he is ready and out the door without us having to remind him. Coach Rob gave him kudos the other day and I think he floated home. He has naturally taken to it and I have enjoyed watching him flourish. He now has hockey hair and all he wants for Christmas is hockey dedicated in one way or another. As a parent it always feels good when your kids are happy.

Life is good at the Tortorice's and I say my appreciations to the guy upstairs every single day. We all are hitting different milestones and for that I am very, very thankful.