Hiii-Yaaa

Abby has been in karate for a few months now, and she just moved up the ranks to the yellow belt. She had to perform all the right moves, and she did so awesome. You could tell that she really understood that it was important to show and do all the many things that she has learned!! She wasn't even shy about it either, which is HUGE for her.
Mom has been sick all week and quite frankly is sick and tired of having a home full of sick people. (Ben has totally lucked out, actually he did roll is ankle pretty bad a couple of weeks ago in church b-ball, so I guess he did get it in his own way) But the sickness is hopefully on the outs now, and we are ready to get some things done off of our ever long and never-ending To-Do list.

House of the sick

Our boys have been sick, and horribly miserable. I thought for a second that it was the flu, what with the fever, running nose, and hideous cough... but thank goodness it wasn't the flu. Just a nasty virus to make them ornery and a little bit more ornery. I don't blame them... just wished they slept more : )

McConnell was sick first, then Finn got it of course. I liked how the doctor mentioned that I should try to make sure the boys don't come in contact with each other.. that just makes me laugh. Poor Finn though. He's still pretty sick. And it hurts my heart. Every time he coughs my heart aches and my body hurts for his poor little helpless body. I finally couldn't handle hearing his congestion and the wheezing so I took him to the Urgent care and he had an ear infection. The doctor even had Finn get chest x-rays to make sure he didn't have pneumonia.. umm yeah that's an awful and scary thought! I had to hold him down while he was getting the x-rays. Poor thing. Thankfully the chest x-rays looked good and no pneumonia. Abby wanted to go with me to the doctors and me being the fabulous mother that I am, I told her that she could come with us as long as she "didn't drive me crazy." Abby was of course sweet and helpful and kept on asking me if she was driving me crazy and if she was being a good girl. Yep.. I am a horrible parent..

Abby then did something so sweet that makes me cry just thinking about it. Finn was on the doctor's table crying because he was tired and sick and I was trying everything I possibly could to get him to laugh or be happy, then Abby says "Mama play peekaboo." So I did and of course the Finn-Bug loved it. And of course Abby turned the situation around and taught me something and I LOVE her so very much. And I realized she is growing up too fast, and I felt bad telling her that she can only come if she doesn't drive me crazy. Well... there's a wonderful parenting experience. This life is all about learning and growing.. and Abby is teaching me so much. She is the coolest kid I have ever met. She still sleeps with us at night and I cherish it.. she cuddles with me and loves me and forgives me everyday for my shortcomings. And she told me when I walked down the stairs to go to church today that I was beautiful. Thank you Abby, but I'm not nearly as beautiful as you.

Finnegan

I am pretty sure, babies don't come much cuter than this....

Bye Bye Training Wheels

Abby learned how to ride her bike without her training wheels this last weekend. It was incredibly easy for her, and it proves that she was ready long ago. She also has had a huge growth spurt over these last couple months, and that's why her bike looks so little!! Before she left for home Granny went out and bought her a new bike, and Abby loves it. The look on Abby's sweet face while she is pedaling around the cul-de-sac is priceless.. she's so very proud of herself!! Way to go Abby!!!

Our 24 Hour Date

While my family was in town, Ben and I were treated with a whole day off!!! Granny, Grandpa and Aunt Jessica Dean took care of the kids and we ran outta the house as fast as we could!

Ben surprised me with this 24 hour date, and it was a blast. It was so sweet how much thought and effort he put into it. He melts me.

In the glove box of the car were 5 separate envelopes each with the address of our next destination. First stop was a place called Dave & Buster's. Basically a huge game warehouse and tons of fun. I schooled Ben at air hockey like always!! (it's our thing, he is always trying to beat me at air hockey, he did win once, but the third time we played I beat him 7-0!!!) Ben managed to get $20 of free game play and here's the loot we got!

After Dave and Buster's we headed Discovery Green. It's an outdoor park in downtown Houston. I was feeling a little sick before we left Dave and Buster's because we played a shooting game that moves around a lot (I am weird and get sick with that sort of stuff) so Ben was a little worried that I wouldn't be able to do what he had planned at Discovery Green. All was well after some much needed fresh air, thank goodness because went we drove up to Discovery Green I saw this!!

It's not a full blown hot air balloon, but it is like a mini-version. It's helium filled and on a cord, and goes up 350 feet. Pretty cool. We've both never experienced anything like it, so we were pretty excited. After waiting an hour and a half we got our 10 minute turn and it was pretty cool, seeing how Houston is flat you can see a lot when you are 350 feet in the air. We both enjoyed it.

After the balloon we headed to the Hotel. Which was beautiful and fabulous. We attempted a nap, but just cuddled and watch some uninterrupted tube. (no picture for that)

Then it was off to dinner. Ben choose a fancy-spancy restaurant, think Top Chef type of food. We gorged ourselves to oblivion. DIVINE!!!

Then back to the Hotel for some much needed R & R. That lasted until about 2:30am when I started throwing up. Yep... not so much fun. Why can't I just get one night of peaceful sleep??? Such is life.

It was so wonderful to have a whole day with my Sugar. He is everything to me, and I wish that I could be with him more. I kinda can't get enough of the guy!!

Thank you Love for all your hard work and effort, it was fabulous.

*I know what you are thinking.. lots of feeling nauseous and throwing up... and NO I am not pregnant!!

Feeling Nostalgic

It's raining here in Houston. It's drizzly. It's pretty to look at. It reminds me of Seattle.

Not much going on at the Wischmeier home.

Finn is cutting his two bottom teeth. He'll be cute with some teeth, though I don't think he could ever get any cuter.

Mac is two, and somewhat miserable with life. He doesn't get enough sleep, and that makes for some hard days. He is also talking like crazy. He makes us laugh basically all day long... when he's not throwing a fit.

Abby is getting tall and really growing up fast. My heart is breaking as she is my only girl. She'll be five this coming year, and I just don't know how that happened. She loves her preschool teacher and she is starting to learn how to read.

Mom and Dad are planning an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. We can't wait. Good times are to be had. Ben got to rake the lawn the other day and that made him feel more manly... so that's good. Mom got to take a shower three days in a row, so that's really good!

We painted our kitchen a divine light blue. It's fabulous and we love it. I found a cake stand that I am in love with. It's perfection. (a million thanks to Tessa my cousin for posting it on her blog)

A white December

It snowed in Houston. Like actual big white fluffy snowflakes. It was nice. The kids LOVED it. Well I take that back, Abby really loved it and Mac loved it until he touched it. He quickly realized snow is cold, very cold for Houston raised children and he bawled his little head off until his hands were properly warmed back to regular temperature. It really helped us all get into the Christmas spirit. And most importantly... it was gone in an hour. That's my kind snow. After our experience in Idaho (almost two years ago) I have vowed never to drive/live in a place that snowed. But I can handle an hour or two of snow every now and then.

We had a Bethlehem themed church Christmas party, and the kids dressed up. So cute. (Abby kind of looks like a polygamist..but it's the thought that counts right?)