Holy chicken sandwich, Batman! {Why DO people say "Holy _____, batman?"}

Becks and I had a lunch date today at Chick-fil-A, which is probably, no unequivocally, the best fast food restaurant that exists. If you do not have this fine establishment in your vicinity, I suggest you move immediately to the closest shopping locale that for sure houses one or four of these. {Actually, our scummy mall redid its food court over a year ago and Chick-fil-A failed to renew its space, and we've been without one for awhile. And our mall is scummy because it is filled with scary people every time I'm there and I feel the need to sanitize and resanitize my hands, shoes, and stroller every time we visit. But that's where The Gap is, so it's sometimes necessary.}

Anyway, I love having a little buddy to dine-in with now. Even if our conversation centers around not throwing waffle fries on the floor and the cow covered Mylar bwoos (balloons), he's still pleasant company. He takes after his momma and enjoys people-watching tremendously. Seriously, I could sit and stare casually eye the interesting patrons all day. Like the woman who was there with three little boys, at least one being school age. Before she shifted sides of her booth seat so that we could conversate face-to-face and become fast food BFFs, I had already pegged her as a home schoolin' mama. Turns out I was on the money. Then it just got awkward because while she contined to talk, Becks and I were ready to run off to Target and I didn't know how to properly discontinue our conversation without being rude. Or her asking for my phone number so that we could our same-age boys together for a play date. Eventually, I gathered our things, said Nice meeting you! and maybe even See you soon! because I wasn't sure there was a more appropriate way to skidaddle. {Has this ever happened to you? What did you do?}


Target was busy. As expected. We were picking out gifts for our Angel Tree child, and my heart genuinely goes out to these kids. An Angel Tree child has one or more parents that are incarcerated, and the presents we buy are gifted to the child on behalf of their parent(s). So sad. I literally cannot imagine not seeing my child grow up. Prison Fellowship reaches out to these inmates and their families though, and I think that is such a worthy cause. If you're interested in this ministry, check out the links.

Our mission of the weekend is to locate Santa Claus so that I can get a pic of my sweet boy and the jolly old elf. However, heeding the warning of Mama Perks, I'm not sure that my budget is going to allow for these pictures... Apparently I'm out of the loop on the expense of a coveted Santa picture because I had NO IDEA that there was even a charge for this service. $19 for four wallets, for real?!

Happy weekend, people!!!

Rock, Paper, Scissors, MARKER?????? or LOSER PUTS UP THE TREE!

This is the happy family pre-Christmas tree assembly. You can tell Becks is already preparing for the worst...

Good afternoon, everyone. I am feeling better, and thank you for your many kind words of comfort and joy as I recover from intestinal hell.

There are a couple of things you should know, first off. Mainly that I returned to school today to find that the Christmas crazies had swapped my kindergarten class out for a bunch of yahoos. No, seriously, yahoos. Tomorrow I plan to threaten them with the Wrath of Coal, and how that's all they're going to find under the Christmas tree if they don't WATCH IT RIGHT NOW, MISTER.

So, that was fun. If you consider fun a pack of 5- and 6-year-olds talking, talking, talking while you're trying to teach, teach, teach. Because it is far more fun to play rock, paper, scissors, marker rather than listen to The Cajun Cornbread Boy (a sweet take on the popular Gingerbread Boy, if you're familiar). And who knew that the standard rock, paper, scissors game had now added an additional writing utensil? News to me. Though I would call it rock, paper, scissors, fine tip Sharpie if it were me. Just saying.

Speaking of fine tip Sharpies, I was planning to hand-address all thousand or so of our annual Christmas card - which is usually one of my favorite holiday hobbies since it involves me penning names and addresses in a variety of fonts and colors - but I think I'm going the completely impersonal route and turning an Excel spreadsheet into mailing labels. So sue me. There isn't a whole lot of time left hanging about around these parts, and what time is available I try to spend do things that require little brain matter, like scouring People for the latest RPatt pics. I kid. Or not.

