Hagen's teacher sent a note home saying that Ryan and I would want to come to their "Friday Live" on Friday morning at 8:30.  It is basically the school Pep Rally.

The theme for the month is compassion.  They showed a video that the 3rd graders put together to demonstrate what compassion is...sit with someone at lunch that is alone, help someone up if they fall, pick up things that someone dropped to help them out, etc.

Then they started an awards ceremony. There were 2-3 kiddos per class that were chosen my their teachers to receive the compassion award (AKA a Bennett Bear Dog Tag).  Hagen Darney was on there!  He was so proud...Ryan and I beamed with excitement at his first award ceremony.

He really is compassionate.  He loves hard. He is so gentile and caring about Hazel.  He is emotional at times because he cares so much.

This is just one of the proud moments of many more to come Hagen...your Dad and I are so very happy for how you are turning out.

Tata,
Carrie

So the Mayans said that 12-21-12 is the end of the world.  I haven't been paying any attention to it...until this morning.  Now I'm kinda weirded out.

My dream.  It was a beautiful sunny day and Ryan and I were on the back patio with the kids.  We were standing kinda like we were posing for a family photo...Ryan and I side by side with an arm around the other's waist...Hagen standing in between us and I had Hazel on my outside hip.

We were looking in the sky over the house behind us and this HUGE thing was headed towards earth.  In my dream I knew it was a meteor...but it was a rectangle shape going end over end. 

Ryan, the kids, and I were all calm...no fear.  We knew it was the end for us but we were together and knew it would be fast.  We were telling the kids how much we loved them and were so proud to be their parents etc...but no tears...no sadness

It hit the earth (around Allen) and then the effects of it were moving towards us fast...and I woke up.

WTH?? 

With the school shooting last week I'm hoping that a few of these things are true for those poor lives that were lost.  I hope that it was quick so they didn't feel anything and I hope that they all knew how loved they were. 

There was a story of one of the teachers that was telling all of her kids how much she loved them and that she felt wrong for saying it but didn't care if the parents were mad about it.  I would only HOPE that my kids teacher would do something like that.

I know this is all over the place...just alot on my mind since that crazy dream? 

Carrie

Hazel has officially entered the terrible twos.  She is darling, she is potty training herself, she loves babies, she understands when you tell her to do something...BUT...she is defiant, strong willed, and sometimes very hateful to those around her!

For example...Pink is her favorite in clothes.  We have a battle every morning if she doesn't have PINK on.  today she had on a pink diaper cover so I escaped unscathed.  She wants pink PJ's, Pink bows/flowers in her hair, pink pink PINK!  Barf....

On the way to school this morning she was throwing down because she wanted Daddy to take her to school.  We stood firm and I took the kids.  She was kicking my chair, throwing anything she could, screaming, crying, yelling NO, etc.  She then yelled "ABC's" which means she wants her ABC song to play.  I tell her, "not today Hazel.  You have been naughty this morning.  Maybe tomorrow you can be sweet and we can listen to it."  Never thought I would use the ABC song as punishment?!?  What?

She picks her nose and eats it...she bites her fingernails...it's lovely.

She got to take an ornament to school for show and tell on Monday.  She chose the pink ballerina (I have no idea where I got it from).  Well on Tuesday it was bring a holiday book...Hagen picked out Frosty the Snowman.  She didn't want to take a book...she wanted to take her ornament again.  We explained to her it was bring a book to school not an ornament...tantrum ensued...being kicked in the back of my chair on the way to school happened.  It is really making me start my day off WAY wrong.

I love her...she is darling...when she is sweet she is really sweet.  But this phase (i hope it is just a phase) is wearing me out.  We have introduced sassy sauce (apple cider vinegar) as we did with Hagen as well as the "crying room" which is our bedroom.  She has to go sit in there until she stops crying and then she can come out.  It worked really well with Hagen to get control of himself on his own time.

Just venting...
Carrie

Ryan really had to step up this past week with parenting.  I thought I had a sinus infection but it turned out to be a horrible cold.  Why does "a cold" sound so simple?  I mean, colds are no joke!  I'm such a baby...moving on.

I finally felt well enough Saturday afternoon to go to our company holiday party.  This year we had it at a ranch and we had the best time!  It was from 5-9...we actually stayed til about 8:30!!  It is so neat seeing all of the kiddos and how much they have grown over the past year.

Hagen made a HUGE step!  There was a DJ and the kids were all dancing.  One "couple" was a brother and sister.  Hagen said he wanted to dance with someone.  I pointed out a darling little girl who was 3 1/2 named Isabella.  I said, "Why don't you go ask her to dance?"  He was nervous but he did it and she accepted.  It was so cute watching his first "date".  Now I said she was 3 1/2 which she is...but she is very tall for her age so she was towering over him.  She had a cute red smocked dress on and 2 blond pigtails.

Santa came.  Hagen got smelly markers that he wanted so bad from the book fair (I went and got the last one when Ryan got home from work).  He was SHOCKED that Kirby actually told Santa about the markers because he forgot to tell Santa when he saw him at the mall.  By the way, a book fair needs to sell books.  I was called a mean Mommy for a whole damn week because of those markers.  It is a fight that I won but it wasn't without some pain. 

Hazel was so scared.  Hagen wanted to take her up when her name was called.  So he held her hand and walked her up to get her gift.  She was crying but she went with him.  So cute...

