A Little Monner Christmas

Growing up, my parents always made or chose gifts for us that meant something.  I remember them all!  Skates, a round metal sled, skiis, a cherished game "I took a licken from a chicken," a play kitchen, my mom made my brother "C" and I quilts (the SOFTEST ever) in our favorite colors topped off with a special stocking full of fruit and goodies.  We never had much, but we had more than we needed at all times, and great care went into chosing our presents.  My folks wanted our Christmases to be MAGICAL in every sense.

I'm disturbed by the "new" Christmas. It saddens me.  Now that I have a family of my own, it donned on me that we can create our own Christmas and traditions. We don't have to engage in all the plastic Christmas boobery that is plaguing our holiday of late.  I want my Christmas back!  I want Monner to grow up remembering each and every year as a special one.  Here's what we did, and the traditions we have created.

We shop online, craft stores and local shoppes.  We make the presents when we can.  This year the ladies in the family received our home-made cleaning products, with special labels and baskets that Monner helped produce.  There was Banana Bread and necklaces made by a local artisan friend. 

We adopted a family of four. It's anonymous, except for that they make a list of each family member's wishes.  The wishes were small.  A jacket.  A small purse.  A blanket, some books, shoes. SHOES. I encourage anybody to adopt a family. It's an indirect way to make a HUGE impact on somebody's life. 

In our Village Santa visits every girl and boy atop a fire engine just before Christmas time.  You can hear the caroling coming from a mile away.  It's a Toys for Tots gig for the local fireman.  They send the "elves" to each family curbside.  This year Allie had a dollie or two to give.  I didn't think there was any way in hell she'd give up her beloved (beloved is an understatement) babies that weren't even opened yet.  To my amazement, she handed it over to the "elf" and said "thank you." Thank you.  My heart swelled. My kid. Gets it. Magic may commence after all.

It was a magical Christmas. We are blessed and can only hope that we are well enough to bless those around us.

Shopping at local toy store.



Doin work at my new Gnome desk that Gramma Melmo Made



My Elmo tent at Gramma's

My new Vaccum and bonnet.  You just shouldn't do work without a proper hat!




I was NOT going shopping with Daddy in anything other.

NOPE



My new Kitchen.

Monner's new Gnome house - Gnomes by Gramma Melmo

A little morning time on Christmas

Waiting for Santa to give my baby doll to 

Mama sees SANTA!



My pal, Mr. Drinch



Santa?  Meh... NO biggy

Dirty Lil Pone!

Allison loves to draw.  Allison loves Ponies.  Allison likes to have Grandma draw ponies.  I don't think this what was Grandma had in mind.

In other news, we've been busy teaching Allie to blow pick her nose, keep up with her fiber intake, and spend time in the wonderful fall weather.  I'm trying to instill in my Monner that a lady has to wear many hats...


I ride my Wheely, don't rollerskate don't drive no car

But Mama dint say nuffin bout no panz

Also, I'm gettin too big for this cage:

Snoozin' - I dooz it rawt!

I prefer deez dayz to be doin my livin in Snuggletown, but da Dadoo takes exception to dis:

Year of the Cat..., er Pone

If anybody wonders where my daughters interests lie lately they are as such.

Pone
Putting on Crocs that are too big for her
Wearing her baby bonnet
Pone
Baking
Reading Bears in the Night. Again.

Favorite things to say?

"No mam!"
"peeze?"
"hold?"
"Mama!  Ny Ny, HERE!"
"ding dang Dadoo!"
"poop"
"nope"

Here's Monner in action doing some of the things she loves best.  A Summer Fall Recap

Duck Mouf

RenFest

new ride!

Big, BIG PONE!!!Maniacal Killer of Caillou

 Heading out with ma Hat

 Another day, 'nother Pone

 State Fair!

Control Top

And what am I thinking?  Well, it's tough chasin a toddler grown-ass monkey 'round.  I also have a new job, which I love.  But mostly?  Most insightful thought that sums it all up?

I have not lost my baby weight.  Surprised? And I honestly think I'm the fattest mom in St. Anthony.  Seriously, these bitches must have sold their souls.  I'm not complaining too much because albeight thin, they don't have MY Monner, who's the best Monner in the land. And I'm also confident that THEIR lame, over-coddled offspring son or daughter doesn't use the term "DING DANG!!" to define anything she may be pissed off at at the time.  Example:  Ding Dang thighs!

 

But really, my life these last months has been filled with joy-filled, handling poopocolypses meaningful activities and awe-inspiring realizations.  Here's one:

5 Years ago I used to rummage through my bins of nylons and tights begging to find ONE pair, just ONE pair that was run free and NOT control top.  Today?  I rummage through my bins of nylons and tights begging to find just ONE pair, Just. One. Pair. of CT.  No, not the CT you're thinking. ControlTop.

