New Moon

So I took my little cousin Marissa to the "New Moon" movie last night (because I have been dying to go). Ladies, I tried to not read the books, I tried to not become one of the followers, and ladies I have failed. If you love an easy read that involves romance that brings you back to high school when you were swooning over your first love this series is a must. The girls at work are the ones to blame in my case. They kept pressuring me to read the series; I kept making fun of them. The Twilight series reminded me of the Harry Potter obsession which I never understood. This phenomenon with Twilight you will completely get after reading the first book.

Once I began reading it I could not put it down, I even went and bought New Moon after I finished Twilight because I could not wait to go to the office on Monday to grab it off of Jessie's desk. My husband looked at me in disbelief and has been completely annoyed that I insisted on reading every night before bed this last month. By the way my dreams have also become more adventurous since I hopped on this train. I now have finished all four books and my blood is boiling for the 5th book which should be coming soon.

Regardless, the movie was AWESOME! I am definitely Team Edward all the way. Make fun of me all you want but I am telling you if you can get over the stigma your imagination and heart will forgive you. The story line is great, the characters are unique, and the setting is beautiful.

Say what you want I don't care. If I can convince you to take the step you will be thanking me later. I may even let you come to Eclipse (the third book) when it comes out in June of 2010.

The series goes as follows: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn. Buy it, borrow it, or download it on your Kindle. Does anyone have a Kindle? Please tell me what you think about it if you do. The thought of being able to download thousands of books and keep them in one location makes me salivate. The only problem is that I am prone to losing things as well as borrowing out books when I am done.

So now I am on the hunt for another good book to read. Granted I have 3 on my nightstand that have been collecting dust since my new obsession but I am thinking about going to get Barbara Kingsolver's new book The Lacuna: A Novel her first novel in nine years, she is the author of The Poisonwood Bible (Oprah's Book Club) (Paperback) (great book) among many others. I read it before it became an Oprah book by the way- for whatever reason it really bugs me that she puts her stamp on a book and then it is deemed good. Not sure why I have a beef with that but it BUGS ME. I am also contemplating Jeannette Walls new book Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel because her first book The Glass Castle: A Memoir was unbelievable. I tend to read mostly non-fiction books in terms of auto-biographies and biographies. That is why I had a hard time deciding to read the Twilight series because there is no way that it was factual. I like books that I can read and then try to dig into the history of them when I am finished. I also like to read in first person versus second person most of the time.

So with all that being said PLEASE share what you are reading, who are some of your favorite authors, and what are some of your favorite books? I am always up for a good read, even better if it has been recommended!

Pictures, pictures, and more pictures- December 2009...

Alex's favorite part of the cookie is my homemade  the frosting...can you really blame him?

Above are some pictures from the night of Anthony's kindergarten Christmas program. He looked so cute in his "Christmas Best".

Above is Anthony's note to Santa telling him about the things he wants to remind him and to also fill him in on a few things he forgot to tell him. Translation: DS, Dog 7 mo (months-why not sure?) old, and electronical race car (he is learning to sound out his words). Also are the treats that we laid out for Santa and the reindeer.

             

Santa came through on the DS. I love the pic of Alex checking out what Anthony got. He was so cute to watch, still more interested in boxes half the time. But got so excited for everyone else.

 

Last but not least Anthony in his new robe that he calls his new"kung-fu" robe and will not take off.

Watch out...today I am on the naughty list.

Today is one of those days that I curse myself for being crabby. I have no good reason; I really just woke up on the wrong side of the bed. Also, do you ever realize when your week is cut short you become anxious for the vacation to start and mentally start earlier? That is me today, 100%.

This weekend we did finish up our Christmas shopping, managed to get most of the gifts wrapped until I ran out of tape, and even conquered  pictures with Santa. We went to the Moorhead Center Mall vs. West Acres this year. Not only were we able to avoid the huge crowd but the cause at the MCH was awesome. Instead of spending $20 on sheets of out of focus pictures with Santa you donated a can good for each child and then they will email the photo to you (I will post when it arrives). I am pretty sure it was a family that was doing it including two teenagers (a son and daughter) dressed up as elves along with their parents. I thought that was a great symbol of Christmas right there. Anthony happily rambled off what he would like well Alex stared seriously into the camera not looking at Santa. He goes into Mr. Serious mood whenever some sort of character is live in front of him.

