oh my gosh! oh my gosh!

Henry just walked. He took two steps all by himself! EEEEEK!
To hear the noise with the movie ...scroll to the bottom of this blog and click the music off.
This is my first time doing a video but let me tell you..this adds a whole new element to blogging! HAHAHAHA! I am so excited.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Another day closer to the big 1!

Here are a few pictures of Henry during his first year. Just a random selection.

Snow fun at home!

The holidays are over. I got all the ornaments off the tree and now all Ed has to do is the lights and remove it from the house (the hardest part). All the holiday decorations are put away. The travel is finished. The cookies have been eaten. This week we are trying to get back to the norm...routine, routine, routine. Here is a little snow fun that we had as a family on Sunday.

The Countdown begins

My Hen Hen is going to turn one on Sunday and so I am trying to savor every moment this week. He is on the verge of walking. And that will mean big changes. People noticed that he has thinned out and looks taller/ longer. All signs that my baby is ready to be a toddler. Just a few days ago he discovered that he can let go of things and stand on his own.

So as the week progresses I have decided I would like to share some pictures or post some pictures (for him someday) of the last year...since I didn't start blogging until recently. However, this xmas one of my gifts was the purchase of my brothers year old Mac laptop. Yes, I have given the Mac world a go and so far so good. I have two books here to guide me through this monumental change in operating my way on a computer. I like it so far and the ease of a laptop, the coziness of a laptop, and the fact that I can now blog anywhere is so exciting.

So I just realized that all my pictures have yet to be imported so they will come tomorrow. For tonight, I am praying that like last night my boy graces me with a full night of sleep. It is time my son. You are soon a big boy who needs a full night of sleep. You did it last night ...not a peep all night. Let's do it again!

To Charley and Henry

This was a gift I was really excited to give both boys this year. It seems to be pretty cool so far! We'll see if Charley can eventually catch on to assembling his own forts...and someday...Henry!

A Favorite Moment of Mine this Christmas

Not the greatest picture but this morning the Coles and Zifkos showed up with sleds and invited us on a sledding excursion. We ventured over to 8th street in Washburn and chanced that no cars would come! I snuggled into the sled with Ed and we led the pack thanks to our weight or Ed's pushing. SO FUN! So glad I decided to go...I almost hung back in the warmth of the house.

A fun morning

This morning we had a cozy gift opening with the Wroblewski family! Henry finally figured out what presents were...or at least that there was something inside the wrapping. Charley was a gift passer and very excited to recieve some awesome walkie talkies and Star Wars figurines.

Cozy Christmas Time at the Wroblewski's

Today we headed north to Ed's parents house. We arrived midday and Henry napped after exploring Grandma's house. Charley got his dream...an afternoon of playing with grandma. Ed and I napped in the living room where it is almost impossible not to nap when the sun is shining. Boys are now in bed....dreaming of tomorrows Christmas celebrations. We are all sitting around their 20 foot Christmas tree enjoying homemade eggnog with a little brandy. Can't beat this!

Charley's Gingerbread House

Last Thursday Charley had his preschool holiday party. The big activity was making a gingerbread house. Here are a few snapshots of him making his house.

Sunday ...Celebrations...

So all day today I have had this little pit in my stomach because the Schneider Christmas is over and for the last month or two it is all I have focused on with my sister and mom. We have chatted through out the day and added drama where there wasn't drama needed, talked menus more than needed, anticipated games and fun, and just looked forward to hanging out together. All that prep and then it passes so quickly. I love being with my family and Ed knows that when we leave them or they leave our house I am always pretty emotional. So today I kept feeling that sad feeling that it is over and it went too fast. This year I had a moment where I announced, Can you believe Andy and Ed are here with us. Who knew when we were growing up that these were the men my sister and I would marry. Who knew that I would buy Andy slippers and some wine and they would buy Ed stuffed olives, bloody mary pickles, and a shrub trimmer. It is very cool to me that Andy is there mixing drinks and loving our boys. Ed is there napping on the floor and ready to fix anything that needs to be fixed (so far not the snow blower!) So this year we were all there. My brother is applying for jobs all over the country, my sister has another family she needs to share her time with, as do I ...and it was nice to have time together.

Favorite moments:

1. Friday: I am glad we got there early so that we could have a day to hang out and it wasn't go go go!

2. Friday night Raina, Andy, Mom, Ed, Greg, and I played an old board game we used to play called the Gambler...totally dumb game but we have fun with it.

