The Countdown Begins

So every year I attempt to set some goals for myself for the new year. Being that I did not follow through on many from 2008, we'll see if any of these will get accomplished in 2009. Here is my countdown of New Year's Resolutions.

10. Scrapbook More!

Just like you, I have a bazillion picutres sittingin boxes. When you have a child, you get even more! I need to stay current with pictures. Sure, I managed to scrap Gracie's first year but now I am working on her first birthday book and that happened back in July! I will scrapbook more! Besides, TV shows all suck!

9. Learn to cook!

Many of you are probably laughing right now but since Gracie is eating real food and my husband is not home every night, I have to feed my child something and microwavable meals are getting old!

8. Too much junk in the trunk!

Yep. Call me K-Lo. I have come a long way since giving birth weight-wise. Won't tell you what I weigh and I can fit in my pre-baby clothes but a little more won't hurt either.

7. Quit bad habits!

We all have them. I have too many. Enough said!

6. Spend more time with my Husband!

This one will be tricky due to the wonderful world of Menards! Having a husband who is gone some nights and every other weekend, proves it a little bit more harder to find time for just us. Let's see....the last time we went out together by ourselves? Have no freaking clue! Anyone want to babysit?

5. Chill out!

I can get very stressed out very easily. With work and being a wife and mommy sometimes it can get overwhelming. I need to take a breather every once in awhile and mellow out with things. Besides, that's why they invented liquor right? Also, I am too blessed to be stressed!!

4. Save money!

I am not the best in this area and need to work harder at it. I really need to keep my life moving along so I am going to try my best and spend less. I am not a brand-namer but Target sees a pretty penny from me!

3. Have a baby!

I am 30 and the clock is ticking...........

2. Stay at home!

Yes, I would like to take a few years off work and stay at home with Gracie. Time is a flying away and instead of spending time with my own children, it's with other people's. Before I know it she will be in school and I will have missed these precious years. Besides, they will always need teachers!

1. Buy a house!

Been saying this for awhile too. This crackerjack box is a little too crampy for me now. I need space!!! Unless the economy picks up, this one will be hard to do but it is what I want to accomplish the most. If anyonw knows of anyone looking for a 2 bedroom, 3 full bath townhouse let me know!

There you have it! Happy New Year! May 2009 bring good health, good wealth and much happiness!

Special Presents

Gracie gave some very special presents this year. Grandpa recieved a "Gracie's Grandpa" hat and shirt. She knows that he will wear them proudly. Gracie also gave Grandma a "Gracie's Grandma" bag filled with all kinds of goodies like food, Yogos, Lucky Charms, a book, a CD, a movie, sippy cups adn more because Grandma watches her oen day a week while Mommy and Daddy are at work. Gracie also gave Auntie Amy a bag because she is her favorite aunt and Auntie has a thing for purses and bags. Gracie also helped me make a beautiful collage of pictures of her and Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa is always saying how there are more picutres with Grandma than with him so we tried to settle the score with that gift. I'm sure Grandma and Grandpa love getting all these "grandparenty" gifts!I wonder what next Christmas will bring them!

More Christmas Pictures!

This won't let me post too many pictures at one time so here are some more Christmas pictures. I will post more again later so you can see all the fun we had!

It was a Merry Christmas!

The Weiss family had a wonderful Christmas. We woke up this morning to find that Santa had left Gracie a kitchen set! She wasn't so sure about it when she woke up. She had to stop to pet Millie first but then she discovered that it was pretty cool. She has been banging around with it all day! She also got a Little People farm set with a tractor, a pink keyboard, a microphone to practice singing, books, movies, and even her very own rocking chair. Gracie gave daddy a Superdad shirt and a hat that says "Gracie's Daddy." Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa where Santa left a diner for Gracie there. It is so adorable looking like something straight out of the 50's. One side has the kitchen part complete with stove, sink, fryer, and ice cream freezer. The other side has a teal booth to sit in with a table. So darn cute! She loves that too. It came with the ice cream dishes and fake food so she was busy with that too. Auntie Amy gave Gracie a princess tent with a tunnel attached. She had fun crawling through that too. Gracie got tons more awesome gifts including some books that Auntie Amy made and she received her very own Cabbage Patch Kid. Her name is Emma Rosa and her birthday is July 21st. I still have mine somewhere too! Gracie gave Grandma and Grandpa a new pink car seat, a calendar with her pictures, a big collage of pictures that Mommy made, a "Gracie's Grandma" bag, a "Gracie's Grandpa" hat and shirt plus other things. So many gifts but so little space to put them all. I sat tonight looking at what used to be my living room. We did some rearranging in the kitchen to make it all fit. So many pictures where taken as well. I will have to post more as the days go on to show you. Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Merry Christmas from the Weiss family!

