Christmas = Success!

Someday I will again post something besides a series of photos...


Our Christmas celebrations have been one rousing success after another. I was pleasantly surprised by how pleased Harper was with even her small and not-initially-fun-looking gifts. She did as much delighted shrieking as talking on Christmas Day.


Michael didn't know what to think of all the presents under the tree, but he caught on quickly once we started opening. He was such a trooper, even without a nap! Compared to last year, when Harper was sick and Michael was so little, this Christmas was both easier and more fun.


The children even slept until 7:30 Christmas morning, which was the best gift they could have given us. (Especially considering Harper was up at 5 a.m. on Christmas Eve.)




The above picture was not posed at all, Harper was really that taken with the Strawberry Shortcake Cafe Santa brought for her.


Michael's favorite gift was a new copy of Goodnight Moon. Our original copy was literally loved to pieces (over the last five years) and finally bit the dust a few weeks ago. He was thrilled to get a new one and showed no interest in any more presents for a good twenty minutes after opening the book.


What is the word for a large group of princesses? A parade? A pack? A party? Whatever it is, Harper now has one!


Hope you all had happy and safe holiday celebrations. Tomorrow we head north, through the snow, to Wisconsin, where we will celebrate Christmas (again!) and my dad's birthday before returning to face 2010.

Not a Creature Was Stirring

Wherever you find yourself this Christmas, and however you celebrate, I wish you joy and peace.




Let the Christmas chaos begin!

Honestly, Couldn't Say it Better

My friend Erin is a truly gifted writer. I am envious of her talent, more than I care to admit, but even my envy cannot keep me from directing you here - if, that is, you haven't already seen it for yourself. You're welcome.


Sometimes, dear friend, I think you are doing the wrong job! (Although of course not, because yours suits you so perfectly and often, I believe, provides inspiration...)

Snapshots of Busy Days

Harper is enjoying her role as resident cookie helper...


Mostly because it means she gets to be chief leftover frosting eater.


For her birthday next year she is wondering if I couldn't just put her candles into a big bowl of frosting and forget the cake.

*****

Michael got his first big boy haircut. I did give him one home haircut in August, which was so questionable I'm pretty sure we skipped the before and after pictures here at Midwest Mom.


He was uncertain at first but a lollipop helped. (Oh my gosh, there were rivers of watermelon drool running down that cape!)

*****

Aaaaaand we went to see Santa!

Michael sat on his lap for approximately 1.2 seconds. Harper stayed a little longer and actually spoke in multiple complete sentences. I wonder if we have one or two more years before we're finished with the screaming Santa pictures?


Oh, and I think I got a job? Details later this week, or in the new year!

Videos!

Michael feeds the dog:



Kids in pajamas being kids:

I also have a six second video of Michael attempting to bounce on an exercise ball and then falling off and smacking his head on the computer desk. It's about three seconds bouncing, one second falling, and then a nice big gasp from me after I hear the sound of his head making contact - er, oops. Don't worry he's fine.

Favorite Photo Series

On our fifth day visiting the Disney parks, the tea cup ride was an early stop. By day five Harper was tired, and there were several near melt-downs that day. After one of them I told her she needed to decide to pull it together or we'd just head back to the condo for the evening to which she replied, "Mom, I think it all started with the tea cups."

The first picture is Harper telling Matt to go as fast as he did the first night... Matt thought she said to spin us as fast as he could and, well, the pictures tell the rest of the story:

Legitimate Reasons

Okay, so, I'm not necessarily feeling all pre-Christmas cranky - not quite. BUT if I were in a bah-humbug sort of mood these would be legitimate reasons:

1) So much unpacking/sorting/putting away to do! The bad thing about going away for nine days in DECEMBER is that you miss out on some of that Christmas prep time. Our shopping is pretty much done, but I haven't had any time to, say, read a book by Christmas tree light. And at this rate I'll maybe get to do that January 5. Note to future self: Disney World is pretty all done-up for the holidays, but maybe don't travel in December again.

2) The week before we left we had a fraud issue with the main credit card we use. The card had to be canceled. This was not a HUGE problem, but was annoying, especially the week before vacation. Fortunately Matt and I both have back up cards - he has a card from our grocery store and I still have the card I got when I was a senior in college. I mostly use it for times when I'm buying Matt a gift and I don't want him to see the charge. However, with our other cards temporarily out of commission, I've used it more in the last two weeks. Today I got a phone call that someone had been using that credit card number! TWO different cards in a matter of two weeks, seriously??? Of course Matt now thinks it's my fault that both numbers were stolen! I think I was a little sassy with the lady who called to report the fraud on my card because I just couldn't believe it was happening. Crazy!

3) I have to make an allergy free cupcake for Harper because one of the parents in her class insists on bringing cupcakes as a birthday treat on Wednesday - not such a big deal, but then I also have to bake cookies for their holiday party on Thursday so she'll have something safe to eat. I don't really mind the baking, but normally I'd do it over a weekend (which I don't have!). Of course Harper wants frosted cookies for the holiday treats, which I normally avoid because they are a giant PIMA. I finally decided to make the reindeer cookies we've done in the past - they are easier than cut-outs. Unfortunately the store did not have cinnamon candies or holiday colored Kissables to use for the noses - the best we could come up with was using red Skittles. I suppose it will be fine, but that's not really a complimentary taste, is it?

4) Michael has developed a troubling sounding grunt/cough that will hopefully get some attention at the doctor tomorrow - I'll have to call in the morning to try to get an appointment. It is exactly how he sounded the entire car-ride up to Wisconsin last December, when we ended up taking him to the ER. At least I can be thankful it's happening now and not next week.

I fully realize that none of these things are even remotely tragic but they are getting in the way of the pre-Christmas high I prefer to maintain this time of year.



I will leave you with one non-crabby thing: Semi-Desperate Housewife won the music giveaway! Hooray! Hopefully we'll get in touch before the end of the week and I can get a fun CD off to her just in time for Christmas.

We're Home!

Whew! That type of "vacation" always takes a little out of you, you know?

There is so much to say, but right now I'm happy and grateful to be home and reunited with Michael (and Rebound). The trip was wonderful and this photo pretty much sums up how Harper felt about things:



I haven't had computer access (but for a short time last night) in 9 days so you can imagine the state of my email and google reader. I'll slowly catch up this week, while I also finish getting ready for Christmas and prepare for a job interview. Perhaps I should start by going to be early tonight...

Buh-Bye!

Hi! We're leaving for Florida ten minutes ago - I have to load the car, but I'm waiting for something to print! Michael is safely in Wisconsin - here is a picture of him "helping" me pack!

I don't have time to link it right now, but you have time to enter the holiday music giveaway - it's about four posts ago!

Maybe blogging from Florida, maybe not - if not I'll see ya in ten days! Waa-hoo!