Thursday, November 30, 2006

Happy 20th Anniversary to Mom and Frank (yesterday). I hope that you all had a great day and that you were able to enjoy some time together. We were all thinking of you yesterday!

We have had a good week so far with lots of time outdoors enjoying the pretty weather. We have have been able to spend some quality time at home just playing during the days. Mike and I went out to a work dinner on Monday and enjoyed eating tasty food in a beautiful setting, even though we didn't get to sit beside each other. It was a nice time and I look forward to several more Christmas parties. Ella had her 18 month checkup and still running about the same on all of the percentiles. She and Landon got a flu shot and I would have to say Landon was a champ about it and didn't even whimper. Ella had a short cry but afterwards they were ready to carry their stickers home and play in the leaves.

Our favorite part of the week had to be last night at church we had an Advent workshop and Landon made so many crafts and ornaments. He also got to see his good friend Lillie Boyte and she looked great. It amazes me how well she is doing and how she continues to smile. Lillie is going to start another round of chemo tomorrow so we ask that you pray for her as she continues treatments. Luckily they will remain here for this round of chemo and will be here for a few more weeks before heading back to Memphis.

Today I ventured out with Ella to do some Christmas shopping while Landon was in preschool and boy was that interesting. Interesting probably isn't the best word but I am trying to keep a positive attitude. I have done most all of my shopping online except for some odds and ends so we went to our favorite Target where Ella did ride in the shopping cart (because I had her strapped in so tight she couldn't even sit up straight) but cried much of the time. Then on to one other store and I won't mention names only because I got a bit frustrated and was about in tears. After speaking with the managers I calmed down and checked out to get Ella strapped back in the van and off to pick up Landon. I am going to try to stay away from any other stores over the weekend and hopefully will only have to make a couple of more runs to be done (and hopefully will have someone to watch the kids - mom and Ella Sue - was that subtle enough?).

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Was your turkey good? Ours certainly was and it was so nice to not be on the road with all of the traffic. We had a great time having everyone at our house and Ella was able to sleep through most of the meal. We all loved having so much family around and we even took a group shot of everyone (with my sister-in-law's camera). I didn't get many pictures at all but was able to enjoy the company and the food. Mike picked on me for doing an "arts and crafts" game but I thought it was fun. We all wrote down something kind of silly that we were thankful for and something serious. We read them all aloud so that everyone could guess and see who wrote it. I will just say that I am thankful for disposable diapers, lovies, naptimes, and toilet paper. What about you? Any other fun family traditions out there?

Now we have gone straight from Thanksgiving into Christmas mode with a visit to the festival of lights. For the first time we got Landon out of his car seat and put him in the front passenger seat for a better view of the lights as we were only going 2 - 5 miles per hour and within the first couple of minutes he wanted back in his seat. I guess if you are always in there then it feels really weird to be out. It amazes me how many lights they have and the detail involved. On Friday we decided to make our own light arrangement in the yard. Our neighbors went in with us to get the "big bulb" colored lights and we were aiming to put them on the beautiful Christmas tree shaped pine in between our houses but after seeing that it was probably 60 feet high and the limbs weren't very stable we made a tree shape arrangement in the front yard. It is cute and the kids love it. From there we got the kids all dolled up on Saturday to try to get the "ultimate" Christmas card picture and spent a couple of hours keeping Ella out of the duck pond, making weird noises to get both of them to look and throwing rocks in a fountain just to try to get a picture. Didn't work! They looked adorable but we couldn't get one decent shot of both of them looking. Mike was so frustrated at the end that he vowed to never attempt that again (not even in a year). Call me crazy but I think I am going to try again tomorrow.

Tonight we had dinner club and it was great. The weather has been awesome but you can't ever complain about a good ole pot of pinto beans, some pork roast, and some cornbread. Everything was topped off with Amy's wonderful banana pudding. Yahoo - another 5 lbs to work off sometime.

Monday, November 20, 2006

It has been CRAZY since last Wednesday - whew - I need a vacation - but guess I will get a holiday instead. Looking forward to Thanksgiving this week but hope to at least catch up on my 20 piles of laundry first. Thursday last week Landon had preschool pictures which I must say he looked very handsome for. I am a bit biased. After preschool we headed to visit Pops and Nannie for Pops' birthday. Yes Frank had a birthday - the big 55 and Landon and I made and decorated a cake for him. It was our third cake of the week and I think we were getting pretty good at it. Landon's favorite part was putting the sprinkles and candy letters on.

