Goals for the new year

Instead of snoozing last night in my bed I took advantage of the technology in my hands, AKA my cell phone, and wrote myself up some "goals" for the new year. For some reason I like that word better than resolutions. Maybe because it's smaller and easier to spell. I can't say for sure, but I am just going to go with it.

After writing them up I emailed them to myself. And decided tonight that rather than keep them hidden I'd post them here, hopefully to remind me (when I remember to blog...) to work on achieving them.

So...without further ado...my 2011 goals!

1. Exercise daily starting at 15 min per day. Encourage kids to do it with me!

2. Eat meals where they belong - at the table.

3. Practice meal planning to save money and time. Healthier meals with proper portions.

4. Improve my diet to be a good example. Lots of water, fruit, and veggies.

5. Take time for me that doesn't involve a book or the computer. Crocheting, sewing, scrapbooking. Okay...so in reality the computer is a useful tool, when you're not over occupied with facebook. So really I guess it should read "less time on facebook playing games".

6. Spend more time playing with the kids. Coloring, games, puzzles, reading, pretend. Be a kid with them.

7. Organize housework to try and keep the house from looking like a disaster. And remember that I am not the only person responsible for the condition of the house. It takes 5 people to mess it up, therefore more than 1 person to clean it up.

I did get off to a good start today. The kids ate at a table, had a reduced amount of tv time (of course all the traveling we did sort of brought that about), and got at least 20 minutes of exercise in between my walking video and arm exercises. And I got loads of research and ideas down for meal planning and housework planning. Each of these activities does have a down side. With meal planning - something simple that all in the house will eat is hard. Sometimes I can't help but think I'd rather be tortured than cook for my family. And the housework...I'm not even sure where to start there. I'd like to blame the disaster on a robber who decided to eat some popcorn and left a trail. But sadly I only have myself and the 4 other people in my house to blame.

I suppose instead of researching any further on any topic I should put myself to bed. Because sadly, my little darlings will not be waking me up with breakfast in bed tomorrow. They'll likely drag me out of it and demand to be fed at once while watching their favorite cartoon. Or drag in whatever it is they've decided to snag out the cupboard that is not a breakfast item for me to open. And fuss horribly when I say no, hoping that I'll give in. And yes...sometimes I do give in.

Happy New Year!

Goodbye to 2010 - a very busy year. And to 2011 - sure to be even busier than the last.

I just spent a few minutes looking over old blog postings. In March, now just 3 months away gasp, I will have been blogging for 3 years. Doesn't seem possible. But good thing I did because while reading I realized how much I had forgotten from just last year....

What's the best way to sum up 2010? Well....we survived it! And we are all intact and pretty much sane ;)

What are we looking forward to in 2011? Hopefully happy, and healthier versions of ourselves. A move may or not be in our future, depending on what happens with the building. And that leads as to question where we would move to.

Last year in pictures:

January 2010

February 2010
March 2010
April 2010
May 2010
June 2010
July 2010
August 2010
September 2010
October 2010
November 2010
December 2010

Christmas 2010

Christmas this year was an experience to remember. To start it was one where Chris was a total scrooge. He actually enjoyed himself, and had to be told to rein in on the Christmas gift shopping for the kids.

We started the festivities with a lovely Christmas Eve dinner at my mom's, joined by my brother and his family, and my dad and stepmom. I love that despite being divorced for 27 years, that my parents can come together for family events. The only one missing was my sister, but she was visiting her mom's side of the family.

Once we got home everyone got into pjs and settled in to watch The Night Before Christmas. Then set out cookies, eggnog, carrots and a note for Santa, before being tucked into bed. Apparently Alexa awoke around midnight deciding it was time to get up and shower. But eventually Chris talked her back into bed. I, blessedly, heard nothing.

I was the first to wake, followed by Liz. She was so funny - had completely forgotten that it was Christmas morning. She was focused on getting a donut for sleeping in her own bed all night. Chris and I had to prod her a bit by asking her who had come, and what those stuffed things were on the couch. Then she got excited and went to wake Jacob and Alexa. They quickly got into their stockings and were happy with what they found there. Especially Jake when he discovered things to eat!

Then it was onto gifts. Jake and Liz really got into the gift opening this year. They were happy to tear in, but also happy to look at and examine what they got. By the end though Alexa was getting a bit of a frown. She wasn't very happy that Jake and Liz seemed to be opening more gifts than her. I could read that as clear as if she'd been holding a sign. So we decided to let her open the last unmarked gift.


I think she was happy with what she found inside!

We cleaned up and got ready for Chris's family to come. They brought loads of gifts for everyone to open. Alexa got elected to play "Santa" now that she is old enough to read. But she needs a little more training - she was trying to hustle everyone along! We took a break for lunch and then got back to it. It was a day filled with fun, family, and good times. But not many pictures because my batteries kept crapping out. But that's another good thing about family - they are there to take pictures!