Another day...another conversation

Robbie's friend Colin (who we are surprised is allowed at our house after the last incident with the whole sitting in the front on the way to school) happened to be at the Y when we went today and came home with us to play before school.

On the way home a conversation between the two 5 year olds:

(there was obviously some overlapping of sentences where they would talk at once--but for the most part...)

Robbie: "Colin, who'd you vote for?"

Colin: "You mean for president?"

Robbie: "Yea. I like Mitt Romney"

Colin: "oh yeah, we like Ron Paul" "Weeeelllllll, my mom really likes Orack Babama, she wants him to stay President. I like Ron Paul too. "

Robbie: "My whole family likes Mitt Romney, he came to my house." (Colin: "He did???") "Yeah, him and lots of people they came over, see that sticker on the back of our van...see the "R", that's him."

Colin: My mom calls Rick Santorum "Guy Smiley" cause he's always smiling when other people are debating (he seriously said "debating") because he doesn't believe what they are saying, like when Ron Paul says "NO TAXES!".

Robbie: Did you go and vote for him?

Colin: No.

Robbie: When we went to Mitt Romenys campaign (I think he was talking about a rally), EVERYONE was yelling and I really knew he was going to win. They all yelled and yelled for him.

NH kids and politics. I told Colin's mom about the conversation and how I was cracking up the whole way home. She said her older son Ryan that is in Aubrie's class is very into the whole watching the debates and asking questions. She said, "I don't know how it is in other states, but because of the way they campaign here, from really young kids are so involved." I absolutely love it!

It is a cruel act of irony that takes this girl from the sunniest (or one of them) state in our wonderful country where I spent most of my life outdoors for the 18+ years I lived there, to the grayest (and I would add wettest) state in our wonderful country that seems to keep me indoors way too often.

I feel like a wilted plant today.

The Gov

Still not sure exactly why...but we got a phone call from the HQ again...only this time "we don't need your family, just your house, so we can film, the Gov". Tomorrow morning.

Right.

After a few phone calls from various people...creative director, field guy in NH, etc we (I) realized that meant cleaning the house....again. (which is turning out to be a positive. Our floor and appliances have been cleaned more this month than the 3 months prior combined).

We had someone in the ward that was willing to watch the kids so Ryan and I could be there to watch the whole process. The film crew was there 2 hours prior on election day setting up, trying different locations in the house and rearranging. So...last time there were 3-4 people, this time there were 14. It looked like a mad house outside and inside was just as chaotic. We literally couldn't get into our main living area with all the film equipment, people and a huge teleprompter. All of NH had no school on election day so we waited till Mitt showed up so that the kids could meet him (the night before we had been at the pre-election day rally for him and in the end we left without going in because it was so packed and it was me alone with the 4 kids. Aubrie was crying on the way home because she "didn't get to meet Mitt Romney". Boy were they surprised when we sat them down a few hours later to tell them he was going to come to our house. It was awesome!) and we took some pictures as a family with him. Robbie asked if he "liked to play" (he thought that Gov Romney was coming over to play trucks I think.) Then the kids left and we stayed to watch. Romney was so matter of fact. I loved it. He is totally a business man, no nonsense, lets get to work. Just like he seems.

It was so interesting watching him and his speech writer interacting. He was filming a response for SC about all the Bain nonsense that Gingrich started. He filmed for about an hour and shook our hands and asked us if we already voted (We had) and then he was off and says as he walks out "see you at the lake next summer!" His place is close to the Pratts at L. Winnipesaukee and we played VB at Romneys' house one night when we were up there and he remembered it.

Two things I want to remember: Mitt asked Ryan if he coud borrow his sports coat because he had forgotten his and then proceeds to follow Ryan into our bedroom and closet. I was sure glad I made the bed that morning.

He also went downstairs looking for a bathroom and said "I wanna check out these bedrooms, they're cute". I loved it! :)

Jim, the Texan from last time (betcha can guess which one he is). He is one of the creative team.

Our "friend" Yoshi was back filming

Hallie at a debate rally we went to the Saturday before elections. She made it on the news with Maddie Earnshaw both yelling "Go Mitt, GO!" So cute! One of the guys from the campaign here in nh came up to me and said, "Is that your 3 yr old that is on the shoulders of that young lady walking around" "She is SO cute! Thanks for bringing her."

