5 years

Five years ago I met the biggest pain in my ass  love of my life. Today marks 5 years.

2007 before Mack

I think back and it sure goes by real fast. I don't want to bore you to death with mushy and gushy words, because dur! You all know I love him and such.

Dear Ian, 

" We made it 5 years. We have set ourselves up a pretty good life together. We created the most beautiful daughter which has made our lives complete. You are the best dad. You care and love her and I'm grateful for that. I remember being too crazy kids living the kid-free life. There are some days where I miss it and some days I'm glad we are parents. Although, through the years its been tough, new challenges, new parents etc. We stuck it out and I come out of it pretty good. You are one person that can make me laugh and be mad in one day. Although, you still aren't very good at cleaning up your mess in the bathroom or pulling your dirty socks right side out. I love you. I hope in the future we have 1 or 2 more kids, buy a house, pay of debt and light your snowmobile on fire. Anyway, I love you and happy 5 years. I'm sure this year will be the best year yet together." 

     Love,

       Kristina

1 year anniversary:  Dinner at Rapscallions, Seafood house

2 year anniversary: Jake's on the Lake, another fancy place. I think the best by far.

3 year anniversary:  Yes, roundtable pizza and salad. I was pregnant and happy with it.

4 year anniversary: Home cooked meal at home. filet mignon Yummers


5 year anniversary: I will be taking a account test. But who knows the possibilities are endless.

December 2010

Mack Monthy Update

This month marks Mack's 2 1/2 birthday. Hold the phone.. say what!?! I can't believe how time has flown by. Not only is my beautiful little girl growing so quickly it's making me think that number two needs to be in the cards soon... "Shut the Front Door!" It's crazy to me that in 6 short months she will be three and the pressure will really be on to jump in the sack with the hubs and get in baby making mode. Side note: yikes! I'm way more into practicing right now, then doing the real deal deed.

Wait! This is suppose to be a monthly update on Mackenna not jumping in the bed with hubs and baby #2. Back on topic I swear.

Mack

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Weight: 34 lbs
Height:
New Words: farted, raining, "oh man!", clean up, why?, NO!
Eating Habits: This kid is really getting picky, I mean picky.
Favorite Movies: All the Toy Story's and Planet 51
Activities: Sticking Stickers on paper, coloring, painting, playing in kitchen, playdoh
Potty Training Status: She is now telling us when she has to go to the bathroom.

She is getting so big and picking up words daily. She loves to read books and is more into trying to read them to us, then us trying to read to her. She will pull out every book in her room and have a reading picnic on the floor in her room.

Mack's First Movie - Tangled

I finally took Mack to her first movie in the theater. We went and saw Tangled. It was a cute movie. We loaded up on popcorn, M&M's and a sprite. She sat there the entire time and was overall pretty quiet. Her cousin belle and mommy came with us and both of them did a good job for their first movie. 

All in all it was a great event and day. Except a minor speed bump. Please read: It could happen to anyone. 

Mack and Belle had a great time. 

It could happen at any time...

Before I was a parent I used to be judgmental to other parents when I saw them in public with there kids. I always told myself I would never let me kid do that, say that, or let anything happen to my kids.

Let them run around the store
Screaming @ a restaurant
Yell at a infant or toddler for crying or being loud
Discipline in public

When you become a parent and have a child of your own everything changes. It changed for me. I'm guilty and I have guilt. I have too let my kid run around the store and I'm chasing her around just to get her back in the cart. I'm also guilty of my kid throwing a fit in a store and me picking her up and telling her to "stop it" or " we do NOT act that way in a store." I've been there before and my mom of the year award has been taking away from me.

Where am I going with this.....

Today, I took my daughter to the movies. We were leaving the theater and I carried her part of the way. She asked me if she could walk. I put her down and told her she needs to hold mommy's hand in the parking lot. I held her hand until we reached the car. I let go of her hand to open the car door to get her into the seat. She moved to the front of the car. I asked that she please come to me so we can get into the car. I said we were going to get something to eat... so let's go and get in the car. She moved in front of the car next to us. I walked over to her and told her that we don't play in a parking lot, it's not safe. Before I knew it she took off laughing straight for the street around the car next to us. I ran after to her. All of a sudden there was a car driving through the lot, pretty fast. I couldn't react fast enough, I miss her hood. I panicked and grabbed the back of her hair. I pulled back on her as hard as I could. She literally missed the car by seconds.

Yes, my little girl was almost hit by a car. I Immediately screamed at her. "Don't you ever do that again!" "We don't run in the parking lot." She was scared more than anything. Not to mention I hurt her a little by grabbing her hair to stop her. I was so shocked and sacred, I yelled at her until she cried and said "you hurt me!" I looked into her wet and teary eyes and all I could think of to say was, "Mommy is sorry!"

This is any parents worst fears. Their child getting hit by a car. I just remember thinking what kind of mother could let that almost happen. Why didn't I keep holding her hand until I had the car door open.

Then I thought... this shit just happens. It happens. You pray to god that nothing ever happens to your little girl or boy, but you just think.. it could happen to anyone at any time. It happened to me. It scared the shit out of me and my little girl, but again she was fine and nothing happened.

