2014: Here We Come!

We ended 2013 with a pizza party at home with Gran and Papa (Dad had to work -- he was sad to miss the big night!)

When the kids woke up from their naps, we got out our "New Year's Party Box" - filled with hats, necklaces, noise makers, and confetti. 

Disclaimer:  Rudy had changed into a new pair of pajamas during his nap.  This was actually his third outfit for the day - not pajamas from the night before :)

After baths it was time for our champagne (i.e. sparkling grape juice) toast and popcorn.

Thumbs up!  Rudy was quite the fan of the "cheers"-ing and the juice.  Something tells me this one is going to be a partier.

The next day we had a little New Year celebration with some friends.  We had lunch at the Allotey's -- and we brought our party box along -- followed by bowling with them and the Leonard's.

It started out normal lighting, but by the 2nd or 3rd frame it changed to the "cosmic bowling" -- lights went out, neon lights and black lights were on and loud music.  The kids loved it -- dancing all over, showing off their moves, having snacks, rolling balls… what's not to love?  Rudy was SO loving it.  We play a game at home called "Roll the Ball" where we sit on the floor facing each other and roll a ball back and forth.  We have also bowled at Scheels before.  But this was in a whole new league.  As soon as we got home, he wanted to go back.  Avery's curiosity was peaked.  She didn't want to be held or contained.  She walked all over, checking everything out.  She was definitely digging the scene, too. 

The whole crew

Our goals for the new year:

• Make a better effort at getting to mass on Sundays.  I say "better effort" because I don't want to set ourselves up for failure and say "go to mass."  I'm trying to be realistic.  We have 2 young kids, soon to be 3 under the age of 3, and some weeks it just won't work out.  But we are going to do our best to make it a habit to take the kids to mass regularly.  It will be good for all of us.

• Plan meals, preferably healthy and with variety.  We have gotten into a bad habit of being short-order cooks.  We use our microwave too much and everyone eats something different.  I think if we planned our meals, made an effort to be health conscious and have a variety, we would save money and introduce the kids to new foods -- instead of the chicken nugget/mac and cheese cuisine we frequently serve.  

• Live more simply.  Cut back, save more money, and don't use what we don't need.

• Recognize that these next few years are going to be very challenging when it comes to having time to do things other than raising kids.  Kids under the age of, I don't know, 5 (??) are pretty dependent.  Just because we don't do things "this year," doesn't mean we never will.  Like we will probably pass on a Derby party this year and a family vacation.  Both things I'd like to "always do" -- but let's be realistic, our lives are hectic enough right now and we can't do it all.

• Acknowledge birthdays.  This is a personal goal of mine.  I want to keep better track of my family and friend's birthdays.

• Finish the little things and build a big thing.  There are several little things around the house/yard that keep getting ignored.  Things that don't "have" to be done, but should be.  And we want to focus on building a garage this summer/fall -- that's our big thing.

• One kid project a week.  I'd like to plan and prep one project with the kids a week -- art project, game, activity… something besides the ordinary.

• Date-Night.  Realistically, I'd be happy with 4-6 date nights this year.  We seem to only get out of the house together without the kids when we have to -- which isn't a bad thing because those "have to"s are usually for fun things, like weddings, parties, etc -- but it'd be nice to go out to dinner or see a movie, just the two of us, just because.

• Let go of the "Mom Guilt."  This kind of relates to other goals I mentioned above.  But put simply, remind myself that I am doing the best I can in the situation we are in and be proud of all that I do do and not focus on what I can't seem to get done.

• Potty train one child, maybe even two.

• Read more books and less Facebook statuses.

Things we are looking forward to in the new year:

• Welcoming Baby #3.

• Rudy starting pre-school (he's growing up too fast).

• My 1st annual 29th birthday.