I'm Here.....

Well, hi there. Long time no...."chat"?

Yeah well, I think that we should be allowed a month off from blogging, that month being DECEMBER to be exact! Who's with me? How many of you spazzed out and rushed posts and freaked because the month of December nearly steals every single bit of energy you can possibly muster. I just don't think it's fair to end it with the SHE-BANG of the Christmas Celebrations. Because really...I can't be the only one carting cranky kids around to a million relatives houses in order to stuff my car full of toys that clutter up my dining room and living room for weeks and weeks! Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for the loving families we have and the way they spoil the heck out of our kids. But man, I'd love to see Christmas spread out over the course of the year. I vote to have the THREE Christmas celebrations we had spread out over the year...break them down into quarterly celebrations (the fourth quarter can certainly be the one with the birthday's in it).

But, to keep it real here. I must say, I tried to sneak at least a few un-opened toys/games into the closet/basement to pop out later in the year, when they can appreciate them more.

Atleast I did a major purge of toys the few weeks before Christmas, donating them all to our local Goodwill. It makes the organization process so much easier once all the old toys are gone, and there is that week before Christmas when the house is only HALF filled with toys, instead of overflowing.....I really love that week.

Anyhow, here I am....I dug my self out of the toys and rubble of a holiday-ridden house, and am now buried in 6 inches of snow and ice outside my door. But yeah for all these toys/games/DVD's, because atleast it keeps the children busy and entertained, and I can enjoy MY new toy....my Keurig! YAY!

Our Very Own Elf

They are 2 and 4, yet it seems as though these two children of mine have been here for an eternity. I can't remember life without them, and am grateful for their faces (smiling or angry) every single day.

Life with my 2 year old daughter has been a rollercoaster. One moment she is happy and dancing and giggling, and the very next screaming "NO JONAH NO!" and running off to pout and be grumpy. The mood swings are intense, for all of us. I am not saying SHE is the root of the arguments, we all add our own unique tension to the situations.

Christmas is coming and they both know it. I have in the past used the "Santa is watching" technique, but this year is different than years past. Each year the children understand more and more, about life, love, and particularly, one another. They know how to love on one another in a way only a young brother and sister can. They stick up for one another, think about one another, and obviously, know how to push each other's buttons.

In the last few years, I have seen a few Mom's here and there talk about their Elf on the Shelf. At first, I had no idea what it was, until Stephanie started blogging about their elf, Chazz Star. But this year, CBS aired a 30 minute movie called Elf on a Shelf: The Elf's Story and after a single viewing the kids were asking when OUR elf was going to arrive.

The movie laid out the entire idea of the Elf on the Shelf. Where he comes from, how he gets there, how he needs a name before he gets his magic, how he reports back to Santa, and how you cannot touch him, or he will lose his magic. Yes, the book does this well too, in a classic, bedtime story kind of way, but in today's age of visual learning and technology, this made it easier for my little ones to "see". Of course, we can all advocate the importance of imagination, but if it weren't for the movie (it's only 30 minutes, INCLUDING commercial breaks), our Elf, Dazzle McNoodle would never have come to be known as ours.

The Matuska Family Elf ~ Dazzle McNoodle

Mama Speaks Gift Guide

The amazing review site, Mama Speaks just came out with their first ever Holiday Gift Guide. It is a must see for anyone who plans on spoiling that special someone this year, be it the new baby, the feisty toddler, or the mama or the papa. You're sure to find what you are looking for in this guide. All Mommy Approved! I have already added many of the items in the guide to Jonah's Christmas List.

Here are some of my favorites.

*(Fresh and Green) The Baby Greens T-Shirts and Onesies. My personal favorite, Nami. And how can anyone resist, being $14.99 on sale for the T?! Incredible!

*(Toy Joy) BRIO Natural Building Blocks. I have been wanting to get something for Jonah that would promote helping him start sitting up on his own. I think once he figures out he can stack and build something with these fun and all-WOOD blocks, he might be encouraged to do so. And at only $18.00 for a 50 piece set, you just can't beat it. What's even better is that if you enter mamaspeaks15 when you place your order, you get 15% everything in the entire store. I think I will be ordering mine TODAY, who can wait until Christmas?! Not this Mama!

*(Toy Joy) Anamalz by Hape. Now, being the extreme animal lover I am, I am bound and determined to show Jonah the sheer joy that they can bring to his life. These would be perfect to get him educate him about all of the different animals as well as fun and interesting toys at that. The Anamalz are pose-able and are made with such a unique grain of wood, that each and every animal is different! Even though they are made in China, they are made to the highest quality standards, meaning no lead paint here! The paints and glues are non-toxic too. Save the Earth without poisoning your kid. Can't put a price tag on that! And the price tags here range from $6-$7. Might as well buy the whole darn zoo!

*(Daddy Dearest) Dad Gear Diaper Vest. Now I will say first off that this is a bit out of my price range ($82), but I have been ogling it forever (since well before Jonah was here). I thought, how perfect. Daddy can take the baby out for the day, and all his has to pack up is...his vest! It is cool and stylish (totally Todd's taste). I could see Daddy sportin' this while on their way to the Sporting Goods store, to find something similar for his little guy to wear (and to match his Dad)!

*(Knocked Up) Pregnancy Pampering Kit. No, not me!!! Not yet at least! My little sister is pregnant, and due on Valentine's Day! I saw this kit, and thought of her. I know I would have definitely enjoyed this kit while I was riding the pregnancy train, and I know she would appreciate getting pampered herself.

Well, there are TONS more of amazing items that are showing on the Mama Speaks Gift Guide, so check it out. And even better yet, they are of course doing giveaways galore! And in true holiday fashion, they are going out of control with SIX different Prize Packs for SIX awesome readers. So ho-ho-hop on over there and get your shopping on!!!