Good Times

At the moment, things are a little grim around here. We all have colds. A very grumpy household. Cold, stormy weather doesn't help. However, there has been some fun lately. Valentine's Day had highs and lows. I had planned a nice dinner at home for the three of us but Marshall boycott his nap, lost his marbles, and went to bed very early. Chris and I then had a romantic dinner by default. I might break my arm patting myself on the back, but my steak, risotto and asparagus turned out really well. I spent last weekend in Monterey with my friend Darcy. It was very relaxing, nice to catch up, and have a break from our normal routines.

Marshall and Ainsley making cupcakes

Me and Darcy at the beach in Carmel
Valentine's feast

Irony

Yesterday, Marshall was giving me his standard response to a request (i.e. NO) and I told him that he was always contrary. He replied, "no mama, YOU are always so contrary."

Other funnies:

• After he found out I'd packed him a special snack in his lunchbox, I said to him, "who loves ya, Marshall?" He responded, "I love daddy."
• The other day he said, "Mama, I like you and like giving you hugs." I said, "That is great! Can I have a hug now?" He ran away yelling, "NOOOOOOO!"

Tahoe

We spent this past weekend in Tahoe, celebrating my friend Aundria's birthday. It was a great trip! We went sledding on Saturday, went out for a fancy dinner Saturday night, Chris got to ski on Sunday. A big storm came in Saturday night so we had lots of fresh snow to play in. On our way home on Monday, we stopped to see my friend Anne and her baby, Claire. Such a fun weekend overall!

Marshall enjoyed making (and throwing) snow balls

He preferred pulling the empty sled to riding in it
Pulling daddy

Me, Julie, Aundria, and Kim

Marshall and Claire

Recent Funnies

• Marshall declared, "daddy is my favorite toy. I like him."
• While playing restaurant and taking my order, Marshall asked me what I wanted to drink. I told him I'd have a glass of wine. He asked, "Chardonnay or Zin?" Yikes.
• At an actual restaurant, Marshall pulled out his newly acquired coin purse, took out a couple pennies and said, "I need to leave this for the waiter so he knows I'm a good boy and they'll let me come back and eat."

Marshall and his favorite "toy," hard at work

Our neighbor made us awesome cookies

Ta Da!

Week before last, we had a fortuitous event: Marshall finally used the potty for #2 and the preschool called to ask if he was potty trained b/c they had an immediate opening. So, last week Marshall started school! He goes MWF mornings. He had a great first day on Friday. The teachers and parents were very welcoming. There were no potty accidents! Fingers crossed.

Who is this big boy??

Christmas 2010

I love Christmas! The fragrant tree, cinnamon apple candles, the music, the lit up houses in the neighborhood. Every year, I snicker when I hear Neil Diamond sing Christmas carols. Every year I cry while watching It's a Wonderful Life. Every year I chuckle while watching A Christmas Story. It is fun that friends/family have extra time off work and/or more flexible schedules.

Marshall is at such a fun age for Christmas. All he kept asking for was a Gordon train and "down by the docks." We weren't exactly sure what "down by the docks" was, knowing only that it was somehow connected to Thomas the Train. My mom and Bob got Marshall some new train tracks with a bridge, tunnel and windmill and apparently this fit the bill, as he yelled, "this is just what I wanted." Friends and family were so generous with their gift giving and Marshall was thrilled and overwhelmed. My sister got him a toy parrot that records and repeats a brief phrase. When Marshall opened it he said, "this isn't a good gift, I don't like it." Eeek. Embarrassing for me, but my sister thankfully just laughed. Of course, moments later, Marshall decided he loved the parrot. He kept referring to it as "pigeon" and hearing it repeat Marshall's chirpy little voice was pretty cute.

We stayed in town for the first time and, while it was odd to not be down south, it was nice to not travel and spend Christmas morning at our own house. We hosted a dinner on Christmas eve and then went to Mary Ann and John's for Christmas day dinner. A wonderful, joyous, peaceful holiday overall. I thought I'd be a little more disappointed that it is all over, but we have barreled happily into the new year.

Travels and the Potty

The month has flown by! The holidays certainly have a way of speeding up the clock. Mid month, Marshall and I made a trip down south to visit with my grandparents since we wouldn't be seeing them for the holiday. We had a very nice visit. We spent one morning at the beach in Cayucos. Marshall did not pay attention when I told him he was not appropriately attired for going in the water. Go figure.

The weekend before Christmas, Chris and I went to Las Vegas with my dad, Steph and Wynn to celebrate my dad's b-day. We stayed for three nights and had a great time. We saw two shows, Love and Jersey Boys, which were both super. The window shopping and people watching were very entertaining. We took a tour of Hoover dam one day, which was very interesting. Not quite enough sleep, definitely too much wine, and Chris came down with a sinus infection, but a fun trip overall.

While we were away, my mom came to stay with Marshall and the pets. Despite terrible stormy weather, they had an enjoyable weekend. They baked cookies, went out to eat, and played indoors a lot. Apparently Marshall was a gem and did not whine, throw tantrums, or try to injure his grandma. Such a relief, since I get hit, kicked and pinched daily! Unbeknownst to me in advance, my mom came prepared to tackle potty training. She brought up a sticker chart, potty prizes, Cheerios to aim for, etc. Marshall thought it was all great fun and did a wonderful job using the potty. Unfortunately, due to our naturally contentious relationship, I have not enjoyed the same success as grandma. Using the potty and changing soiled clothes has since been a kicking/screaming ordeal. Not once since my mom left has Marshall used the potty for #2. That has been less than fun to attend to, especially when it happens out and about, like in Target! On the plus side, we have had some shining moments when he tells me has to pee and then uses the potty like a champ. It has been a real treat when he has used the potty while out and about or on play dates. Hopefully it won't take too much longer for both us of us to adjust.

Marshall dug the hole and buried his legs.

Wet up to his booty!

Wynn, Steph, Chris, me, and my dad in Las Vegas