Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a good night!




The Barton 4 wish you joy, peace and happiness for 2011! Please come visit often and stay long.
Preston, Connor (6), Quinn (3) and Stephanie

On our very merry way...

Our bags are packed and the presents are stowed;

it's off to the Midwest we go.

To celebrate with great cheer and merriment plenty,

with family and friends who are all at the ready.

We wish you great joy and happiness too

as you rejoice with your loved ones,

I hope there's good brew.

Sugar and spice

Sugar and spice

and everything nice

that's what little girls are made of

Sunshine and rainbows

and ribbons for hair bows

that's what little girls are made of

Tea parties, laces

and baby doll faces

that's what little girls are made of

But, just sometimes...

Sharp tongued and ratty hair
and dirty looks that scare
that’s what Miss Quinn is made of

Princess crowns and dresses
demanding all done up tresses
that’s what Miss Quinn is made of

Silly jokes, faces
and off to the races
that’s what Miss Quinn is made of

One week...

And we can't wait!

Serious Sparkle

Overpriced? Oh yeah.
Gaudy? Did you see them?
Awesome? Hell yes!

You may say, "Yeah, but 1 out of 3 is not reason enough to buy."
You're right, but this is...

Dear Santa, it's me Quinn

Dear Santa,
I have been a really good girl this year. If you don't believe me, just ask. Please bring me a Barbie, doll that pees, a puppy, all things princess and pink, oh yeah and all things pretty, sparkly and fabulous.
And, since I was so perfectly good this year and you will be delivering a ton of amazing gifts to my attention you'll have a lot of room in your sleigh for your return ride to the North Pole. Please feel free to take my brother with you.
Fondest thoughts,
Quinn

The weekend

So excited that the weekend is almost here - and very few things planned fall under the "Sufferfest" definition.
Yeah us!
Have a good one - cheers!

Sufferfest - been there?

I started running a little over a year ago and it's been a great way to stay in shape. Unfortunately I've taken a couple of weeks off, so last night was hell on the treadmill. Or, as Preston would call it "a real Sufferfest". See Barton 4 definition of Sufferfest below.

Sufferfest; noun, verb, adverb, adjective, blah, blah, blah
Root word: suffer

Definition of Sufferfest:
: Something horribly, terribly, and awfully personally encountered, undergone, or (barely) lived through

Synonyms:
Hideous disaster, calamitous event, nauseating bragging (about kids, diet, workout schedule, beauty, etc), abhorrent catastrophe, embarrassing debacle, stomach flu/food poisoning, apocalypse, tradeshows, cleaning the toilet, Armageddon, hangover.

Antonyms:
Kid-free anything, massage, lying on beach, eating dinner without interruption (including, but not limited to: spilled milk, screaming, peeing of pants, complaining, whining, fighting, or tears), sleeping past 6:00 am, enjoyable, interesting, fun, care-free, easy, fully rested and rich, winning the lottery, getting a raise, smashing success, wine tasting.

Examples of Sufferfest:
• That time on the treadmill was a real Sufferfest.
• Oh no, they put sauce on Johnny’s chicken, eat fast to shorten the length of the upcoming Sufferfest.
• Cleaning the house is a pure Sufferfest.
• Having lunch with Sally (thin, rich, beautiful, perfect children and husband) to “catch up” after her two week tropical vacation will be a complete Sufferfest.
• I can’t believe I drank two bottles of wine and it’s 3:00 am – holy shit tomorrow is going to be a Sufferfest as I take the kids to the disco roller-skating birthday party.
• Why oh why did I cut my own bangs, the next month is going to be a hair Sufferfest.
• Ahhhhhhhh SUFFERFEST!


What's your Sufferfest? How do you live through it?

Santa Baby

(Read while humming Santa Baby)

Santa baby, slip a wait staff under the tree, for me
I've been an awful good girl (well I tried)
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, an adorable and handsome masseuse, that too
I'll wait up for you dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed
Think of all the scoldings that I haven't dished
Next year I could be oh so good (well averagely so)
If you'd check off my Christmas list
Boo doo bee doo

Santa honey, I wanna trip and really that's just
the tip
Of the iceberg my dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, there's one thing that I want and might even share
an au pair
that loves my kids like they’re hers
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, and fill my stocking with a personal chef, and checks
Sign your X on the line
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree
And finish all the laundry that’s been killing me
I really do believe in you
Let's see if you believe in me
Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, my offspring
they could use a staff too
Santa baby, and hurry clean the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight
Hurry up and make my life right – hear my plight!