Friday we headed back to Winston Salem and both days were LONG drives. I thought I wore them out by running some errands and taking them to feed the ducks. (Ella wanted to jump right in the water after the ducks yelling "KACK KACK KACK" but I held her back). Of course I remind you that my kids do not sleep in the car and I was silly enough to travel during their nap time when they are both tired and cranky. Thursday Ella cried for more than an hour and Friday Landon cried for more than an hour. My nerves were shot and I think Nannie was fed up with riding. Later that evening we went to family fun night at our church where Landon tried roller skating for the first time and enjoyed it. I think it took second place to Ella enjoying riding on a tricycle while I pushed her on rollerskates around and around and around. I find that pushing her on the tricycle while wearing rollerskates is much more effective than my usual walking bent over in a hurried fashion. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures that evening.

Saturday on with the fun as Nannie and Pops were here and the kids enjoyed every minute of their time. I had some counseling to do that afternoon which worked out well to have extra help for Mike. The evening came quick and we headed to tailgate the VT vs Wake game. Landon was psyched that he was going to a football game even though he only tailgated and then came home. Nannie, Pops and Dad stayed for the game and cheered on the Hokies to victory. Pictures show Landon in action so a little blurry but you get the ideal. Ella was cheering for the Hokies while enjoying a treat of "cheese doodles" or better known as cheese puffs.

Sunday came quickly and we were off again for 8:30 church and home to say bye bye to Nannie and Pops right before Pappy Lee, Uncle Damion, Aunt Kara and baby Aiden came for a visit. I didn't get any pictures as it was a quick visit and the kids were either heading to nap or just got up from nap, which for both scenarios isn't the best picture moment for them. It was great to see everyone and Ella continued to show her jealous streak by crying when I held Aiden. However, it was much less of a fit of crying than on Saturday when Nannie held Kasey to read him a book. Ella had a major meltdown and took several minute to regain some composure. She loves her Nannie and her Nannie certainly loves her as she gave her the hat you have seen in previous pictures. It was Nannie's but Ella had such an affection for it that Nannie just had to give it up. No - they aren't spoiled ;-)

Also - Nathan's birthday was on Sunday so Happy Birthday Nathan. We miss you and love you and are really proud of you!

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

It has been a good day here in the Joyce household. We ran some errands this morning including a stop at the pet store where Landon and Ella both enjoyed seeing the fish, the rabbits, many hamsters (brings back many childhood memories for me and maybe for Amy too, but probably not too many fond memories for my mom who had to revive my hamster on several occasions). Later on Landon was able to have lunch with his cousin Kelli and then Nannie came back - yeah. Ella of course woke early from her nap just to play with Nannie and keep everyone on their toes.

Talking with mom tonight reminded me that I hadn't shared one of my Landon stories from our trip to the beach. He is always challenging me to think harder and to be one step ahead of him but on this occasion I tried to keep things simple. We were riding through the rural areas of South Carolina trying to get to the beach and the only thing I could find for entertainment (or what I thought may be entertaining) was large round hay bales in fields - pretty desperate I was. So I say "look Landon at those large round circles out in the field there are soo... (many I think we should count them - this part in parentheses is what I was going to continue if Landon had not cut me off abruptly) - Landon quickly says "ACTUALLY mom - they are HAY! Well of course they are - thanks for ruining my fun. Guess we will just be more serious then!

You may be disappointed in me as I haven't been taking many pictures and really don't think I have even taken one of Landon in the last 3 days. Ella - I did get a picture of her in Nannie's hat but the picture didn't turn out nearly as cute as she was in person.

Cheers to all and Happy week before Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

A very busy weekend and lots of visitors. Saturday we spent the morning playing in the leaves and enjoying the sunshine. It was great fall weather with temps in the 70's. When we left last week the trees in our yard still had most of their leaves but when we returned we found the yard covered with beautiful yellow maple leaves and millions of little brown pin oak leaves and acorns. The kids enjoy them so much that it is hard to shove them all to the street for pickup so we left a big pile on the driveway just for playtime.

Sadly we attended the funeral of a friend who died unexpectedly at the young age of 37. It makes all of your minutes here seem so much more important when this happens. I find myself just taking in all of the beauty that surrounds me and enjoying the little things much more. My prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones.

