happy 2010 from skoots and cuddles!

new additions to the deegan family

I'm pleased to introduce you to Nemo and Dory.... our new African Dwarf Frogs (names thanks to my darling 6 & 4 year old children.... duh!). Reilly & Coop received these little buggers for Christmas and they have swiftly found a soft spot in our hearts.

Here is Dory... he has darker spots and is kind of lazy.

This is Nemo... she has lighter spots and is a little loony.

They only eat twice a week and you only have to clean their aquarium 4 times a year. Easy-peasy!

You can get your own froggie friends here.

one word

Sarah at Clover Lane is one of my favorite bloggers. This morning, as I sat sipping my coffee, I took a quick trip over to Clover Lane for a few moments of inspiration. I love Sarah's attitude towards life, family, children, her home.... everything. Not to mention we have a geographical connection... as she lives in my childhood hometown. 

Anyway.

This morning Sarah blogged about picking one word to guide you through the year.... as opposed to a New Year's resolution (find her post here). Sarah got the idea from another blogger and passed it on, now I'm passing it on to you. What a fantastic idea, right?

To date I have NEVER been able to stick to any sort of resolution, be it a large resolution (stop cursing) to a smaller resolution (daily flossing). I think having a single idea/word to focus on for the year is far less intimidating and far more inspirational.

So.
Now I'm pondering what my word should be. This is tough. Calm? Joy? Love? Simplify? All good, but their not sticking. I will chew on this a bit and get back to you.

Oh... ya... Sarah had another great idea.... buy a little frame, print the word out on nice paper, and stick that frame right above your kitchen sink.  You can't help to be reminded every day.

Thanks for the great idea Sarah!

BTW... you can buy that adorable Happy New Year banner here!

2009 christmas card

 

because... we're a little confused! 

Merry Christmas, The Deegan Family

getting out the door and goofy hair

Trying to get out the door with nicely dressed kids in a timely manner is proving to be my parenting pitfall. Dan and I set a time to get out the door, and inevitably we are consistently 15 to 20 minutes late. Ugh. Last weekend we had the Deegan Family Christmas Party. Here are a few shots of our prep....

there was a little naughty...

and a (very) little nice...

 

 there was a little Unkie... with his "ducky" hair....

 and there was Coop with his crazy hair (don't you love his pose?)...

 

loving the goof-ball face...

  

we finally made it to the party and Reilly spent the 

evening with her favorite cousin Bridget.... she's 10 and Reilly's idol.

ode to baby wipes....

10 reasons why the Deegan household would NOT survive without baby wipes...
10 - they're perfect for a stain remover... forget the Tide-To-Go.... baby wipes!
9 - they remove mascara and other makeup
8 - they keep sticky fingers and faces clean
7 - they shine up my granite counters
6 - in a pinch I've been know to use them as Kleenex
5 - they're great for a quick bathroom sink and toilet cleanup
4 - they're a perfect stain remover for our microfiber sofa.... honestly, they don't leave a ring and get ANYTHING off that darn sofa
3 - you can buy them at Costco in bulk... a million wipes for only $19.99!!!
2 - don't have time for a shower?.... baby wipes!
1 - they keep Max's hind quarters clean (duh!)

Ting-A-Ling

Meet Ting-A-Ling, the Deegan Family's Elf on the Shelf. Maybe I'm a really bad Mom, but I am using this guy to introduce major change in this house. Seriously. Having a direct line to the "Big Guy" (Santa, not God) really puts the fire under the little be-hinds in this house!

my girl...

 

 

 

 

Today I want to take a moment to tell you a little more about my darling daughter. Dan and I are so blessed Reilly is ours.... well at least for the next 12 years or so. Until the day I drop her off in her freshman dorm, I want to soak up every moment I have with her!

Reilly is smart, beautiful and chock-full of energy... she can't keep still. Reilly loves her family and is (for the most part) extremely patient and caring with her little brothers. It's amazing how she can play Thomas the Train, matchbox cars and trucks with little complaint. She and Cooper are true buddies and I pray this relationship continues. She does have her moments and has quite a temper, but she's quick to admit fault and apologize.

I call her bootsy-mama and it's a fitting name. Reilly is incredibly sassy. She loves to dance and sing and is the first to say she has many, many talents.

When she grows up she wants to be a vet, Mommy, ballerina, teacher, a baby doctor and many, many more. We know she can achieve whatever she sets her mind to. When she wants something, she's one determined little lady!

I love the way she expresses her love. She's fierce in her emotions and wears them on her sleeve. She's quick to exude extreme excitement and quick to explode into tears. When she loves you, she's not afraid to say so and will say it often. After tucking her into bed every night, I always hear a tired little voice saying "I love you, Mama" as I walk down the stairs. She melts my heart.

Through the years it has been a true pleasure to be Reilly's Mom. I thank God everyday that he trusted me to raise this incredible child. I know in some way, she'll make a difference in this crazy world.

Reilly, your Mama loves you to the moon and back.

my morning in photos...

After TWO drop-off trips to school, one to drop-off Reilly and the second to drop-off her backpack (ugh!), now I'm back at home & beginning the day. Please join me...

give Max a bottle & put him down for a nap...

make Cooper's bed...

clean up the toothpaste mess on the kid's bathroom sink...

re-roll up the toilet paper... it's still a little wonky. move on...

re-fold all of the clothes in Reilly's cabinet...

almost trip over our cat (Larry) on my way down the stairs...

pick up the discarded clothes in the hallway...

help Cooper find pbskids.com on the computer...

take a moment & smile while reading the note

Reilly left on my dry erase board...

ignore the baskets of folded laundry on my way to the kitchen...

then ignore the pile of unfinished stationery orders on my way to the kitchen...

wash breakfast dishes...

take another moment & smile at Reilly & Cooper's artwork left on the counter...

let Lucy in (doesn't she look sad)...

pick up the baby toys in the family room...

grab a coffee, sit down & watch The View...

 ahhhhhh....

o christmas tree

We finally decorated our tree. Until I got involved all the ornaments were located in a 3' x 3' square, about a foot off the ground.

choose the perfect ornament...

place the ornament in the perfect spot...

stand back, inspect your work & check for holes...

ta-da!

oh ya.... he's walking

It's official. At 10-1/2 months old.... Max is a walker. I'm so screwed.

 

 

Isn't it strange, babies are much better walkers with something in their hands. Max usually walks around with an Ikea plastic spoon in each hand. Reilly calls them his "walking spoons". Kinda cute.

2009 christmas card...

So. Yesterday I FINALLY got my act together to take our Christmas card photo. I know. I know... I suck. Anyway, it went about as good as expected when you're trying to get a 10 month old to cooperate. With the help of my darling husband... the photo was taken and my cards are off to the printer.  Hopefully they'll be sent before 2010. Here are a few photo out-takes...

 

 

 

Stay tuned... the final product will be posted soon.

Here are a few cards from past years to wet your whistle.