Monday I got to see my girls Kate & Carrie for our bi-annual dinner.  Much fun – nice evening, good food, no screaming kids.  :)

Tuesday I endured lots of screaming kids.  That was the night of the Santa photo but that wasn’t it – there was also a large lights display that the kids liked (though I think they tired of it quickly on) and dinner with my good friend of over 18 years (omg, I had to think about that one, am I really that old???) and her one-year-old as well.  An interesting dinner consisting of Kayleigh being the ultimate ham and climbing on the table not once, oh no, but twice.

Wednesday was extremely busy starting with a concert with Elijah’s guitar class.  That was interesting.  I let him go in first at 2 but the concert was at 230 so I came in with Kayleigh about 15 minutes later.  Immediately upon entering the room, she freaked out and even grabbed the trash can that was by the door in an attempt to stop me from pushing her (in her stroller) further into the room.  She would then scream and cry if I tried to sit down or be near people etc.  Finally was able to stand on the other side of the room near the door and she was quiet playing with my wallet and debit/credit cards.  Sigh.  It wasn’t the best view to see E or get pictures of any kind.  When it came time for us to leave early, ’cause I was on a time schedule, I felt both guilty and relieved.  Of course, my kid was the one who stood up and talked after every song and was the one who announced the songs loudly as he was finding them in his book, etc.  Oy.

After that, I had to drive the 30 miles home and get dressed and, leaving the kids in good hands with Stacey’s son and his girlfriend until Stacey could get there, headed back north and met my sister-in-law and her sister for dinner, our mother-in-law and Sarah showing up soon thereafter.  From there it was to the Fabulous Fox Theatre to see Beauty and the Beast.  We’d planned this for a while, having bought tickets not long after Sarah and I went to see The Addams Family.  These tickets were just under $83 a piece and we sat in the front row of the Mezzanine.  The show was ah-mazing.  It was really good.  Of course, this was Disney’s Beauty and the Beast so it largely followed the movie with a few more numbers in there.  Everyone in the show performed marvelously and we all just really enjoyed it.  The girls are already making plans for The Lion King in the summer.  There were a lot of kids in the show, though, my first time really encountering kids at The Fox and during the first scene with wolves attacking Belle’s father, I whispered to Sarah, “wow, this is kind of scary,” and almost immediately all kids in the place started wailing in fear.  There were three such scenes.  I think the little girl behind us wanted to leave, poor thing.  But how they did the wolves, you could see the people running them, all in black clothes, and the wolves looked like they might have been skins of the real thing (doubtful, of course)… it was really good.

Thursday was the slowest day but I still had to head out to Elijah’s swim lessons.  However, after this week, he’ll no longer be in “lessons” but officially on the swim team.  His teacher gave him his t-shirt and told me how to sign up for his insurance, etc.  I have to get him a pair of Speedo shorts things very soon, too.  He’s nervous about it – he thinks that he can’t swim without the swim fins no matter how many times his teacher and I tell him that they don’t help him swim, they just work and train his muscles more.  Earlier in the day we spent a long time discussing how no one is going to let him drown — the life guard, his coach, and if I have to jump in there fully clothed, I would — besides that, he CAN do this, he just thinks he can’t.  Both his coach and I are hoping that being around the other kids on the team will help.  As of the last several months, all the other kids in conditioning class have dropped out.

Friday started the Christmas festivities with the annual gathering of my mom’s family at my  uncle’s.  Yet another Interesting Kayleigh Night.  Steve was with me this time, he got the day off – last year he’d had to work and I was just miserable dealing with her crabby butt over there myself.  This time we traded off but, boy, was she an absolute terror all evening.  She didn’t even want to stop and open presents.  That became the theme of all Christmas to her, “no one’s gonna make me sit down and rip some paper up, so help me, God.”  But all the ladies loved their gifts of Naked Soap items and a candle that I’d made, my adolescent and teen cousins loved their scarves and stripey knee-high socks, parents and babies alike adored the owl hats I’d made for two little 6 and 7 month old baby boy cousins, and the other random gifts were much loved as well.