And God Bless Us Everyone!

It's almost Christmas and I am so excited! I can't believe where the time has gone. Gracie knows that Santa is coming tonight and she is so excited. She really has been a good girl. We are headed to Grandma and Grandpa's for dinner tonight. We will go back over there tomorrow for presents. Gracie can't wait to give Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Amy her presents! I think back to last year at Gracie's first Christmas. She had to sit in her bumbo chair because she couldn't sit up yet. She got so many toys and most of those she has outgrown by now. Time flies by and it really makes you realize just how precious these memories really are. I will surely treasure each and every one of them. I really have a lot to be thankful for this holiday and I am very grateful for all the happy, healthy people in my life. Merry Christmas everyone! "May God bless us everyone!"

Miracles on 3rd Street

All the little miracles of 3rd grade got together last night. We had our 2nd annual 3rd grade Christmas. Grandpa Gil dressesd up as Santa and was patient enough to let all the little kiddies sit on his lap (or at least try) while he gave them each a present. It is the cutest thing to watch. Gracie did not fair well as you can tell from the pictures. She is still sick that poor little thing but we are on the road to recovery. We went to Gracie's buddies who are Jake and Kyle. Although Jake wanted nothing to do with Santa, Kyle was the cutest. As Santa came in, he was crying because he was scared but still waved and said "hi" to him. Jackie and Jacob did well sitting with Santa alhtough Jackie was determined to keep showing Santa her little belly full of jelly. Little Brandon just covered his ears. Santa Gil gave Gracie a doll! We are getting quite the collection this Christmas so far. All of Gracie's little friends also gave her presents. She got some coloring books, reading books, playdough, and some bath toys. We are very fortunate that Gil does this for us. He is the best (and most patient) Santa by far. Like I have said before, I am lucky that I work with such awesome people. We really are great friends and it has been awesome watching our children interact with each other. Each year will keep getting better and better as the kids get older and really start getting into Christmas and really understanding the idea of Santa. As I sit here typing this trying to finish up my last mintute Christmas things, I realized that it really is a wonderful life. Not only because I just watched the movie but because "remember, no man is a failure if he has friends." Gracie and I are very blessed. Merry Christmas Eve!

We would have had a Blue Christmas without you!

The Weiss family braved the cold and ice and headed down to Highland on Saturday. Besides the short incident we experiecned in Springfield where I thought I had given Gracie and overdose of medicine, we had so much Christmas fun planned. On Saturday we went to Aunt Marsha's house. Cousin Jill had Gracie's name and she got some Dr. Seuss books and a peg farm puzzles that makes noises! Thanks Jill! Gracie loves them though. She had fun playing with her buddies Maddie and Sydney. They were being silly girls and climbing the couch but we did get some cute pictures of them. On Sunday we had Christmas with Papa, Grandma Vicky, Uncle Chad, Aunt Mandi, Kevin, Hunter, Jordin, Uncle Corndog, and all at Uncle Frog's house with Chisty, Alex, Drake, and Maddie (Angel and Sable too). Gracie is a luckly little lady because she got some dollies, one that talks when you move her hand, a toy puppy (because Daddy really wants a real one), clothes, and some more books. She really is getting into the dolly thing and I am so excited! Barbies here we come next! Maddie and Gracie had fun playing with the babies. We also went and saw Daddy's friends Ryan and Jody and their two kids Bailei and Ryley. They gave Gracie a pink keyboard and that kept her occupied on the car ride home today. We also made one more stop to Grandma Sue's and she must have thought Gracie was an extremely good girl this year because Gracie got a couple Little People sets and a Belle (Beauty and the Beast) tea set! (That will go great with what Santa may be bringing!) We had a great time visiting and seeing everybody. It's hard to always get together with family but we should make more time to do that. Gracie ended up getting sick while we were there. She had a runny nose before we went but today she woke up with a fever and was coughing so we visited Dr. Bierma today and he said Gracie had a sinus infection. Poor little thing! But at least she has an antibiodic so hopefully she will feel better by Christmas! But anyways, thank you everyone for the gifts. You were all way too generous. We already miss you and hope to see you soon. Remember, you are always welcome to visit. Merry Christmas Highland Family! We certainly would have had a blue Christmas if we hadn't come!

