Post Card Frenzy

Every time Wally goes out of town, he gets bombarded with the “What did you bring me?” question from the kids as soon as he walks in the door.  Since he just got back from a trip to California, I got to thinking about this.  He often doesn’t have time to go out and get little things for the kids which, to be honest,  I’m glad because we don’t need any more “stuff” around here.  But it got me thinking how fun it would be to do a post card exchange with people.  We’re always interested in different places to visit and where people we live so here’s my great idea:

All you have to do is send us a post card from where you live.  You have the option of writing on the back of it or not, but we’d love to hear about you favorite things to do and places to go.  In return, we’d send you a post card about where we live.   So, if you read our blog, whether or not you comment, we’d love to hear from you!  There’s nothing like getting a good old fashioned post card from the mail and we’d love to see all the cool places you’re from.  Sounds like fun, huh?!

If you need our address, just email me:

thepaxtonians @ gmail dot com

 

Say Cheese!

There really hasn’t been a whole lot of things going on here in our neck of the woods.  We have been having unbelievably nice weather for the middle of January.  I think I’m actually going to make it through this winter—then again, we still have to get through February!  I’ll take a sunny, 30* day anytime over the bitter cold!

Wally has been in California the last few days, which, unfortunately for him, it’s been rainy and cold!  He’s supposed to get back in tonight, but his flight keeps getting delayed because of the weather (go figure) so I’m not sure exactly when he’s going to show up.  We’re all hoping that he’ll be here when we wake up in the morning.  We’re in desperate need of a nice hot breakfast that doesn’t include cereal and milk!  (I know, we’re totally spoiled here.)

We had a fun weekend though and Kelsie and I were able to get our craft on and made some 3D snowflakes.  They were really fun and easy to make and seemed to be the perfect decoration for this time of year. 

Caleb and I started a parent/toddler class this week.  It was the perfect thing for an almost 3 year old to run, climb, and jump to his heart’s content for almost an hour!  It’s great for this time of year when we can’t spend a whole lot of time outside!

Brandon’s new obsession is football.  He watches it, plays it, and video games it.  He has even started watching Sports Center in the mornings before school and writes down notes of when the games are.  Can you say obsessive compulsive?!  I have to admit that I’m glad we’re starting to get out of the Pokémon phase…even if it is just a little bit.  He can’t wait for basketball to start in a couple of weeks.  Neither can I.  It means that he’ll have an outlet for all his stored up energy and will (hopefully) quit teasing his brother and sister so much.

So, if you made it this far, you’re a trooper!  I’ve been having a mental block when it comes to my blog these days.  Hopefully something exciting will happen soon so that I’ll have something more interesting to say!

A Movie Maker in the Making

He took our 2009 interviews very seriously!

Two Years

Today marks our 2 year anniversary of living in the Chicago area.  A lot has changed for our family in the last couple of years and we have learned a lot as well:

• This is one of the coldest places we’ve ever lived.
• The Spring and Summer make you forget about the long cold winters.
• Frozen pipes are not fun.
• There is a lot of culture and diversity here.
• There are lots of fun things to do.
• We could live at the beach in the summer.
• Long underwear is a necessity when walking kids to/from school.
• Riding the train is lots of fun until it gets really crowded.
• The treasure hunt downtown is lots of fun for kids.
• A working A/C unit in the car is not as important as a working heater.
• It really is beautiful here.
• The schools here are wonderful!
• We have met so many nice and friendly people.

We really have had a great experience living here with all its ups and downs.  At one point in the last couple of years I didn’t think that I would have any good memories of living here, but I don’t think that anymore.  We’re excited for the next few months ahead of us and the changes to come in our family and where we may possibly end up. 

I think one of the most important things that we’ve learned is that change is really hard for everyone.  It’s hard to uproot and move somewhere new and start all over again, but it can be done.  And it can be done with positive results.  The kind of results that you work hard to get and end up being huge blessings in the end.  Life is an adventure and the experiences you gain are priceless.  Enjoy the journey!

Here’s to the start of year 3!

2010 Here We Come!

I can’t believe we’re at the start of a new decade already!  We rang in 2010 with a family slumber party in the basement watching Night at the Museum 2:  Battle of the Smithsonian after attending a super fun party at a friend’s house.  The boys didn’t make it to midnight, but the rest of us paused the movie just in time to watch the ball drop and celebrate!  Kelsie wasn’t so excited about all the kissing on TV, but after we drank our Cherry 7Up (her choice) gave each other a kiss and got back to the movie all was well again!

We have been watching football all day, cheering on our trusty old Penn State (yay!) and watching the intense ending of the Northwestern game as well.  We also caught a little bit of the Rose Parade and Bowl game in between eating yummy food, playing football video games, napping, and just hanging out together. 

We’re excited to start a brand new year and are working on our family time capsule and interviews that we hope to have finished by Sunday.  This is such a fun time of year, even if it is 15* (but feels like 2*) outside! 

Happy New Year!