I have lots of photos to post from Anthony's Christmas Concert last week. Hello- he looked like a little stud in his pinstriped vest and pants suit with a black/red striped tie. Love it! He did well for the most part; you could tell when his interest would divert because he would start putting his arms into his sleeves. They all looked so cute in their Christmas best.

Also in the near future are cookie decorating, playing outside, and some winter 2009 pictures. Pictures are my favorite part of the blogs, if I remind myself to do it in a post I feel guilty for making you all anticipate (please note the sarcasm attached to this).

Oohhh one other thing, you must go to the link to on here to Pout's blog and get the link to have Santa send a personalized email to your kids. I did it for both Anthony and Alex, I cannot wait to get home so they both can see. Technology never really ceases to amaze me!!

At what age is appropriate?

So today my girlfriend from work and I were going to register our toddlers for gymnastics. Something that has been on the radar for a while, something I thought Alex would enjoy. Yeah, $95.00 to register my child who is not even 2 yet. So poor Alex did not get registered because Erin and I decided that he and Addie can wait until the spring so our Christmas budgets can bounce back.

So this is a question that I often struggle with: When is it age appropriate to get your children involved in activities? Anthony so far has been in swimming, t-ball (which was painful to watch because he had no interest), soccer (loved it), and is now in basketball. In January he begins skating lessons, not hockey because I was too cheap (almost $300 to enroll, granted $240 is pre-paid raffle tickets but still was not ready to do it) not knowing if he was going to like it or not. I figure if we can master his skating skills and he really wants to try it next year I will agree to it.

When I was younger my mom enrolled us in swimming and skating so we could learn the basics, I loved both. I also played basketball and loved it but was not really interested in any of them until about third grade. But now it seems there is alot more pressure to get them started young so they develop into the activity at a faster pace. Let's face it nobody wants their child to be the one that feels inadequate or is a constant benchwarmer.

There is also the argument that children that are busy are more apt to not find themselves in trouble. You are showing them what responsibility and determination brings you. That you are rewarded for your efforts with scholarships, etc. But I have also been witness to people that played a sport their entire high school and college career that then digress because they felt like they never had the time to spread their wings or relax with friends and choose to do it later in life when most of us are starting our careers or families.

So please share your thoughts and opinions. Tell me what age you think children should get involved in organized activites and when you feel okay with spending the $95.00 (seriously ridiculous) to get them started. Personally I am a fan, but man it really can take a bite out of the pocket book...

Wasabi

If you live in the FM area and you like sushi you MUST go to Wasabi...it is new and delicious! Leslie has our two little boys tonight because tomorrow Stu is spending the night with us, kind of like Wife Swap but only with children. So Erik and I are going to Wasabi for "date night" and I am really excited! I think it is so important to try to have date night as often as possible. I know some couples have a day of the week or the month that they try to keep consistently opened for date night. We are not quite that regimented but when they is a window of opportunity we both get ready, jump in the car, and try to really enjoy our one on one time together without food being flung at us or someone begging for another glass of milk. By the way my gorgeous husband literally just walked in the door and  quote on quote said,"I am fricken' tired." I reply,"Honey, we don't have to go." He swiftly responds that he is hopping in the shower and will be ready in 20. So now I am looking forward to a smooth face and the smell of aftershave. Yay!

Speaking of fish I am proud to announce (mommy bragging moment) that I have another fish on my hands. We spent a lot of this week with Leslie and Stu because Chad was in Vegas and they wanted company. So Tuesday we went out to the farm for some pizza and swimming. We hop in the pool and we start taking turns with Alex passing him back and forth. He is getting irritated because he wants to swim on his own, he is not wanting to swim with Leslie or I. We decide to put him in a floater swimsuit, he is not really having that either and his wet, wiggly little body is not wanting to squeeze in the scuba suit. Leslie suggests arm floaties and the thought crossed my mind that she is crazy, Alex is not even two yet. That is not safe for my little baby. She convinces me that we are going to be right there with him, nothing could happen. So we get them on, put  Alex in the pool still holding him lightly. He is still eager to be independent so I let go. I kid you not, he swam like he has been swimming his whole little life. He kicked hid legs and cupped his little hands paddling upright all the way to the stairs. He then walks to the edge of the pool jumps in, goes under for one second, pops up and swims to the stairs again. He continues to do this 15-20 times in a row with both Leslie and I inches away from him laughing hysterically at this little boy swimming like Anthony and Stu. Yes, it may sound like I am bragging, because I am, it was AMAZING!

