Hustle and Bustle

I have been slacking in updates, to say the very least. I can't believe it has been over a month. We have been very busy, but definitely enjoying the Holiday hustle and bustle. After watching the Macy's parade, we celebrated a very nice Thanksgiving at my Mother-in-Law's house with my family too. We went to see the Wiggles in concert (for those of you with kids, you'll understand the absolute "pleasure"). We were at the pediatrician's office at least two times, for Thomas who was sick with fevers, runny noses, rashes, roseola, pharyngitis, bronchitis, you name it, we got it. We finally got pictures hung in the house, there's now room on the guest room floor. Still no bed, but at least there's a spot on the carpet where a guest could sleep. We decorated inside and out for the Holidays. Bjorn and I watched the Florida State / Florida game together for the very first time while eating oysters (OK, I admit, I had none, but some people did). We had a Baby Celebration to welcome the arrival of sweet, little Devin. We went on the Polar Express train ride to the North Pole (thanks to Uncle Brian)where we roasted marshmallows, made S'mores, sat on Santa's lap, played with Train tables and made crafts. And, for all of you that know me well, of course, we've been shopping. I have to admit that on more than one occasion, I have been heard threatening the kids that "Santa's watching". How else is a mom to get through December?

We have seen Santa 3 times. Madelyn had a list about a mile long to tell Santa the first time. Thomas would only give him a "high 5" after lots of encouragement the first time. The second time, he sat on a sleigh next to Madelyn, who of course was reciting her list again. Today, he spotted him in the distance and couldn't wait to see him. We went to Brunch today and got to have a personal gathering with Santa. Thomas told the big guy "Merry Christmas Santa, I love you."

OH, and for all you poor folks suffering through the nasty, nasty weather, it was in the high 70's today, blue skies and sunny. I'm not taunting though, just informing.

Here are some snapshots from the Wiggles concert. Notice the bloody nose and glassy eyes on Thomas. Yep - one of the many times he was sick.

NICE Bloody nose. Thomas looks like he was in a boxing match the night before.

"CHOO CHOO CHUGA CHUGA BIG RED CAR"

Of course, there has to be ballerinas for Madelyn

Watching Santa arrive at the Macy's parade.

All dressed up for Thanksgiving at Grandmas

Peek-a-Boo at Grandma's House for Thanksgiving


YUM! Gingerbread cupcake cake.

The spread

The Toast - Devin slept through it
Madelyn helping with Devin's presents

Devin's beautiful bright eyes

Thomas and Pap on the train

Madelyn, Uncle Brian and Pap enjoying the Carrollers on the train

Mammy and Madelyn acting crazy

Daddy's Little Girl

Putting in their requests

Sitting in Santa's Sleigh at the North Pole

Uncle Brian and Thomas at the North Pole. Notice the S'mores leftovers on Thomas's lips.

Madelyn couldn't get to Santa fast enough. She beat her brother to his lap.

Chatting with Santa at Brunch

Jolly

The Fam

Taking a walk after Brunch

Golfing, motorcycles, picnics and runny noses

We've been quite busy over the past week. The weather has been what we like to call "Chamber of Commerce" weather. Blue skies. Brisk, but hardly cold air. Absolutely Beautiful. Apparently, the northerners have also figured it out, they are here, and on our roads, in full force, and moving at a snail's pace. Now, if we could just get enough of them to buy some real estate, we'll be good to go. Most of activities recently have taken full advantage of being outside.

On Sunday, all of us went to the Driving Range. To say Thomas was excited would be a complete and total understatement. Madelyn enjoyed being Caddy almost as much as she did putting balls. I know I'm his mom and might be a little biased, but seriously, this kid can HIT the ball. His eye-hand coordination is crazy, and he's not even 2. Watch out Tiger!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the driving range, we made it in time to watch the Teddy Bear Run. What an amazing charity event. The parade started with police on motorcyles with their lights and sirens on to clear the roads. Then the roar of about 500 motorcyles quickly followed. Santa was the "Grand Marshall" of this event and was followed by his elves, all with at least one (and many with a lot more) teddy bears in tow, to be delivered to children in the hospitals over the holidays.

 

 

 

Monday, we met went to Island Park to hang out with a bunch of friends we met through Gymboree. Another Glorious day. Blue skies, cool enough for long sleeves, but by the Bay in November. The kids had a blast. They climbed, slid,ran, and had a picnic lunch. We are blessed to have such great friends.

 

 

And, sadly, it can't be all fun. Thomas came down with a nasty bug Monday night. He was moaning and crying any time I put him down and he was burning up. His fever of 102 bought him a ticket to the Doctor on Tuesday morning. We discovered that his throat was fire-engine red, tonsils were kissing, and there was a lot of nasty puss on them too. His eye is goopy and nose runny. Poor little dude looks pitiful. His strep test came back negative, so it's viral, and only time, fluids and a lot of love will help at this point. While we were there, I decided to get Madelyn's flu shot and her last set of vaccines she was missing. She wasn't a happy camper, but nothing a little chocolate from Miss Kathy and stickers from Miss Tracey couldn't fix. Here are some pictures of Thomas finally sleeping on Tuesday afternoon in his "Anywhere chair boat" and another of him Wednesday while outside getting some fresh air. Notice the nice dripping nose.