Let me reintroduce myself...

I have been told by the 6 of you that it's been a while since I've provided an update. So, here goes a feeble attempt to update you on the circus that is our life. Life has been crazy with the Barton 4 this fall and I'm sure your house is nuts too. (If not, please just tell me it is so I feel a little bit better about my state of affairs.)
Ahem, Connor started at a new elementary school in August (1st grade - can't believe it), Quinn turned 3 (going on 13), I started a new job, Preston started a new job, Quinn got potty trained, we got a dog, we potty trained the dog, we sobbingly gave the dog back to the rescue organization, I ran my subaru into the garage, I took Connor to the ER (he's fine) with a terrible case of croup/whooping cough, 2 of us survived the stomach flu, we celebrated Thanksgiving amongst family and friends, one of us turned 35 (boo hoo!), Preston got his first day of skiing in for the season, and our Christmas lights are hung.
Good hell - glad that's all in the rearview mirror.
Right now we are in the midst of Christmas shopping, with the kids list changing by the minute. What have you been up to lately?

Soccer Season Complete

Connor enjoyed an amazingly fun season with the Wizards. It was an incredible group of parents and kids and we lucked out on weather (except as you can see for the last game). It was a wonderful feeling to cheer on the team - even when they suffered some devastating losses. During one game Connor said, "I can't even watch any more. We are getting destroyed!" But, he always ended the game with a smile and a snack. And really - what's better than that? (To which I would respond, uh a trophy?) But, I am reminded that it's only 6 year old soccer.
We look forward to another season in the Spring - assuming of course that his interests have not moved on to say something like the xylophone. But, if it does I will cheer from the parents section of the xylophone concert, "You play that man!"

Oh dear you're 3, how can it be?

Today my darling Quinn you are three years old. I'm not sure how this can be. I so vividly remember the day we welcomed you into this world and how it felt to hold you that first time. It felt like my heart would burst.
And then Connor met you and fell in love with you immediately. From that point on the 2 of you have been coconspirators against your father and me.
You are the family princess, sass master, goofball and diva (you stripped that from me long ago).
I adore you and can't imagine this world without you - oh how bland that would be.
All my love, Mama.

No more Mr. Wiggles...for now

Inflation has hit home at the Barton Casa. Connor lost his first tooth and the Tooth Fairy left a Lincoln. I don't know about you, but in my day a tooth got you about a quarter.
It was a pretty painless first tooth loss - he was running down the hill and yelled, "Mom, I just lost my tooth."

Negligent

It has been brought to my attention by my readers (ok, just one reader) that I have been negligent with posts this summer. I'll agree with that statement and promise to try to do better.
It has been a bit of a crazy summer. I've been home with the kids, but we've barely been home.
We've taken trips, adopted a dog, hit numerous parks and swimming pools, and explored much of Denver. It has been an amazing couple of months and the kids have taken huge leaps in development.
Monday, Connor starts first grade at Powderhorn Elementary (YEAH!) - his first foray into public school. He can even ride the bus!
Quinn is headed back to preschool the end of this month!
Over Labor Day weekend we will head back to Manhappiness to cheer on the Cats against UCLA and spend time with family and friends.
It's been a great summer with lots of funshine!

All in a days work

Yesterday while at Target the kids were falling just slightly short of my expectations (holy hell, they were HORRIBLE). So, the consequence is not being able to get the free cookie at the bakery. When I broke the news to Quinn she screamed, "What? I don't get a cookie? You are ruining my life." Yeah - she's 2.

Later that day, feeling like mother of the year I told Connor that we weren't going to go to the pool with degrees in the 70's and chance of rain. "Mom, you are totally wasting my whole summer."

So, there you have it. I've pretty much got this parenting thing licked. Now taking calls.

The Graduate

In the midst of Quinn's colicky days someone once told me when times are hard the days may drag on, but be careful because the years will fly by. That is certainly true, because I'm not sure how my little guy is 6 years old and graduating from Kindergarten. Yesterday, bursting with pride Preston and I watched Connor and his class graduate. As a parent there is nothing like watching your child smash through milestones. It's joyous and a bit sad at the same time. As I sat there with tears in my eyes watching these children, I envisioned how quickly the time will come that we are watching the next milestones and the next.
But today, we're just going to savor the moment and the diploma because although the year did fly by there were days that did drag on with counting charts, spelling tests, nap times and Weekly Readers.
Congratulations Connor. We are so proud.

