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Merry Christmas Part 2

December 24th Christmas Eve
Today was a little busier than I had wanted it to be. I started out meeting my sister half way to pick up my mom for Christmas Eve. Then we had the groceries to do. Yes, I shouldn't have waited until the last minute, but I was so busy that this was the only time to do it. After that, Natalie and I were able to finish baking and frosting the cut-out cookies. She really enjoyed that and took great pride in decorating almost everyone in a unique way. Then she got a little tired, so I finished them.


During the evening, our good friends Jeneal, Dan, and their son Max came over. We had a quiet evening in with snacks, drinks, pizza, and presents for the kids. Natalie and Matthew enjoyed playing with their new toys - ponies for Natalie and cars and animals for Matthew. They also had a fun time playing with Max. They left around 7:30 and no sooner had they left, we were greeted with a visti from the big guy himself - Santa Claus. Yes, he stopped by to give the kids candy canes and encourage them to go to sleep. It was actually our neighbor but he really played a good part. The kids couldn't tell and we weren't too sure who was actually in that suit either. And I've never seen Natalie get herself to bed faster than she did after her visit from Santa. Matthew, of course, had other ideas and kicked and sang until at least 10:00.

Then, of course Christmas had to happen, but it was pretty simple and we were in bed by 11:00. Good thing, because I wouldn't want Santa to skip our house.

Christmas Day

Morning came and Natalie groggily clambored up into our bed. She seemed to momentarily forget that it was Christmas. I convinced her to snuggle for a bit. I wanted to give my late bird some extra sleep time. We then agreed to make a "little" noise in the bonus room in order to encourage Matthew's wake up. By then, Natalie could barely contain herself. She was so excited and greeted every gift with, "I love it! It's just what I wanted! Merry Christmas!" She was so filled with Christmas cheer and joy that I wanted it to last forever. Matthew was a different sort. He opened a couple of gifts from Mommy and Daddy (pajamas and a sweatshirt), pulled them out of the box and said, "I don't like it." Too funny! But then he loved a Little Einstein shirt that I gave him and wanted to put it right on. That item soon lost favor when he opened train pj's from Nana and he quickly put those on.







Now, I was going to have the kids all dressed all festively for later in the day. They had already worn holiday outfits on several occasions, so it wasn't anything new. It was just getting dressed up for dinner. They both showed no interest in it and I remembered back to my Christmases when I played with my new toys all day and stayed in my pajamas as well. It was a really nice memory. They were having so much fun so we just went with it. So, both the kiddos stayed in their jammies all day, although Matthew's were fresh jammies. I bet we all wish we could stay in our jammies on Christmas day too and play with new toys.
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We had a nontraditional dinner this year, too. I figured I wanted to slow down and enjoy the time with my family. I thought, the easier the meal, the more time I'd have. I think it worked out well. My mom made the lassagna, my sister made shrimp, my mother-in-law brought pie, and my sister-in-law made a salad and garlic bread. I made bread and opened my home.

There is one thing that I certainly learned this year and that is to cherish the time with the little ones. I really enjoyed experience the holidays through their eyes. Everything was wondrous and magical and perfect. That's how it should be. I get such joy from their experiences. What could be more fun than playing with new toys on Christmas morning? It's playing with my kiddos' toys, at least until they stop letting me play.

Merry Christmas Part 1

My blog post is a little behind, but I couldn't let the new year come in without remembering Christmas. Fortunately the colds and my knee were on the upswing so I was able to slow down and enjoy the few days before Christmas with my family. Here are some fun times.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

The night before my last day of work is always hectic with my trying to get all my last minute loose ends tied up for work. But this time I made sure that I made time for Natalie. I showed her how to make something that I used to make when I was a child - candy cane reindeer. Of course they were just as tricky as I remember but we managed to make enough for her class and her teacher. It was fun. She loves crafts and Christmas!

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Jeneal and Dan had a Christmas party. Ryan, myself, and the kids all went. We enjoyed some appetizers and fun. I wasn't feeling all that great so we left by 9:00. Ryan had it in his head that he wanted donuts so we went on a great donut search but not until we took a ride down Gingerbread Lane, a little neighborhood that goes all out for the holidays.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Sunday was cookie making day. Natalie, Matthew, and I set up shop in the kitchen and started our cookie baking extravaganza. Well, it wasn't really all that many cookies, but it sure seemed like it. We started first by making the cookie dough for the cut-out cookies. Then, we made the Pillsbury Christmas tree and reindeer cookies that you just drop on the tray. I had the kids roll them in sugar first for some pizazz. The first tray went in perfectly, but after that it was craziness. I think it was Matthew who started it, but I could be wrong. All of a sudden, they were taking bites out of the cookies and putting little moons onto the baking sheet all while laughing hysterically. And I must agree that it was hysterically funny. I got it on video. Natalie could be reasoned with and eventually stopped, but Matthew just kept on biting cookies and laughing. Too funny.

Proof that Matthew started it. He made all the reindeer cookies. All Natalie's trees are perfect, but notice the small bite taken from the reindeer cookie. Guilty!
This is after Natalie started to join in the fun. She was able to be reasoned with though and enjoyed teasing me and not actually biting all of the cookies.

And there we have it!

After cookies I had a few last minute things to do. When I came home, we gathered everyone up for a family dinner at Chili's and then some window shopping at our outdoor mall. We ended with a quick trip to the bookstore. It was fun family time. With all the sickness and injuries(well, one injury), we hadn't had a chance to do anything like that in awhile.

