Vacation

We are enjoying ourselves immensely this Christmas vacation. We've been ice skating, playing Wii (guitar hero), jumping on the new trampoline, playing with new toys, and of course eating all sorts of junk. I'm hoping to get a chance tomorrow to post some pics of all the fun. Until then know we're still alive and enjoying what's left of '08!

Christmas Eve

Neglect

I'm not intentionally neglecting my blog. It's just the King is home and Christmas is just days away. We're busy shopping, wrapping, and just enjoying the season. Don't worry I'm still taking pictures and I'll post when I can!

Random Thoughts

The countdown has begun. The girls are officially "crazy" excited. They have no idea what they're getting from us this year and the anticipation is driving them nuts. Yesterday was Chiggie's school party and the girls looked very pretty. They all wore their Christmas dresses and pretty new earrings. They received many compliments which they always love. Chiggie is beyond excited that she is now off for a total of 18 days. This is exciting for me as well. I'm looking forward to sleeping in.

The King comes home tomorrow and we can't wait. Today was spent getting the house in order. I don't want to spend precious time cleaning. I told the girls that I was pretty sure Santa wanted to see our house looking its best and that got them motivated. At one point I even caught Boo using the little broom and dust pan. Too bad they're not this eager all of the time. Tomorrow we're going to church and then grocery shopping. That'll leave Monday and Tuesday completely open. Maybe we'll take the girls to a movie or something we'll have to see. As soon as I get a chance I'll post some pics from yesterdays festivities.

Mad

Today I lost my wallet. There was $60 inside along with the usual things like my drivers license etc. The most frustrating part is that I have no idea where it is. I just can't find it. I know the last place I had it for sure. I have called that store and it's not there. I am positive that I had it at the register but I can't recall past that point. I have run every possible scenario through my head to the point of driving myself CRAZY. I tore the house and the car apart looking for it. I called the police department to make sure there was no report or it wasn't turned in. At this point I have exhausted my resources and I'm giving up. This means tomorrow will be spent cancelling my debit card, getting a new drivers license, and mourning my lost cash. Then tomorrow evening I will probably find the wallet hiding in plain sight.

3 More Days

In 3 more days Chiggie will be out of school on Christmas Vacation. I am so excited. Thursday is her holiday lunch and then Friday is her class party. I don't know why they do them on seperate days but I've resigned myself to the fact that the end of this week will be crazy busy. The King comes home this weekend for the first time since Thanksgiving. I know yikes! He's worked everyday but this last Sunday when the roads were just too bad to get up the mountain. He'll be home for over a week so we're all excited.

I have a lot left to do to get ready for Christmas but surprisingly I don't feel much stress at all. The important stuff is taken care of and the rest will fall into place it always does. The girls are all enjoying counting down the days and I think even they are shocked at how close it really is.

Boo's Big Boo Boo

Poor Boo. She can't seem to catch a break lately. Poor thing is getting sick or hurt left and right. Today was by far the worst though. I was vacuuming the family room this afternoon when over the buzz I heard her SCREAMING. I turned around and blood was streaming down her face. She had tripped and hit her forehead on the fireplace. I could see a couple of gashes but couldn't properly assess them. I cleaned her up and got a closer look. One was a small almost puncture like wound. It looked painful but not big enough to cause worry. The other one was a deep, longer, cut.

I immediately called my Mom for a second opinion. She came right over to help with the other girls and take a look. She's a nurse and she seconded my opinion. Stitches would be necessary to close the wound. Fortunately the doctor disagreed. He said that because it had stopped bleeding and the location (the forehead) stitches were not recommended. He said it would leave a train track scar and the whole experience wouldn't be worth the trauma. He has two daughters himself and while he left it up to me said that he would choose to steri strip the wound and apply antibiotic. So Boo was off the hook, or the needle I guess.

The rest of the evening she was cranky and kept grabbing at her head and saying "owie?" I felt bad for her and guilty. I've always worried about the fireplace but luckily nothing has ever happened. We need some type of a bumper around it regardless of how it would look. Boo is a monkey though and she isn't easily deterred. Several times tonight I had to take her off coffee tables and such. Hopefully this will be as bad as it gets.....