So my guess is while I am eating some fish tonight, my little buddies will be swimming like fish.

Pay it forward...

So the holidays are here. I am freaking out on a daily basis because I am scared I about the expense, I am worried that I will not have the perfect gifts for my family and friends. I have been reading Ria's blog about the children of Uganda. Yep, pretty sure they are not concerned about bills, Nintendo DS's, or Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. They are more concerned about eating, safety, and education. They are not worried about what they will be getting but more likely who they can give back to. So it was decided that we are going to sponsor a child. We are very premature in the process-I literally just commented that we want to move forward with this. After all if I want to be the change I want to see in the world I better start with ours.

http://rialeephotography.com/blog/ I encourage you all to join in the effort....

On a seperate note here is the official 2010 Tortorice Christmas card:

What do you think? I am pretty happy with it and I got a smoking deal on it!

xo-Melissa

Please vote for Anthony's picture...xoxo

I submitted one of Anthony's pictures to one of my favorite blogs for a photo contest. It starts on December 4th (tomorrow), originally it was the 9th but I believe that is changing. So, regardless if you could click on http://iammommy.typepad.com/my_weblog/ tomorrow and vote for his picture that ironically is in my header right now but I will upload again so you remember exactly who you are voting for. I am sure it is going to be VERY hard to not be persuaded to vote for some of the other kiddos.

I submitted this on a nostalgic whim yesterday because after the white dusting yesterday it really is beginning to look alot like Christmas! XOXO Thanks for the support~ Melissa

Alex

So my little Alex is a going to be two in January and I CANNOT believe it. I was watching and listening to him tonight and I realized that I needed to post about him since this blog is his baby book the most information we have documented on our little ball of fire.

Alex is very physical and you can tell he is going to love playing sports. He loves to play with any type of ball and naturally stops the ball to give it a solid squared off kick. He is not scared of jumping right into a pool without flinching. If you let him go under the water his little legs start kicking to get to the top. Erik and my dad love watching sports with him because he gets really into like he knows what is happening. Cheering, booing, you name it. Both of his arms go straight in the air with a loud yay!

He is just getting into coloring. If there happens to be a random pen lying around he wants to "lalo". Tractors and cars are also a new favorite. On Saturday he was chasing Erik around the kitchen and was successful in catching his toes a couple of times. Love, loves, loves books. I read three per night my limit and if I am in the right mood they can turn into a dozen.

We just figured out last night that all this pop he has been requesting was popsicles. He rarely gets pop and all he kept asking for the last couple of weeks was pop. We were completely baffled? Right now he is also figuring out he is not sure about vegetables which is frustrating because I have never had that battle with Anthony.

Alex still wants to be Anthony's shadow. I never realized before I had Anthony how close those two would be. Sometimes I swear they speak some brother language I don't understand. There will be times when I cannot figure out what Alex wants and Anthony will tell me nonchalantly what it is and is usually right on.

Alex has been obsessed with daddy the last couple of weeks. Erik leaves a room, Alex automatically follows behind. "Mommy, where daddy?" Is the question I get when we wake up if Erik is gone or if I pick them up from daycare. Once we get home he waits with anticipation and takes off for the door when he hears it open. It stings a little but I also love it that he loves his daddy as much as I do.

So little man even though you are becoming a big boy just know that you will always be my snuggley, laid back baby boy. Our life would just not be as bright without you and way too quiet.

Who is yours?

David Beckham is my guilty pleasure. Sandra Bullock is my husbands. I think it is perfectly normal to have a celebrity crush. Tell me who is yours?