I don't know anything

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8

After Nap Time

Today, I put PG down for his nap. I could hear he wasn't sleeping but we were doing school so I let him play in his crib thinking if he wanted to get up he would let me know. It is not atypical to go in his room after a nap and find the contents of his crib on the floor. But here is what I found when I entered the room today (no picture as someone might find it offensive):
All the contents of his crib on the floor, the only thing left in the crib was the mattress (no sheet) and PG. He had no clothes and no diaper on. I was shocked. We have had the same crib mattress for 6 years. It is old and was torn up pretty well. So the other added bonus was the foam was drenched. I called my husband up from downstairs. He said "This is a disadvantage to working at home. I am only suppose to hear about these things at the end of the day not see them." We bought a new mattress today and PG says, "Me no pee in my bed. Me no take my diaper off." At least he is learning. Maybe its time to potty train!

Our Goddaughter

Isn't she a cutey?

RA is reading

DG started asking to read a little before Christmas when he was 4 so I thought the first of the year this year we would start and see how RA did. She is a natural. She is sounding out her three letter short a words. She even read two sentences today. Watch out DG she is right behind you! Love those Little Angel readers. Speaking of reading DG is reading his first chapter books -- The Magic Tree House series. Each school nights we take turns reading one page for a whole chapter. He is really doing well and is proud to be able to read such a "big" book.

Co-Op (Caritas Christus) Art Class today

So today we had our first art class of the semester. DG & RA learned about Van Gogh. I think DG was most impressed that he drew a knife on Gauguin and then cut off (part) of his own ear and mailed it to him. But they also learned that Van Gogh used thick bumpy paint and that one of his most famous paintings were of sun flowers. So they got to paint with paint mixed with flour to create a bumpy effect. One picture of a flower and one self-portrait. Notice DG's hair is orange not red.

PG did watercolors only he left off most of the color part and concentrated on the water, but boy he went to town on his coloring.

10 Things...

The game goes as follows... you are randomly given a letter and you must list 10 things you like that start with that letter.
I got the letter D! So in no particular order....
1. My son "DG"
2. The Divine - God (like just doesn't quite go far enough)
3. Dancing - I took ballet for 7 years but I really like country swing
4. Doughnuts - must boycott Krispy Kreme right now though
5. Disney - tried to boycott for a while but convinced myself they have gotten better - I mean how do you give up on Winnie the Pooh.
6. My daughter - should have thought of that sooner
7. Dark chocolate
8. Diet Caffine Free Coke - really it runs through my veins
9. Denver (ok all of Colorado but its D)
10. Day dreaming

how about a twist? 10 things I DON'T like that start with D. Again in no particular order....
1. Dirty clothes
2. Dallas Cowboys - when you grow up in Colorado you can't
3. Dancing with the stars - I think I am the only one out there
4. Days of Our Lives - this is for my college friends who read this. I have broken the habit. I can't believe how much time I use to waste.
5. Defiant children
6. Dandelions (unless gathered by my children)
7. Doodles on my furniture and walls
8. Dogs - ok I can tolerate them but if I could have a pet it would be a cat
9. Digits below 0
10. Dirty Dishes

Wanna join in? Let me know and I'll send you a letter.

My husband rocks! Saturday

Another blogger did this and I thought what a great plan so...

1. Where did you meet?
At a volunteer youth ministers training day at our parish. He was wearing all black and a crucifix. I thought he was a seminarian (but I still thought he was cute.)

2. How long did you date b/f you were married?
Well now that is an interesting question from Oct.-Feb. 1994-95 and then from 11 months in 1999-2000. Then married July 1, 2000. But we won't mention those in-between years.

3. What does he do that surprises you?
Still thinks I'm pretty.

4. What is your favorite quality of his?
His sensitivity

5. What is your favorite feature of his?
His broad shoulders

6. Does he have a nickname for you?
Sweetheart

7. What is his favorite food?
(That I make): stuffed shells, in general Chilean sea bass

8. What is his favorite sport?
Hockey. He played growing up. He was actually the team captain his senior year of high school. And although I can't skate to save my life. My favorite times with him when we were dating was when he took me skating. He always made me feel so safe (except when he spin me so fast I couldn't see anything).