Come on now...

Really get in there and enjoy that chocolate cake. Quit with the pretense of manners and decorum and enjoy all of the deliciousness.

Major

With Kindergarten graduation fast approaching as well as the one year mark on our residency in Colorado I am shocked and a bit freaked out about how big the kids are, how quickly time flies by and I'm trying desperately to savor my family, friends and moments. Quinn is slimming down (no comments, please), Connor is acing spelling tests and I'm getting more laugh lines everyday (again, no comments are greatly appreciated).
Two weeks ago the kids bumped up to bigger beds and it made a HUGE difference in how I see them. I love watching them sleep and am all of the sudden shocked to see them in these big beds sleeping like big kids.

I'm not laughing...

Seriously, it's just not funny any more.

Sand, surf and friends

Connor and I made our 2nd mother-son trip to Huntington Beach last week. It was a reunion with our dear friends the Talleys. Amazingly enough Connor and Max haven't lived in the same city for THREE YEARS, but they are still great buddies.
It was an amazing time, but difficult to say goodbye. Connor and I were both sniffling in the airport after the drop off and he said, "Mom, sometimes it hurts my heart to say goodbye."
Me too buddy, me too.
We wish them well on their journey to DC and hope they enjoy returning to the East Coast - I know that many will miss them out West.

It was a Hoppy Easter!

Seriously Awesome

Words fail me.

Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman

The doctor is in and she is accepting new patients.

Making Lemonade

Sometimes when life hands you lemons, it's actually your mom who makes you lemonade. And, that's exactly what she did...well, more like took me to Mexico and ordered me margaritas (and pina coladas, mexican flags, miami vices, coronas, tecates, glasses of wine, etc.)
It's hard working making lemonade, but we managed to make the best of it.

Gold Medaling in Weekends

If there is one thing the Barton 4 do well it is weekending. We've completely mastered the art of the perfect combination of laying on the couch with having fun (we are the Bode Miller of Combined Weekending). Last weekend was no exception. Fun with friends Friday night, sledding Saturday and the Museum of Nature and Science Sunday. Whew - good thing we were able to jam in some college basketball and Olympic games watching on the couch.
Now, if they would just add a sport for long story telling and wine swilling we would definitely make the podium. We are seriously that good.

Introduction to the Finer Things

On Valentine's Day I made chocolate fondue for the kids. In the end we were elbow deep in the fondue dish.
The best recipe I have found for chocolate fondue was in Food and Wine (where else, right?).

1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 Tbl. sugar
6 oz semi-sweet to bittersweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
2 Tbl. unsalted butter

In a saucepan, mix the milk, cream and sugar and bring to a boil. Add the chocolate and remove the pan from the heat. Let stand until the chocolate melts, about 5 minutes; stir until smooth. Stir in the butter.
Serve it with fruit and pound cake (THE best).

A sick day for Quinn

and more Dora The Explorer than any one should be subjected to - there just isn't enough wine for over 10 journeys to gooey geyser, the tallest mountain, Benny's barn, mi abuelas, chocolate tree...
And please, I beg you Swiper, no more effing swiping. Why must I keep saying it?

Let's just all hope that the fever dissipates before tomorrow morning. I'm not sure I can handle one more day of Dora, Boots, Benny, Isa, Tico, Abuela, Diego, Baby Jaguar, blah, blah, who cares, save me please, more wine - of course.

Where are we going...insane asylum, Where are we going...liquor store, Where are we going...medicine cabinet...Where are we going...

Don't tempt me...

to pick up my pen.

100 Days Smarter

Yesterday the kids school celebrated the 100th day of the school year. There was pizza, counting games, rootbeer floats and the presentation of each kids 100 things (that they personally counted out). Pretty cool way to make just another day of school fun and exciting. The kids were excited and Quinn even wanted to wear her party dress.
It's amazing how much they have learned during those 100 days!

When Connor and I were about to count out his 100 things to bring (Legos of course) I said, "We can make 10 rows of 10, because that adds up to 100." I was trying to be helpful as the child was supposed to do all the counting, with only supervision by the parents. He replied, "Or, I could just count to 100."

Yeah, or we could just do that.