3. Watching Henry open his first gift the sock monkey and loving the drum sticks.

4. Charley was such a good boy the entire weekend. He was patient, oh so patient, with a tree filled with gifts. He read tags, told people what they were getting before they opened and when he opened he said things like, "Oh boy, I have wanted this for my whole life. I love this and that means I want to play it right now. I have wanted this for years. and YES!" He showed honest excitement over everything and gave genuine thanks without mama and daddy saying "What do you say?"...we did have to say it occasionally...but for the most part he did it on his own.

5. Seeing my grandpa and having him finally meet Henry.

6. Watching Ed fall asleep at various houses in the middle of the chaos...knowing he was comfortable and relaxed.

7. Going for a walk late one night with my mom and sister to gab.

8. Opening the picture of Henry.

9. Going out for lunch on Friday with my husband...sushi and hibachi (my favorite).

10. Surviving the travels without hitting any snow!

So I know my family's Christmas is over and I have the Wroblewski family Christmas ahead of me. I love going there, relaxing in the cozy atmosphere with the 20 foot Christmas tree and nibbling on Charlie's cookies, egg nog and other holiday treats. A game of canasta, a glass of wine, and just time to enjoy family. But for right now I am sad that my time hanging out with my mom and sister is over. Hearing what is new with my brother and his reactions to rooming with a four year old and letting Henry have time with my dad. Nothing beats going home and I really love going home. I hope that as my boys grow up they always look forward to coming home like I do. To those of you who are travelling this Christmas enjoy every second of your time home; it passes so fast. And to those who aren't travelling home for Christmas (like we didn't last year) make your time at home memorable...start a tradition and enjoy being cozy. To my boys, I hope that by raising you with crazy travel and chaotic celebration schedules that you will grow up craving it, so you come and see your crazy mom! Merry Christmas!

Here are a few pictures from our Sunday Celebrations. We are aware that there are far more pictures of Henry...second child...we are over compensating so he doesn't feel like we didn't take any of him. We will take more of Charley up north :)

Saturday Evening

We had the big rip with my family. After a busy day with relatives we came home to some yummy snacks. The boys opened their gifts and then hit the hay....they were tuckered out. Big hits this year at my parents was the Spider man scooter from Andy and Raina...he squealed and buzzed around it that evening and then had to park it by his bed that night. He is still riding around the house with it today. A drum from Raina and Andy was Henry's great gift. He loves long things he can wave around so the drumsticks made him very happy and he quickly learned how to hit the drum. The other instruments will be fun too! Henry didn't sleep well...not sure if it was the tooth that came in or if it was just the busy schedule with car rides, lots of people, and naps were off. But around 5 am I brought him out and we slept in front of the Xmas tree lights for an hour or two. Kind of cozy...if I can forget the fact that I was tired.

This is the first year where we have split the Christmas up. Usually we do Ed's family and mine all in one trip. Travel wise it is nice to not be rushing from one destination to the next because at my families we go to other places for extended family parties. However, it is sad to me that my families Christmas is over. It all goes so quickly...we prep and shop and bake for weeks and then it is all over in three days. We look forward to more festivities with Ed's side of the family...and of course with our family Christmas here at home. Thanks mom and dad for hosting another great year of celebrations. I always love coming home...you know that. And Ed is right at home...since he naps right in the middle of it all on the floor. Can't wait until next year when Charley and Henry will have a cousin to love! YES THAT IS RIGHT FOLKS! My sister is expecting in June! EEEEK! I have kept it a secret until now I wonder what was going through their mind when Henry was screaming both nights for an hour here and there. Enjoy the next months of sleep. Your life is about to change for the best but in the area of sleep....it will never again be the same.

Merry Christmas!

Schneider Family Party

This year it worked out that we were able to attend all Christmas parties for both my parents sides of the family. It has been years since we have attended the Schneider (extended) family Christmas. It is too many people to have it at a house so we have it at a hall. Everyone was there except my Uncle Gary. Pretty good turnout! Lots of great grandchildren now...and a few more will arrive by next Christmas!

Here are a few pictures.

My Favorite gift so far this Christmas....

To: Sarah From: Mom and Dad




Many awesome gift were exchanged at my parents. But this one was my favorite.

Travelling with my Hen Hen!

This past weekend we travelled many miles down to Williams Bay, Wisconsin. Then two of the days we travelled to the Random Lake, WI area and the Racine area. I got to sit in the back and watch Henry fall asleep in the car. I was happy while he was peaceful.