Nuff said.

 Who is this model anyhow? AS IF, she needs CT, peeshaw.

Mama's Morning Glorfied Muffins

I call them "Glorified" because I've removed the oil/butter and sugar of Grandma Ronningen/Benson's tasty snacks.  They have the Husband's and the Monner's approval.  I'm not sure on the calorie/fat content yet, but I'm working on researching it.  Hope somebody can enjoy these guys as much as we all do!

Without Further Ado... I give you Mamas Morning Glorified Muffins:

1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup wheat bran

½ cup flax flakes

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups shredded carrots

1 cup raisins

½ cup finely chopped walnuts

¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut

¾ cup 1 apple, peeled, cored, and shredded

¾ c. apple sauce (home steamed)

¼ cup plain yogurt

¾ cup egg beaters

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix the  ingredients in blue in large bowl.  Mix the other ingredients in seperate bowl and then mix into the fruit/flour nut etc. mixture.  Pour into lined-muffin tin or oiled muffin tin without liners. 

Bake at 350 for approximately 30 minutes.  EAT.

Cause when Yer ridin' you need allz dee energeez u can getz!

What's OLD (um, me) is NEW again (other people)

We ate dis gy

It's been a while since I've gotten down with this ding-dang blog, heck, nobody reads it anyhoo, cept for me and Monner.  So, here's a presentation of what we've been up to, so years from now, people will think we're cool.

Now, I wish people DID read this blog because I need help with new recipes for budding toddlers with only four teeth and how to build a fence.  Yup, those two things.  Dad, if you're reading this... feel like a weekend trip up north???

Mama say it rude to ask a lady her age!

Wipe ur feetz if u comin in ma house.

My first Sub Sammich... whew!

I dint no hoo dis gy wir, but i lik him

Monner Mansion!

I love shoppin!

Mall of Monner on my burfday wif Auntie Dani

LEGO LAND! There were lotz o Mamas dare but only 1 daddyz. Mama call dem "Prairy Peeple" or some such

Easter Bonnet... One of my favorite Brimleys!

Some people get Easter Baskets, I get Easter Basketti!

Wont' you take me toooo... SNUGGLETOWN!

I found a new spot!

Mama!  Dares JUICE IN HERE!

Sleepin on my Lion

The State of Things

Well my Mom and Dad went on some sort of vakashunz, snuk out in da middle da night, i woke up to crazy ol ladies tryin to play wif meez.  It wur ok, but day doan alwayz no whut I likez.  For one thing, i likes my pannykooks wif Blu berrys, NOT applez- an my Juice wif veggies, don be givin me no fake stuffz wif dem tings dat mak ma but hurtz.

Den aftur a looooooong time,  my Mama and Da came home an i was reel happy!  We went on wheely ride after wheely ride!  and day brought me shaky Maracas, and a sweet poncho and DRUMZ wif my name on em!  den I got a book from Uncle Chee about Drummin and Bernard... he snor a lot lawk ma Mama an nobody wan to sleepz by him.  Lif been pritty good since dey come back.

It's bak to my routines of workin out, makin art and poopin in da tub!  I especially like dat las part.  It fun to mak ma Dada skweel!

Mom's turn to talk:

We missed you sooo much on our Mexican vacation.  We thought about you every second and how we can't wait to bring you next time!  Then.. we came home to a whole new grown-up Monner.  Nearly walking, but soo cautious that you want to be REAL sure no crashes usurp  your progress.  It seems these days you have lots of fun getting ready with Mama in the bathroom, combin your hair, puttin on lip sauce and fixin up. It's also big fun to lick the toilet!  Mmmmm!

You have lots of new words now too!

Mum
Da Da
Ball (bah)
Bottle (bah bah)
Juice (joos!)
Cookie (Kuh Kuh)
Poop (Puh)
Doggy! (dahhy!)
Duck
Bye Bye (buh buh)
Nye Nye

You understand nearly everything we say to you.  You have a GREAT throwing arm and playing catch with your racquetball is your favorite thing to do, besides Wheelin.

The whole family is working really hard on making your birthday very special :) And we're all excited, the theme is Elmo, cause you like him best.  Mr. Lion is your nye nye buddy, but ELMO is your play buddy!

I really like swingin... an my Waylon Jeggings too!

My First DQ!

Mama!  Dis RULZ!

Peep Holes at Water Tower Park

Wot Gurl don lawk a lil pickle?

Dis wur my Pre-Park Snak

I think I look real good in dis, you knowz i luv ma Waylon Jeggins so