Merry New Happy Christmas Year

I am not really sure how to begin recapping our Christmas/New Year celebration, so I am going to get extremely creative and use a ....drum roll please.....time line! 

December 24, 2011 - Jentry went with her dad to celebrate Stenger style and I enjoyed a relaxing, adult Christmas Eve in McKenzie mode.  This was much needed after a day of painting at Nathan's house!  Jan served amazing food, as usual.  I had the opportunity to try fresh oysters, which were Nathan's request.  I have to admit I liked them more than I thought I might. Next, we opened stocking stuffers and gifts for hours...literally.  By the time we sat down for the actual meal it was ten o'clock.  Jan served an amazing Italian dinner, per my request.  Her ability to cook simply amazes me!

December 25, 2011 - Jentry celebrated with her Stenger cousins (all TEN of them) in Columbus and I enjoyed eggs benedict and movies at John and Jan's. The weather was so beautiful that Jan and I decided to talk a walk, or "take for a walk," as Jentry would say.  We got about a mile down the gravel road when we realized a car was coming.  As we scooted toward the edge of the road Jan said, "Hey that is MY car!"  Sure enough, as the car came closer, we could see John and Nathan slowing cruising with the top down and the music up like a couple of thugs.  They thought they were so funny. What dorks!  They offered to give us a ride back, but we declined.  We were determined to finished out the cookie calorie burning hike.

December 26, 2011 - I picked up Jentry early in the morning so that her dad could go to work.  When we arrived home, Jentry was quick to see that Santa had left her presents at mommy's house too!  We spent the day in our jammies and "slippies" playing with our new toys.  We were both very good girls this year and received way too many presents.  Spoiled stinky for sure.  Santa even remembered Jentry's orange monkey.

When Jentry saw "Rusty" she said, "Yeah, that is what I'm talkin' bout!  See, I toed jew, Mom!"  I guess Santa did OK. 

December 27, 2011 - I took a vacation day but decided to take Jentry to daycare and get a few things done around the house.  When I dropped her off, there was only one other child there to eat breakfast with Jentry.  This made me feel slightly guilty, but I quickly got over that as soon as I walked out the door.  Just kidding... no not really kidding, does that make me a horrible mother?  Actually, she had a very fun day doing things that she doesn't normally get to do with her large class.

December 28, 2011 - I took another vacation day and took Jentry to daycare again.  By now she was beginning to catch on.  As we were walking out the door Jentry asked, "When are you going to get dressed mom?" 

December 29, 2011 - Another vacation day of Jentry at daycare and mommy cleaning, organizing, cooking and shopping.  I could get used to that!

December 30, 2011 - Jentry was extremely excited to have a "stay home day".  She picked her favorite breakfast of "hot chocolate and Cheerios with not milk in them." Our breakfast conversation went like this:
Jentry:  Mom, who took care of me when you were little?
Me:  No one, you weren't born yet.
Jentry: I was died?!?!

That afternoon, Jentry noticed that my nativity did not have an angel, so being the sweet, little girl that she is...she allowed me to borrow her angel from her Fisher Price nativity.  I just love that kid!

December 31, 2011 -  Grandma, Papa and the Hamiltons came over for lunch. After lunch, Anna needed a nap so Chad took her home and Mom, Dad and Kelly went shopping.  I offered to stay home and watch Isaac and Jentry.  However, I also had to make two kinds of potatoes for supper and lunch the next day.  After an hour of the kids driving me crazy, I suggested that they go outside to play.  I gave them strict instructions to stay out of the street, put their coats on them and sent them out the door.  A few seconds later, Nathan decided that maybe they needed some adult supervision.  Oh yes, that is probably a good idea, thanks Nathan!  I don't know what I would have done without him.  He even helped me peel potatoes and basically put together the entire second dish and it was finger lickin' fabulous. I think he even surprised himself. 

That afternoon we opened presents at the Hamilton's and the men grilled up some amazing steaks.  Mom and Dad offered, well it was really more like agreed, to watch the kiddos so that the "young" adults could go ring in the new year with a few alcoholic beverages.  Nathan's cousin and his wife Becky joined the four of us at Brewsky's.

 

I have to say it may have been the best New Year's celebration I have had.  There was no cover, it wasn't too loud or crowded, and we even got some free hats and a bottle of champagne.  2012 here we come!

January 1, 2012 - The Chamberlains drove down and we had lunch and opened presents at the Hamilton's. My cousin, Marissa, suggested that we have an ugly sweater competition and it was absolutely hilarious.  When dad walked in wearing a turtle neck sweater, my sister nearly peed her pants!

The girls had so much fun showing Granny their new baby dolls.  Jentry has decided to name hers Anna Baby.  Love it!  Grandma Bose sewed her a doll size baby blanket that is too cute. 