And Christmas Adventures Begin

Yesterday we were supposed to leave for my parents house...5 1/2 drive if you don't have two little ones that require stops. My family is celebrating Christmas this weekend. News of a snowstorm dampened my spirits as I feared that the yucky travels would cause our trip to become more of a hassle than a pleasure. Friends and family kept me updated on snow predictions. By afternoon Ed and I decided it would probably be best to leave last night rather than this morning. So we left at 5:40 pm...grabbed dinner to eat in the car on the way out of town. Made a potty/ nursing stop around 8 and by 8:30....drum roll please....still no snow and more importantly both boys were sleeping. Both boys slept until 11:45 pm at which time we pulled into my parent's neighborhood and the first snowflakes began to fall! Perfect timing. We couldn't believe it. The trip took 6 hours with only one stop. The boys got good sleep and aren't all messed up today. This morning we woke to more than 6 inches of snow and it is still coming down.

We weren't sure if we were making the right decision but we did. Ahhhh! A long sigh as we lay around my parents napping, playing, and doing last minute preparations for the upcoming busy weekend. Tomorrow we will head north of Milwaukee for my dad's side of the family's celebration. We haven't been to this Christmas in years and I am so excited for my Grandpa to finally meet Henry. Saturday evening we will celebrate with my mom and dad, brother, and sister and her husband Andy. On Sunday we will head to Racine for my mom's side of the family's Christmas. Monday we will head back to Minnesota for a little rest before we head up North for some Wroblewski Christmas celebrations.

Looking for a crisp walk with my mom and sister this evening...and some hot chocolate and Bailey's to warm the spirit.

How much is your babysitter worth?

So last night we were an hour later than we expected. I felt terrible but we couldn't get up from the somewhat intimate dinner party. I did sneak out to inform her that we were still eating and going to be running late. So knowing we would arrive home at 11 instead of 10, that she put both boys down, and it was a school night...we tried to figure out how much we should pay. We also always remember that good help is hard to find and we always want to feel like we pay well so they want to come back. Although, who wouldn't want to spend time with our little guys :)


Before the dinner party ended the topic of babysitters came up. There was a range of parents there...some who had kids who babysit and some that had a babysitter at their house last night too. One person said, "My daughter makes 14 dollars an hour." I was like. "WHAT! How many kids?" She said 3...well my mind rested a little because we only have 2 at this point. But still....I thought it was good that Ed's boss heard what a babysitter costs...some who expect 14 dollars.

My question...how much do you pay for your babysitter?
I do know that we vary it. They don't know what they are going to get, I like to keep them guessing. We think about whether they feed, put to bed, or sit bored for hours on end.

I think we paid our babysitter really well last night. I hope it makes up for the late evening on a school night. However, I think it is her mom I will call today and apologize because I think if it were me I would be a little annoyed that my 14 year old daughter was kept out that late. I am sure it is fine but I just feel bad.

Babysitters are lifesavers and I know that all moms and dads appreciate a great babysitter who the kids anticipate spending time with and who keeps them safe and entertained. But when your evening out costs less than the babysitter....it is just hard to justify even going.

So how much is your babysitter worth?

Babysitters be warned...we will be calling!

We have been blessed with a number of babysitters at our finger tips. I have had old students who were my third graders and are now 8th and 9th graders itching to make money. We also have been so lucky to have two young ladies live next door that are super babysitters. Isn't that the ultimate..to know their parents are around plus you don't have to drive them home! So we have had babysitters for Charley but we haven't really left Henry. I hate to admit this also but we haven't had anyone put Henry to bed yet. Not even a grandma (our parents live too far away to be the last minute babysitter and when we do go visit them we want to spend time with them too so we don't take them up on going out)...weird I know but it just has worked that our life now revolves around our boys. Soon we have a night when we need a babysitter that will put both boys to bed. So tonight I had the girl next door come over for a quick training session and then I actually slipped out without Henry noticing and let her put both boys to bed. I figure I will be able to relax that much more knowing she has one night under her belt.

So she came over, I gave her the run through, and then I left so they could play. After some playing she put Henry down and then Charley. Then she called me and I returned home to a quiet house.
She did it! She said Henry cried for a bit when she first put him in but then went right to sleep. Which is how he usually goes to sleep.

The thing about babysitters...I was a babysitter and now being on the other end and being the mom who is leaving the most precious thing in the whole world with a 14 or 15 year old...I am amazed that parents of three children left me to put them all to bed and that I didn't stress or worry about it. After Henry was first born and Ed had to travel I was so worried about doing it by myself. And even now the occasional night when one of us has to be gone it can often play as this big event in my head. Yes, I know kids often do better for others, but still! A 14 year old doesn't hesitate to take it on and is confident in encouraging me to go because she will be able to handle it.