Saturday, Christmas Eve, was spent at my parents’ house with all my siblings in attendance.  Good times.  I love my family.  We might argue from time to time but largely we really get along well and everyone is respectful of and cares for everyone else.  It was another night, however, of opening Kayleigh’s presents for her and trying to get her to look at them.  Of course, I’d failed to bring her Spongebob DVDs that I’d made where there’s no extra crud in there it’s just episode after episode to keep her attention when really needed.  She does love the Bob Bob.  She also got a baby doll with accessories from my parents and it was so cool to see her when we finally got her to look at it.  She got the cup out and was feeding the baby right away.  Very good to see her engage in pretend play like that, that’s one of the things the therapists are always asking about and pushing.  My mom and dad loved their canvas of all the kids, something I’ll probably be posting later — too tired now!  And the other pictures as well.  Mom was very interested in how I got my niece to not only wear a tu-tu and knee-high striped socks but to co-operate and smile for photos.  Let’s just say it was a joint effort.

Sunday, Christmas Day, a day we would love to spend at home by ourselves, but it never seems to work out that way anymore.  We did spend the morning with the kids – they shared a stocking because Kayleigh’s stuff wouldn’t fit in the other two I’d found around here – then they got to open presents.  Kayleigh did the best at this present-opening, probably because she was at home and there were no distractions of “hmmmmm what can I find to throw and break?”  Once again, I spent too much money on them.  They get so much junk from our parents and siblings and some of my aunts and uncles and cousins that I should just stop buying them stuff from us!  I am thinking of putting up some of the stuff I got Kayleigh that she’s showing no interest in.  I did put up one V-tech or Leapfrog (hey I can’t remember) toy, and she’s not noticed it’s missing.  She loves her Baby Alive though, and Elijah’s Spongebob Legos.  Elijah loves his new Legos too, I just wish the stupid things would stay in sets.  I’ve realized that I’m a bit obsessive compulsive about keeping toys in their proper groups… eek.  Legos built in their sets and kept put together, all the pieces to this toy all together, etc.  And that just doesn’t happen around here no matter how I try.  I’m going to have to learn to deal with it!

The biggest news of the day was that Steve bought me a Kindle Fire!  I almost can’t believe it.  We don’t really buy for each other for Christmas or birthdays.  Earlier in the week he’d texted me from work telling me to give him a list of 6 things I wanted… heh.  That was actually harder than I would have thought it would be because both of us are guilty of pretty much buying whatever we want or need this year.  Oh yeah, you know that’s gonna stop.  Not to say I have bought a lot of high-ticket items, but for instance, I couldn’t tell him I wanted a purse, I’ve bought them when I wanted.  Couldn’t ask for a laptop, had to do that earlier this year.  Didn’t want to ask for clothes because of my weight loss I’m trying to just wait as long as I can to buy clothes.  Didn’t want to ask for jewelry, I’ve bought it when I saw it and wanted it this year – nothing expensive, maybe $5 here or $10 there but still, I have plenty of new stuff – and I don’t wear expensive jewelry (cause I never have any haha).  So I’d said a Kindle Fire was #1 but then later said bleh, too expensive.  Plus, I figured if I was gonna get one of those, he’d be coming to me and telling me to order it.  But apparently they sell them at Walmart and he went in all on his own and bought it and I did not peek while it sat in the other room for 3 days.  What a pleasant surprise.  Then, of course, while I’m first checking it out, he says to me, “so what’s that thing do, anyway?”  :)

The downside was that I’d bought him a massage thing to go in a chair and you sit on it, right?  He hates it.  Says it’s too hard.  This happened to us a few years ago and we returned it, but I didn’t think that would happen again – different  brand, different type, etc.  So Stacey’s got it right now, trying it out to see if she’d like to keep it.  She’s got stronger back muscles than the two of us combined so maybe it won’t be so rough for her!

After all of that, the kids played with their new stuff and then we went to Steve’s grandma’s and met the rest of his family, most of them anyway.  Stayed with her a while, returned here to let the dog out and pick up a few things, then to his parents’ house for dinner and more presents.  Again, the kids made out like bandits.  Nothing high end, but just a lot of stuff.  Kayleigh’s really gotten the Spongebob stuff.  In between us and my family and Steve’s family I think she’s gotten two plush Spongebobs with blankets (interesting story on my part and the other from my sister), two coloring books, a story book, sleeping bag, tote bag, pajamas, and I don’t know what else!  She loves him.  Of course, she was again being a terror and after presents and watching the DVD I’d brought of the original Grinch show, Sarah finally put on Kayleigh’s Spongebob DVD… sucked her right in and we all got a break.  That kid…  I don’t get it really.

