Updates on Max:
+ Is still crazy in love with Max & Ruby.. Everything is referenced to M&R. Also still really into trains, cars, helicopters & robots. Oh, a new thing is Harold & the Purple Crayon show. Only on HBO though.
+ Doesn’t watch the Cars movie as much, but still loves to play with actual cars he has. He’s got most of the main characters except for the Sheriff. The hubby & Max love to rennact scenes from the movie with the cars. It’s so funny & cute.
+ We recently found out that Max has been counting in Spanish & we didn’t even know it! He learned it from Diego. Right now, he can count in 3 languages. Hubby’s trying to teach him Korean now.
+ Doing really well in his therapy session and talking a lot. Considering putting him in a group class next month.
+ Knows all the basic colors: red, blue, green, white, orange, yellow, pink, purple, green, brown, black, gray, and even aqua green.
+ Loves to say, “Delicious!” when he’s eating something he really likes.
+ Is still picky with food. Loves breads, noodles & rice. Won’t eat ground meats (like his Dad). Will hardly eat any veggies except for cucumbers. I still have to sneak them in. One thing I’ve been sneaking in is spinach (I read that it’s in the top five most nutritious veggies). I buy the prewashed baby spinach bags in the salad section, and steam it, chop it finely, then stir in it mac & cheese or eggs or noodles. Max LOVES watermelon. Could probably eat one by himself if we let him. If I draw a picture of a watermelon, he always smiles.
I bought one of those gingerbread house kit, so Max & I decorated it today. He was so excited & loved it. We also got some xmas shopping done too. Btw, I got an A on my final project. Whew! I really thought I was going to get a C. I got a good feeling that my final grade will be an A. Anyhoo, here are some pictures from this month.
+ Yaaay! I’m pretty much done for the semester. Just have the final exam next Monday, but I’m not too worried about it. Turned in my final project today. I really didn’t like doing it at all, but I am just glad that it’s over.
+ Sunday–Mitsy,her daughter & boyfriend came over for some lunch & sledding. It was so nice to have them over. I made stuffed chicken wings (thanks again Meetas for helping me debone them), and Mitsy brought over a yummy dish too. We had a lot of fun. Max & Olivia went sledding together, and Max really enjoyed it. He loved going down the big hill. Got a couple of pictures of that. After sledding, I made some hot chocolate. I usually just buy a powder mix, but I decided to make it the real way. It turned out pretty good. The recipe is 4 cups of milk & 10oz of milk chocolate (I used Ghirardelli). Just heat the milk until it starts steaming, then add the chocolate. Whisk until everything is incorporated. Top with lots of marshmallows or whipped cream & shaved chocolate. Serves 4.
+ Going to the hubby’s work holiday dinner on Thursday. When we went last year, it was an interesting experience. One of his coworkers sang a song he wrote–accapella. The song was about hard drive & megabytes… Um, yeah. Nerdy stuff.
+ We did a little bit of holiday shopping today, but we still have a ways to go. Hoping to get more done by this weekend.
Happy Birthday to my Dad.
Lovely weekend.
Brunch at Campiello with an old friend. It was so good to see you again, Mits.
Went to the mall & got Max the same boots like last year’s.
I love my little boy so much. He is such an amazing person.
I’m out.
+ Above are some of my favorite ornaments from our tree. I’ve got about 90 ornaments on our tree, but I think I’m going to buy more. Just waiting for another sale. If you live by a Macy’s, you have to check out their decorated trees. Stunning. I wish I had taken advantage of their 50% off sale on their ornaments during Black Friday.
+ The hubby wanted to buy more tracks for Max’s train set today, so we spent the afternoon in Saint Paul. First, we had lunch at Cafe Latte. With exception to their desserts, I personally think the rest of their food is overrated. We spent $25 for mediocre sandwiches & soups/salads & water; not really worth it. I think next time I go there, it will be only for the desserts. After lunch, we headed over to Pottery Barn to get fabric swatches. I am thinking about buying this sofa instead of the one I previously mentioned. Which one do you guys like better? Afterwards, we went to Choo Choo Bob’s. Max had a ball playing with all their train sets. If you have a kid that loves trains, this place is a must. Not only is it a charming store, but they seem to be one of only places that still sell Brio products.
+ Football season will be over soon. Can’t wait!
+ Since SJP was on Project Runway, I had to check out her clothes online. Pretty cute. I love the concept. Does anyone have any of her clothes? If so, what’s your opinion? I have to stop by a S&B to see them in person. I didn’t know S&B was selling other things besides college sportswear. I just get that impression from when I used to live Madison.
+ Ok, seriously, I will not be posting much after this post. I’m just stalling on my final project. We have to pick 8 pieces of artwork, and half of them need to have some sort of personal meaning to us. We have to compare the personal art to another art piece that’s found in a museum or gallery in a 2000 word essay. We also have to present one of the selections in front of class & talk about all the visual elements portrayed, yada yada yada… Not really looking forward to that.