I told our babysitter that tonight was a huge moment for me and as I sat at the coffee shop thinking...what is happening now at home...I realized that if this goes smoothly my husband and I might actually be able to see more movies, go on more dates, and be normal adults again. I think tomorrow I will have a skip in my step knowing "going out" is possible. And best of all...I paid her, thanked her, and watched her walk home. I didn't have to get back in the cold car and drive her home. Even if our nightlife doesn't really change, and we still opt to put our boys to bed and just relax at home....it is knowing that we have resources and that those resources will gift us the freedom to do what we wish for a few hours occasionally in the evening.

Good night!

Proud moment every day...

A moment that I take in and feel proud of is about 30 minutes after both boys are sleeping. Usually about 8 pm. I remember when Henry was first born and both boys were sleeping by 8 pm. I looked at Ed and said, "Holy cow! We have TWO boys asleep up there. They are both healthy, safe, and dreaming." I experience that thought and feeling every night. It amazes me and maybe I feel a little guilty but this is one of my favorite times of the day. I know they are safe, healthy, dreaming, and loved. I also can reflect and realize that they had good days and if there were moments that I would like to rewind and do over I realize that I learned from those moments, they learned from those moments, and tomorrow I have a fresh start and clean slate.

Last night I thought, "I always peek in on Charley to make sure he is covered up. But I am going to peek in on Henry" (normally I don't for fear he will smell me, I seriously think at that age when they are nursed they can sense your presence...like a wolf or something.) SO I quietly opened the door and I hear this little clonking sound and a giggle. As my eyes adjusted I could see Henry sitting up dropping his nuk close to the mattress and it then popped back up into his hand. He then giggled. I went in, said "night night!" Laid him down and left again.

So I guess even after 1 hour when all is quiet and I think they are all sleeping...they could be up dribbling their nuk. Either way, I am proud of my boys and when they are sleeping peacefully it gives me time to take in the astounding amount of love I have for them.

Four Year Olds...

Charley has a friend over today...his good friend Elly. They see each other often during the week and get along well. They do have times when they don't get along so well too though. Today it started out rough...both wanting things their own way. Elly's mom and I spend a lot of time with the two so we are comfortable dealing with their friendship spats...and usually they just need time to figure out how to jive. Today they found their niche with an hour of nonstop talking. I mentioned that Charley had his bin of people characters...all his character people. They sat and talked for 45 minutes...non stop...not necessarily agreeing or talking to each other but they worked through it all and saved lots of kids who needed superhero help. Then they decided to be superheros themselves and run around with their capes. We have a great house for running a loop. Anyways, I thoroughly am amazed at how much Charley talks but then realize when I get him together with another 4 year old (well almost four) that they all talk without stopping and their conversations are so precious. Meanwhile while Charley and Elly play and Henry naps...I am able to bake 9 dozen mini cupcakes, start a few loads of laundry, and blog.

I am thankful today....

It is really early so not thankful for too many specifics today at this point. However, in the winter...even though I am not a teacher anymore, I go to bed hoping for a snowday....and wake up checking immediately so I can live vicariously through my teacher friends. Even though..everyday can be like a snow day for me. Being a SAHM (stay at home mom) being home everyday can be such a treat but it can also really work you mentally.

Today, however, I am thankful that I am a SAHM and that I don't have to venture out with my boys in this below zero weather. To all my teacher friends, I was hoping for you today...however, I was trying not to jinx it either. Stay warm! I know it will be an indoor recess..which is the pits this time of year when they are so over energized and excited and you need that 15 minutes of peace. Hang on to the reins and you will steer yourself right into a wonderful Christmas vacation very soon!

So we will be shut ins today and hope everyone who had to venture out gets where they are getting quickly and warmly....without wiping out on their bike (yes you uncle Greg).

Taking care of cookie business....

We decorated our cut out cookies yesterday. So here is our cookie to do list:

kiss cookies 2 batches done!
m & m cookies 1 batch done!
Cut outs many batches 1/2 decorated


black bottom cupcakes
candy cane candy
Something new!

So I would say I am half done. Getting closer! I struggle to find a new cookie that I can bring to my family's Christmas that they can enjoy and will be different than what my mom and sister make. The cookies I make are tradtional cookies for my side of the family. So they are fun to bring to Ed's side of the family because they are completely different from their cookies. But it when going to my family's celebrations that I struggle thinking my tray will match my moms...and how can I EVER compete with that. I think this year I have that she isn't baking as much on my side...but still. Anyone have a great cookie recipe they love...send me an email
sweetsarahsummer@yahoo.com

Have you been a good boy?

This morning we packed up and headed to see Santa. Charley brought his list....a paper with cut out pictures of the things he wanted. We wondered how Henry would react. He has reached the stage where he needs to warm up with a person before being handed over. As you can see he didn't warm up to Santa..even after standing in line and watching.

Merry Christmas!