Happy birthday, Nana!

Christmas Day

The kids were up early Christmas morning as was expected.  I made them wait on the stairs until I had the camera and video camera ready.  Because, you know, it didn't happen if there is no documentation.

Jack had consistently asked for two things for Christmas: a Nintendo DS with Mario Bros, and a Jesus toy.  No, really.  He asked for "a Jesus toy."  Santa came through with both.  Ellie asked for an ipod touch and a Siberian Husky.  She got an mini ipad instead.  Sam asked for nothing, because he can't talk, so he got a plastic ride-on motorcycle.  He seemed pretty happy about it.


We had a pretty chill morning and then headed over to Tom's mom's house in the afternoon.  As usual, she went way overboard in the toy department.  We came home with two garbage bags full.  Ellie's favorite was a giant stuffed bear.  Jack's favorite was a remote control truck.  Sam's favorite was climbing in the empty boxes.


By the end of the night, I noticed that Jack was feeling warm and the following day both Jack and Sam were running fevers.  Despite all the illness, our holiday was relaxing and fun.  I declare it a win.

The flu and Christmas Eve

Ugh, I hate playing blog catch-up. But...since I turn my blog into books by the year, I need to get Christmas documented before January.  Because you can't start a book with Christmas. You know what I'm sayin'.  OK, so where did I leave off...oh yeah, Ellie getting sick.  Ellie NEVER gets sick.  She has not had a sick day in school for 3 years now.  And she still doesn't because she timed her illness with Christmas.  This girl takes her perfect attendance certificate seriously.  So, yeah, on the 23rd she came into my room crying and saying her legs were wobbly.  I felt her forehead and she was burning up so I decided to take her to our Pediatrician to get her a prescription for Tamiflu.  We have the worst insurance known to man so I don't take going to the doctor lightly.  When I got there, she tested positive for the flu, but the doctor talked me out of Tamiflu because of its bad side effects.  So, I went to the doctor for nothing.  I am glad I didn't get the meds because Ellie was all better within 24 hours.  Her superior immune system knows no bounds.  Anyway, even though she was feeling better by Christmas Eve, we still didn't go to my family's Christmas Eve celebration because we didn't want to risk contaminating the rest of the fam.  Y'all know how much I love my family's Christmas Eve traditions.  I think I love them more than anyone in the family. So this was a HUGE sacrifice for me.  But it actually turned out alright.  Tom and I drove through the neighborhood so the kids could look at Christmas lights using their funny, 3D glasses.  

Then, they were able to watch the Nativity play and Pack for Santa's Back via Facetime with my family.


 Modern technology is awesome, right? And then they set out cookies and carrots for Santa and the reindeers and it was off to bed for them.  A pretty chill Christmas Eve if you ask me.  Oh yeah, they donned their totally awesome Christmas jammies.

Best jammies ever.  I always wanted my own minions.

A trip to the North Pole

About 6 weeks ago, I decided to book tickets for the Polar Express.  Even though it was a month in advance, the only tickets I could get were for the daytime (3:30) trip on Monday, December 22.  I really wanted one of the nighttime trips because it would seem more authentic, but I went ahead and booked and made arrangements for Dianna to watch Sam.

Monday morning, the kids woke up and discovered that Jingles the Elf had left them the book, Polar Express.  We then dropped Sam off and drove the 3 hours to Palestine, Texas.  The kids had no idea what were were doing until we go there and then I informed them we were going to the North Pole to see Santa.

We boarded the train and sat at an adorable table with cookies set out for us.  Unfortunately, the conductor determined that our seats were double booked because another family had tickets for our same table.  The kids were halfway done with their cookies when we took a closer look at our tickets and realized we had gotten on the wrong car.  The more expensive car.  We made our way back to the cramped, table-less bench seats on a different car.

The kids still enjoyed the train ride and the hot chocolate and cookies, although holding hot chocolate in one hand and a cookie in another on a swaying train is just an accident waiting to happen.

After about 30 minutes we arrived at the North Pole.  It consisted of three small buildings and some Christmas lights which we could barely see from our side of the train.  I can only hope that it looked better at nighttime because once she saw it Ellie turned to me and said in a tone of utter disappointment and conviction, "That is NOT the North Pole."

On the way back, some dancing elves and Santa made their way back to our car and Santa signed the kids' Polar Express book and gave the kids a silver bell that had a Made in China sticker on it.

It really was a fun family day.  Would I have spent that much money on it if I had known what it would really be like? No. But I don't regret doing it because it was something fun we could do together as a family.  Plus, Ellie started running a high fever on the way home and by next morning our pediatrician confirmed she had the flu, thus cancelling our Christmas Eve plans with the extended family.  So, I was really glad they got to have that little taste of Christmas before we were quarantined.

Christmas with Grandpa K.

On Sunday, we went over to Tom's dad's house to celebrate Christmas with him and do the gift exchange with the kids' cousins.  It was a relaxed, fun evening with some yummy food from the Macaroni Grill.  And, of course, I had to take pictures,..