Nat's Second Big Show

Natalie also had a dance recital. This was her third recital. This time it was a ballet performance to "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." After the show we made our traditional trip to Graziano's for dinner and games (too bad most of the games were broken). She did great and I am so proud of her!

Matthew did well. He was great up until Natalie performed and then he had had enough.

Natalie loves Graziano's!

Nat's First Big Show

Again I got to ooze pride when my darling daughter performed in her holiday show at preschool. It was December 12th during the day and despite work complications, I took a half day because I was not going to miss my baby's show! Oh, and this was day two of the awful cold for me - ugh. Anyway, she sang two numbers. The first was Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. She sang the whole time with such determination and concentration that I couldn't have been more proud! The second number was a song about Baby Jesus in the Manger that was so adorable. Unfortunately, I couldn't see her very well during that part because the whole school was on stage but thank goodness for video. Ryan was able to get it all on film. After that, Matthew got to have a cookie and juice. We picked Natalie up from her classroom and brought her to see Mr. and Mrs. Claus. She was so sweet when she met them. Natalie was actually walking away when she went back to tell Santa that she wanted a "talking magical princess throne." Too cute. Of course Matthew was all talk about Santa until we reached the front of the line. Then he wanted no part of him.

Matthew enjoying his cookie after the show.

Natalie with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Matthew's Birthday

This post is a little late, but I still wanted to acknowledge the the little buddy's big day. He turned two on December 15th and we celebrated with a Mickey Mouse party. Despite my knee and the super-strong cold that was making its way through my home, it was a fun party. It was a little smaller than our usual (cancellations due to that darn cold!) but still fun and Matthew got a lot of nice gifts. Matthew did great and enjoyed himself.

I can't believe the little guy is two. He is growing so fast. It seems like just yesterday he was that chubby little baby! He talks so much now, too. He wakes up talking and goes to sleep talking! He doesn't stop!

Happy birthday, Little Buddy.

Done... Almost

The Christmas shopping is officially done. I think the wrapping is done too. All that's left is groceries and housecleaning. And that's still a lot!

Tough Day

Today was a tough day. I spent a good portion of the day at a funeral service for a colleague who passed away from kidney cancer. She was only 35. She left a 5 year old son. It was all very heartbreaking. She was such a good person. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.

The Road to Recovery?

I had my first day semi walking today. I started using my two crutches to support me. Then I hobbled around the class on one crutch and often with none. When I walked great distances, like to the office, I took one. Once I got home I left the crutches by the doorway. Of course I kind of look like Quasimodo but I managed with some soreness. I still have inflammation, but I am hoping that those steroids will do the job because I really don't know how else to get rid of it. After three trips to see a doctor, I am not too sure that they know either. And while I smiled as I carefully maneuvered the stairs up to the second floor, I am still a bit nervous of what will come tomorrow. Will I suffer residual pain after I sleep on it? Gosh, I hope not. The positive side of that is these steroids cause excitability. Last night I couldn't sleep until after 1:00. Tonight? Who knows? But I am walking! I hope it sticks.

Six to Eight Weeks on the Road to Recovery

Egads! Six to eight weeks! My third doctor visit did not bring me any closer to an MRI. This doctor, who is my new personal physician (if I like her and the verdict is still out on that - need more time), doesn't think anything is torn. Everything moved just fine and my knee can support weight. Well, of course it can! The leg has lost all of it's muscle tone! She did notice that it is very inflamed and gave me a treatment of steroids. Just call me, Ahnold. I am also encouraged to walk on it with aid of the crutches. I'll let you know how it goes. I am hoping and praying for good things even if it takes six to eight weeks.

More Than Ten Reasons Why I am Angry at the World

This is my little pity party.

It's been almost two weeks and I am still on flipping crutches.

Matthew's birthday is in one and a half weeks and I have so much to do but can't do it because I am on flipping crutches!

Christmas is coming and I have so much to do but can't because . . . well, you know.

Taking a shower on one leg is hard.

I can't even run (ha, ha - no pun intended) to the store to get the Mickey Mouse Christmas wrapping paper I need to start wrapping presents.

Christmas shopping on crutches is no fun and it is so physically draining that I am tired just thinking about it.

My knee burns constantly and ibuprofin does not help.

I can't carry anything while using crutches.

It might rain on Friday and I can't bear the thought of going to work in the rain on crutches. It brings tears to my eyes.

I can't do a darn thing for myself.

My children have eaten take-out or some other processed food almost every night since this happened.

My classroom still displays turkeys, and it's an utter disaster.

The pain is often so bad it brings tears to my eyes.

The doctor told me to walk on it when it felt like it was getting better and now I feel like I am back at square one.

I sigh (and occasionally cry) with exasperation at the thought of any ordinary task like getting dressed, taking a shower, or just going to get Matthew out of his bed.

I stay reclusively in my classroom because the office is too far away to walk on crutches.

I won't participate in the Secret Santa because I can't go shopping and I don't want to walk to the office on crutches so frequently.

If I do go to the office, I have to stop and rest once I've made it there.

And of course, I am still on this flipping crutches.

Each day I hope for improvement or some sign. I've had no luck so now I am waiting for a third appointment and perhaps I will have to fight for an MRI. Sigh.