The past 2 bath nights I have round brushed Hazels hair while I am drying it.  It looks so cute!  kinda big at first but then it lays down nicely.

I am starting on my diabetic diet this week.   I need to just eat better and also I'm spending about $6/day downstairs in the cafe.  It  does add up...every little bit helps.

I need to get into the holiday spirit!  The weather is so warm lately that it is hard!  I feel so bah-humbug...

I'm ready to start this week...last week with not feeling that well just completely threw me off! 

Another thing that has been on my mind alot is that there was a horrible tragedy on Friday.  A 20 year old asshole shot and killed 28 people at a school.  I just can not wrap my brain around this.  Why?  WHY?  Most of the victims were innocent children.  Brave teachers acted on impulse to save their kids...some in trade for their own lives.  It is just horrible. 

Carrie

Hazel is ALL about Pink and Princesses.  It makes me want to gag.  I truly don't remember being into Pink or Princesses.  BUT another thing she is into is babies!  This I can relate to.  I use to love playing with dolls.  She rocks them, feeds them, covers them with blankets, takes them for walks around the house in their stroller.  It is just darling.  I love it!

Also, on January 2nd she is going to school in PANTIES!  Her teacher sent a note home yesterday saying it is time.  She went Tee on the potty 7 times yesterday at school (5 times she asked to go) and only had a wet diaper once...it was during naptime!  So I'm off to find the smallest panties and shrink them in hot water for her little booty.  She weighed 21 pounds at her 2 year visit last month.  That bubble booty needs to fill in.  I know she has one with both parents being larger in that area!!

Hagen is really into the iPad, video games, etc.  Also, he had his 2nd 9 week report come from school.  The grading system is based on 1-4...3 is the target and 4 is above.  I'm so very proud to say he got all 3's except for one...and it was a 4!!!  Social Studies was the 4?!?  He is also reading at a very good level.  I honestly say that is because we read a book before bed at night since he was a baby...maybe?  I just say that because I HATE to read...except 50 Shades which is the only book I think I have ever read and I read all three in about 2 weeks!  What a perv.

I am at work today but about to leave.  I can not think of the last time I took a sick day  for myself...I went to the doctor and got a steroid shot and a z-pack but I think I have a cold which those won't help.  I feel really sorry for myself.

That's what I got!
Tata,
Carrie

Maybe the worst pic of my kids ever.  I would take a screaming kid over this one.  It has been summer weather here in Dallas.

I decided at the last minute to take the kids after school.  There was no line and Santa spent alot of time talking with the kids.  Hazel was doubtful but didn't cry.  What you don't see is that I am sitting on a folding chair and Hazel is sitting on my lap.  So she isn't actually sitting on Santa's lap.

Hagen was SO excited to see Santa!  I failed him and had him wearing shorts...didn't straighten out his shirt...forgot to spray tan him...etc.  He is also sitting very oddly.  Maybe I should have also taken him to the bathroom?

But they are so cute...they are mine...funny/odd pictures and all.

Carrie

This blog thing sometimes takes a LONG ride in the back seat!  I don't WANT to stop but I just feel overwhelmed and guilty when I neglect it.  I'm going to keep it up so that I can put random posts up when I feel like it!

Hagen is LOVING kinder!  He jumps out of bed in the morning and is ready to go!  He is quite the little independent guy.  He is in love with Hazel...I wish it was mutual.  I mean she loves him but she points her anger towards him most of the time. 

Lately he has been quite obsessed with the iPad...so much that we need to start limiting the time on it.  For Christmas he wants an Xbox and a nintendo DS.  gifts sure do get more expensive as they get older huh?!  Geez!

Hazel is so freaking cute.  Her hair is long and I recently had it TRIMMED...we are talking about 1/2 inch...just to get the fuzz off the ends.  She is REALLY into pink right now.  She wants pink clothes (so most mornings are a struggle) and loves the pink flower for her hair (Also a struggle as I put whatever matches her outfit on...found some DARLING felt flower clips for her hair). 

The night before Thanksgiving Ryan and I were out in the backyard playing with the kids and Hazel said, "pee pee pa-yeah".  I took her in and she went...and went 3 more times before bed and had a dry diaper!  So we are going with it.  Her teacher isn't ready to put panties on her yet...she has to focus on 4 at a time so they get undivided attention.  Last night she actually went #2!  Ryan even said "it wasn't a bunny ball either...it was more like a pickle!"  We are aiming for pickles folks...sista has a constipation prob...BUT I switched her to 2% milk and it has finally resolved.  Who would have thought that going from whole milk to 2% would make THAT big of a difference?!  not me.

Work is going awesome...still love it...still look forward to coming in. 

I have a new niece (she is about 2 months old now).  Faith Ann came earlier than expected and is DARLING...black Mohawk and all.  She is the cherry on the top of the sundae of kids...

Ryan has started working out...he is doing the crossfit thing.  I have continued with my workouts too.  I am as shocked as anyone.  I go 4-5 times a week for weights and am trying to get on the treadmill for cardio the days I'm off.  I LOVE it...  It is nice that we are both doing something about our health together so we can support each other. 

Dapper...it seems that he is getting older and older.  He sleeps alot more, snores more, and his dog beard is getting greyer and grayer.  He turned 10 in September...




That's what I have for now.  I'm going to try harder to keep this blog going!  It is a constant battle, but I want to remember things about the kids and the fam.

Tata,
Carrie