Proof That I Know Nothing About Computers

I wrote this really kick ass post, (in my opinion), about the past year. Mainly, I just like it because it's freaking long, and I tell my former hairdresser to fuck off. Anyway, it goes a lot into the whole homeschooling bit and some of our vacations over the past year. I started it at the beginning of the month and finally posted it today since it is the end of the year. And for reasons unknown to me, it is showing up in the beginning of the month as an older post. I have no idea how to fix it, and Lance has no desire to fix it now. At midnight. Guess I should have worn the hat and asked him. So here it is. Read it. Nik

Note To Self, Diet Starts Next Week...

I was so happy today when Squirt ate the last of his cookies, and I didn't have anything left to be tempted with except my skinny cow ice cream sandwiches. THEN....this arrived. I can only say that this is as good as everyone says it is. This is now my go to site for mail order gifts and anyone wanting to get in my good graces, please favorite this page and remember my b-day!

Thank you, Chris and Heather! You know how Lance and I roll. Something tells me there are a few more calories in one slice of cheesecake than a skinny cow, but you know what? It is so freaking worth it!

He Can Make My Heart Melt

that or make me cry, something I NEVER do.

Today, Goose told me that we could have school at home since he didn't have to go to his other school. He ran to my closet and found my school bag. (Empty since September). He waited patiently at the table for our lessons!

As usual, he was a model student for me! God, I love that kid.

Christmas Traditions, Zierlein Style

And the season begins...

Advent...Although Advent is a season of its own, I haven't blogged about it. We try and light the Advent wreath every night during Advent and sing "O Come, O Come Emmanuel". It is truly beautiful to listen to my boys sing this song. At 14, Squirt is hardly excited about this sort of thing, but he did sing loud and clear for me while I was recording them.

Goose is so like me and not always in the good ways. Once when we were singing, he pointed out that he didn't hear everyone. I was just praying he wouldn't call out Squirt whose voice couldn't be heard at all.


On another night, one of Squirt's friends was having dinner with us. I think he almost crapped his pants when we told his friend we were going to sing. I know he was thinking, "why me? You guys suck." Thankfully, his friend sang along with us, and Squirt was saved from total embarrassment. (BTW, we told the parents that we would be lighting the wreath and singing before asking their child to join in with us. And some people may wonder why we talked to the parents first on something like this. Easy, I don't ever want people teaching my children any type of religion without my permission....this is why I DON'T support prayer in school. I promise you, if you teach your kids to pray, they will pray without the school giving them permission. But, I digress, as usual.)

Crafts and Baking...Kobra joined in the fun this year. We made our usual Christmas plate. Squirt is now a fingerprint on the plate like me and Lance. The boys did tons of crafts that adorn our house. I can't believe I have a wall dedicated to crafts in my home. (So not like me, but I love it.) Goose made the following poinsettia with my mom. I left them instructions, and my mom looked at me like I was crazy, but it turned out great. It also tied in nicely with one of our Tomie de Paola books.

The boys really enjoy helping me bake. Lance and I just like the end result. We made eight different kinds of sweets this year. Thankfully, everything but Squirt's cookies are gone.

Celebrating Hanukkah with our sweet neighbor...I've talked about our neighbor before now. She is like a member of the family, the daughter I don't have and a big sister to the boys. We love her to pieces. And she is Jewish. What better way to teach the children about Hanukkah than with one of their favorite people. Baby Hulk even found a Tomie book about Hanukkah. So on the third night of Hanukkah, we took a gift, our book and watched the candles. I also got my X-mas gift! A beautiful charm.

Snow Day at school...For all my complaining about school, it does have some cool stuff. The best part, no fundraisers! Snow Day would qualify as a close second. The PTO brings in snow, a petting zoo, a train and Santa. The kids had a blast throwing snowballs at each other. Hulk and Kobra got to join the fun too since I forgot to get a babysitter. Afterwards, the kids had movie day at school. Goose was so excited because he was able to bring Big Snoopy to school for the first time ever!

The $16 tree!

The Christmas Tree...The boys 3 and up are allowed to go with Lance to pick out the Christmas tree. I am not allowed to interfere with process. This year Baby Hulk joined in the "fun". Although the tree was pretty tiny compared to others in the past and most of our ornaments didn't fit on the tree this year, I loved it anyway. I really like that the boys get this special time that is just for them with their father.

