When did we become Jewish?

Is it our family or is Christmas is no longer exclusive to December 25th? It seems that the holiday is taking on the form of Hanukkah in the sense that it is more like "eight crazy nights", instead of Christmas morning! We had a Christmas event every night since last Thursday. They are all good fun and a great way to get to see everyone over the holidays. I am afraid Brooke will not understand what the heck is going on Wednesday when it will be the first time in a week that there hasn't been a pile of gifts for her to open! We had a successful Christmas - we were able to make it over to Chicago to see family and friends and had safe travels in order to make it home Christmas Eve. Brooke was able to put cookies and carrots out for Santa and apparently start a new Munson tradition. According to her cousin Jake you are suppose to put out shoes by the fireplace and Santa will fill them with candy. (its suppose to be some St. Nicks day tradition? Thanks Jakers - Santa will be happy he has to remember one more thing! :) ) So all in all it has been a really pleasurable Xmas - Brooke loved the gifts/Santa/parties etc.... She was happy Santa remembered her dentist tools she asked for .....when she opened them she said "Mom he really is magic, he remembered!" Brady on the other hand wasn't so needy give the boy some ribbon and he was good to go! So I am not sure if I am suppose to sign off with a "Deck the halls with balls of Holly" or if I should convert to " Oh Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,Come light the menorah. Let's have a party, We'll all dance the hora. " Either way I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays

5 months old today!!

In a blink of an eye all of a sudden we have this lil man at home, definitely no longer an infant! He is in total BABY mode. He is starting to roll (not all the way) but soon he will gather the strength to get that last shoulder over! He giggles and blows bubbles all the time and really doesn't like when people aren't in eyeshot of him. He loves holding toys and slobbering all over everything! He is also boldly aware that his parents take way too many pictures and everytime we pull the camera out he goes into stone cold no smile phase. I feel like he is thinking to himself "seriously again with that silver box? Why are they always waving that stupid thing in my face and blinding me with that flash of liht?" (ahhh Brady - give in cuz your Mutha' sure won't!) We have cut out feeding him at night and it is heavenly! (who cares that we have to replace that binky 3 times a night - the fact that I am not up feeding is worth it!) He is sleeping good for the most part 7-7 with a feeding at about 10:30 - so no huge complaints other than its just happening WAY TOO FAST!! Happy 5 month bday Brady!

Third Times a Charm!

So here we go - off to see Santa and what a relief - it is the first year that I didn't have to accompany Brooke onto the big ol' jolly guy's lap!! So three years it took to get rid of the tears and fears that apparently have stricken her in prior years. Don't get me wrong she wasn't running with joy to get to him by any means - but she did take keen notice of all the boys and girls that went before her and looked at me and said "mom I think I can do it!" Bless her heart! So she let Brady go first (haha what a thoughtful sista.... or perhaps a frighten one) but when she saw Brady up there she joined him immediately....Also take note she opted for the seat on the couch instead straight up on his lap! Baby steps...... Santa was real nice and Brooke proceeded to tell him that she wanted dentist tools which got a chuckle from the bowl full of jelly! Santa proclaimed it was the first request for it but he will see what he can do! And who couldn't enjoy a trip to Santa when they get a free present from him! So I think it is starting to sink in as she says to me in the car on the way home "mom I should take a nap today because Santa will be watching" oh I will be soo sad when December 26th is here and we have no more bargaining tools..... Doesn't the Easter bunny bribe with good behavior????

It Ain't so EASY.....

On a snowy icy day I thought it would be a nice idea to break out the "EASY bake oven" Brooke got for her birthday.....She loves to help us cook and I told her we were making cake so she was so on board with that idea! I guess I don't really recall having one as a child - perhaps I always wanted one...And I am sure I thought I was an abused child for not having one - but as an adult I now realize there was really nothing to be that upset over!! :) So I can't say the label didn't warn me "for ages 8 and up" but like every mother I thought - My kid can handle this - its not like I am going to leave her to whip up items with an oven by herself - No I thought this would be something fun we can do together......Well in hindsight some things I didn't consider:
1. Who was the ingenious fool who thought it was a good idea to cook food by lightbulb? (and um yeah that's singular!) So the first instructions please preheat for 24 hours.....(really 15-20 minutes) but in Toddler time that is A LOT of time!
2. The cake batter was enough to fill a teaspoon measuring cup - and after 1/2 of that falls out of the bowl from a toddler like stirring frenzy there was enough batter to barey cover the pan
3. Next direction please cook for 10 minutes - also an eternity in a toddlers mind and lets face it in the day and age of microwave ovens - Puhlease!
4. Next let cool for 15 minutes - are you kidding me this cake that is the diameter of a life saver is now taking over an hour from start to finish - I think to myself "Man this better taste good!"
5. Something that is crafted in such an elegant purple and pink oven could turn out to look like this? Bless its heart!
6. But to see a three year old barely contain herself as she presented it to her dad and told him she made it all by herself was worth all the effort....
So the oven that wasn't so "easy" sure was a big hit in someone's eyes!