I talked to her in the car on the way to get lunch and apologized for hurting her and explained why we don't play in the parking lot. I saw the tears still on her face and I looked back at her in the rear view mirror and said, "I'm sorry! It's my fault, I shouldn't have let that happen. I said I love you!" She replied, "I love you!"

I'm not the mom of the year. I make mistakes. I'm not perfect. Things happen.

Hello 2011, Goodbye 2010

Happy 2011, we made it through the holidaze coaster ride

I'm going to share with your my new years resolutions. I know they are late and it's corny and it's already the 5th day into the new year. I'm going to tell you anyway, so deal with it. I kid, I kid, I love you all, but seriously I'm still telling you anyway.

When sitting and thinking of what I really want to become, who I am, what I want, and what I want my future to hold, I really started to get a little depressed. Sappy moment to myself! This year is going to be the year that I focus on the things I want and make them happen for a change. So here is the list... don't hold your breath... they aren't that great. 

1. Go to yoga once a week

2. Continue to go to the gym at least 3-4 times a week (on my lunch)

     (Ideally, 5 days a week)

3. Commit to giving myself a little time to do the things I want to do. 

     (Knitting, Scrapbooking, Sewing, home projects)

4. Finish Mackenna's baby & Scrapbook.

5. Commit to a diet plan and stick with it

6. Finish craft room/office

7. Pay off 50% of Credit Card Debt

8. Be a better housewife

9. Spend even more time doing things with Mack.

    (Baking, art projects, coloring)

10. Keep car clean for more than 3 days in a row (don't laugh at me)

11. Start saving funds for family vacation

12. Open account for college savings for Mack

13. Stick to cleaning schedule so I have more time with family

14. Remember to send everyone's birthday cards this year

These are just to name a few things that I want to accomplish in the year 2011. I'm so excited for a new year and a new start. I have also printed this list and made it a new item on my mirror in my bathroom so I'm reminded of all of things I want to accomplish this year while I'm getting ready everyday. 

Bye Bye 2010. You were a good and a bad year.

Good -

1. Mack started Preschool

2. I started working 8-5 like normal people, so I can be the one that get's Mack ready in 

    the morning and take her to school. I get to see her smiley face every morning now.

3. We moved into a new house and love the new location.

4. My mom moved from L.A. back to Truckee

5. Family from New Zealand came to visit. 

6. We survived another year together as a young family

Not so Good -

1. My mom fought cancer with radidation and chemo most of 2010.

2. Tore my ACL

** not much on the list for "not so good"

What are your plans for the new year? 

Guest Blogger Week: Meet Jamie @ Avant Garde Parenting

‘Roll’ into 2011: Rolos + Pretzels = Kid Friendly Deliciousness

Hey guys, I’m Jamie from Avant Garde Parenting, a website that offers tips, tricks, and unique ideas for parents of young children. I’m so happy to share one of my favorite kid-friendly recipes with you. It’s a yummy treat that’s easy to make and honestly, I don’t think it really has a name. In my family, we just call them by the two main ingredients: Rolo Pretzels. Truth: I’ve never been a fan of chocolate and pretzels together but trust me, these are to die for.

Here’s how you make them: Have your kiddos spread out mini pretzels on a cookie sheet. I put a silpat underneath, but wax paper works fine, too. Unwrap a Rolo candy for each pretzel and have your kiddos plop them right on top. Bake at 325 for 4-5 minutes until the candies are just melted.

Here’s the fun part: Making them your own. You can leave them plain, make pretzel sandwiches, press a pecan half on top of each one, sprinkle with shaved coconut, or top with your favorite (other) candy. Use your (and your kiddos’) imagination! Whatever you decide to do, these treats are delicious, easy, and a surefire party hit. Have fun and enjoy!

Guest Blogger Week: Meet Tiffany @ Mom-Nom.Com

Tiffany is a wife to her best friend and a mother to two beautiful children, Bubs & Bubbette {No, those aren't their real names. Sheesh.}   When she's not doing public relations for one of the top zoos in the country, she's over-sharing at Mom-Nom.Com, {http://mom-nom.com} the e-result of her Post Traumatic Stress Disorder diagnoses, after nearly losing Bubs in an accident in July, 2009.  Now? She's just trying to figure out where they go from here...one post at a time. 

http://mom-nom.com

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Hi, I'm Tiffany
 
I blog over at a little land called Mom-Nom.Com. (http://www.mom-nom.com) and Kristina was kind enough to invite me to her space to help share the holidays with y'all.  She's amazing like that.  This time of year, there is nothing I love more than starting a fire, grabbing my favorite blankey, making a nice big bowl of stew...and taunting my kid with Elf on the Shelf. 
 
Wait. 
 
What?
 
Yep, you heard me right, friends.  There is nothing more traditionary in my home than the month long torture that Elf of the Shelf brings to my son.  {Side note:  a lot of normal children are tormented by the mere sight of Elf on the Shelf.  Fortunately, for us, my son is not among them.} 
 
 
I give you Exhibit A:
 

 
And the resulting Exhibit B:

Son: BUT WHY!
Me: Elf is watching. 
Son: ugh. 
 
or
 
Son: This is not fair. 
Me: Don't forget about Elf. 
Son: ugh. 
 
or, maybe even
 
Son: Please, Mom. PLEASE!
Me: Elf said no. 
Son: argh. 

I am all about traditions, people.