My new shopping sidekick

Yesterday was shopping day and since the kids are on break I took Kendall with me, leaving the boys behind to do whatever it is that boys do. 

Kendall had Christmas money burning a hole in her pocket and I had a few gift cards as well so between the two of us we had four different stores we wanted to stop at, besides the regular grocery stops and the lovely errands of picking up a prescription and stopping at the DEQ to renew my registration. 

By the end of the day we had made ELEVEN stops, and didn't pull into the driveway until almost 7:00 pm. And we had a blast.

Here is why Kendall is my new preferred sidekick:

- She has boundless energy. She never walked - she skipped, bounced, danced, and jigged her way around every store and parking lot. While this was funny to watch, it also meant that she didn't burn out after the first couple of stops (a necessary skill when shopping with me!)

- She is as friendly as her father and in all her dealings with random strangers throughout the day she not only garnered several compliments but also a dollar and a mini-perfume. Nicely done, girlfriend!

- She is an enthusiastic shopper and a generous compliment giver. After about every single thing I tried on at Old Navy she would exclaim "Oh my gosh, I would wear that RIGHT NOW. That looks sooo cute!!". Well, I better buy it then shan't I?!

- She loves herself some Quiznos broccoli cheese soup as much as her mother. 

- When she would start to get bored and whine I whipped her back into shape with a little "this is the time where you have to chose to have a good attitude" or "be a fun shopping partner for Mommy", and it would work! Can't really do that with my friends... or my husband... so bonus points for Kendall!

I'm looking forward to a lot of things in 2011, and now one of them is more shopping trips with my daughter! 

Happy New Year!

Sometimes I really embarrass myself

Monday night I went down to the high school gym to watch my husband's team play. Sitting on the seats he'd saved for me and the kids was a gift bag filled with goodies from some of our friends and I smiled as I looked around to thank them, but I couldn't find them. Instead, I showed my neighbors sitting behind and next to me and then the kids when they came over to inspect the contents. 

I continued to hold the bag on my lap as I visited with a friend, until a highschooler came over and started to take the bag. Naturally, I grabbed it back and said "hey!" with a smile, wondering what he was doing. 

"I'm taking it to my Mom" he explained.

I glanced over at his mother a few rows away and smilingly accused her of wanting to steal one of the contents of the gift bag, assuming she'd seem me showing it off. 

But instead she told me the gift bag was actually hers, she'd received it earlier in the afternoon and had just loaned it to Russell to save my seat.

And then I died of embarrassment. 

What made it worse was that the scene was almost an exact replica of one of my most embarrassing high school moments: Valentines Day, 1997.

I was a senior and Russell had already graduated but I fully expected to get some sort of delivery during the school day because that would be Russell all over. Sure enough, after the first morning break I came to my locker that I shared with a friend and opened it to find two beautiful roses and a stuffed animal inside. I squealed and spun around, looking for Russ to jump out from behind a corner. Not finding him, I actually searched the hallways for a bit before taking my gifts and making my way to my next class, being sure to show the items off to everyone I passed on the way.

As I entered the room I proudly announced and displayed my surprise to my English classmates, only to have my locker-mate say "Oh Jodi, I'm sorry, those were for me!"

Yeah, her boyfriend gave them to her. 

I ABSOLUTELY died of embarrassment right then and there. 

It was painful. 

Even after I received a delivery of a dozen roses and 2 helium balloons at lunch time.

But here I am now, almost 14 years later, and apparently I still haven't learned my lesson.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO SELF: 

When you don't find your name 

on a card or note that is

attached to a gift, 

for heaven's sake ask around before

assuming something is for you!

Also, perhaps don't be such a show off...

What I Wore Wednesday - Christmas break

Just enjoying our Christmas break here... lazy mornings, late nights, much reading on the new kindle, you get the gist. 

For anyone that regularly visits on WIWWs you'll be pleased to know that on Christmas morning THE BOOTS LANDED! My detailed and descriptive wish list email worked like a charm - especially when Russ printed it off and took it to the mall with him. Apparently the sales associates were quite impressed with my thoroughness :)

 

Wednesday: baking day then Wed. night church

top: Target

jeans: Levi's - Kohl's

Uggs: ebay

scarf: ??

