An Afternoon With Santa!

Today we went to our neighbors' annual "Santa Party." It's a crazy afternoon filled with lots of kids, lots of sweets, a visit from Santa, a bit of wine, and...did I mention, LOTS OF KIDS!!!! Santa arrived and all the kids gathered 'round to share their Christmas wishes and pause for a few pictures.

While Daddy held her, Miss Wiggles watched Santa carefully... not too sure about him...

Bruiser made it into the room but hid behind our legs.

Tater loved it but Miss Wiggles wasn't so sure! And by the time the girls made it off Santa's lap, Bruiser was ready to give him a hug. Of course the camera was off by then! Tater got a very special gift from Santa...a bell off one of his reindeer! She felt so special to get that magical gift! It is now hanging on our tree in a spot of honor!

"Peanut Head!"

In our house, we've adopted the name "peanut" for that particular male body part that sounds similar. So, when the kids - who are SO into bathroom topics! - talk about it, they say "peanut". It works for us!

So last night, Tater was at the kitchen table using a sing-songy voice to call her brother a "peanut head". I quickly told her that was not a word we used outside of the bathroom and that it was not a kind thing to say to her brother. Her quick response? "I don't mean the bum kind, Mama! I mean the kind you eat!"

And On The Menu Tonight...

We had Trader Joe's meatball sandwiches and homemade oven fries for dinner tonight. None of which my children will eat. So they had reheated pasta. Tater takes hers with just cheese. Bruiser and Miss Wiggles will eat sauce and the meatballs.

As we were eating, Tater connected our meal to one of her favorite shows, Olivia. She said, "Mama, Olivia likes meatbobs, too!"

Hiding for Santa!

Tater got to stay up late tonight and watch the Charlie Brown Christmas special and the new Disney special, "Prep and Landing." As we were watching, the elves who "prep" each house for Santa got caught by a child and had their picture taken. We explained to Tater how that was a bad thing because the children aren't supposed to see Santa and the elves. We expected her finish the following sentence "Children are supposed to be..." with "sleeping"...but she didn't! Her response? "Hiding!" Watch out, Santa!

Really???

One of my mom's favorite sayings is "God never gives you more than you can handle." I used to agree but I think He and I need to have a LOOOOONG talk!

Someone has been sick in this house almost every day for the past two months. And I'm not exaggerating! It started with Tater and the dreaded H1N1 and has gone downhill ever since. Now Miss Wiggles has had a fever and cough since Friday. A trip to the doctor diagnosed an ear infection and the possible start of a lung infection. Joy. Luckily, Bruiser only has a cold...today. It can always change.

And then Daddy woke up with a stomach thing this morning. And, you know, the only thing worse than sick children is a sick husband! At least the worse seems to have past and hopefully it won't make its way through the house.

So now I'm off to feed my animals, put two down for nap, drop one off at preschool, pick up a prescription, and swing by the grocery store. What a great sick day for me!

It's 7:00 and Where Are Your Children?

...because mine are in bed! That's right, in bed!!!

This weekend was a bit crazy (ha!). Bruiser had school Saturday morning, Tater had her dance recital practice Friday night and then the recital Saturday afternoon, I had a church obligation early this morning, Christmas preparations have been on-going, wine had to be drunk, and...of course, there are never-ending sick children that seem to reside in this house!

Oh, yes, you read correctly! They are sick again! Tater had a cough and fever when returned from Thanksgiving with the relatives and missed several days of school. The diagnosis...after hauling 3 children to the doctor's office? A virus! A stupid virus! She still has the cough but seems much better...at least good enough to socialize, go to school, and be in a dance recital.

Then the cough spread to the other two. Miss Wiggles started yesterday with a juicy, delicious cough and a fever of 101. She and I spent most of the night awake and cuddled in my bed. Then since I had to be out of the house by 7:30 this morning, I treated myself to a two hour nap! Now tonight the Motrin wasn't bringing the fever down. Can you guess where we'll be going tomorrow? And, while I'm at it, I'll bring Bruiser along to check out his barky, croupy cough that has been developing since Friday. Might as well make it a two-for-one deal!

In spite of all that, the crazy ones had enough energy to wreak the house while I was away and Daddy was in "control." Then after two hours of asking them to clean up, I set the timer and told them that any toys left out would be put away when the timer went off (mind you, this was second timer I set!). So the timer went off, the toys weren't away and I filled my laundry basket and sent it to the basement. Tater's response? "That's okay...I still have my favorite castle toy." Highly effective, huh?

And so the week begins! I'm off with sick children tomorrow, out to a meeting tomorrow night, have a sitter coming so Daddy can take Tater to dance class and the sick ones don't have to be out, faculty meeting on Wednesday, a holiday party here on Friday, presents to wrap, books to be read, a house to clean, delicious yummies to make, kids to cuddle, and...of course, some wine to be consumed! With a crazy week like this, I'm already exhausted. And now I'm off to wash, dry, fold, and put away 10 loads of laundry...yawn!

Video Clips for Equality Among Siblings!

I couldn't slight Bruiser and Miss Wiggles after all the video of Tater! And this camera is so easy to use!!!!

Here's Bruiser after his nap, talking to Papa's camera. He's convinced this is now our camera and Papa got a new one...hmmmm, not a bad idea!

And this is Miss Wiggles, running her little nightgown! It's quick but too cute!