The rest of the weekend and beginning of the week was filled with friends. Landon had time to play with his good friend Hannah on Sunday while the adults enjoyed some food and conversation. Monday, "crazy Aunt Beave" came for a visit and Landon quickly asked if I remembered when Beave was visiting and the lady bug flew on his arm and tickled him - this was when he was not even two or sometime long long ago but he still remembers it and associates it with Beave. We had lots of fun playing outdoors, playing downstairs, and playing (can you guess) Candy Land. Beave won at Candy Land but Landon pulled it out in Chutes and Ladders (Caroline - Beave feels the same way about that game as you do now) and really whooped up on her in memory. I think memory game is much more suited to children.

Later in the day Nannie came and it was all over for any mommy love. Landon and Ella competed for every second of Nannie's attention and were anxious to see her as soon as they woke up. However, as soon as Ella saw Nannie she did look at me and say "Pops" with a question mark shown on her face. Guess he will have to come and visit soon, or we will go and crash his birthday - yes Frank will be celebrating his birthday later this week for all of those who can give him a hard time (you should).

Friday, November 10, 2006

First I would like to thank God for everything. I would also like to thank my mother-in-law for making this week possible. I would like to thank my husband for holding down the fort and seeing us off for the week. I would like to thank my niece and nephew for playing and helping to watch Landon and Ella throughout the week. I would like to thank Chuck for reading to Ella (she preferred you and don't think I will forget that she started saying your name only 3 days after saying Ma ma). I would like to thank Cathy Lee for playing games with Landon (you won his heart). I would like to thank Barry for helping me pack the van and keep Ella happy this morning. I would like to thank Caroline (boy do I thank you) for helping me change so many diapers and smearing cream on a tiny hiney, for keeping up with my kids, and for always listening. I would like to thank all who played Catch Phrase and put up with my craziness. I would like to thank Gammy for riding back with me today and helping me so much with the kids and for the blizzard (yummy)- I guess I should thank Dairy Queen on that one too. Most of all just thanks to all of my in-laws who love me and are patient with me. I couldn't be blessed with a better family (in-laws and immediate family). OK - no you haven't tuned into an awards program where they cry or scream and say thanks so on with the program.

The week was lots of fun with time in the pool, time shopping, time playing, and time eating. The kids did well on the drives even though for a total of 10+ hours on the road Ella slept maybe 30 minutes and Landon ZERO! Landon loved the pool and went several times over the week and jumped in over 2000 times going completely to the bottom of the 6 ft deep area. Ella only visited once but loved every minute of it jumping in and going all the way under many many times. I believe Landon's second favorite outings were to the mall when it was raining and to Broadway at the Beach when it wasn't. Both had lots of fun things to do and of course good food to eat. Little Ella was talking up a storm and her perpetual runny nose stopped running upon arrival but a couple of days later something else started running. She ended up with a rash so bad that she had a hard time walking and I made it back home with 1 diaper left but thought for sure I was going to have to stop to buy more. Luckily it seems as though seeing Da da was the cure for her and she was very attached to him tonight. So much for the quiet evenings of bachelorhood.

I didn't get a lot of pictures this week believe it or not as I was either in the pool or trying to keep up with Landon and Ella.

Had a great time but glad to be home.

Sunday, November 5, 2006

It has been a great weekend. We had dinner out with friends Friday, friends over for dinner on Saturday and then after church today Mike went to do a missions project. We were busy but it was a lot of fun.

My big news is that on Friday Ella finally started saying Ma ma and she loves to go to a room and yell Ma ma and see if I will answer, or to go down the hall saying Ma ma almost like a game of marko polo to see if she can find my voice. For a long time I have been Bob or baba only with coaxing and she didn't really relate the two. She has been saying Dada for a very long time and gets so excited to see him and hollers his name all the time. (I'm not jealous).

The kids and I are looking forward to our trip tomorrow and Mike is looking forward to a quiet house with hours of sports watching. Better go pack!

Friday, November 2, 2006

Yes it is Saturday morning, I am just late in getting my post up for yesterday. Mike and I stayed up late just hanging out on the couch but the whole family slept in until 9:00 AM - WOW!