Christmas Vacation

It's here! The most wonderful time of the year! Christmas Vacation started not a moment too soon! We did an extra day as an added bonus but that's fine with me. More time to enjoy the Christmas season! I sent home gifts and everything with my children yesterday. Not sure if we are going to Highland yet because of the weather and what it to come. It is supposed to be pretty chilly later this weekend and we don't want to breakdown with Gracie in tow. Now I can be a stay-at-home-mom like lots people I know. At least for a couple of weeks anyways!

I'll Be Home for Christmas! (just going to Highland for the weekend)

Yes, I just did post 3 different Weiss family elf dances. That's because I am leaving for Highland for 3 days and won't be able to post. I will be home for Christmas though and I can't wait. Be sure to watch all 3 because they are different. One I have already posted before but these are too cute. So now you can watch us whenever you want (in case you miss my posts.) We are planning on leacing tomorrow that is if the weather cooperates but I am thinking it is not. I can hear ice hitting my window as I type this. Not sure if I will have school tomorrow either. I sent my darlings home with Friday Folders and their Christmas gifts already. I hope eveyone survives the winter storm of 2008! Be safe!

Have a Swinging New Year!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Ya'll have a Merry Christmas!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Have a Groovy Holiday!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Gracie's Second Christmas!

Gracie's 2nd Christmas is fast approaching! I still can't believe my little girl is almost 1 1/2 years old! (She will be 18 months on New Year's Day) Time really does go much faster once you have child and it's sad because that means I am getting older. Last year 's Christmas will be much different from this year's. Last year we had to prop Gracie in her bumbo chair and open the presents for her. She didn't show much excitement and she couldn't move around to play with her toys. This year I am anticipating a different scene. This year Gracie will be able to open her own presents, bring them to us to open them, play with them, drag them all over the house, show her excitement by laughing and talking. Although she does not understand the "Santa" thing yet, I have a feeling we will still leave out cookies and milk. Although she did not want anything to do with sitting on his lap at the mall, she knows who he is because when you ask her where Santa is in her books, she points to him and says "ta". (I am so excited to start our little family traditions.) It is going to be exhausting fun! I can't wait. Santa will come and leave her gifts Christmas Eve so they will be there when she wakes up in the morning! I can't wait! Next year she will be singing Christmas carols and wishing us "Merry Christmas." It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Grandma's Father Christmases

Christmas decorations are my all time favorite things! If I could leave them up all year I seriously would but since I don't, I do start decorating the day after Halloween. One of the reasons why I do this is because I have inherited a collection of pieces that my Grandma Korth painted. She was a very talented artist and sold many of these Father Christmas figures at craft shows for years. Every year she would give my mom, Amy, and me one for Christmas. Sadly enough, we do not recieve any at Christmas anymore. My Grandma passes away in March of 2005. Christmas has not been the same since then. I have very fond memories of her coming to our house every year. And I knew exactly what she would buy me too: bubble bath, a lifesaver storybook and a Santa. Just last year, we decided to go through the ones that were left as we couldn't bear to sell them. They really are detailed pieces; no two alike. The eyes are those of my great-grandfather and they also remind me of hers and now Gracie's. I really miss my Grandma especially at this time of the year and not a day goes by that I don't think of her. I know she is smiling down on me all the time and I am pretty sure she had something to do with me having a girl. Girls were her favorites you know. But even without the precious Father Christmases around everyday, I can look at my darling daughter and see my Grandma because Gracie has her blue eyes. Be thankful for those you hold dear in your lives.

A Merry Mueller Family Christmas!

