Do you know the muffin man?

Here's the scenario...I am in the kitchen...ready to begin some kind of baking adventure. When suddenly I hear the crash of toys being dropped and the pitter patter of little feet...running to the kitchen...a chair being dragged across the tile floor and "I want to cook!" coming from my littlest chef. Usually this happens when I turn on the mixer...but often, as though using a 6th sense, B runs in to find me assembling the ingredients. I love it!

30...it's really not so bad

So, I just turned 30...and I'm here to say that it's really not bad. I wasn't worried about it but it seems like most people are really doom and gloom about the big 3-0. I started the morning off at the gym and then headed in for a quick eye brow wax...got home for breakfast and then over to coach a soccer game. When we got home, we just did the normal lunch, B nap, afternoon things and then got ready for my date with Marc. We planned to go to this Italian restaurant I have been wanting to try.
So, we took the kids over to my good friend's house and Marc thought it would be good for me to help him "deposit" the kids because they "are better for me". Clueless as I am, I walked right into the middle of a well-planned surprise party. Marc worked on it for weeks, sending emails to coordinate hidden parking, food, good friends, pinata, a slide show and the perfect gift (I've been drooling over a Cricut Expression for months). Thanks to everyone for making it great!

Coach Strong

We have officially come to the "beginning of the end" of parenting and signed M up for soccer. All of his little buddies were playing and you can request to get your kid on the same team as their friends...so we took the sports plunge. He seems to love it (actually, I think he just loves running...and if the ball comes with it, so be it).
When we signed him up, they were looking for coaches and had a spot on the page to volunteer to be a coach. In my "condition", I figured I would sit this season out but Marc asked me why I didn't just coach his team. I figured that (with just three days before the parents' meeting) they would already have a coach but decided to call anyway. They took my info and said they would get back to me so I figured I was in the clear until the next day when I got my first phone call from a parent asking me for info on when our team was going to practice, where, etc. I said, "Oh, so am I the coach?" Apparently I am, they just forgot to tell me.
So, it has been lots of fun. I enjoy working with the kids and it reminds me of my old day job a little bit. We are still in the young league where there is no score-keeping and the coach is on the field, running around with the team throughout the game. I feel like a bit of a spectacle...big momma on field #2...but it keeps me busy...and I count the game as my workout for the day.

BRING ON THE PINK!!

It's a girl...enough said!!

WHAT'S UP WITH THAT??

Ok, so I am admitting this on the WWW...I am not so good on technology. I want to say that it is genetically inherited from Mom (I still love you though)...but maybe it also comes from a lack of care. I only care when I can't figure out how to do something I want to do.
For instance, I have spent the past two days trying to post pics on the blog...and it isn't letting me. So, I just get more annoyed and think of other things I can't figure out...like how all of the rest of you make and change your blog backgrounds to all of the super-cute background all the time. Yeah, I've been to the "free blog background websites" but I am either too technologically challenged, or not patient enough to read it more than once...maybe both.
Ok, I've said my piece.

Christmas down on the "Ranch"

After a great weekend with Marc's fam, we mosied on down to my parents' for Christmas. The boys were so excited to get Uncle Adam and new Uncle Jimmy all to themselves...something about those uncles...they can't get enough.

We enjoyed many nights of caroling...a Hrnicirik family tradition (although apparently we missed the "good" nights). I think even Marc enjoys it now. M was definitely the star this year (sorry Jimmy, maybe you will can practice and be it next year). He stood in front, often holding the goody, singing and dancing to songs...ones he was still learning the lyrics. But he sang out loud and proud...oh to be 4 again!

As usual, we got way too much from a very generous Santa and all had a grand time full of food, fun, love and controlled chaos.

The boys, but B in particular pretty much lived on "tWeats". Ahh...good ole' grandma's house...with goodies in little trays and bowls everywhere. If B wasn't eating dinner, grandma just sprinkled it with reeses pieces, of course. As you might imagine, we have spent the past month trying to undo the treat bonanza. B wakes up and asks for "tweats" right away. I figured that if he was going to be asking so much, we should work on the pronunciation. So, Marc and I worked with him. Say "R". Say "rabbit". Ok, say "tReat". So now it is, "Mommy, I want a Rrrabbit, tweat." Nice try.

Pre-Christmas Festivities

So...I realize that it is nearing the end of January...but rather than skip all that I have missed, I will just touch on some highlights.

The week before Christmas, Marc's parents, sis and her kids came to visit. Nothing can be better than guests! We had a blast. I think M and B wish their cousins could just move in. We did all kinds of fun things from touring the festival of lights to dancing with Grandpa in the living room. Thanks for coming and for all the great memories!!

The night before they left we had a mini family Christmas and exchanged all of the gifts with each other. This experience really re-confirmed my philosophy on children and gifts...the first one or two are AMAZING, EXCITING...and totally sufficient. Do kids really need a million gifts? I am likely just a mean person, but I say, "NO!"