Isaac enjoyed watching movies on Papa's new Ipad.  Papa even took to it fairly quickly.  Shocking for an old farmer, I know!

 

That evening I settled in on the couch to flip through my new Pioneer Woman cookbook.  I ended up reading the whole thing cover to cover!  Who does that right?  Well, I'll tell you who, my sister does.  She admitted to buying it for me and then staying up way too late one night reading the entire book.  I think it is fairly obvious that we both feel it is an awesome cookbook.  Thanks sista!

January 2, 2012 - Nathan, Jentry and I went to a Husker party at the Unterseher's beautiful new home.  Nathan impressed himself even more by making ranch oyster crackers for snacking.  He let Jentry do a QC and she definitely approved.  I thought she might eat the entire bag before we even got to the party.  Unfortunately, the Huskers lost, but Jentry and I still had a fun time socializing.  I'm not sure if Nathan would say the same.  He takes the game fairly quite seriously.

That evening Barbie got to take her first dip in her brand new pool from Grandma and Papa.  Did you know that Barbie's pool comes complete with umbrella drinks and a designer dog floating on a raft? Me either.

 

January 3, 2012 - Back to reality.   Sigh.  Our conversation, Tuesday morning, on the way to daycare and work:
Jentry: Why do I have to go to school?
Me:  So that you can learn things.
Jentry: You could just teach me at home.
Me: Yes, I could, but then how would we pay for things like food and clothing?
Jentry: Well..... we could just be naked and live trees.

Oh, Jentry.  Where does she come up with these ideas?

Christmas in Sutton

Last weekend we celebrated Christmas number one of three.  Jentry and I drove to Sutton Friday and had a special Christmas just for Jentry at Nathan's house.  Since Jentry is going to be with her dad on Christmas this year, John and Jan wanted to give Jentry some presents early.

John walked in wearing a Santa shirt and Jan was wearing a Santa hat that Jentry quickly snatched for herself.  Just to clarify and to heal some pride, the Santa tee-shirt was NOT John's idea, but he was a good sport about the whole thing.  I, of course, could not let the moment pass without creating some evidence!

Jan, being a bit of a Christmas crazy, even brought her own tree for Jentry to decorate!  Jentry had so much fun putting it all together.  By the way, I am certainly not judging here.  Some just might considered me to be a Christmas crazy too.

Next it was time for Jentry to open her presents.  This is my favorite part!

Jentry got new cooking utensils, pans and oven mitts for her kitchen.

Is it bad that I was a bit jealous of her new soup pot?

Jan formed an egg and two strips of bacon out of silly puddy.  What an artist!

Jentry also got a HUGE stocking full of goodies.  I didn't think she was ever going to stop pulling things out!

New make-up that she just had to try out right away.  I am not sure which girl was having more fun. 

A pink "treasure box" that was plum full of all kinds of dress-up items.  Jentry was in heaven!

Princess Jentry

After all the gifts were opened and properly played with, Jentry hopped in circles in the HUGE stocking.  Talk about one spoiled little girl!

On Saturday evening we celebrated Christmas with the Johnson girls.  Jan's sister Deb hosted the family at her house in Sutton.  When it was time for Deb's two grand kids, Isaiah and Claire, to take a bath and put on their jammies, Jentry was not going to be left out.  She just made herself right at home.  Rub a dub dub three kids in a tub!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas with Jan's family.  They all made us feel so very welcome. 

 

Today I will be traveling back to Sutton for Christmas number two of three.  Jan was kind enough to let me pick the menu for Christmas Eve dinner.  My father would be very proud that I chose braised BEEF tortellini.  I can not wait!  

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

"The spirit of Christmas needs to superseded by the Spirit of Christ. The spirit of Christmas is annual; the Spirit of Christ is eternal. The spirit of Christmas is sentimental; the Spirit of Christ is supernatural. The spirit of Christmas is a human product; the Spirit of Christ is a divine person. That makes all the difference in the world."

Baking with Mommy

Last week Jentry helped me make four different kinds of Christmas cookies.  Actually, Jentry helped me make the first of four different kinds of Christmas cookies.  She started the baking process with much excitement and was a very good helper for about ten minutes.  Then she quickly realized, much like her mother, that baking takes a lot of time, work and clean up.

Why is it that I never learn?  Every year I get a little over ambitious and think I need to make eighty different kinds of sweets.  By the third batch, my kitchen is a war zone. The floor is covered in slippery mixture of sugar, flour and cooking spray; my feet hurt because I'm old and forget to wear supportive shoes;  I have completely run out of counter space and my stomach is starting to turn from too many quality checks.  Fa la la la la.....

Jentry loved rolling the cookie dough in the "sugar salt" and she was actually pretty good at it!