Yesterday was the annual Mueller Family Christmas party. It is a fun event where all of my dad's family comes together. If you know my family, this is hard to accomplish since there are 13 kids, courtesy of Grandma and Grandpa Mueller, 36 grandchildren (that includes me) and many more great grandchildren (that includes Gracie). Since our family is larger than most, the past several years we have resorted to renting a hall to party in. I miss the days of crowding in Grandma Mueller's house. Us kids would sit on the porch with our new toys and send one person in to bring back food like apple studel (my Grandma made the best!). Now we can spread out and the little kids can run around. My cousin Bobby plays Santa and calls out who the presents are for and who they are from. My Uncle Bob used to do it and it still doesn't seem quite like Christmas without him hollering out the names. I will always remember him most for his role as Santa. This year cousin Kate had Gracie's name and she got an animal hospital that she just loves! Gracie had fun even though she clung to mom for alot of it. She is not used to so many people. She started running around a little bit. Next year she will be off and running. It is so nice to see everyone and catch up. I really only see most of my family like twice a year. (Uncle Jerry throws one mean of a Mueller 4th of July party!) My counsins (fellow porch-sitters) and I posed at the tree. It's fun to think about the times that we had on Christmases past. There is a picture of us when we were quite young sitting on our Grandpa's lap with all our Cabbage Patch Dolls. A few years ago we made a video at the party called "The Mueller Witch Project." (long story but oh so funny). Anyways, it was a great time. Lots of yummy food and of course we had the $1 girft exchange which was quite funny and we played Left Right Center. It's always sad to think of those that can't be with us any longer at these functions but I know they are looking down at us and smiling.

Gracie's Christmas Jammies

Having a girl, there's no doubt that it's hard not buying clothes for them. They are so darn cute! I admit I spend a pretty penny here and there on clothes for Gracie. Knowing that she won't wear them that long is a drag because I can always find clothes that I want to buy her. She has a few Christmas outfits already. Well, Grandma also thinks so because she buys Gracie clothes too. The other day Grandma bought these adorable Christmas jammies. They are the two-piece set with Christmas kitties on them. They are a little big but they work. They are comfortable and Gracie loves them too! They are the Nick and Nora brand from Target. Chuck doesn't know yet but next year, we will be in matching jammies for Christmas! And just like my little girly-girl, what outift, even jammies, wouldn't look good without a hat?

Girls (and little boys) Christmas!

Tonight was our girls Christmas party! All of my girlfriends were there with their little ones. We decided to do Secret Santa since none of us has the dough to spend on everyone anymore. Gracie's little bff's were there too. For Allie, Scott, and Sean, this is their first Christmas so it was very exciting! The kids got to play and the moms got to eat, drink, and play Christmas trivia (which I rule at by the way). Dana has my name in the gift exchange and I got a a gift card to Chili's. Good thing the diet is not starting til mid-Januaryish maybe. Amy, Anne, and Lindsay were also there with no babies but they need to get cracking at that job. These kids need more friends! Anyways, Merry Christmas and to all a good night!

We Believe!

Today at school I must admit we had some fun. We had been studying the book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg in reading all week. Now this is one of my favorite books and movie. Today, with it being Friday, we camed to school in our pajamas and watched the movie comparing it to the book which we had been reading all week. I love pajama day! (I also participated as you see). Anyways, for some reason, I always get choked up at the ending. As a result I gave my kids a bell with an attached note stating "The bell still rings for all those who truly believe." I told them that I hope they will forever believe. Madison, Jake, Mallory, Alex C., Ciara, Kirsten, Jonny, Parker, Caitlyn, Blake, Brooke, Cassie, Karis, Adrian, Charlie, Patrick, Cade, Karina, Bonnie, Sarah, Trey, Chris, Alex W., Rachel, Crystal and Mrs. Anderson beleive! I hope Gracie will always believe as that as an important part of Christmas! I can't wait until she wants to see Santa (which we tried the other day but she kicked and screamed and Santa would let us get her picture taken), leaves cookies for Santa, and write letters to him. That is some Christmas fun yet to be had that I anxiously await. I hope all you reading can still hear the sweet sound of Santa's sleigh bell ringing. Can you? I believe! Do you?

Dear Santa, We Want a House for Christmas!

