Holiday Traditions...

The Turkey is cooked & consumed...it is now socially acceptable to have your Christmas tree up and lit. Granted, as you know from this post, mine was up last week which means I am a social outcast...

...moving on...

Now I can confidently tell you about one of our little family's tradition here in the Pacific Northwest. My husband, the smart one in this relationship, came up with quite a brainy idea the year Cade was born. Each year we will purchase a 'special' ornament just for Cade ~ and then add a new one each year until he turns eighteen...

So that is what we have done. We have (2) beautiful leather boxes dedicated to the the boys that will hold EXACTLY 18 ornaments a piece...and here are this year's ornaments! Cade picked his out this year & Mo...well, I am not letting him near the Christmas store for at least 3 more years...He gets the Monkey!

Last year we decided {I did that is...} that they need their own tree...it will contain their 'special' ornaments and all their 'school' made ornaments {well, those school ornaments that pass the mommy test}. I must say it is a cute little thing and they love it too!

Here's to starting your own traditions...

Black Friday Blog...

We all know what Black Friday is, right? The day retailers across the US plot ways to get customers into their stores first so that their profits can {hopefully} bolster a dismal year of sales.

Well this year I fell victim to the hype. So in my normal way of coping with my mistakes, I am going to give my thoughts to those who are nice enough out there to listens...

Never underestimate how crazy 'nice' people can become when they are forced to wait in lines before the sun rises.

Crowds at 4:00 in the morning look no different than crowds at 1:00pm...there is just more merchandise to choose from on the shelves.

Always go with someone...their name shall be 'line holder'...and they will earn a steak dinner after just two stores.

Make-up is optional.... Or you can just go to sleep with make-up on and you are ready to walk out the door at quarter to 4:00. I would never do this of course.

People laugh a lot in the morning, probably because they are crazy. I like this...a lot.

Just stay in your nice warm bed unless you are making a LARGE purchase. The lines are not worth saving $2 on a pair of socks.

Black Friday should not be about you. You can buy for yourself 364 other days of the year.

After one store, you can always go back to bed...then when your husband rolls over and says with and alarmed voice, "Honey, aren't you going to go out?" You can just smile and thank your lucky stars that you are not still partaking of the chaos.

And last of all, not that I would do this, but you can write your blog while you are waiting in line... Just to save time.

Happy Shopping all you crazies...

[Wordless] Wednesday...

Our little chef...

TT (Tuesday's Thoughts)...

I guess these are sorta little Random Ramblings...except these all come to mind on TUESDAY! So hey, here I go...

What is my next book addiction going to be? I need a break from Vampires for just a little while please...

Have my hands always looked this old?

Why do I start crying during movie previews? anyone else do this? Example: The Blind Side (Which I can't wait to see)

Can I consider raking leaves an exercise? or even putting up Christmas decorations? I am sure that I burned a lot of calories doing both this past weekend.

I love the holidays... people are just happier this time of year.

In the word's of Shrek..."People are like onions, they have lots of layers."...Seriously!

Why can't we just be direct in all our conversations with friends, families, clients, strangers...I just want to know what you really think or feel or taste or (the list goes on)... I don't want the bologna.

...and thoughts are gone. Night Night!

Not Me Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.


I so did not put up our Christmas Decorations this weekend. I mean, come-on, Thanksgiving isn't even over yet.



I did not try to make a quick trip to the mall, and then quickly regret it and come back home after circling the parking lot for 5 minutes looking for a spot. I am much more patient than that!

I did not find myself standing in line at 11:00pm on Thursday Night waiting to get into the Midnight showing of New Moon. I promise I am not a crazy Twi-hard. I just play one on Blogger.

Huh-Uh you didn't...

Confessions/Observations of a wanna be runner...

So, I ran another 5K today. (and yes, I am extremely proud of myself) On my ride home I just started smiling uncontrollably as I thought about my trek to this point, and then some of the things I observed in today's race...Here are just a few things snicker, snort that I noticed and experienced.

