The Jolly experience

Many years ago, I mean many years ago like 16 years I worked for Santa Bob during the holiday season. I was the one that worked at the Santa Booth taking pictures of all the kiddos with the jolly guy. I did this for a few years and really liked it. I dressed up as characters when they introduced Santa the day after Thanksgiving and also when the Easter Bunny came to the Mall. I really liked working for Bob and Jean. They made the experience for children very magical.

This year was the first for both Ryan and Maya. I did the worst thing a parent can do and waited 2 days before Christmas to get the picture. Since Mike was working I recruited my parents to help me with my bundles. When we got there of course the line was a mile long. Ok I thought we are going to do this and it is going to be fine. My mom took the kids (Ryan and my Dad) to eat at the food court while I waited. When they were done they were off to the indoor playground for Ryan while I waited and waited. I remember looking at my watch when I first got in line...10:30am. When I finally approached the desk where they were taking the photo orders I realized there was a sign indicating the times Santa was on break. 12:30-1:00pm. As I looked at my watch it was 12:20pm. Panic set in. I was line for almost 2 hours and I was at the cusp of having that red rope hold me back for another 30 min. It was the time to pray...to pray really hard. As I stood there realizing the mistake I made to wait last minute, horrible parent guilt set in.

I called my mom to let her know to bring the kids since it was almost my turn. I have this intuition since I am a mom and told her to check Maya's diaper before coming over. She told me she was asleep and didn't want to wake her up. I persisted and said " Please see if there is ANY odor coming from sleeping beauty." ( you can see where this is going )

They came with the kids and got the ok sign from the gal that we would be seeing Santa before his break. Thank goodness! Prayers do get answered. I gave her my order, pulled sleepy Ryan in line and took Maya out of her car seat. She was so cute in her green velvet dress, white tights, and black shoes. (Thank you Elaine) As I pulled her out the smell hit my nose. OH MY GOSH! I saw the wet seat she was in, felt the wetness hit my shirt as I was holding her. Too late now. The deed was done. I made a fast "I told you to check her pants!" at my mom. I think I even yelled it. I grabbed a blanket put her on Santa's lap along with Ryan and said to the girl "just take it". Santa asked me if I wanted the pink blanket in the picture. I just said "No, but you will want it in the picture."

The experience was not like I pictured it years ago. I guess that's ok because a different kind of memory was made. I know I hurt my moms feelings and I am sorry for that. I just had to remind her I have those mommy feelings that are never wrong. (ask Mike)

And of course I had to enclose the end result of my "Jolly Experience".......Enjoy!

P.S.- At least Santa could of smiled. ( Santa Bob would of ) I guess Maya smelled that bad. HA HA!

Only 68 degrees

As I sit here enjoying the window open and gazing at the beautiful sky, I am reminded again why I love Arizona. The sky is cloudy and the sunbeams are hitting the desert mountains. The White Tank Mountains are pretty but not as gorgeous as the Superstitions. Friends and family that are dotted around the country are getting the wonderful "white" stuff I try to avoid. With bare feet and jeans, I hope this is what Heaven is like. Now if you want to talk about the long summer... that's a different story. The kind of place that feels like h*ll.

I do have to say to the small crowd that reads my blog that this weekend is going to be yet another ending chapter in the Moore lives. A new one is going to start on Monday. We are leaving our beautiful home and heading back to Mesa. (Mike thinks it is so overrated.) But I know you Mesa people...you are like me and always yearn to come back. Well..maybe some of you.

I am sure going to miss my co-workers dearly. You know who you are. The ones that I spend so much of my day with. We are going to miss my sitter. She is as awesome as you can get. My very diligent visiting teacher companion. She is such an example to me. We are going to miss the Schwans guy too! (There is more we are going to miss but to long to type.)

There are things we have learned being on this side of the city. We have had to learn to live out in the middle of nowhere. I am going to have to re accustom myself to "city". But I do have to admit the privacy and quietness has been very nice.

So we are off again to a new adventure. Lets hope it doesn't involve snakes in the backyard and scorpions in the house!!!

Show Low, Santa, wipes, and a binky

We like to thank Brooke and Jim for letting us stay this weekend and enjoy the freshness of a new baby. Oh, she is sooo cute! It was nice to snuggle with Michelle for about an hour as her momma took a well deserved nap. Mike and Jim were carrying away with the bathroom tub and tile. They are such handy guys. Its funny to me to see them enjoy the job of cutting, ripping, and tearing apart a tub. Then replacing it with a new one. I don't know how many runs to the local Home Depot were made but I'm sure glad they knew what they were doing. Like I said before, everyone needs a plumber.

As we reunited with Ryan and Maya on Sunday they seemed like they grew inches. We knew the love and care they were given...a.k.a they were spoiled rotten! My parents went over the experience of taking Ryan to the ward breakfast meet Santa shindig. He wasn't sure about that Santa Claus guy. He liked the big waffles that were served and like even better to see Santa from the distance. He didn't know what to think of him. I guess we were all like that when we were his age.

There are many things in this world I take for granted on a daily basis. i.e. air, water, food....you get my point. But today was the day I realized how much I use baby wipes. Lets just say I have finally ran out. It was a shock to me since the last time I bought them was in September. You know that HUGE box from Costco. Having 2 kids in diapers is a chore in itself but not to have wipes! OH, what do I do? Ok, I don't have time to make the homemade ones. The other ones are just so more convenient. I guess I have learned my lesson. Keep a spare pack with the spare diapers which is an indication to buy more. Mike's suggestion as Ryan advised us of the prize in his diaper was to use the Lysol wipes under the counter.

So Mike and I made a rule. Once Ryan turns 2 years old no more binky. Yup cold turkey! He only uses it when he goes to bed or if he needs to stop talking VERY loudly in church. I don't even think he uses it at daycare. So do you think we will stick to the rule in 11 days? We shall see.

She is here!

My sweet sister in law Brooke had a baby today! Michelle was born this afternoon in Show Low, AZ. Mike and I plan on going up there this weekend to see the new addition and dote on her like they do ours.