So here is what the Weiss family room looks like on any given day. It is so terribly hard to keep your house clean when you have a toddler running around touching EVERYTHING! I think back to last year at this time and I had no problem. Gracie couldn't walk or even crawl so toys were kept neatly put away in baskets and such. Now it is the complete opposite. I used to at least pick up her toys every night but mostly now I don't even bother. It will be messed up again the next morning. At least most of the toys are kept in one room. For those of you who have never been to my house, we have one big open kitchen and family room so toys leak into the kitchen and occasionaly up the stairs. Once you pick it up, Gracie will go and pull it right back out only to carry it a few feet, drop it, and find another toy she wants to play with. RIght now she is really into books so she has a ton. She has a bookshelf in her room that is full but doesn't touch. She has a bunch in our family room aka toy room that we try to stack neatly but that doesn't work. You can also tell when she has been playing in my room because my books will be pulled off the shelf and my purses will be scattered all over the room. (Yes, I am making her into a girly girl. She loves carrying purses around on her shoulder.Let's hope she doens't ask for a Coach purse anytime soon). She is slowly learning how to clean up but for now she really only utilizes that skill in the bathtub for some unknown reason. So if anybody wants to come over, you will have to wade through the toys to find a seat. We have tried making our finished basement into a toy room by saying "Adios" to my Wizard of Oz stuff and putting toys down there. RIght now though the basement is just one big mess as we have been wrapping Christmas presents. We are just out of room in this little crackerjack house. Our coffee table is shoved against the wall even. And when Santa brings his present, I have no idea where to put it. I keep seeing the commercial for Jared, the Galleria of Jewlery and they say "Oh, he went to Jared." I hope Chuck goes somewhere where I can say "Oh, he went to Remax."

Dear Santa, if you get this, the Weiss family would like a house with a toy room for Gracie and a basement because there are storms.

Sincerely,

Kris, Chuck, Gracie, Hazel and Millie Weiss

P.S. We have tried to be really good this year!

Pancake Breakfast

Well, Gracie likes pancakes! She has been eating them for some time now. We order them at restaurants and she eats them at the babysitters for breakfast too. Since Mommy doesn't cook (or know how to make pancakes for that matter) she doesn't get them that much. Daddy decided to make breakfast for his lovely ladies the other day so Gracie didn't even give us time to cut it up for her. She just grabbed it and wanted to start chowing down. She has been much better with eating real people food. For those of you that don't know, Gracie used to be somewhat of a chipmunk by stuffing as much food as she could in her mouth and then letting it sit in her cheek. It made her cheek quite chubby but she refused to chew and swallow it. Then like half and hour later, she would laugh and it all fall out or she would end up spitting it out. Well now I think she has the hang of it. She still stuffs her face full of food but whatever. She used to only like puffs and eat them like they were going out of style. Puffs are like candy for babies and I am surprised she did not get fat from eating them so much. Anyways, Gracie certianly enjoyed her pancake breakfast courtesy of Daddy. She even wiped her face when she was finsihed. Such a proper little lady!

Gracie the Red-Haired Girl

Gracie loves Rudolph! At home we have 4 characters from the movie (Rudolph, Herbie, the Abominable, and Yukon Cornelius). By pushing a button on any of them, they say a quote from the movie and then sing a song from a movie. Rudolph has a nose that lights up. Now Rudolph has always been one of my many favorite Christmas movies, but lately not so much. Gracie knows how to push the buttons and plays them ALL the time. I sing along without even thinking about it. I want to put them away but she loves them so much and plus it's almost Christmas so I can wait until December 26th. I played the movie for her thinking she would like it with all the singing but she did not. Grandma happens to have a bigger Rudolph that also sings. Gracie also knows how to play him as well as the Grinch and Winnie the Pooh. I don't know what it is about these nosiy toys but all I can say is "Gracie with your hair so bright, won't you turn off the toys tonight?"

My Little Ham

Gracie is turning into such a ham! She has actually starting posing for the camera! Unlike trying to get her to even smile for the Christmas card picture, I didn't even have to tell her to smile the other night. She held it long enough (because my camera has a few seconds delay) for me to get a good pic! She is very independant lately too and doesn't want me to help feed her or anything. She has been definately keeping us busy with keeping up with her. I could just eat up this little ham! Couldn't you?