Ryan and Aubrie were in the Pittsburgh Tribune too that night.

It was very fun to go and gave the kids an experience they had never had before. Hundreds of Occupy protestors showed up to the rally and came onto the college grounds doing their long march with the casket and wearing masks holding candles. We actually showed up at the same time and ended up walking along side for awhile. We were all fascinated.

When we got over to the designated Romney section all the kids asked for a sign and were doing a great job yelling as loud as they could.
and I just have to throw this in. Aubrie brought Blake outside to the trampoline and when I realized where he was I yelled out the door "Aubrie, grab him before he falls off and bring him in!" Aubrie: "He's not going to fall mom." Me: "Yes he will he cannot sit by himself, please get him quickly before he dives off!" Aubrie (So calmly): "Mom, he is not going to fall."

So, I run down the stairs to get him and this is what I find.

It was so funny to me. and she was right. He was NOT going to fall. I had a hard time getting him untied she had him tied on so tightly.

The city that never sleeps...

or is that Vegas...

either way. New York City is the bomb diggity. It was a new experience for us with FOUR kids this time around combined with the fact that it was the 30th and 31st of December. Little craziness. I have always wanted to go to NYC for NEw Years. But not with 4 kids. We were out of there by 3:00 and on our way home. And got home in 4 hours. That never happens. All the traffic was going the other way.

But before we get to NY. We first spent a very wonderful 3 days in NJ with the Doxey clan. They are the best. We love to be with them. The cousins get a long so well, us adults get a long so well:) . Again, we got a babysitter to go out on a date with just those over 18:) and it is always a treat. We hit up a Japanese/Thai place that had good grub AND we got to eat with our shoes off:) The weather was warm most of the time. We went to a mini zoo that was really cool because you got to be SO close to the animals. Maybe a little too close to the mountain lions. Who likes to see only a fence between those beasts pacing back and forth and our kids.

One day Amber, Doug, Ryan and the kids (minus Blake and I (stomach flu)) all went to Cherry Hill to go to the best Children's museum.

We were feeling pretty homesick (maybe it was mostly me) for family this Christmas and getting to spend time with Doxeys was just awesome. So awesome in fact that we dont have any picture so of it:)

from there we headed to NYC and the party continued. We ended up parking right down by Maceys and walked around all day to Central Park, Maceys, Rockefeller Center and finally FAO Schwartz (aka kids' heaven). My favorite part of the trip as always--the subway performers. They are always stellar.

Checking out the Empire State building...

Maceys all decked out for Christmas

Ryan and Blake watching the four of us dancing on the "BIG" piano

5th Avenue

Central Park

Elmo at Central Park??

NYC public library

Subway. One of my favorites I've ever heard. I'll post a video.
I LOVE the Schleich animals so much. I want to collect them. They have the biggest collection I've ever seen. We were there for quite a while at this little display.FAO

Hallie loving on Blake. She tries so hard to be his mom and she only has him by like 8 pounds or something.

The performers we heard in the Subway. House of Waters. Cool sound. They were legit. I was reading their website later and they have a really unique background in music. Curt, I kept thinking you would really like them... THe dulcimer (I think it is called) player could not hold still. I loved that. And neither could Aubrie's hands. Later: Well, video wont upload....so here is a shorter one--you'll get the idea...

Playing Uno with the kids tonight talking a little smack...

Me: You're going DOWN Robbie!

Robbie: No, mom, actually we are going up.

When Ryan was dealing cards in the second game, Aubrie says "dad I can count my own cards this time" and then she was adamant that he had given her 8 cards and they went back and forth and finally Ryan took it back. We played the whole game and were in to the next game and Aubrie leans over to me laughing: "Mom, don't get mad but I only had 6 cards last game."

What!? Totally reminded me of Jared and Keri playing cards ;)

La Navidad

Let's start with Ryan and I's favorite part....Christmas Eve. We started the tradition a few years back to have Mexican food...specifically Tortilla Soup. THe kids favorite meal (well...besides pizza). We had a candlelit dinner and then "I love you's" for the Savior. It is short and sweet right now with the kids, but Ryan and I love to be able to share our testimony with them and I know that it will grow to be a really neat tradition. Hallie's I love you: "I love Jesus because he is really cool." Then she ran back to her seat. We have our Nail ornament under the tree that we take out and all write our gifts to Jesus Christ on separate papers and put into the ornament bag to be saved for the next year's Christmas Eve. I had to make some recommitments from last year...ahem...but the kids' were great! :) The kids opened the Christmas jammies....one of these years I will sew them all right the FIRST time. This was my 4th year and I still got Hallie's too small. Maybe I should use a pattern...

