Whoever invented "Family Game Night" had never met my kids...

For Christmas I bought the boy the game Guess What I Am?. I thought they would get a kick out of it and a good time would be had by all.

I do not know what I was thinking. That seems to be my mantra these days, doesn't it?? Instead of having fun and playing, this kind of family activity always turns out to be more of a contest for who can throw the biggest fit.

The very first round R looked at his card (you're just supposed to hold it up in front of your face and not look at it, hence the whole guessing part.) Nobody was mad or upset, we said "wait, stop, don't look at it!" and was about to give him a new one...BUT he went off in a tirade about how everyone was so mean and he wasn't going to play and he ran off to his room crying.

Then a bit later we played the game a different way, as teams. Now, I don't even recall what happened exactly, but something went wrong and E burst out in tears and acted like his life was over because of it. Again, nobody was mad or upset, nothing really bad happened...but you couldn't tell that from the way he was carrying on.

Now that I think about it...when my parents were visiting back in November they brought us the game Pictureka. I know for a fact that E had to leave the game at one point because of his crying and fussing about something. And honestly it was probably more than one time. I also remember that R had his share of issues as well. I'm certain that Grandma and Grandpa were wondering what THEY were thinking when they decide to play a game with my children.

Does it really have to be SO hard to just get along and be happy and have fun for just a little while?? Don't answer that, I already know what you're going to say.

Oooh, this also reminds of the "The Guy" we saw in Souplantation. He was a father there with his children, I think there were 3 of them (they were behind me). As they were making their way to the table one girl starting complaining about how she couldn't hold her tray any more. They were all having some issue and were basically whining to him kinda at the same time. I believe the girl with the tray said she was having trouble (it was hard to really tell since they were all talking at once). And then he says..."You're going to have trouble in life, all of you!"

C and I busted up laughing, although we tried to hide it very well. It was the most PERFECT parent response I think I've ever heard. Ok, maybe not what a "perfect" parent would say, but what every real parent is thinking! And trust me, it is exactly what C and I have been thinking!

About 10 steps back in the pursuit...

So I decide today to take my brood to Walmart so they can pick out some stuff to buy with gift cards they got for Christmas. Just the 3 of them and me.

I don't know what I was thinking. Three children on the loose in the toy section of Walmart all heading in their own directions, its enough to put anyone in the psych ward for at least a month.

There was fighting and arguing and crying and whining and running off and a really grouchy mother who wanted to pretend like they belonged to someone else and quietly sneak off.

Eventually I convinced them that they should just get what they had already picked and save some money for the next time we were there. Seemed like a really good idea at the time. But now, its dawning on me that this means I'll have to take them back!

See...sanity is not even a speck on the horizon.

Trying something...

Our dog Abby just can't deal with stuffed toys with squeakers in them. She will not stop until she gets the squeaker (and ALL the stuffing) out. On Christmas she got a stuffed reindeer and she kept picking it up and shaking the crap out of it. Her head was going SO fast, it was absolutely hilarious. Its probably one of those "you had to be there things"...but I've been wanting to try to post a video here and decided I'd try my first shot with the dog. Oh and this is just a short snippet of her shaking the poor reindeer, she went on doing this for a good 5 minutes.

I have a confession to make...

Ever since my lame toe injury I haven't done even one 30 day shred workout. I have my reasons, but they are nothing but stupid excuses. The same stupid excuses that always derail me. I think maybe going from practically nothing to day after day after day of such an intense workout was a bit much of an endeavor. As much as I thought I wanted to do it, mentally I just wasn't ready yet. So for now I'm going to set more realistic goals. Doesn't mean I'll totally give up on the 30 day shred, but its just not going to be 30 consecutive days.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill towards men, women, children, and animals...

I want to wish everyone out there a very Happy Holidays!! Whatever you are celebrating, or even if you aren't celebrating anything at all...I hope your days are filled with happiness and blessings, and plenty of yummy things to eat!! Its been a fast and crazy year for most of us I think, so take some time to slow down for even a few minutes and enjoy the spirit and joy of this time of year!!

My family is enjoying a quiet day making sugar cookies and cleaning up in preparation for the huge mess that we'll have tomorrow morning! We don't have any specific plans for Christmas day, its going to be just the 5 of us here hanging out.

Huh, what do you know...

This post can be filed under "you learn something new every day". This probably doesn't really interest anyone, but hey, now I have 2 things I can list if someone ever asks me to tell something about me that nobody else knows!

I had an eye exam this morning. My grandfather had glaucoma and my eye pressure has always been on the high side so I go every year to get my eyes checked to make sure everything looks good. Plus I've had the same glasses for 2 years and they are terribly bent and the one lense is always falling out. They seriously need to be replaced.

Anyway... The doctor I saw was very descriptive about every test they did and what my results were and what that meant.

So the first new thing I learned was...I have a pigment spot on the back of my left eye. Its like a freckle. Isn't that trippy? Who knew you could have freckles in your eye?!?!

And the second new thing was...I don't actually have high eye pressure, mine are actually fairly normal. What I do have is thick corneas. And thick corneas can throw off the results of the tests that are usually done.

Thick corneas and a freckle in my left eye...the intricacies of the human body are really quite amazing!

Cool Book Giveaway!!

My friend Joleen from Granola Chicks is having an awesome giveaway on her blog, Hello, Jobi for an Usborne touch feely book...check it out and enter!!