Baby, It's Still Cold Outside!

For those of you that live around Chicago, you know what I am talking about. Can it be any colder? Winter really sucks! Last Friday we went to downtown Joliet to watch the Christmas parade. I had never been there and it is somewhat of a new thing because they did not have this when I was a kid. It was a chilly evening and Gracie had to be bundled up in her snowsuit because the parade was ove an hour long! Besides the hour it took to bundle her up in this thing, we had fun. Gracie was waving at the people and there were even dogs there so she was really excited. The part that she didn't like was that they were whipping all this candy at you. I don't mean toss, I mean full blown whips! She got pelted a few times but it didn't hurt her because she had so much padding on. Mind you she had like 3 layers on under this! Anyways, she fell asleep toward the end but woke up when Santa came by to remind him to stop at our house on Christmas Eve. Stay warm everyone!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Brrr....It's cold outside. Gracie thinks so too. Grandma bought her an adorable pair of pink and brown slippers. They look so comfy and warm. I wonder if they come in my size? Seriously, to bundle up a toddler adds lots more time to the already hectic mornings. Since I am not a morning person, and Miss Gracie is, I have a hard time getting both of us ready especially when Chuck is already at work. Once I have her attention, she sits in my lap and holds up her feet for me to put her shoes on (after she picks out which ones she wants to wear of course). Then she stands up and we put on her coat. She twirls around to get the arms in the sleeves. Next, we zip her up. Then we have to put on her hat and velcro it under her chin. Then she holds out her hands and I put her little mittens on. She looks so darn cute but then if you are not ready to go that very minute, she starts whining to go until you go. She seems to love getting ready for the cold unlike me. Her snowsuit is a different story. That thing is a trick and a half to get on and she doesn't put that on as willingly. Wait until you see her in that!

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub Again

Gracie had so much fun on Thanksgiving! She discovered how much fun bubbles were. Now we haven't officially had a bubble bath but the dish bubbles were a hit! Sure, we played with bubbles over the summer, she even has a bubble blowing machine but nothing compares to a bowl of suds. Gracie could have sat for hours playing and splashing in them. If you didn't read the last blog, she started with her dress on but then we ended up taking it off and stripping her down to her diapers and tights. We thought maybe a towel over her lap would keep her dress dry but we thought wrong. Anyways, Grandma already decided that on days when she babysits Gracie, they will escape the winter blues by having Gracie sit in the shower with a bowl of bubbles. It's not a bad idea since we are stuck in our crackerjack house too. There's not doubt that she will love it. Plus, she can still wear her diaper and I don't have to worry about her taking a poo in the tub like she did the other day. That was great fun and I hadn't even washed her yet. I had to quick yank her out, throw the toys in sink to soak in soap, clean the tub, refill the tub, and meanwhile my little darling took another poo on the carpet because I freaked out about the tub incident, she was parading around naked as a jailbird. Anyways, that's another story. Like I have said before, Gracie loves the tub, and even plays in there when there is no water in there. In fact, I keep finding non-bath toys in the tub because she puts them in there. Silly girl!

Scrub a Dub Dub-Gracie is Not in a Tub

Gracie is not only obssessed with dancing lately, but also water. She LOVES baths and I have a hard time gettign her out. Somtimes when I go to the bathroom, she comes in and I put her in the tub (with no water) and she sits in there and plays! Anyways, after Thanksgiving at Grandma's, the dishes were being washed. Gracie washed her hands at the sink but noticed all the fun bubbles from the dish soap. She started laughing and slapping them around. So Grandma got the brillant idea of putting some in a bowl and letting her sit on the counter and have at it. So we put her up there with a dish towel to protect her clothes. Well, we are pretty stupid because she was soaking herself right away! We ended up taking off her dress and she sat there with her undies and tights on (which of course got soaked and reeked of dish soap by the way) . So she had a ball. She just liked splashing her hands around in it. At least, she didn't try eating it. Thank goodness we are finally passed that stage. I took a bunch of pictures and tomorrow will play the video because it is too cute! I had no idea how I was going to entertain my little Gracie over the cold winter; well, here is a bubbly idea!