Here are my dry feet before the race (Yes, my feet are narrow & long...these are 10 1/2 babies! ~ normal shoe size is 9...). Those of you that have never raced, the black rectangle on my right foot is the timing chip...it's a teeny, tiny piece of technology that is going to keep track of my time. Also, notice my new running tights. No more water logged pant bottoms, these babies aren't moving from my ankles...LOVE THEM!


I love my shuffle...though somehow, after the race I can't remember a single song that played in my head. Anyone else get like this???


All the free food and sport drinks offered after a race are pretty cool. Though I do not see how cupcakes fit into the equation. (yes, they had cupcakes there!) So that you all know I have a little bit of self-control, I did skipped the cupcakes.

Bananas are perfect for after a short race...if they are ripe! Nothing dries your mouth out faster than a green banana...I do appreciate the effort though.

Dear Coach Lemley, remember back during high school track when I looked you straight in the eye and swore I would never run further that a mile again in my life????...I lied.

Thank you Starbucks for your wonderful Sausage breakfast sandwiches. You are my go to protein provider after the race...


Ladies ~ Why are you wearing make-up? I promise no one is looking at you during the race...unless they are trying to run around you. Below is how I look after a race...look! I still don't have make-up on!


Dear Coach Bricker, remember in high school how poor a practicer I was? You used to shake your head and laugh at me. Well, it hasn't changed. I still compete better than I practice, thank goodness.

I completely forgot about the lovely metallic taste you get in your mouth after you run a hard, good race. yuck...please tell me this isn't just me.

Excuse me Mr. (or Ms.) Race Organizer...I think you should have at least tried to minimize the 20' x 10' puddle that existed right after you pass over the timing chip start mat. Just a thought for next year.


How is it possible that between getting in my car, driving home, and getting out of my car (30 minutes tops) the lactic acid had already started to kick in and I IS SORE!

So here are the results:
Time ~ 27:17
Overall Place ~ 248 out of 764
Division Place ~ 24 out of 148
Gender Place ~ 103 out of 497
Race Pace ~ 9:05 minute mile

Up Next: Resolution Run ~ January 1, 2010...the last .2 miles is a polar bear plunge into Lake Washington FUN!

The Adrenalice junkie is signing off...

Not Me Monday...

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. I haven't done one of these in a looooong time.


I did NOT just go five days without working out... and I do not feel like a complete schmuck because of it. Did I spell that right?

I am so NOT putting Christmas up starting Friday. I would never dream of putting it up BEFORE Thanksgiving. NEVER!

The boys and I made gingerbread men/cookies over the weekend. I love gingerbread, it is so uniquie in its smell and taste. So I would never consider sneak eating six a 'few' before they are cooled and iced. The boys did not suspect a thing!

HUH-UH...you DIDN'T!

Gingerbread...

A new tradition in the Rowan household. Last year we started the holiday season out with Reading 'The Gingerbread Man' and then also making our own...unlike the story, our Gingerbread Man was eaten by little boys, not a sneaky fox.

So this year we carried on and made it a true tradition.

I love the little hands, and how they can indeed be delicate...

Mine...

Would you like some Gingerbread with those M&M's Cade????

I told Morgan to open his eyes when he smiles. Be careful what you ask for...

Again Mine...I love the way they turned out. Also glad that my boys favorite colors are complimentary colors. Is that symbolic????

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread Mommy...

I'm still around and strange things are still occuring in my life...

Hi Everyone!
How have you been?
Great to hear.
Me?
Yes, I am doing lovely.

Plese don't be mad, I am back and here is what happened the last 'few' days...in no certain order (because honestly, who can remember anything after even a single day????).

I watched my 4 year old hit his head on the rim of the toilet while trying to pull his pants up. Really? How did he get soooo talented? Must take after his mother.

Cade is my favorite child. He likes Red Vines as much as me.

Morgan is my favorite child. He gives me kisses and tells me he loves me...spontaneously.

I was at work for over 16 hours on Wednesday last week. I work with some pretty incredible people. It was a long day.

I make the best Chicken Salad (recipe courtesy of my parents). I polished the whole recipe off myself. Apparently I don't share very well. Should I go to counselling?