Yesterday Landon had a full day of fun. In the morning his friend Zane stopped by for some playtime. They played golf and trains and race cars! Landon had lots of fun and didn't want to stop playing but I cheered him up by letting him know that more friends were coming in the evening. That made the afternoon fly by. It was too cool to play outside so some naps and just running around indoors kept everyone happy. By 5:30 Landon's first friends showed up - Miss Brandi and Miss Anna. We call him his friends as he loves to play with Miss Brandi (he now loves Miss Anna too but he hadn't met her before) and it is also easier than saying babysitter as that's a give away that we are leaving. So both Landon and Ella were very happy to show off, play and talk to Brandi and Anna while waiting for the pizza. When Rami and Ada got here Landon immediately asked Rami to play downstairs and we strapped Ella and Ada in for a pizza feast. By the time we left Ella had eaten over half a piece of pizza and Landon and Rami were gearing up at the table to tear into some food. I doubt Brandi and Anna even got a whole piece to themselves as the four kids had quite the appetite for some pizza - but hey - who doesn't like pizza??

We enjoyed a dinner out with friends and no little mouths to feed or attend to. We were able to eat at our own pace (other than waiting forever for our food to get to the table - the service was a bit on the slow side all evening) and enjoy each bite - yummy yummy. It was great to have good company, good food and good people watching our kids! If we were able we would do that every week! Thanks Joel and Keri! Thanks Brandi and Anna - the kids had a blast and I hope they didn't wear you two out too much! Great pictures you took!

Thursday, November 2, 2006

Ella and I went grocery shopping today and as I looked at sale items to match them with my coupons (yes I am frugal, tight, all of the above) I kept thinking I had a lot of coupons for the sales items so a double wammy. Then I finally realized that October 31st isn't a couple of weeks away it has already past. I guess I completely forgot getting the kids dressed up and pictures and candy and the whole bit. Needless to say I only ended up with a few coupons that were good. I was trying to do some shopping for "Mike stuff" otherwise known as junk food for a couple of days while we are away. I quizzed him on what he would like (other than Wendy's) everynight and his first answer was Wendy's, next came whatever he could slap on a bun. I asked about soup and his answer was that it was a little bit too involved. I was happy with that answer because now when I make soup he can feel like he is having a gourmet meal, or just an involved meal.

After the grocery store we ran a few more errands and spent the rest of the day at home enjoying the sunny but cooler weather. Landon wasn't as interested in playing in the leaves as we have done that every day for over a week now but wanted to work in his "science" book. He has an activity book that he loves to work in. After doing that for an hour or more I felt like I had been in school all day and so I called a break to play. I spent some time playing in the leaves while the kids took naps.

Tonight I tried putting cabinet locks on all of the cabinets in our den. I wasn't very good at it and really needed a drill so I suckered Mike into helping me and now I am feeling pretty good about keeping Ella out of all of the non-toy cabinets. She is quite the explorer and loves to pull everything out of the cabinet including the box of 1,000 memory cards, the 10,000 piece puzzles and the jar of change that we are using as our savings for Mike a new car (so far we have about $20 since 2002). I think she will be quite surprised tomorrow when she comes running in trying to find the cards and puzzles and only finds that BAM - she can't get in. Guess it will be back to the fireplace to throw out the 2,000,000 little rocks under the gas logs.

Pictures today are from earlier in the week spending all that time in the leaves and playing with our neighbors cats - check out Mike's invention of the cat toy - I think he ought to patent it!

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Today Landon had his 6 month checkup at the dentist and he did a great job. They gave him a new toothbrush, let him wear Thomas sunglasses, let him play a video game and then afterwards he got to pick out 2 prizes. I was really pleased at how well he did and didn't even really fuss too much while they cleaned his front teeth. Of course the doctor did say we needed to stop all paci usage and even though he only has it at night it is moving his teeth.

So tonight, I made Mike go and "pop" the paci with some pins. Landon didn't even tell the difference and we will slowly take it away over the next 2 weeks. (we could probably go cold turkey but I am going to be on a trip with the kids next week and am a little nervous about not having it while in a strange place). Thank goodness we have lots of candy to bribe him with - just kidding.

Ella got to stay with a friend this morning while we went to the dentist and had a blast playing with his toys and eating his Teddy Grahams. I think JD was quite the gentleman as he shared well, gave hugs, and even filled up her car for her. He is the cutest little blonde boy who has amazingly blue eyes, I didn't sign anything but I am thinking a little arranged marriage may be called for. Mike might disagree only because their parents are Georgia Tech fans, but I think I could convince him!