What I would really like to tell you. . .

Today is News Years Eve. The kids and I spent the day at home making a cake. David went to a football game. We gathered at Marty and Jennifer's house along with the Brake family (who are moving tomorrow to Boston) and all ate soup and cake. As darkness fell, we took to the street to shoot off LOTS of fireworks - most illegal. The kids had a ball running around with sparklers while all the women watched for the cops! The husbands would light and run. Yes - it was a grand ol' time celebrating New Years Eve in the south! Too bad the Brake family are moving up north - I bet they will never see such a show up there. Well, heres to a new year.

Next year the kids are getting a very simple Christmas gift - ME! All day long today I have played musical chairs, hide-n-seek, and tickle monster. All of which included me and none of which included any of the gifts that they received for Christmas. Yep, put a bow on my head and slip me under the tree. I am certainly less expensive than what was purchased for them and I don't take up as much space as all the gifts that they received. There will be less shopping because I am already here. Yes sir - next year Christmas will be simple. Kids are calling - you can only leave them hidden for so long. . .

This morning Katie would not eat. Nothing major for most kids - but for Katie who lives for breakfast - this was a big deal. She has a huge white spot in the back of her throat and by lunch was running a fever. So off to the doctor's office we went. I can say that this year we have seen far less of the waiting room than last year this time but it still is the pits to have a sick child. Katie was ever the champ and sat still for the examination. Dr. Watson reminded Katie of how horrible an infant she had been and that we all cheered when she turned one year old - Dr. Watson included. Katie had her throat cultured and turns out she does not have strept. We walked away with two stickers (one for Cole) and a prescription for "pink" medicine. At least she likes the color of the medicine - she is not much for the taste.

Yes - the kids are home and so is their father. I love having a house full of fun people that can take care of themselves. It seems that this week I have become something of a short order cook. Katie never seems to be full, Cole is always in need of more drink, and David cannot decide if he wants me to heat up the dip or come talk to him. We took the kids to see Cheaper by the Dozen 2 - Cole's take on that movie was he was glad that there were only 2 kids in our family. Katie said that she needed four sisters. Cole said, "Well, one brother would not be too bad." Who knows? Maybe the next kid could help in all the short order cooking around here.

Ok - we have too much stuff! I am beginning to feel like our home is being taken over by clutter. I ready to back a dump truck into our drive and load it down. The sad thing is that I think that it may take more than one load. When I suggested to Cole that we sort his animals to only a few - you would have thought that I had said "Ok, today we will remove all your toe nails." I guess that I will wait until school is back in session and David returns to work so that I can get down and dirty with the sorting. Well - let me get back and see if I can get a couple of closet doors to shut.

I can't believe that another Christmas has come and gone. This year we were so very blessed by our families and friends. Our children seem to get that this is Jesus' birthday amid all the gift giving. Cole and Katie were really happy with anything that they recieved. I think that they just love us all being together. The highlight of this year was Santa's gift of "The Mule." The kids have already been riding with David. We just can't wait until it is a little warmer - or the windsheild comes in - to go riding again! Like always we have had too much to eat in the span of a couple of days and hope that the new year brings weight loss - or at least clothes with elastic that are somehow stylish!

Yes - this has not happened in years! I'm all alone. Cole and Katie are at Grandma and PaPa's house, David is at work - and that means that I'm all alone. It's almost scary. The house is so still and things stay where I put them. I really can not remember the last time I was by myself. Oh well - I have already called twice and checked on the kids and I will be leaving to pick them up at 10:30am. Then I can return to my life of fun and chaos - just the way I like it!

Today the kids had an extra special sitter - Pa! The kids have been running around the house saying "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." Katie and Pa had fun trying out new hair styles for her. The kids had loads of fun running around in their PJs all day. I think that they are pretty much tanked up on candy and having their own way. Sounds like the perfect day for a kid! Cole tells me that Pa has beat my score in ESPN Basketball. I have the house record for 34 baskets in 60 seconds. Next time Pa is up this way, IT'S ON! No one beats my record. As I tell the kids - This is momma's house! You and me Pa. You're going down.

Today David and I took the kids to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Rockets. We had great seats. The kids were so very excited. They watched and their eyes grew wider with every passing song and dance number. When the Toy Solders lined up and the cannon shot them down, Cole and Katie could hardly believe their eyes! They say that that was their favorite part. David suggested that we try that at home. I said that I would like to be the one on top. We voted for Katie to be the one on bottom. Somehow the kids did not go for that. David said that he really feels like the Christmas spirit! It was a wonderful day. One that I hope that the kids will always remember - their first Broadway show! I love the live nativity. It aways brings me to tears. I love this family and I love this season!

My kids are running around like crazed people! Cole is shooting Katie's Dora babies with a Nerf dart gun and Katie is thinking that this is OK. She is laughing her head off! I have concerns about what kind of parents they will become. You see, the doll is Big Sister Dora. It talks and has a dish of food and two spoons so that Katie can practice feeding her "children." Cole's Nerf gun has its own dart board system that even keeps score. Somehow, they have invented a game that involves shooting the Dora children and Katie laughing her head off. I guess I should be happy that they can invent their own games and entertain themselves. Oh well, I'm off to scrub bathrooms - wonder what I could invent to take my mind off of that task.

There is nothing like being in the shower and hearing the door being thrown open with your husband carrying your daughter that is vomiting. You know you are heading for a great day. Sick husband, vomiting daughter and a son that says his throat hurts. I am the last one left! This weekend of gift sharring has proven too much for my group. The husband is off to the doctor, the daughter is on the couch and the son is playing with fly wheels. I am on the other hand doing loads of laundry. The Christmas count down continues. . .

We are off to stop number two today. David has already left with a to do list way too long. Switch trucks, pick up a deer, drop off a deer, get everything ready to fry a turkey, fry the turkey, and who knows what other joys await him today. On top of all of that - he is getting a cold. There is nothing worse than a sick husband! Especially one that will not take his medicine at regular intervals! Oh well, tis the season! The kids slept in this morning. Cole was up at 7:50 with Katie up at 8:50. Let's hope that his continues though out the Christmas break. Who would have thought our kids would have ever slept past 6:30am? I think Santa will bring them something extra special for all that extra bed time - mom sure does appreciate it!

It's official - the Christmas mad rush begins tonight. It's almost like being shot out of a cannon. With this weekend totally booked and something planned for almost every night next week up until Christmas weekend, we are going to be hitting the roads. Cole's last day of school is today. He was excited to be giving his teachers their gifts today. I just pray that through out this mad week our family remembers exactly why we celebrate Christmas.

David just had his last final today! Yeah! He made a 100! Way to go daddy! We love you very much.

This morning we have a two hour school delay. We were able to enjoy breakfast all together and had time to play before school. I love delay days!

Conversation with Katie - Me: Katie, do you want to walk with me to the mail box? Katie: Yes! But you will have to carry me. Me: Why? Katie: Because I'm wearing feet. Katie had once again taken her socks and shoes off.

This day started out just like most weekdays. I had questions about how much longer until school break (3 days), what will we do when I get home from school (get ready for the next day), what are we having for dinner tonight (you have not even had breakfast yet). As we rush out into the cold into the car, it was nice to take time to see the frost. Thank you for making me take the time to stop and see frost. I love you guys so very much!