While I have decorated for Christmas around Chez Babbling, I have yet to unfurl the nasty beast that is the artificial evergreen waiting for its annual release from its box in the basement. The warning on that box should not be that it contains small pieces that children could choke on (it probably doesn't say that though, since no child I know could fit twelve inches of prickly tree limb into his mouth without someone noticing), but instead that marital discord during assembly is inevitable.

And if y'all don't know what I'm talking about then you've for sure never assembled a seven foot tree with your spouse. And if you've seriously created the ideal process where both husband and wife can peaceably coexist during this feat, then publish a book and I'll buy it. Because never before, in our extensive 3.5 years of marriage (this being our fourth Christmas) have we ever put together an artificial Christmas tree without one spouse whispering under his/her breath that doesn't go there while the other tries to jab twelve inches of prickly tree limb into the absolute wrong place but is too proud to remove it so we have an awkward looking limb sticking out all misplaced for the duration of the Christmas season. Again, I kid.

So once the tree's up, I guess we'll call it a jolly holiday and move onto something more fun like baking gingerbread men or something. Which I am actually doing tonight, in hopes that the-class-formerly-known-as-kindergareteners will get to decorate tomorrow at the conclusion of our gingerbread unit. However, I did STAND ON A CHAIR (I was going for dramatic) today, to preach about good behavior and how I'M NOT EVEN ONE BIT SCARED to take away that fun activity if their behavior doesn't warrant it. I. Am. So. Mean.

Anyway, tomorrow's Friday, y'all, and that is a reason to do a little happy dance while you listen to Charlie Brown's Christmas on Pandora. Or you could play rock, paper, scissors, marker with your spouse and the loser has to put up the Christmas tree alone. Whatever suits your fancy.

Double Ick.

We are alive. Barely.

It's not been a good past 48 hours at the Babbling Household. After all of the Thanksgiving hubbub, the stomach flu hit me hard at 3:30am two days ago. I'll kindly spare you the details. Whatever I had was crazy contagious, and then in rolled my husband early from work yesterday having come down with the same thing. I felt awful. For me and for him. But mostly for Becks. Who, while he was in the loving arms of the nanas, had to avoid us for 24 hours and spent his first night away from the both of us. Amidst writhing in abdominal pain and shivering beneath a down comforter, I was also sobbing from missing him so much. It was terrible. For everyone involved.

So, I've subsisted on ginger ale and saltines for the past two days, and B is quarantined in our bedroom. While I'm on the upswing, he's probably a good 8 hours behind me, so I expect him to feel better by dinnertime.

The good news is that I felt well enough to clorox, lysol, and/or vinegar clean the entire house, anticipating the arrival of Becks who came home about an hour ago.

I hope y'all are in better health than we are.

And if you haven't participated yet, go check out my Robeez Giveaway posted below!

Black Friday Giveaway! {Robeez}

Stop. The. World.

Do you know who contacted me to do a review and giveaway of one of my most favorite kiddo products? Ah! Robeez! Can you believe that?! I mean, we adoooooore us some Robeez at the Babbling household, so this was a pretty awesome gift. We now own SIX pairs, four of which are in current rotation - that's how much we love them. {See here}

They are the most fabulous, kid-friendly shoe, and are a way cool alternative to the standard Velcro easy-ons that most of us with children wrangle onto our squirrely toddler's tootsies. They have this great elastic design that cinches around the ankle, pretty much making them the easiest shoe to put on but also prevents their removal from prying little fingers. I can attest that Beckham has never ever been able to remove his Robeez. Furthermore, the anti-slip suede soles are perfect for scampering across hardwood floors when you're being threatened with a diaper change. They've aided in his successful escape on more than one occasion.

So, when a rep for this company asked if they could send me a pair from their Holiday 2009 catalogue, I all but jumped through the computer screen to kiss her nose. Do you even have to ask?!