Lance always puts the first ornament on the tree, our wedding ornament. I put on the ornament from the night we got engaged. The boys each put on their own special ornaments and then each year someone new puts on the star. This year was Goose's turn.

Family Time in Houston...My dad is the oldest of ten kids. All but three live in Austin, so we miss a lot of the festivities. When I got married, my aunt and I decided to start having our own get together for our families in Houston. The kids get to see their cousins and there is tons of food and fun to be had. Since we missed our annual Santa party in Austin due to illness this year, this evening was a welcome one for all of us.

This is only two siblings and their two children each, plus five grand kids.

Christmas Eve with 1560...This party rocks. Every year at Klein's Jewelry, rain or shine, you will find Lance and John. It is unbelievable how many listeners show up here. How can they not? It's pure fun and a chance to hang with the guys they listen to each morning. There are eating contests, football drills and tailgate food. I got here super late this year because I had to bring the kids. Thankfully, they saved a plate of food for me. And yes, that entire tray was just for me. I also had a few guys tell me how much they enjoyed the blog, which I LOVE! Most of my friends don't read my blog, so it's nice to know that someone out there is reading it! :)

Great hat, Baby! I promise to wear it for you!

Dinner at Trulucks...We eat dinner at Trulucks every Christmas Eve. And the kids are so good while we are there! I'm glad to know we can dress them up and make them behave through the meal. I admit that we eat pretty fast. There is no savoring the meal with four kids around. I'm more concerned that nobody spills their drink or my wine! Squirt really looks forward to this meal and even orders his meal off the menu, some trout dish they removed from the menu. This year, the little ones got fancy and ordered Shirley Temples. Goose decided it was a little spicy, code for "I don't like it", and drank water instead.

My beautiful family

Christmas Eve pictures at home...I can't say this is a fun tradition for anyone in this house. But I need my pictures.

Me and my Baby!

New Pjs, tracking Santa and cookies for Santa...

Baby Jesus...The first thing we do on Christmas morning is place Baby Jesus in the many nativity scenes throughout the house.

Church before presents...This probably makes me the meanest mom on the planet, although I am not alone in this decision. We go to Mass before the children open any gifts. The kids are just too young for Midnight Mass, and personally, I can't stand the crowds of people at church at any of the masses on Christmas Eve. Going Christmas morning allows us to reflect on the meaning of Christmas while not having to be at church an hour early just to find a seat. Seriously, we got there ten minutes early and had our pick at the9:30 mass.

The church nativity

Drake has served every year at Christmas Mass since he was 9 except last year. When we were downtown, he always served for the Bishop. He doesn't have that honor now that we have moved, but we are so proud of him. So proud that we wanted a picture of him.

Could he look more pissed?

Right after church. Still haven't opened presents.

The outtake

The man who makes everything happen with me. You are the best, my love. You put up with me and love me and get me beautiful gifts! I love you! Thanks for taking so many freaking pictures with me!

Should I Care...

That Baby Hulk seems to like Lance more than me? Tonight he burned himself with candle wax and started freaking out. I admit my first thought was, "I hope you learned your lesson." That sentence might have slipped from my mouth. I guess that makes me a bitch. But really, he knows better than to touch a burning candle. Lance ran water over his hand, and then I tried to hug him. At which point, the Hulk started screaming, "I want my daddy, I want my daddy." Being competitive, this kind of upset me. I'm the mom, all kids should love me best until they are older. On the other hand, this could really work in my favor. Not being the one that has to read to him, get him dressed, bathe, put to bed, etc., etc. I can totally handle being second best if I get that in return.

Really?

Yesterday I received a letter from a law firm in Kansas City acting in the form of a collection agency. Turns out I have an unpaid parking ticket with a fine of $35. Let's see, the last time I had a vehicle in the state of Missouri was 1995. I don't even remember getting a ticket and not paying for it. And I would remember deliberately not paying a ticket even after all these years.

I just can't believe that they sent this fine to a collection agency. By the time they pay off the agency, the county will receive maybe half the fine. And that is if I pay it.

I tried to look up the ticket on the Municipal Court site, but couldn't find a thing because I needed my old license plate number. So I called the law firm, and they are closed for the holidays. The chances of this ticket ever getting paid are about zero. I guess this means I can't drive in KC should I ever return.

A New Level of Snooping

Internet voyeurism is a new way of life.

I attribute the above to my dear friend Stacy. She knows me too well.