Last minute volcano

I am pretty lucky when it comes to Ellie.  She keeps up with her homework and schoolwork and I don't need to remind her or help her with it.  As a working mom, this is incredibly helpful because it is one less thing for me to juggle.  Unfortunately, this year I have missed a few things because I don't always remember to look at Ellie's Friday folder and she is as absent-minded as me when it comes to paperwork.  I missed the deadline for GT testing and a field trip permission forms.  Luckily, she still was able to go on her field trip.  I almost missed the deadline for her volcano science project.  It was due today and, because I wasn't paying attention to the dates, we only had last night to work on it.  Luckily, we had everything we needed at the house except the spray paint which we borrowed from Rosie.  I made the basic structure for her and Tom supervised the painting, but she did all the decorating on her own. 

Not too bad for a last-minute project.  Let's just hope it erupts!

3rd Grade Musical

Last night Ellie participated in the 3rd grade musical.  She has been talking about this musical since the 2nd grade and speculating on what part she will get.  Even though her part was small, she was so excited and nervous about it.  I was planning on going with my parents to watch and leaving Tom at home with the sleeping boys, but Ellie insisted that Tom go instead.  She laid it on pretty thick. It was crazy because Tom didn't really want to go and I really did.  I think she sensed that and used it against us! So, Tom went with my parents and I stayed home with the boys.  But I still have the pictures!

Tis the Season

 I have always loved the holidays, but children make them much more fun!  Here are just a few of the things we have been up to lately.

Our Elf on the Shelf, Jingles, returned and has been up to all sorts of mischief.

For the 3rd year in a row, we participated in the church Secret Santa activity.  The kids loved getting dressed up to make their Secret Santa drop.

Our Secret Santa this year was so fun.  They left us all sorts of fun activities for the kids like sugar cookies to decorate and ginger bread houses to build.

We also had the church Christmas party on Saturday.  They rented out the cafeteria at the elementary school and did a Polar Express theme.  It was super cute.  Sam would have nothing to do with Santa, but Ellie and Jack were thrilled to see him!

That time I celebrated my birthday for 4 days straight

I am playing a little catch up on the 'ol blog and I figured I had better document my birthday since I celebrated it for 4 days straight.  

On my actual birthday, Tom and I decided rather last minute to play hooky and go to breakfast, a matinee, and then a late lunch.  When we got home, I discovered that Dianna, Rosie, and a couple of friends decided to inform the entire neighborhood of my birthday.  Still, it was a nice surprise.

On Friday night, my mom watched the kids so Tom and I could go on a birthday-date of my choosing. Well, I chose cheesy paintings.  Back when Tom and I were dating, he bought me the book, "Guess How Much I Love You."  The saying, "I love you to the moon and back" comes from that book.  Awwww...

We probably would have enjoyed it more if the rest of the class hadn't consisted of a large group of 14 year old girls.

Saturday night I celebrated with the girls.  We went to see "Mockingjay" and then to Chili's for dessert.  We stayed there talking and laughing until the place closed at midnight.  

On Sunday, Leilani and I celebrated our birthdays together with a family party at my parents' house.  At this point, I was starting to feel a little ridiculous for dragging on my birthday celebrating for so long.  However, with each passing birthday, I have fewer birthdays left to celebrate so I might as well make the most of them! Next year I plan to make it last a whole week.

Thanksgiving Break in Pictures

I actually did a whole post talking about the break and sharing little stories, but the darn Blogger app on my phone ate it. So, here it is...in pictures.

 

Some friends of ours hooked us up with free tickets to Santa's Wonderland.  The kids had so much fun going on the hayride throught the lights and roasting smores over the fire.

See the drumstick Jack is holding? That was not supposed to be removeable.

 

 

On our first official day of the break, I took the boys to the "ear doctor" in the morning and the older two to the dentist (aka Uncle Mark) in the afternoon.  Jack got three cavities filled.  I really know how to vacation. 

 

It wasn't all appointments, we did A LOT of playing.  The kids had several playdates with friends and we spent a lot of time outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

The biggest event of the week was Thanksgiving.  I made my first turkey.  Actually, since most of my extended family was out of town, I made the entire meal ALL BY MYSELF!  We invited Tom's mom over to join us, but otherwise, it was just my little family this Thanksgiving.

 

And, of course, we finished the week by decorating our little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree.  Jack was so excited that it was his turn to put the spire on top of the tree this year.



Our week off went by much too quickly, but I take comfort in knowing that Christmas break is right around the corner! 

Sunday Best: Rogue Baby edition

He speaks

So, you know how we have been a little worried about Sam not talking? Like, he only says a few words and does not string words together in a sentence.  Well, Tom was bathing the boys tonight and Sam spoke his first sentence, "No play with peepee." Why couldn't it have been, "I love you, Mama"?

Breathing treatments and a trophy

I was getting into bed and then I remembered I didn't post for today...so, lazy phone post it is! I stayed home with Sam today. I tool him to the doctor this morning where she confirmed he was improving, but I had to continue breathing treatments every 3 hours. So, my day consisted of breathing treatments, folding laundry,  and overeating.
This evening I took Jack to his end of season soccer party.  He got a participation trophy which he was crazy excited about. I am pretty sure he is sleeping with it right now. Adorbs.