She sent us the most darling pair of shoes you've ever seen - the Puppy Bootie. A combo of suede, creamy leather, and faux fur, I didn't even have to look hard into those puppy dog eyes to be sold on this pair of kicks. As previously mentioned, Becks' has had a pension for my Uggs as of late, so I knew he would be absolutely smitten with these bootiful booties.

And, he was. It was love at first sight. We put them on immediately after he gave them a thorough inspection, and he has only taken them off to sleep in the past 72 hours. This is not a joke. Ma boo, ma boo {interpretation: My boots, my boots!} he says repeatedly, holding his boot in the air to admire his fanciful feet. Here's the fun part: Robeez wants to give one of my readers a pair from the Holiday 2009 Collection! Super exciting, I know! There are so many cute shoes to choose from - even if you don't win, you can't go wrong gifting a little one in your life with a pair of these darling shoes. And, if you order by December 9th there is FREE shipping! Wahoo!

{Please note, Robeez offers shoe sizes up to 4 yrs, so this isn't a giveaway only for babies!}

To take part, you must do the following:

• Great Gift: One pair of Robeez from the Holiday 2009 Gift Guide. Only gender and size can be specified, specific pair cannot.
• To Enter: You must be a follower of babblingabby OR become a follower; then, comment on this post with the words "CUTIE WITH A BOOTIE."
• Giveaway Closes: Friday, December 4, 2009 at 12am EST
• Number of Winners: One
• Don't Forget: If you don't have a blog, make sure you leave an email address in your comment.
• Winner Selected by random.org and announced by Sunday, December 6, 2009.

That's it!

Happy Black Friday - don't shop too hard!

{Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is sponsored by Robeez. However, my opinions and thoughts on this product are not. I have reviewed this product honestly and have posted my satisfaction accordingly.}

Party in the USA

Just wanted to kick off Thanksgiving Break with a happy dance. Please ignore my AWFUL singing. Please. Just watch the cuteness.

PS. Having a fun Giveaway over the Thanksgiving Holiday, so come back and check it out!

Update

The Shred = FAIL.

Apparently, the library only lets you check out a DVD for a week, so I didn't continue. I stopped at Day 3. Plus, it was really annoying to do it in my living room, on top of my squeaky hardwood floors that drove me insane as I pretended to jump rope in place.

I've always liked to run. It's free, easy, and invigorating. Lately, I've been craving a good run. Not surprisingly, the holiday season is encroaching and I'd also like a little wiggle room, per se, so I can snack on extra pumpkin roll and a second spoonful of mashed potatoes.

So, this morning I laced up my sneakers puchased B.C. (before child), and hit the pavement. At a slow jog. My chest was heaving, my lungs burned, and my hammies need a good stretch, but I feel so much better. There's just nothing like running. Now if only I can keep it up. I'm not going to put any pressure on myself or feel bad if I miss a run, but at least I'm doing something. {I miss the nursing diet desperately, though.}

Besides my ancient shoes, I was also sporting a long-sleeve tee from [gulp] TEN YEARS AGO!

Here's what it says on the front:

There's a million things more important than CHEERLEADING.

Here's what the back says:

But I can't think of one.

Ha! I think I need to upgrade my exercise wardrobe. And my iPod playlist whose latest adds were from late 2007 and included Gimme More (Britney), Stronger (Kanye), and See You Again (Miley Cyrus). This is the complete truth. The last time I consistently worked out I was almost nine months pregnant and probably offended the treadmill with the amount of weight I had it bear.

{SHUT THE FRONT DOOR - they are predicting flurries on Thanksgiving! Yay!}

And, in case you wondered, New Moon was excellent. I know completely understand the Team Edward vs Team Jacob dynamic.

Happy Saturday!

11/20/09

Super long week. Conferences over. Three hour meeting over.

Going to bed. Reading this first...

That's all.