Post Christmas Post

So, yes, Christmas is over. I remember always being so bummed when Christmas was all over as a kid. Sure, I had all the toys to play with, but the anticipation was all gone. Also, school was just around the corner. Now it's more of a relief when Christmas is over, especially when you have to host Christmas day. We don't cook all that much, and since it was Christmas we couldn't order out, so that makes us worry a little bit. Luckily my mom brought a ham that just had to be heated up, we made some pasta (I can do that) and we had some au gratin potatoes that needed to be cooked in the oven. Easy as pie. Speaking of pie, as usual we had way too many desserts.

Yes, that is a present cake with and edible bow. No, I didn't make it. See above.

But, what is Christmas about if not to over-indulge in treats? Oh yeah, gifts. I got to stay up until 1:30am on Christmas Eve to put together our daughter's Barbie townhouse. See, Toys R Us were nice enough to ship it to us in the regular box so when I picked up the kids from school one day it was sitting in front of the door for her to see. We tried to play it off that it might not be for here, but she wouldn't have it. Luckily, a friend at work came up with the idea that I put it together the night before and leave a note from Santa saying he had to drop it off early so his elves could come and put it together. She totally bought it. Kids.

The kids did let us sleep a little late on Christmas which was nice, but that meant Jenn and I were scrambling around all day to get things ready. I had actually just come home from picking up sushi, for an appetizer, when my mom and sister showed up. Of course my mom's first words were about the driveway being slippery, but she came early to get the ham going, so what could I say? Overall it worked out well. I think everyone had a good time.

On to other stuff. Because everyone else was doing it, I started a Tumblr blog. Or is it just a Tumblr? I don't know what all I'm going to put up there, but if this space is any indication, you know it is going to be awesome.

Also, if anyone is interested in joining our Flickr group go here and send me a message and I'll put you in. It's not an every day thing, but at least once a week. It should be fun; it was last year.

That's all for now. Happy New Year!

Thank God It's Monday

It's not often that you hear someone say they are happy it's Monday, but this was a busy weekend so a day at work was much more relaxing.

We had the family over for our son's birthday on Sunday so that means we waited until Saturday to really get things together for the party. Why plan ahead when you can be completely stressed out by time the party starts? That's our motto. Also, planning is for wimps.

Cool cake, huh?

Saturday started early with the cleaning lady coming at 7:45 AM. Way too early, I know. We left the house and took the dogs to the daycare place while we went to a few stores. We hit Home Depot (always a favorite) to pick up a few things for the house. Then headed over to Target. I think we got home at 11:30 AM, and I was already wiped out.

There was no time to rest, though. I had to paint the kids new TV room. Well, one wall anyway. Long story. Also, I had put together a large TV stand from IKEA. Let me tell you, there were a lot of pieces, and many were quite heavy. I don't know for sure, but I'm pretty sure there was some kid of steel support running through the top. That is the only explanation for the weight.

The finished product.

See, the reason I was doing all this the day before the party was because we got rid of our dinning room furniture and made the dining room an office. Makes no sense, right? Let me go on. The mother's on all sides of us were quite displeased with this idea. They thought every house should have a formal dining room whether it is used or not. So, Jenn really wanted to get as much done in the office area and the kid's room to show how it was going to work out.

I think I finished up the kid's room around 7 PM, or so. I said there were a lot of piece! And I had to paint and clean up. Cut me some slack. Jenn had bought a little shelving unit that she was nice enough to put together herself. She knew I wasn't up for building anything else that night. Though I did help her out by pointing out where she messed up and what she had to fix to make it work. The joys of working from a pictogram...

I don't think we did a whole lot at night, just some general clean-up.

Sunday was a not such an early start, I think we were up at 8 AM. Woo hoo! This was the massive get everything cleaned up day. Oh, and I got to do some of my favorite things, like hang pictures! You all know how I like doing that, right? Actually they turned out okay, which is amazing since there were three different sized frames. The only problem is now Jenn is going to ask me to hang more since I didn't screw it up.

The rest of the day was filled with picking up cakes, balloons, dropping of the dogs (again), replacing a light switch (unsuccessfully), bringing out card tables and chairs, lighting candles and getting everybody cleaned up since we all stunk of sweat.

Did we finish everything on time? Sure. But, as happens at all our parties, the last thing is in place just as the people show up. It's like that scene in Weird Science where everything is going into place just as Wyatt's parents are walking into the house. Except there is no nuclear missile in our living room. Though sometimes it looks like one has gone off in there.

So, yes, I was happy to go to the relative silence of work. I just wish I could nap there.

How was your weekend?

Bye! Have Fun! Vroooooom! Screeeeeech!

I dropped my son off at one of his first birthday parties where the parents don't stay. I say one of the first because Jenn dropped him off at one few months ago. It was the first for me though! Anyway I noticed something kid of funny.

Let's say you are having a party for adults. You invite friends, or family, and you tell them to come at 6:30pm. Does everyone show up at 6:30? No. The first people show up around 6:40pm, or so, with people strolling in at least until 7:15pm. That's what you do. Nobody wants to be the first to show up, and some people just like to make an entrance. It's fine, though. Everyone is getting together to have fun.

Now, let's compare this to a kids party. The party started at 11:30am; we got there at about 11:32am and the house was packed. Everyone was there within minutes of the starting time! Why, because they were dropping their kids off and going out to do whatever they can in those 2 hours that they have to themselves. Is it wrong? No, the kids are going to have fun, right? And some things are easier to get done on your own. Actually pretty much everything is easier to get done on your own. Besides, does your son or daughter want to go grocery shopping, clothes shopping, or to the local bar? (What? No, I went to work!)

I know I'm not the first person to notice this, but I find it funny. We'll see what happens when we have our next birthday party.