Concealer and Caffeine

The two things most moms need are concealer and caffeine. I can't seem to make it through a day without these two must-haves! Some days start too early and I have to load up on both -- today being one of those. Why is it that little boys who refuse to take naps, want to go to bed early, and then wake up multiple times in a night, still want to wake up at 6:00 a.m.? Insane! I love these two little ones, and they are awfully fun in the mornings, but Mommy needs more sleep! I can only load up on so much caffeine and concealer in one day!

By the way, Luke has found that concealer is also a must-have. He has now made two attempts to "brighten" his eyes! LOL Check it out!

This was Luke's first attempt at mascara on his own -- he looks more like a hockey player (if he was missing a few teeth it would be even better)! (He got into Mommy's make-up while she was visiting with Mimi and Poppie in October.)

Here is Luke's most recent attempt at using make-up. The kid amazingly got the mascara on his eyelashes and the blusher/bronzer on his cheeks (and chest). (This time he got into Grandma Mimi's make-up while Mommy and Mimi were cleaning or with Baby P.)

Needless to say, this kiddo watches Mommy putting on her make-up a little too often. If this continues he may be heading off to the ranch with Daddy and Uncle Mike to get a little "man time" in!

Long Beach Outing

Luke and Daddy feeding the pigeons some french fries!

Enjoying lunch on the patio at Gladstone's in Long Beach.

One contemplative and creative little boy.

Long Beach and Christmas

John and Paden -- cool hat dude!

Mimi teaching Luke how to throw rocks into the marina -- and the cool "plunk" it makes!

Dad and I -- enjoying the beauty out at Long Beach.

Aunt Kiki and Luke -- reading one of his many new books on Christmas morning.

Paden is all smiles and laughs for Mommy and Luke!

Christmas Morning...and the days leading up to it

Luke being entertained watching "The Incredibles" (at 6:00 a.m.) while waiting for Christmas morning to begin.

Luke and Bailey in awe of the lights on Candy Cane Lane (El Segundo, CA).

Great-Grams and Paden

Mimi and Luke blowing bubbles on a rainy California winter day.

Christmas 2008

FAMILY -- that is one of my favorite things about the holidays. Being a military brat the holidays were usually spent with just the 4 of us (Mom, Dad, Katy and I) and maybe an occasional year would find us with our extended family. Now that I'm a mom with little ones myself, I'm thankful for the time the 4 of us are together, but am also thankful for the times when my whole family is together. This Christmas was one of those years. Our little house in Redondo Beach has been filled with little boys, grandparents, auntie, Grams and lots of laughter for a couple of weeks. Two weeks that were fun, exhausting, but will always be cherished. Four generations in one house is pretty cool!

Now I sit here in the quiet (well, at least the 2 boys are sleeping) and think about the whirlwind that was Christmas for the Mizell's. It was fun to see Luke interact with his Grandma Mimi, Poppie, Aunt Kiki and Grams. Of course Paden watched in wonder and amusement the entire time. Luke loved all his gifts from grandparents that truly spoiled him (though he doesn't know that some of them have been stashed away for later!). It was truly a "Thomas" Christmas for the kiddo -- trains, backpack/suitcase, towels, plates, fork/spoon, you name it, they make it, Luke has it! I do feel like a bad Mommy though -- I'm horrible about taking pictures, and I didn't even take a single one of Paden on his first Christmas day! Poo!

So I'll sum up this past couple of weeks...fun, tiring, joyous, tiring, yummy, tiring...you get the point! And now I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for us in 2009 -- crazy enough to think it's here in a matter of days! Wow! See you then!

A New Adventure...Blogging!

After seeing so many friends' blogs -- I have decided to enter this blogging world. Maybe I can stay on top of this more frequently than my once a month postings on the kids' website. Plus, so much happens on a day-to-day basis with these crazy kids of ours...this crazy life of ours...that I would hate to "forget" what happens.

Right now the boys and I are in Texas visiting with the grandparents and Aunt Kiki. We have prolonged our visit for an additional week, and I think we are all beginning to question the decision in that one. Luke has been insane, and I don't say that lightly, and really pushing his limits. I don't know if there is something in the air (literally) or what...but it hasn't been too much fun. There have been some fun moments though...we took the boys to the Dallas Zoo on Saturday and saw a kid who was more enamored with the space to run, the bronze sculptured animals and the costumed zoo workers. It was a beautiful day topped with happy boys, no naps, and a "yucky" left on the bed (apparently Luke doesn't like having poopie diapers these days...emptied the diaper right on his bed during "nap time"! fun, fun!).

We miss John. He's holding down the fort back at home with Bailee and keeping busy with work (as usual). We're looking forward to seeing him next Saturday when we return home.

Oh, we found out that John was picked up for school (ACSC) and we'll be moving to Montgomery, Alabama next summer. Wheee! What a change from the beach living we've enjoyed these past few years. Maybe I should start therapy now...

PS I'll try to share pictures when we get back home to our own computer.