 

 

Here's to T-Bone Steaks, Yellow Roses, and Friendship

I must be extra sentimental today. I got this is an e-mail today. One of the better ones I have gotten. Enjoy.

Here's to T-bone Steaks, Yellow Roses and Friendship

READ THIS!!!! And then reread it. Especially the last part...

I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.

He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different since he had passed on.

Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.

Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. Hesitated, and then put them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.

She saw me watching her and she smiled. 'My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know.'

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.

'My husband passed away eight d ays ago,' I told her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. 'Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together.'


She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.

I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the brightest smile! I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes. 'These are for you,' she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. 'When you go through the line, they will know these are
Paid for.' She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears clouded my vision.

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.

Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.

Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.
(Please read all of this, it is really nice)

This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your friends, including the person that sent it to you.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as
Long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.

Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.

Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.

Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this
world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.

For friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND!

God bless you and yours!

Holiday Thoughts

I just saw this U-tube video on another blog that I follow. I wanted to post it here, it's got GREAT meaning that we should not forget.

Click on the link and watch the video - it's worth 2 minutes of your time, I promise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

Toddler Town

Having Toddlers is challenging, but also ridiculously fun (and funny for that matter).

This morning, while changing Thomas's diaper for the third time in the 40 minutes that he was awake, he makes this earth shattering statement. "There it is, there's my penis. Hi Penis. I love my penis, I love him. He's giant. See mommy, he's giant." This stuff can't be made up. He's 22 months old and already obsessed with all of his boyhood.

Madelyn started a new dance and tumbling class today at Stage Door Studio. To say she was excited would be an understatement. I was amazed at all of the gymnastics equipment they have for such little people, but a little nervous that Madelyn would be intimidated. She's not my jumping, bouncing kid. To say she is cautious is an understatement. But, she did amazing. Madelyn practiced her "Frog Jumps" using the vault, hung on the bars and was even brave enough to hang upside-down, she walking on a "french fry" (a balance beam) and practiced doing handstands. Then she did ballet. I was more than impressed with this studio and signed her up for the semester.

While driving home, we called Mammy to tell her about the class. Thomas asked to talk too. He proceeds to say "Mammy, I watched "Ninny" at dance class. I saw all the girls Mammy, I saw all the girls." I guess that statement makes up for the fact that right at this moment he's proudly carrying a purse around.

Here are some recent pics of the kids.

"Little Ballerina"

Fun in the Tub

Trick or Treat

OK - I promise, the kids do have other clothes. Tonight we all went on a Halloween hayride for Trick or treating. What a difference a year makes. Last year, Madelyn was sort of into it and Thomas fell asleep on the hayride. This year was a whole different story. Madelyn was up at 7:00 shouting down the steps "Happy Halloween!" Thomas was saying "Trick or Treat" and "I'm gonna get some M'N'Ms" all day long.

The party started inside the club house that was decorated as one of the best Haunted houses I've seen. The entire staff was dressed in costume. I was beyond impressed. Thomas, not so much, he had a death grip on me. Madelyn was in complete Awe. After some quick dinner, we went outside to hop on the shiny new tractor and hay filled trailer. It was a GORGEOUS evening, couldn't ask for better weather. There were about 40 kids that participated in the hayride. Most of the a lot bigger and more experienced in this whole event. Madelyn caught on pretty quickly. She met a 6 year old little witch that befriended her and really showed her the ropes. Thomas was pretty much Daddy's dude during the trick-or-treating.

The official events ended at the club house with some prizes for "best costumes". Madelyn spotted the Cabbage Patch Doll prize earlier in the evening and staked her claim on it. She has three others at home so I thought this was strange. She wasn't on the trailer at the point the prizes were awarded, and despite her being at the foot of the "wizard" awarding the prize, she didn't win. I have NEVER seen this child so heart-broken. She is not the child that sees and demands toys or anything for that matter during our weekly shopping excursions. But, nothing could distract her from the the disappointment, not promises of surprises from Mammy, not offers to drive the car home, nothing. She wanted that Baby Doll. Well,Thank God for the (excuse my language here)"Oh Shit Box" we have stored away at home. Guess what I had in there, a brand, spanking new CABBAGE PATCH DOLL, still in the box. Bjorn and I each had a car to drive back to the house. I had Madelyn, Bjorn had Thomas. I quickly found the doll and put it on the steps, next to the pumpkin while Bjorn distracted Madelyn. We told her it was a special surprise that was left just for her. I got her reaction on film and it actually brings me to tears. It was a great way to end the night and it might have just started a new Svenson Tradition-a final surprise waiting by the pumpkins when the kids return from Trick-or-Treating. After playing with Mammy and PapPap, Grandma and Grandpa Mike, checking out all of the treats, I decided to end the evening before things went downhill. I brought the kids to bed and the three of us had a picnic of Smarties on Madelyn's bedroom floor. Madelyn went to bed with "Raquel Aurora" and Thomas, the boy who doesn't sleep, actually resisted our nightly rocking routine and demanded "BED!"

So, without further adieu, here are some shots from the evening.


Minnie Mouse


Deep thoughts of candy to come


Like mother like daughter


Trick or Treat


Sweedish Fish for Daddy


Picking the best treats


Finally, Some M-n-Ms

Fighting back tears of Joy and still some of heartbreak after spotting the surprise

Taking a closer look, still a bit tearful

I see a smile poking through

Pure Joy

PRICELESS - Bjorn will never make fun of my Oh $hit box again