Two More Sleeps!

Christmas is almost here, it's coming, it's coming! Wow, I can't believe how the time has just flown by! I think we're practically ready. I have to start the first steps of a trifle I'm making for Christmas day dessert, and together tonight, Dave and I will make the cheese dip we're taking tomorrow for our Christmas eve party at my parents.

I've had some trouble finding the Christmas spirit, mostly because Caleb came down with a bad cold on Thursday. He was miserable, and wouldn't sleep, which in turn meant I didn't sleep either. Finally I took him to see the doctor and it turns out he has an ear infection. Ahhh. So I'm glad because we have medication for him now, but I wish I had gone sooner, the poor kid.

To help find the Christmas spirit I've watched lots of Christmas specials. Dave and I watched A Christmas Story last night, and the night before we watched Christmas Vacation. Tonight I think I would like to watch The Polar Express. Then maybe tomorrow sometime we'll get Home Alone in there.

Jesus and Santa

Here's another little clip that I thought was kind of neat!

The Real Meaning of Christmas

I was watching this tonight on t.v. and this part got to me. I love it, the simplicity. We are always confused during this season, and we forget about the importance of this holiday. God sent us the Saviour.

The Weekend is Over!

I am tired. Plain and Simple. Last week was just nuts and Saturday, crazy! I wish I could have a break, but we have 2 more events with people coming to our house this week, so it doesn't slow down. Caleb's birthday was a blast, despite the chaos and stress! In the morning we attended my work's Kids Christmas party. Caleb has decided he doesn't like Santa (we discovered this Friday night when we took them to have pictures done, he flat out refused, like stiffness and kicking refused to sit on Santa's knee!) so when it came time to go to Santa for his present and picture, I got to bridge the gap between the two! He loved his gift, a John Deere tractor that rumbles and a fire truck. Amberly just chilled, got her picture with Santa, she got the fisher price fish bowl set.

Then Caleb's party started at home. My family all arrived first so we could celebrate Krista's birthday first. She did great, getting books and crafty things. Then at 4, Dave's family arrived, along with Kris and Shannon, and their 2 little ones, and Steve and Christa and Cara. We served up a big meal of pasta and cesar salad and garlic bread. It was a lot of work, I found I got so stressed out over everything, but it went off without a hitch. Caleb was spoiled. He got trucks, books, cars, a train set, clothes! He was so cute, watching him open up things. He was so hyper too! After everyone had left, we put him in a bath and that seemed to help him calm down. Then he went to bed without hesitation.

Sunday was so great, because he was so taken with all his new stuff, he happily played all by himself in his room, which in turn gave me a quiet morning to get ready at my own pace, instead of being rushed! Then after church we had a Christmas party to go to at 4pm. It was o.k. Because I was tired, it just seemed like a lot of work to be at the party with both kids. But they seemed to be happy, which made me happy.

This morning, I went to get groceries. After lunch I had a bath and slept a bit. But I feel just as tired as before. I have to pick up Caleb at Christa's at 4 and Dave is working late tonight, so I'm just throwing in a pizza in the oven, and hoping for a quiet evening.

Upset Rasberry Blower

Amberly has begun blowing "rasberries" But she seems upset when she does it. Then Caleb also joins in as well. It's hilarious!

Tackling the Little Stuff

Today Caleb spent the day with Christa. So I had the opportunity to run out and do some things. I went and ordered Caleb's cake and pick up a few things, then I stopped to get a prescription re-filled and bought wrapping paper. Then once home and baby fed, I thoroughly cleaned the basement, and wrapped Caleb's birthday presents. (We are giving him a tent thingy with a tunnel, and a little basketball net and from Amberly he gets the balls to go in the tent thingy). I took a nap while Amberly did, and it wasn't long enough, in fact, I wish I could just sleep a day away, I just want one day where I can just do absolutely nothing! Then after feeding Amberly again, we went to get Caleb. I chatted with Christa for a bit. Dave has already begun the discussion of July, and what to do. I want to go back to work part time. My boss has offered this to me, and I think 3 days a week would be perfect, but the biggest issue is Christa doesn't have room for Amberly right now. After chatting a bit, there may be a good chance she could take her. She can definately have the kids for July and August because she doesn't have some as their parents are teachers. As far as September is concerned, everything is up in the air. So we're really hoping that circumstances change and she can take both, otherwise, I may not go back. I know it sounds ridiculous that I'm basing it on my babysitter, but seriously, she is such an amazing lady, that I know, there is no one who could compare, so if we can't have her, then it's gonna be me!

Ahhh, it's getting late, and I want to go to sleep. Dave is playing volleyball on his own tonight. The game didn't start until 8:30pm, so I stayed home to be with the kids. After they were in bed, I made Krista some cupcakes. We're celebrating her birthday on Saturday as well. We thought we would do both her's and Caleb's the same day, since this time of year is insane. She'll be 7. Man, she's growing up so fast!

I was thinking of watching The Office, but I think I'll just go to bed.

Christmas is Coming! Hooray!

We're full blown into the Christmas season now. It's wonderful! I find myself getting excited more and more every day. I love this time of year. This year, however, I find that I'm easily stressing myself out over things. I don't know if it's the underlying economic times, but I get stressed out about money, and I feel like everything we needed has all come to surface this month. (why this month of all months!) I also stress over the sentimental aspect of my gifts. I think and think about Dave's Christmas present and how I can make is special and meaningful. But I have to remind myself, that to him, it's no big deal. Anything I get him, he will love. (well not everything) And there's so many things I want to do to make it memorable for me, that I think all I'll remember is the stress of trying to get everything done. I want to get the kids to a mall to see Santa, I want to get to Waterloo park to see all the lights, it seems never ending. It's Amberly's first Christmas, so I want it to memorable and it will be the first Christmas where Caleb will actually be excited opening presents.

This Christmas brings change too. This may be causing a bit of my stress too, since I don't deal with change so well. But this year is the first year where I won't be at my parents over night on Christmas eve. Dave and I decided that it would be easier on the kids and on us to come home after my extended family Christmas eve party, be at home Christmas morning to open up our gifts and then head back to my parents for the rest of the day.

Many gathering with friends happens this month too. Starting this week! Tomorrow night I'm helping out at a ladies function at my church where we'll be making Christmas cards. Tuesday, hopefully my parents are coming for the day to babysit while I attend my department Christmas lunch, then Tues. evening, I'm meeting with friends for dessert then going to see Australia the movie. Saturday is Caleb's 2nd birthday. It's a packed full day. In the morning we're going to my work's kids Christmas party, then my family is coming in the afternoon to celebrate Krista's 7th birthday, then at 4, Dave's family will be joining in and we'll start celebrating Caleb's. We have about 17 adults and 6 children to feed dinner to. Yikes! Then Sunday we have a friends Christmas party to attend. It's exhausting just thinking about it.

It's the little details that I'm a sucker for, I leave it all to last minute. I did finish my Christmas cards this weekend, now I have to remember to get stamps!

Ahhh I love this time of year.

Ho Ho Ho

Caleb came home on Monday with a letter for Santa Claus and knowing what Santa says!

Amberly's first try at cereal!

I was pretty amazed with how strong Amberly was with sitting up. I think she's going to be a very independant little girl when she gets older!