I made gingerbread dough tonight...tomorrow you will get pictures of what the boys create...brace yourself, it could be very sweet.

I needed to vacuum today...Morgan just gave me a reason to actually follow though.

'Lovely'...My new favorite word. I like to say it and like to hear it. It's a lovely word.

New Moon is less than a week away. Cracking the book tonight for a quick re-read.

I have a great sister, who I got to talk to tonight. I miss you and need to come see you soon in Minnesota...

I signed up for the Turkey Trot 5K next weekend...After the race there is a Mashed Potato eating contest. "Hey race sponsors, I am pretty sure that people that run in the race will NOT be partaking in the eating contest. Call it a hunch."

I have read the below book no less than 9 times this week. It is quite sweet and Mo loves it...

I watched 'Love Actually' last night. What a great flick, and I highly recommend it...Why, Why, Why do I have such a fetish for Hugh Grant? Notting Hill, About a Boy, Love Actually...the list goes on and on.

Prepare yourself. I am sure I will have at least two more postings this week. I have so much to tell you, kinda.

Night everyone...blog you later.

Almond = Joy...

First of all, I am supposed to be on Weight Watchers. I do good 75% of the time... it's that 25% slice that messes EVERYTHING UP.

See these...

I had NO IDEA how good they were, until today. At 36 I tried my FIRST EVER Almond Joy...One of my sweet, sweet co-workers told me that it had to take at least 5 mini ones to equal a whole NORMAL sized candy bar...

Too bad I ate at least 10 of them.

[*sigh*]

So I came home...packed Mojo into the car and he played at the YMCA Adventure Zone while I ran 3 miles on the treadmill to at least off-set some of the above sweet coconut goodness.

The nice thing about Weight Watcher is that the next day is always a NEW day...

Here is to new beginnings...

Our Soccer Star...

So let me just lay it out there for everyone's ears.

I am not one to say, "Good Job!" to anyone when their effort isn't there.

I am not the one that is going to make you feel "All warm and fuzzy inside" if you were almost there but it wasn't in your heart.

I am a true believer that you should NEVER force a child to do something that they don't like or want to do ONCE they have given it a good try.. In this specific case ~ Soccer.

We, like other parents have tried our children at several activities...

Gymnastics ~ failed (let's just say a child with Cade's energy has no business around gym equipment) Will Cade ever try it again? Maybe, but it will be his choice, not ours.

Skiing ~ complete success. I wanted him to start learning to snowboard...he said no, not yet. I LISTENED...

Soccer ~ nailed it; unbelievable success. He now does both fall and spring season.

Football ~ Sorry, I just can't put a 7 year old, who still hasn't passed the 45lbs. mark in pads & a helmet and feel good about that decision. (Morgan on the other hand, he is going to play football next year...because soccer for him ~ COMPLETE failure.)

Okay, off my soap box and on to what this post is ALL ABOUT. MY CADE!

He rocked today, and I mean ROCKED. The kid was playing 3 postions at the SAME time. I have said it before ~ and I will say it again ~ I wish I could bottle this kids energy because it would be the stuff black markets are made of.

He went left when he was suppose to...

He stopped the ball on a dime...

He had shots at the goal...

He had assists at the goal...

He made great turns...

He protected the goal...

His kicks ROCKED!

He truly was the best kid on the field today. And coming from me, that is big (scroll back up and read the first 3 sentences)


This is how he ran for THREE whole quarters...

...he never gave up...

...even when the other team laid him on the ground...

...now here is a great drive...

Beautiful, long stride...

Completely out-maneuvered this boy.

...and again, he kept on moving...

...he never stopped, never gave up...

...and the best part ~ he was smiling the whole time. That's the kind of stuff that makes a parent proud. Not that they are succeeding in a sport, but that they truly LOVE what they are doing. And soccer, he loves it.

Now note to my Mom & Rod ~ Thank you for never pushing me into things I didn't want to do and for supporting me whole heartedly through ever cold football game and even colder track meets. I always knew you were their watching and it made me happy. I have you to thank for all my successes back then. I love you Mom and Rod!

Here's to my boys...I love you both!