Merry Christmas...

Guess who forgot to take a single picture of our Christmas morning this year?

Me (and Will).

With or without pictures, we had a wonderful Christmas and hope you did too.

Soooooo Excited!

I think Christmas Eve is better than Christmas Day.

I love how excited the kids get. Wyatt has been bouncing off the walls all day--literally bouncing off the walls. He hops around muttering: "It's Christmas Eve, it's Christmas Eve, it's Christmas Eve!" I remember that feeling--the anticipation almost makes you sick. Clare has told me several times she thinks she is going to spit-up.

I love the nightly prep for the big day. We read or act out the story of Christ's birth. We play games or put together a puzzle all while grazing the snacks spread on the table. We track Santa's progress via NORAD on the computer. Will and I stay up late finishing the last of the wrapping. I always go to bed with a sore back but so excited for the next morning.

This year I am super excited for Adell. We've had a few presents under the tree for a couple of weeks. She has been distantly curious about them. Mostly she just wants to pull them out and squish the bows stuck on top. She has nooooooooooooooo idea she can unwrap them. She is going to be so psyched when she figures it out tomorrow morning.

I cannot wait.

I hope you and yours are excited for Christmas tomorrow! And I wish you a very merry Christmas!

Oh--look what was standing at one of the busiest intersections of my town last week.

Can you see that? Let me zoom in.

Yep, it's a donkey--waiting to cross the road.

Merry Christmas!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

The wind is whipping and the rain is pouring--downed palm fronds are every where and some roads have become lakes. We are experiencing an official "Winter Storm" in California. I am thankful that it is Sunday and Will does not have to drive to and from work. I am thankful we have a cozy apartment to keep us warm and dry. Most of all, I am thankful my kids are resourceful in finding indoor entertainment.

Except for Adell, whose indoor entertainment seems to require mess making.

Is It December Already?

I've been nursing a head cold for all of December. The cold isn't so bad that I can demand Will stay home from work. But my head hurts and I cannot focus on all the things calling for my attention (you can imagine how clean my house is right now). Will has been sick too so I am pretty sure if he stayed home he would put himself to bed for the day.

Really, I just want my Mom to be here. I want her to make my bed with clean sheets while I sit in my bedroom chair and complain about all the stuff I'm not getting done. Then I want to climb into the cool, crisp sheets--smelling that strange but familiar smell from the linen closet--and take a nap for three days.

Despite having a sick Mom and Dad we have managed to spread some "Merry" around our home. The Christmas tree is up (we went to Home Depot and grabbed a tree with out even opening up the twine to make sure it was whole...) the "Measuring Tree" is up, the kids made ginger bread houses, we've crafted letters to Santa, and the stocking are hung by the window with care.

On Thursday this past week I attended two "Holiday Sings" at the kids school. I really didn't want to do this. I was feeling particularly crappy the night before and Adell was up in the night. Thursday morning while the kids were eating their cold cereal I led with: "I have some bad news about your Holiday Sing." Instantly their faces fell. I tried to strengthen my argument by playing the "Adell will need a nap" card. Lorien put on a brave face, nodding agreement while her eyes filled with tears. Wyatt just looked at me in disbelief.

The whole scene will be a great addition to the clip reel when I accept my Mother-of-the-year award. Finally, I said I would try to come but I couldn't promise any thing.

I went. It was a pain in the butt--BUT--I went. Boy, oh boy am I ever glad I did. Wyatt sang "All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth" (beaming at me the whole time) and Lorien got to play the glockenspiel for one of the Hanukkah songs. Every parent was there sitting with their kids, singing and smiling.

It was an important day.

I'd post a video or two but then you'd have to listen to me singing, which is pretty bad on a regular day but give me a cold and you get a sound that would make an alley cat jealous.

Any way, I am glad the Holidays are here. I love this time of year--craziness and all. Hopefully, I'll kick this cold soon and all will be right in my crazy world.