We usually don't have a lot of wrapping, etc left by Christmas Eve and so Ryan and I can just enjoy the lights, the fun of the day and watch a Christmas movie. Except this year. We had a commercial to shoot and put together...till almost 3 in the a.m. :) for our homemade gifts. The Snuggie Re-Invented.

Christmas morning is magical. I know that the anticipation and excitement of Christmas will always be there, but I sure am savoring these years right now. It is S.O. fun! We had 9:00 church so we opened Santa's presents and stockings and then dressed and headed out for church. I was SO thankful that Christmas was Sunday. And although I doubt I would have felt like that 15 years ago. It sure seemed perfect to me this year. I loved the spirit of the meeting. We opened all the other presents after and just took our time one by one. We spent a good part of the rest of the day on Google + or Skype talking to our family--way too far away from us.

I LOVED Aubrie's reaction when Robbie and Hallie were about to open the presents she had chosen for them. She was bouncing all over and could hardly stop herself from ripping the wrapping paper off for them. Very tender for me!

Favorite Presents (so they can remember down the road):

Aubrie: Play mobil Safari set and her reading light so she can read for an extra 1/2 in bed.

Robbie: Battle Force Five race car and Aubrie's playmobil set:)

Hallie: Ballerina leotard for her ballet class, her princess crown and her huge container of GUM

Blake: His green squishy ball from Aubrie

It was a wonderful day!

The other day I was thinking about the power of my arms. Little random I know. But I feel like they are kind of magical right now with little kids. I can't believe how powerful they are when one of them is hurt--physically or emotionally. Hugging them can literally make tears stop. Or make them feel warm inside. I can tell when they are sitting on my lap watching a show or reading a book that they are feeling safe and content.

What made me originally start to think of it is the other night around 2 or 3:00 a.m. Robbie came flying up the stairs like he was being chased by who knows who. He was sobbing when he got in his room and said a monster had been chasing him in his dream. Ryan lifted up the covers and told Robbie to climb into his arms. He immediately settled down and was back asleep in 2 minutes. It was amazing. He felt so secure once Ryan had his arms around him.

It makes me feel so good watching Blake--now that he is a little more able to get his point across. When he sees me come into the room his eyes light up and he will just be twisting his little wrists so that his hands are making circles and his feet are twisting a mile a minute. He will grunt, make whining noises or full on cry till he seems me coming his way. When I finally reach for him and I put him on my hip or give him a hug (as long as he is in my arms)...All is right in his world.

it is magic.

So, yesterday was one of those not fun days in life. We realized mid-morning the day before that we had run out of oil for heat (still trying to get used to the heating situation in New England--little different) and it was going to be minimum 24 hours till we could get our tank filled. Which also happened to coincide with the coldest days in NH yet this winter. We put the space heaters in the kids rooms and Ryan and I "camped" in our room. :) After 3 hours of sleep (I couldn't sleep feeling worried about a number of things) and waking up to a frigid house (remember the melted butter on the cupboard last summer--this morning the butter was like I had just taken it out of the fridge) I wasn't in peak condition to start the day off. I plugged a heater in upstairs and so did Ryan and in the process we blew a circuit breaker and wound up with no power for almost 1/2 of the upstairs--meaning no space heater would work and our electric piano wouldn't either, yesterday being my day that I teach piano--convenient. With literally an entire couch full and then some of laundry to be folded and put away + 3 cold children--before Ryan even left for work I was feeling a frustrated. Mostly because our no power/heat situation was self-inflicted. Plus the never ending gray skies of the New England winter never seem to help when I am already fighting the blues. I kept telling myself all day--at least I didn't have to wash all those clothes by hand, and we only have to go 2 days without heat and we still have running water, etc, etc.

Everything always works out and we ended the day yesterday with heat (and I learned to prime a broiler in the process) and power to our house.

Yet another day to make me feel grateful for the MANY conveniences that we have in life.