Christmas 2009

We had a very nice Christmas again this year. Christmas is just so much more magical with kids. And to add to that magic we had a white Christmas! Santa and his reindeer made their appearance, evidenced by the reindeer footprints and sleigh tracks in the snow. Santa ate all of his cookies and milk (which for me as a child was the absolute proof that Santa had been there), and the kids got lots of good stuff. The jolly old man brought the kids most of what they asked for, as well as a little kitchen complete with pots and pans and plastic food too big to fit on the plates! They were both very excited about it, and have already spent hours cooking, going grocery shopping and putting it all away.

Austin was very nervous this year about being on the nice list; he has been extra ornery to his little sister. He was very relieved when we went to see Santa (which went well by the way, Aubrey sat on his lap-briefly-and let them take a picture), because he got a card assuring Austin he was in fact on the "nice" list. Mommy and daddy have wondered a few times however!

Opening presents

We spent Christmas eve day baking 'candy cane cookies', which was a tradition in my house growing up. They are basically just sugar cookies, but to half of the dough red food coloring is added so that the 'white' dough and the 'red' dough can be rolled together and shaped into candy canes. The cookies themselves are not that great, and I have learned that Santa didn't really like eating them that much when I was little, and my mom didn't really like to make them that much, but on with tradition! I think Grandma had much more fun making them with the grand- kids instead!

Ummm...yummy!

Daddy and Austin spent a few hours outside on Christmas playing in the snow. We got quite a bit for Oklahoma, and they enjoyed playing football and making snowballs to throw at mommy when I went out to take pictures. They are both already on the naughty list for next year!

Look at all that snow!!

Making snowballs

Throwing snowballs

We had a great time with Grandma and Papa, and even got in some bowling, both at the alley and in the hallway. Austin loves to bowl with Papa (aka make Papa set up the pins so Austin can bowl). We were all sad to see them go home. But we made lots of memories to last until the next visit, which is never soon enough.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!!

Another Update

Oh forgive me for neglecting you dear blogging world. I know my few faithful followers are wondering when I was going to get around to posting again! Whew, this month has been busy/crazy/exhausting already! But there are only 4 more days until Christmas!!!

Austin's last day of school for the year (and Aubrey's last day of Mother's Day Out) was on Friday. They have two whole weeks off and are very excited, as am I-no getting up early to take Austin to school! Last week was crazy! Monday Austin (and Mommy) got to go on a Limo Ride to lunch! A few months ago the PTA was having a cookie dough fundraiser, and any student who sold 15 boxes of cookie dough got to go on a limo ride to lunch. Well, Austin (ahem...Mommy) sold 15 boxes to all of Mommy's friends at work (and a few boxes for herself to get to magic number 15), so he got to go, and I went to chaperon. He loved it, thought it was the coolest thing. I loved watching him love it, but there were about 20 screaming kids in our limo and I thought I was going to lose my mind!

Austin and his limo

Wednesday was the PTA luncheon for the teachers, which I was in charge of again this year. I had a lot of help getting volunteers to make the food, and help set up/clean up, but had to do most of the shopping and organizing. I was very glad when that day was over! Aubrey had her little Christmas program at her daycare on Thursday night. All of the kids got up and sang about 4 songs together, then it was over. She did very well; jingled her little bells and clapped for herself, but didn't really sing much. I think she was too busy watching all of the people. She had been practicing all week though, singing in the car and at home. I just love to hear her sing, she has the sweetest little voice. Austin had his Christmas party on Friday, so I got off early to go to that and help out. I took Aubrey with me, she loves going to Nahnie's school to see him! And we also made time to catch the children's play at our church about the birth of Jesus, which the kids enjoyed as well!

I have been working quite a bit more at work due to the other intake therapist quitting, so am picking up lots more intakes, which means a lot more paperwork (late nights and weekends). It is good and bad; the money is always nice, but I am not spending as much time with the kids and the house is a wreck. On the flip side, Brian is very slow right now at work, so he is able to be with the kids instead which is nice for all of them, and why the house is such a wreck!

I think I am almost ready for Christmas. I am done shopping (except the grocery store, I have put that off as long as possible, and will be very annoyed when they don't have half of what I need!), my cards and packages are mailed, and I have most of the presents wrapped. We are going to see Santa today so Austin can get his requests in, hopefully nothing has changed or I take that back about being done with my shopping. I am sure Aubrey will have nothing to do with Santa, she is scared of everything right now, but maybe if big brother sits on his lap she will stand somewhere near them. We shall see. My parents are getting here tomorrow, so I will spend today cleaning up the house too!

I am ready and looking forward to a few days of just hanging out, eating, relaxing eating and enjoying being together. And remembering the true meaning of Christmas!!

Grabbing a fun drink after Austin's last day of school for the year!

Is my tongue blue?

Another Rare Moment

Awwww....

Don't be fooled, I am pretty sure this ended in a scream because Nahnie hugged "too long", and when Aubrey is done, she is done. But at least it lasted long enough for me to get a picture.

Decking the Halls

In keeping with my goal of staying ahead of the rush this year, I got my house cleaned, the Christmas decorations out, and the tree up and trimmed this past weekend. Whew! It looks like Christmas threw up in my house, and I love it.

Austin and Aubrey were such good little helpers too. They each enjoyed helping me decorate the tree, and the bottom half of the front of the tree was just spectacular. I had to wait until they were in bed to "tweak" things a bit (i.e. totally re-arrange the ornaments so that the rest of the tree was covered too and my OCD was satisfied as balance was restored to the world, I mean tree).

My little helpers.