Meeting Santa on Christmas Eve

Clearly, we've been mastering the art of procrastination this year- I mean, waiting until Christmas Eve to go see Santa??? Whoops. I expected a long wait, but was pleasantly surprised at it only being 1 1/2 hours (sigh...). Complete with being behind my doctor in line (have had issues with her the past several months)- so it was a tad awkward. Fortunately, the girls around us in line did pretty good at keeping Chase entertained. But a combination of hungry, tired, and just worn out didn't work too well for Santa. So, I declined the "professional" photo option, and took our own since he was in no mood to meet the jolly fellow. Ah, well, at least we got him there- and I have hope that next year will be much easier!

This was Kae's from this year- she went a different day unfortunately- but 7 years of seeing him, they're old pals now :)

Oh- and my Christmas gift this year? Homemade caramel corn- enjoy!

Starting New Holiday Traditions

With Chase changing up our lives a bit, nothing like today to search for fun things to start... I was slacking this year badly on the Elf on the Shelf. Bad. I also realized I didn't even write the Days Until Christmas Countdown, nor any gingerbread cookies or decorator cookies. What the heck is going on here???

But, I did start trying to win tickets about a month ago to see the Mannheim Steamroller- since we've done the Nutcracker ballet for years- I figured Chase may not appreciate that as much as he gets older... but, no luck on winning them. However, we ended up getting a chance to go to Universal Studios yesterday, and unbeknownst to me, they were performing that evening. So, on top of their Macy's Day Parade, we got to enjoy the Christmas tunes of the Steamroller- so awesome!

I really hope to take the kids again next year to see them- Kaely was intrigued with the instruments- and hopes to play piano/keyboard like that- as she pulled hers out this morning to try!

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!!!

Why Mosquitoes Buzz In People's Ears...

Oh boy... a week has come and gone, and I guess I've fallen into the black hole that is the house, holidays, and family chaos :)

I suppose I didn't realize how much time has passed already where I've been absorbed in everything but poking my head out for fresh air. It took a couple days for everyone else to feel better, luckily Chase, Kaely & I escaped without catching the nasty stomach virus. Jokingly attributed it to the "super boobs"- hmmmm.

Then, we had the last week of school before winter break, so "Polar Express Day" (pajama day), crazy hat day, and teacher gifts. I wasn't entirely sure how to handle the gifts since her teacher has been out on maternity leave, and the substitute has been around for the past month. I have been lagging behind all season on gifts, cookies, decorations, etc. AHHHH

Also, everyone wants to stop by to visit, but thing is, I have things EVERYWHERE. I am trying to wrap gifts, finish making them, etc., and to have anyone stop by would require putting everything away unfinished- which is not easy or ideal. Soooo- I inadvertently offended people since it was too difficult to have visitors this week.

Oh, what else? I often have songs stuck in my head, as a "theme song" for the event, moment, or general mood- kind of like a soundtrack to my life. However, this week it was book titles, and subsequently, the songs that may go with them. Such as, How the Grinch Stole Christmas with cranky people, and a book I grew up reading, Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears after I woke up around 2am last night to a mosquito quite literally buzzing in my ear. I swung in the dark trying to catch it, then resorted to turning on the bathroom light, then the full bedroom light... to no avail. I felt like a total idiot, gave up when Chase woke up, so tried to go back to sleep. Just as I was drifting back off to sleep, I heard the stupid whine... Oh my...

I believe I finally have some handle on the upcoming holiday- not looking past it yet- as I realize we're down to a week until Chase's 1st birthday! AHHHHH! 'One day at a time' is what I have to hold onto.

On the flip side, one of the cool things that has brought me great joy, and great frustration, is getting Kaely the Kindle. I started searching for it on Ebay a couple weeks ago, and for the price, thought it'd be an awesome tool to encourage reading. This led to frustration as I kept losing auctions at the last minute, then eventually got one, it arrived- and is total trash. The stupid seller didn't bother even wiping it down, reeks of cigarettes, and didn't include what was advertised. I was devastated. 4 days before Christmas and the main gift I was getting for Kaely turned out to be a big flop. Luckily, my sister came through and accepted my offer to buy hers off of her. She brought it by today, and I've been playing half the day through our library's website, and am so stinking excited over all the books she can "borrow" online, and the free books off Amazon. I think this is better than any video game or toy - since it has a quiet way of being a great learning tool. Very awesome.