Happy Hmong New Year! Max was kind enough to wear his Hmong outfit so I could get some shots. Doesn’t he look so adorable? Had to bribe him with some candy at first. (Edit: I just remembered. We told Max that since he has money on his clothes, he could get candy with it. That’s how we got him to wear it & he sure did wear it for a long time.) And no, we did not go to the New Year celebration at River Centre. Didn’t feel like wading through the crowds. I’d rather spend the weekend with my family instead.
First time in my life, I participated in the shopping madness on Friday. I woke up around 7am, and came home around 11am. My main objective was to find the best deal on a pre-lit faux Christmas tree. I went to five stores, and finally settled on a 7.5 foot at Michael’s. Also bought a whole bunch of ornaments, and had our first tree up by 3pm that afternoon. I decided on the colors pink, green & gold for my ornaments. Max likes Christmas trees, so he was really excited to help me decorate it. And it survived the night too. I half expected the tree to be toppled over by the next morning with ornaments everywhere. Max is really a good kid. I think he understands to be nice to the tree.
As for the empty living room, we decided to move our sofa downstairs, and plan to get a new sofa soon. We’ve been looking all weekend, and will probably end up buying this one.
Anyway, got a big final project for class, so I probably won’t be posting much until the end of the semester. Btw, I got an A on my midterm essay & final. My teacher was impressed with my essay, so high five for me. Can’t believe the semester will be done soon.
I bought Mike a potted succulent plant the other day. I’m trying to prevent his office from becoming like this. It’s not too late to save it.
This weekend… Saturday night was spent at Treasure Island for Wanda Syke’s standup show. We went for my sister’s bday. The show was pretty good, and it was pretty funny, but there was a woman sitting two rows behind us who totally ruined the majority of the show for me, and I think several people around her too. She kept yelling out words & little comments at the wrong time, and just saying stupid stuff. Pretty much trying to get Wanda’s attention.I was super annoyed because I didn’t drive an hour & pay $60 to hear some weirdo woman yell out dumb comments. I wish Wanda would have just snapped at her, so she would shut up. I could tell Wanda was annoyed too, but chose to ignore her. I noticed during the last 10 minutes of the show, I didn’t hear her anymore so I figured either she got kicked out, or decided to leave early because she didn’t wanted a showdown. I am still annoyed when I think about it. Afterwards, we hung out while my sister & bro-in-law played for about an hour. I spent about $2.00 on the nickel slots, and gave my Grandma ten bucks to play. I am not much of a casino person. I feel like I’m throwing money down the drain when I play, so the most I’ve ever played is $20.
On Sunday, we had lunch at the mall & walked around. Didn’t buy anything, but I did see some things I wanted. Like these driving shoes, and some things at Crate&Barrel.
I am sick as a dog right now, so be back later. Btw, Happy Birthday to my sister May, and Dawn!
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+ Maysee wanted to take me out for my birthday, so we all met up on Saturday. Thanks again girls for coming out. Originally planned to go to Granite City, but ended at Sawatdee since it was going to be over an hour for table. I wish we would’ve just waited because Sawatdee was not worth it.
+ After part 2 of my midterm exam yesterday, we had lunch at Chipotle (I love their burrito bowls with salsa), and Potbelly’s (Mike & Max). Then we took Max to one of his favorite indoor play gyms, stopped by Target to pick up some things (can you believe we only spent $33!). Came home in time to catch Oprah while Max took his nap. Did anyone watch yesterday’s show? Amazing makeovers. I wish I could get my hair done by Rita. And a whole new outfit from Saks too.
+ So many miscellaneous projects to do. My list is 2 pages long.
+ We are hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I need to hustle. Can’t believe it’s only 2 weeks away.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes. As for the issue with Max & Halloween, I didn’t make myself very clear. He LOVES going outside. Being anywhere outside. Riding in the car. Even if we are driving for 45 minutes, he is enjoying it. Once he hears the word “outside”, he is beyond reasoning. He drops everything, and runs for the door. It may be cold outside, but he thinks he can just run out without socks & shoes. When we tell him that he needs shoes, socks & a jacket, it’s like we are speaking a foreign language. He’ll start to cry & throw a fit. It’s like he can’t wait to get outside & putting on socks & shoes is a hindrance. This happens a lot of the time, and I wonder if it may be my fault. Maybe for him, going out is such a luxury that he gets a little crazy when he does get to out. I mean, we do go out at least 4 times/week, so I don’t really think I am depriving him. When I think about it, I do feel awfully guilty that I might have caused this behavior. We have learned to just say O-U-T-S-I-D-E whenever we are talking to each other. He doesn’t throw tantrums very often, but this is one of the times that he does.
Anyway, have a good weekend. Probably won’t be back for another week. Have a paper due & exam to study for.