Thursday: took kids Christmas shopping for each other

top: JC Penny

cami: Shade

jeans: Gap - Goodwill

same Uggs: ebay

 Saturday: Christmas #1

cardigan: Charlotte Russe

gray cami: Diviine Modestee

skinny jeans: Target

cardy Uggs: Merry Christmas to me! 

from my honey :)

 

Sunday: Christmas #2

cardigan: Target

ruffle tank: Old Navy

skinny jeans: Lauren Conrad - Kohl's

same new Uggs :)

 

Monday: basketball tournament day 1

tunic: Kmart

cardigan: Target

skinny jeans: Target

Uggs: that's right, three days in a row, people!

necklace: Romy

Tuesday: basketball tournament day 2

I am nothing if not a devoted coach's wife ;)

shirt dress: Charlotte Russe (4.99!)

leggings: Walmart

boots: Costco

beanie: ??

Today the ground is covered in snow and the fireplace is warm... I'm planning on sweats all day!

Linking to The Pleated Poppy HERE.

Have a great week my friends!

10 Things about Christmas 2010

1. I love Christmas traditions. One present each on Christmas Eve. New pajamas every year. Presents on Christmas morning. My dad's french toast breakfast. Traditional Christmas dinner. Family togetherness. This year we did it all plus some and it was wonderful.

2. If you are going to take your kids to see the new Narnia movie in 3D on Christmas Eve you don't need to leave early to get good seats or plan on ice cream out afterwards. Apparently it's not as popular of an idea as you'd think and no place is open for dessert. Anywhere. 

We loved the movie!

3. I felt a little funky around midnight Christmas Eve and woke up with a stomach bug around 4 am. This is about the epitome of my absolute worst nightmare: missing Christmas. HOWEVER, I serve a loving and merciful God and after a solid couple hours of bathroom trips and praying my heart out I went back to sleep and was fine! As in, I ate till I was stuffed at Halverson family Christmas that afternoon and helped myself to seconds and thirds of dessert. Thank you Jesus! 

Merry Christmas morning!

4. The boots landed! The boots landed!

Well done honey, well done.

5. Best gift ever at Halverson Christmas: this outfit for Blake, aka Batman (or Superman - it's reversible!), from his awesome grandparents...

Bam!

Pow!

I kid you not, he wore it ALL day. And the next day as well. And when he was in it he was Batman, fighting any villain (be it person or object) in his way. Go Batman!

6. Christmas with lots of kids is fun, noisy, rowdy, fun, boisterous, and fun! Meet the Halverson Twelve:

the cousins

7. Our Wilson Christmas was on Sunday so we skipped church and enjoyed the whole day together. The end result of this was that I ate waaaay too much yummy food. Again.

enjoying breakfast, still waiting for Jamin. Finally, someone who shows up later than me!

8. We scored this year: among many other things Russ got a new gun and a cool new hoodie, I got a new crockpot and my beloved Kindle, and the kids got Mariokart and Donkey Kong games for our Wii. Smashing successes.

9. My brother won the awesome gift giver award of the year. He did great with the kids gifts and surprised Dave and Kelly with an espresso machine and my parents with a Wii! 

the amazing Uncle Jay

10. Mariokart is not just for kids. 

some serious drivers

Christmas came!

I can't help myself, I will have to write a proper Christmas recap tomorrow, including how I woke up with the stomach bug at 4 am Christmas morning.

Oh yes. It's true.

But until then, I have to share one other thing that came as a surprise this Christmas...

meet the new Kindle

Holy AWESOME Batman! 

Like I told Russell on the way home from our Christmas #2 today, where I received this sweet little item, "It's one of those things that you didn't even know you wanted until you get it, and then suddenly it's your most prized possession and you are 100% completely and wholly in love with it."

I'm serious. We will never part.

Dear parents:

You are wonderful and amazing

and I will love you forever.

You and my kindle. 

p.s. sorry about the crying,

sometimes I get a bit excitable.