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!