9. When and where was your first kiss?
Oct. 27th 1994 outside my dorm room -- Not that I remember

10. What do you like to do together?
Watch movies and talk

11. Do you have any children?
Three living and five in heaven

12. Does he have a hidden talent?
If he does he is holding out on me, too.

13. Who said "I love you" first?
I honestly don't remember...but knowing me it was probably me

14. What is his favorite type of music?
Classical guitar

15. What do you admire most about him?
The amazing man of God he is and how he wants to lead everyone, but especially his family to Christ and His church

16. Do you think he will read this?
Some day :)

Did you know...

Theres chocolate bacon? http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars

Epiphany

We, as many of you know, exchange gifts as an immediate family on Epiphany. We would do it on the 6th, but usually Mass that day is less than triumphant so we do it on Epiphany Sunday. Usually I make a king cake, one that most people are familiar with at Mardi Gras. Actually a king cake is typically made by one person on Epiphany and whoever gets that baby makes the cake on Mardi Gras. But I was tired this year and my king cake recipe involves yeast and braiding and we didn't do a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas so we did a quasi-one on epiphany. Thus the trip to the candy store.



We decorated the Christmas tree when we got home from Colorado. PG continued to tell us, "Tree in my h-ou-se."

We also decorated the table and ledge in the kitchen. The nativity set is from Bethlehem.



The kids enjoyed opening presents and PG loves cars.

Modesty - Great clothes, wonderful thoughts and great blogs

A wonderful friend of mine recently told me about a blog I would love. Boy she knows me well. It is http://likeawarmcupofcoffee.blogspot.com/ The author is a christian mom who blows me away. The ministry she is offering to moms is amazing. Right now she is doing a series on modesty and in today's post she suggested we check out this amazing clothing line. I have never been able to find such a cute and modest swimsuit. This was my favorite but there was other amazing stuff. You should definately check it out. http://www.christa-taylor.com/

DG's Christmas Poem

The Helgoth Christmas Party

I was an only child for 13 years. My parents came from families of 4 and 5 kids. I wasn't use to big family get-togethers. Christmas was my parents and I until my sister was born. Occasionally we spent a Christmas with some other relatives (my dad's) but usually not. So when I met Blake and heard his dad was one of 10 kids, I had no idea what to imagine. I have had several experiences of the Helgoth clan now and I love it. But a Christmas party with everyone there, a kid's gift exchange, Mexican food, and a white elephant gift exchange for the adults was one of the most fun, funny, and greatest experiences of family I have had yet. Oh and I wish I had gotten a picture of my father-in-law (calm, quiet, gentle) stealing a gift from his aunt. You'd have to know him and see her to know how funny it all was, but trust me I haven't laughed that hard in a long time.
The car ride there.
Don't you know they are up to something?

Ok, she stold this from Blake. It plays "White Christmas" while the dog pees on the snowman and the snowman has a yellow light inside that lights up where the dog pees.

I didn't know I was related to Cinderella.

He got a game that is for people over 30. That is the tag line.

She got black light silly string. Her mom stole her Starbucks gift card. Her own mother!

Ok this dog has real fur. I didn't get the picture when she stuck her hand in the box. She looked like she might puke. I did however get the next 30 seconds or so on film.

Ok Christmas Day, finally

We spent Christmas day at my parents in Colorado Springs. My mom has not spent Christmas with her parents since two years before she got married. The year before she went to my dad's parents' house. All her siblings (except her sister that passed away from cancer two years ago) were there. It was great. My husband's parents were there too. RA did throw up that night, but she recouped quickly. Good thing too; we flew home the next morning. Christmas day was great, though.

DG's chess set

My Mom and her dad

The kids headed to the tree

I think this was a hug

Blake's mom, RA and "Isabella", and Katie

My mom's sister, their mom, and my mom

The family

Kid in a candy store

In case you live in Carmel and you haven't tried it out, you must go to the new candy store on Rangeline. I am baking a cake for epiphany. No king cake this year, no one eats it but me and we didn't get to do a birthday cake for Jesus this year and everyone was looking forward to making the candy train cake so... I am making the candy train cake for epiphany (pictures to follow after Epiphany). Anyhow, we needed candy so we went to the new store. RA walked in first...and stopped. She couldn't go any further. She just stood there with her mouth wide open. It took them nearly 40 minutes to decide how to spend $1.00. The woman who was working even let them sample whatever they wanted. It was fun, they had some old favorites and some new things. I don't get the over the top sour stuff, but if it floats your boat. We got our cake decorations and some extra sweets to boot. And now everyone is sleeping off their sugar crashes.