 

Some how we managed to bake all of the cookies without burning a single batch.  This might not seem like a difficult task to most but considering my mother, after 50 some years of baking, still can not accomplish this made me pretty darn proud of myself.  After the baking was complete, we prepared and delivered cookie plates to each of our neighbors. As we walked from house to house, Jentry said, "This is kinda like trick or treating except we are giving cookies this time."  

Seeing Jentry's exciting when handing out the cookies and the smiles on the neighbors' faces was absolutely worth the messy kitchen.

Santa Claus and Orange Monkeys

Noah's Ark Daycare had a very special visitor last Friday!  Jentry was so excited to tell me that she got to meet Santa and that he had given her a candy cane.  She wanted to eat the candy cane right away, so I caved and opened it for her when we got to the car.  I have never seen anyone eat a candy cane as fast as Jentry.  We only have about a five minute drive home and she had it completely licked when pulled into the driveway.  Actually, licked is really not a proper description.  I kept instructing her to lick not chew, however she completely ignored my advice.  Her poor little teeth! 

I asked Jentry what she asked Santa to bring her for Christmas and this time it was a request for a monkey.  Not just any old monkey but an orange monkey!  So far this season, she has asked Santa for a Barbie, lots lip gloss, a broom, an umbrella and an orange monkey.  I wonder if Santa will be able to find such things? 

It looks like Jentry has really warmed up to Santa this year.  Last year she was terrified to sit on his lap by herself, let alone have the courage to make as bold of a request as an orange monkey!

The Muppets Movie

This past weekend I had the wonderful idea to take Jentry and Isaac to the big movie theater.  In my mind, I envisioned this movie date as a memorable childhood experience that Jentry and Isaac would cherish forever.  I would allow them to purchase way too much popcorn and soda, and they would think I was the best mother/aunt that ever existed.  This was going to be wonderful!

I decided to take them to The Muppets movie at the East Park Theater at 4:30 in the afternoon.  This theater is located fairly close to my house so if attitudes started to spiral out of control, I could quickly abort the movie mission and be quickly back at our house.  The timing was best to allow the kiddos time to nap before the show.  Just for the record, Isaac napped; Jentry did not.

I can proudly say that the original Muppets Movie was before my time, but I do have fond memories of the The Muppets on Sesame Street.  Jentry was so excited to pick up Isaac and go to "The Muffins Movie."   Isaac was quick to correct her though.  He laughed and said," It is The Muppets, Jentry."  She then said, "Yeah, The Muffets."  (I could sit and listen to their adorable, hilarious conversations for hours.)

When we got to the movie theater, we purchased a large bucket of popcorn and a drink to share.  The kids were eager for the movie to start but were very well behaved.  They ate most of the popcorn before the movie started. 

By the end of the movie, Jentry was fairly restless and complaining that her tummy hurt. (Too much popcorn? No, couldn't be.  What kind of a mother would allow her child to eat too much popcorn?)  She asked me when the movie was going to be over about twenty times.   Isaac was still captured by the story but was slightly distracted his squirmy cousin sitting next to him.  Somehow we all made it to the credits and headed to the car.  I told them they could choose where we were going to eat supper.  I tried to convince them otherwise, but "Old McDonalds" won.....again.  FYI - The day, when Jentry chooses somewhere other than Mikey Dees to eat, can not come soon enough!

On the way home, just when I thought my movie selection was somewhat of a failure, I heard two little voices in the back seat say, "Mahna Mahna....do doo be-do-do...mahna mahna...do do-do do..."

Snow Time!

Oh how quickly one forgets how exciting snow can be to a small child.  Jentry is stoked about the first two snow falls we received this week.  Every time we step outside, she requests to play in the snow.  Even though it is already getting dark and cold by the time we get home, she insists we go outside.

All geared up and ready to snow!

Jentry on her snow "mountain."  I wish I had only experienced enough snow to consider this a mountain.

Pink angels are my favorite.

 

No more pictures, please!

Meet David

A very little man in red footie pajamas and stocking cap is currently staying at our home.  He came to us from the North Pole (AKA Grandma Bose).  He lives at the North Pole with Santa the majority of the year, but he has come to live with us this holiday season.  Jentry has named him David but his alias is The Elf on the Shelf.  David is a scout for Santa and he watches Jentry during the day, then flies back to Santa at night.  He reports whether Jentry has been good or bad.  Every morning Jentry jumps out of bed to see if she can be the "first" (as if one of her siblings might beat her..ha!) to spy where David is sitting.

Here he is sitting in our dinning room window.

We can not touch him because he might loose his magic, but we can use him as a messenger and tell him our Christmas wishes.  At first, Jentry was scared to talk to him and I would have to relay messages for her.


"Mom will you tell David to tell Santa that I want a Barbie and A LOT of lip gloss for Christmas?"

Now she is getting more comfortable and will get right, up in his face to tell him her Christmas wishes.  

 

Jentry and I are having so much fun this Christmas season.  As for this house, we believe in the magic of Christmas!