So, just saying, we're still around, just a giant madhouse preparing for the holidays and getting everyone back to wellness... Hope everyone is doing great and Happy Holidays!!! Tons of pictures to come on Christmas :)

Cheerios!

Actually Nathan's toy for Christmas- but seriously? Most entertaining ever! I'm not all about buying new toys, but it's awesome :)

Practice for the main event on Tuesday ;)

Happy Holidays!

Surviving Sunday

You know it's going to be a long day when by 9 am, trying to play on the floor, Chase gets upset, crawls over to me, wedges himself on my neck/shoulder- and passes out. Huh....

Complete with lines of drool trickling down my neck- yuck!

He woke up an hour later (yes, I transferred him to his bed), and was again ready for another nap around noon. I'm getting nervous because Nathan has been sick since Friday night, although he hasn't been in the house since Saturday morning... now Dad seems to be joining on it- and I'm just waiting on the other shoe to drop. In the meantime I'll do my best to take care of everyone!

At least Chase joined me for dinner tonight :) Mashed potatoes and butternut squash always taste best when smeared all over your face...

Horrified and Sick To My Stomach

What is wrong with people in this world? The news of the massacre in the elementary school located in Newtown, CT reached us sitting in our homes today. Appears that the madman -at 20 years old- opened fire on what they believe is his mother and nearly an entire 1st grade class- killing 20 children, a total of 26* people dead at this point. I cannot even wrap my head around this- in my own fears of protecting my children, even when that means having to intervene and discipline them, I do not know how we can send them to school, the mall, the movies, without fear of them never returning.

We sat stunned months ago after the massacre at the Dark Night movie- wondering how this child could grow up to become that kind of person. At least there, it seemed that everyone was a target, and not as many children were there. But to take down an entire classroom of elementary school children? I am baffled and horrified.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those families, and may he burn in hell.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/gunman-identified-ryan-lanza-connecticut-school-massacre/story?id=17973836

Things About Grounding a Child

I have been out of the loop a lot this week after having to handle more drama with Kaely at school. At first, it seemed one-sided and that she was being ganged up on... as the days have passed, I've found that for the sake of winning approval- she seems to be encouraging a lot of drama in the classroom. Combined with lying and blatantly disregarding instructions not to "share" anything (such as her lunch, money, hair accessories, etc)- she won herself a week's grounding. I was so angry about her actions, I took everything out of her room with the exception of her bed, clothes, a couple pencils, and chapter books. I got her from school and escorted her straight to her room- and other than a cup for water- she was on her own.

If you've ever heard that punishing a child is usually more punishing to the parent- it's beyond true. I was so worked up and then worn out before the evening ever even arrived. Plus, it means every plan we had got thrown out the window- running to the store, going to holiday events at the parks, visiting Santa, etc. Worse yet, it's most punishing to Chase, because he LOVES playing with Kaely. But- so does she- so I can't have that for now.

So, the earlier bedtimes, grounding, teething (I swear I'm going to throw a party when he finally gets all these teeth in), and lack of sleep- I'm just worn out! Then, it backfires even more the day following her first day of "grounding"- by her letting me know "Mom, you know this grounding thing is working out, it's not so bad after all!"  SERIOUSLY??? Is this reverse psychology from a 7 year old? Or is this simply about getting attention from me- even as negative as it is??? I'm stumped. 5 more days to go :(

On the other hand Christmas is around the corner, and I am starting to get all my goodies rolling, trying to (start) wrap up gifts for the kiddos, and get into the spirit. Fortunately, as exhausting as they are, the boys are too funny!

Splish, Splash & Screech

Ahhhh... the joys of bathtime... and surround sound acoustics.

Crazy boys :)