The artist at work

So instead of the fantasy world I live in where the kids are diligently working on their homework, Paul is making a delicious calorie-free dinner made entirely of cheese and garlic, the pets are all napping cuddled together on the couch while classical music plays on the stereo (you know–to build up the brain power during homework), and an ice cold Landshark beer (or glass of red wine–depending on the time of year) is waiting for me, I came into the Red Hot Chili Peppers on iTunes, cats fighting in the hallway, dogs drooling on the new couch, and….well…. this:

The scene at my kitchen table when I arrived home from work.

Tyler had been asking to make and launch (? is that was you do to a volcano?) the volcano that Elli, Michael, and Sydney gave him. So that project started while Anna channeled her inner Gerogia O’Keefe by painting with her new easel and supplies. She is SO gifted in her artwork.

Another angle

Day 1, 12/17/09: Anna’s 8th birthday. Paul and I met Robin and Jason, and of course Tyler at Rio Grande for Anna’s birthday dinner. Anna chose the restaurant–Rio G won for the 3rd year in a row. I just LOVE this picture of Anna.

Anna at her Rio Grande birthday dinner, Dec 17

Day 2, 12/18/09: Kids Family Birthday Party. Stephanie and Biz planned a party for Anna and Tyler at their house. Sandie, Brandon, Haley, Hunter and Mom Mom all celebrated with us.

Tyler had a Star Wars cake complete w light up light sabers. Anna had a doll cake complete w Barbie-like doll you lifted out of the cake before cutting.

Day 3, 12/19/09: Tyler’s 6th birthday. Before we could celebrate Tyler’s birthday, we had to play in the snow! That’s right, we had about 7 inches of snow on Friday night/Saturday morning. Then we met Robin, Jason and Lacey (their baby) at Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Tyler’s day.

Anna, Tyler and Frosty. This was after sledding off the ramp Paul built for them!

Ahhhh, my NRA reps.

Day 4, 12/20/09: Extended Sanders Family Christmas/Susan’s half birthday. OK, 1 was celebrated a little more than the other, but still…

Paul and me before starting to open presents at MomMom's.

Day 5, 12/21/09: Susan’s manager Christmas party and Cole’s Annual Christmas party.

(photos unavailable, cameras confiscated by security, paparazzi bounced from property)

Day 6, 12/22/09: Celebrated Paul’s birthday at UNC vs. Marshall basketball game!

My first time in the Dean Dome! I mean... me doing whatever Paul wanted to do for his birthday!

Paul and I are vegging out tonight. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, not sure what the plans are. Then we get the kids on Christmas Day about noon. Then Christmas w Steph and Biz, et. al on Sat afternoon! 9 events in 11 days! Whoooooo hooooooo! Keep in mind this was including 10 loads of laundry, 0 minutes of napping, 3 days of work (which included creating a plan to restructure our cardiac rehab program to make up for $96,000 worth of revenue that we cannot bill for in 2010 and 4 days of 11 state inspectors surveying our hospital), baking 120 cookies and only 30 minutes of physical activity and NO tears shed! Happy Sanders Hanukkah!

But am I simplifying… NO!!!! Just planning ahead!!! I found this kick ass website, 100DaysTo Christmas.com. It has really given me a lot of great ideas and resources. You should check it out!

Matter of full disclosure: By mentioning the website here, I get entered in a drawing for a Christmas CD. Paul, Anna, Tyler and I had a fire Saturday night and we decided that we were going to sleep under the tree one night as a family. The kids like to have music on when they go to sleep so a Christmas CD would be great. My wish is for the Enya CD.  Merry Christmas!

You know some of the fun that has been had already. This week the fun ratchets up a notch!

Thursday: Paul bought tickets to the taping of NPR’s “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” in NC. I am a HUGE fan. Being a contestant on this news quiz show is on my bucket list. Paul downloads the radio show for my iPod and let me tell you–it has gotten me through MANY  miles of running. Oh, and we are going to dinner before that. Not sure where. Oh, and we are leaving work early.

Friday: Since this is such a big b-day for me (see above), I want to do a significant physical event. I used to do bike a mile, a situp and a push up for each year of my life. But then I did an Ironman Triathlon and a 35 mile bike ride does not seem such a big deal. So this year is the Triple Hump of Death Birthday Victory Bike Ride: The ride that will spank me 35 times…and one to grow on. (all trademarks apply to that name) We will be riding on Friday. It will only be 95 degrees, bummer. Then we have our first Team in Training bike-run workout. Then Paul is going to Bryan’s house to play guitar so I can hang out at home by myself (this is a wonderful thing!).

Saturday, The Day: If Elli cooperates, I become an Auntie!!!! But, being the older sister, she will probably deny me my only wish in life. I plan to SLEEP IN. Then Tyler has his last Tball game. We are a little unsure of events on The Day. Option 1: stay home and finish some house projects (put cages on the ‘mater plants, paint the trim, touch up some walls), and for My Meal we talked about a growler of Red Oak beer and a bag of Doritos. Option 2: Training swim in the lake and 1618 for a fancy dinner. We will see.

Sunday. etc.: Not sure, but on June 26 My Sister’s Keeper (the movie) comes out. I am hoping to talk some of my girlfriends into going w me to cry through, I mean see, it.

I uploaded some photos of family randomness.

Goals–yes, I have quit setting them, but I did already set the goal to mountain bike this year. CHECK!!! We went last night and tonight and will go tomorrow night. I cried twice last night and wiped out pretty bad (scraped and bruised leg to prove it!). Tonight was MUCH better! Paul just decided to take me to the toughest trail in Greensboro for my first time last night.

Work had been difficult at best. I had a wonderful review and received the maximum raise. Although raises are frozen for management (which includes me). I had to eliminate a position and I had that meeting w the person and the staff today. I cried again. Paul made me cheese grits though and it helped.

K, that’s about it. We are up WAY past our bedtime! G’night!

That’s right, CRAWDADS!! PLURAL!!! I am in Cincinnati with my mom and dad at Elli and Michael’s for my neice to be’s shower.  Today is Elli’s birthday so we went to Pappadeaux for dinner. It is a “seafood kitchen.” My mom got crawdads and a salad for dinner. Elli asked if there was anything on the table that could pass as my new food for the week. I tried to pawn off the Sam Adams White Ale, but no one accepted that as an answer. Crawdads were the only option.

My first reaction–hellzzzz no!! [[Paul tried to trick me into eating them after the MB marathon, but I turned my head quickly to see those beady eyes (the crawdad's, not Paul's) staring at me and I knew it was something NASTY not the Alaskan King Crab meat I thought it would be. My general culinary motto is that I do not eat anything with eyes still intact.]] But then, I do hear, once the baby of the family, always the baby of the family. That proved to be the case b/c my mom said she would pull the meat out of the carcass of the bug eyed creature. It did NOT taste like chicken. The spices burned the taste buds off my tongue–good thing b/c I had to eat THREE PIECES in order to get a clear picture.

Susan is the only one left out but I think she likes it that way. She has a “birthday month” that she celebrates and we wouldn’t want to take away from that.

BTW: I had a message from Tyler this morning saying that he hopes I get a motorcycle for my birthday so he can ride with me. I think that is a excellent idea!