Trapped

A stomach flu bug (Boo) and an additional 6 inches of snow left us feeling a little trapped today. The girls got creative and built this fort in the family room where they hung out for the better part of the day. The dog didn't realize understand and kept them busy by pulling it down repeatedly. Boo is feeling better tonight which is a relief. This is the last week of school before Christmas vacation and I'm hoping everyone can stay healthy!

Consequences

Staying up until past midnight every night and getting up at 6am is really starting to catch up to me. Every day I promise to go to bed earlier that night, but I just can't. The quiet at night is such a difference from the bustling noises of our days. It's so relaxing to have the time to read, surf the net, or watch a little t.v. in peace. Now that's it's the Christmas season I enjoy it even more. The warm fire, glowing decorations, and falling snow add to my desire to stay up just a bit longer.

The days have also been going by so fast lately. I feel like I just get Chiggie to school and it's time to go back and get her. I guess by the time we all get ready for the day, do a few chores, and eat lunch it's already late afternoon. Maybe that will be one of my New Year's resolutions: Go to bed.

First Real Snow

Last night we got our first real snow. It fell heavy until well after midnight. The weather today is cold but nice, so there was only a two hour delay. Chiggie did enjoy sleeping in.The little girls couldn't wait to get their snow suits on and make some snow angels. I took this from the back window. No way was I going to venture out. Boo and I shared hot chocolate while we watched them.It made the bathroom decorations seem that more festive.

I love this shower curtain.
This picture was taken this afternoon after quite a bit of the snow had melted.Our street.Pretty shot of the plum trees.The clouds moving out.Poor pond

Fa La La La La...

Tonight was the annual parade of lights and the weather was fantastic. Don't let the way the girls were dressed fool you, they had their hats and coats off 15 minutes into the parade. For the first year ever we made it through the whole thing without anybody melting down or nearly getting frost bite.We've also been enjoying the house being festively decorated. This is one of my new decorations. It's both festive and functional as it keeps the fire shielded.

Another new favorite, I got this one from my Mom and Step Dad. It's Santa's workshop. It spins around and plays Christmas music. Our village has really grown in the last few years.

Before going to the parade the girls and I baked and decorated 3 dozen sugar cookies. They loved it. They are finally getting old enough to do things a bit more independantly. I was surprised at how well even Midge did.

At the end of the day even the animals of the family were tuckered out. Seriously are these two cute or what??

Jump for Joy

For now they can only jump at my Moms. Until Christmas that is (wink, wink)

The Polar Express

Okay, so it may have taken me a bit, but here's a synopsis of our kick off to Christmas trip. On the day after Thanksgiving we woke the girls early and gave them the news that we were invited to ride the Polar Express. They cheered and jumped around excited while the King and I finished up packing and got everything we would need ready. By 9am we had begun the 5 hour journey.

The hotel we stayed at did not disappoint. This is the view of the atrium from just outside our suite.Here is the living room. The couch made into a bed for the older girls.The master bedroom was huge complete with a King size bed and large t.v. of its own.The hot tub was turned down a bit so the whole family could enjoy. The King and Tea relaxing.

The girls in their pajamas ready to ride the train.


The King and Midge enjoying the ride.

I sat with Boo and the older girls got to ride up front all by themselves. All of our hats are courtesy of Uncle Russell by the way!

Just like in the movie the conductor came through and punched our tickets. Meanwhile we sipped cocoa and sang carols.

Midge, a believer in Santa, receives her bell.

Much to her shock, Santa scooped Chiggie right up!

The next morning the girls got some fresh air out on our private balcony.

Eventually we had to return home, and this is what we had to drive through.
We had an incredible time and it was hard to come home. The girls are still carrying their bells around with them and talk daily about the experience. I'm so glad we were given the opportunity to take them!

Dropping In...

Alright, I promise I'll be back today with a real post. Complete with pictures from our trip and Thanksgiving, but until then I have a quick question. I have my own ideas on this one, but I'd like to hear some opinions from whatever readers I have left out there. So here goes...

What do you think the appropriate age/grade to begin sleepovers is? I'm talking about non-family member sleep overs of course. I know it depends on the individual child etc. I'm just looking for an "average." Please help me out on this one!