Her other favorite item?  A pair of kid sunglasses I put in the stocking.  What a turkey.

So it’s been a good week, very busy.  Today I spent the morning cleaning up and throwing away trash – getting it to the curb literally 5 minutes before the trash man came.  Then playing with the kids – games and what not – some of my own game I got for Christmas from my sister-in-law, crocheting, reading, watching a movie.  Busy busy!  :)  The only thing I wished I’d gotten in was some scrapbooking!!

We slept as late as possible, the kids opened their presents, we chilled out a bit then went to my mom’s. Had an early dinner there and sat around and exchanged gifts, etc.

My children are spoiled.

So spoiled.

Steve does not seem to care for the video game I gave him. He’s only complained about it being hard to control. I think that one will be hitting the used sale on amazon soon, and I’ll get something *I* want. lol

And now life returns to normal. I had to work today and we saw my sister-in-law and brother-in-law for the last time before they head back across the country. I gave them their canvas print though, I think everyone is really happy with how it turned out.

Last night was the Christmas gathering with my mom’s family. It’s always crazy but this year was even moreso because everyone keeps multiplying! We missed last year because of K’s quarantine and there were also lots of other people that wouldn’t have made it last year such as my cousin and his wife that live in New Zealand for now, but they were able to make it in this year, along with my very new baby cousin. I did also get to finally meet my cousin’s fiance. We are shooting their wedding in February, yay!

So we’re squeezing 4 times as many people as should fit in this living room and the present opening is so insane because everyone’s yelling over everyone else, kids are running around delivering presents as my uncle calls them out and people are opening stuff and paper is literally flying through the air because everyone wants to be able to hit the trash bag from across the room. K was on the verge of flipping out and she did throw a lot of fits and make a lot of fuss but I guess all-in-all, she did ok, because to think about it now, she never did give the GET OUT OF MY FACE NOW warning hand signal all night. The littlest cousin was also stressed out, though!

The biggest downside with all of it was that it was just me and the kids as Steve had to work. Trying not to complain, though!

Then tonight we got together with Steve’s immediate family. We woke up to a white Christmas and it seems like it has snowed all day. Elijah was just bounce-off-the-wall-excited about it and went out to play several times. He had a lot of fun beaming his aunt with snow, too.

The siblings and in-laws did an organized gift exchange this year and it actually went over without a hitch, unlike last year when everyone else totally messed it up… ahem. :) It was a lot of fun though!

I have to say, it is so much better doing this here than on the living room floor. For one, I’m tired and I quit for the night and I’m just going to leave everything here and Kayleigh won’t be able to get it.

But, please, someone stop me! I am spending too much money!!

For the most part, I guess it’s about right, but this year I have spent, in my opinion, too much on my own kiddos. I’m drawing the line here! I actually had them both finished and spent equal amounts on them, within a dollar, then I saw something I couldn’t pass up and spent another $40 on Kayleigh (HEY it was on a $80 item with basically free shipping). So I had to follow that up with E. But of course, there was only one other thing I knew he wanted that wasn’t a Transformer, and that was found in a buy two video games and get one free deal… So, yeah, I bought two and picked out the free one for Steve (we have nothing he likes anyway, no cool manly games). I think I’ll save one of E’s games for his birthday, though. If I don’t, the cycle will never end!

I do love me some “buy two, get one free” deals though. Same thing on something I got for my sister and sister-in-law. One for me free! Sure, I could have given it to someone else, but there’s no one else it’s appropriate for, so mine, all mine. Hey, sometimes I just have to treat myself, right?

This was the first year, though, that E made any kind of Christmas list. I actually asked him to because I know he’s all about Transformers but heck if I can keep the dang things straight. I know Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, and a couple of others that he has schooled me in (ie drilled into my brain), but that’s it. And he is telling me that he wants this one and that one and this one and my head is just spinning. So he goes and gets a piece of paper and a pencil and – wait for it – GETS ONLINE and Googles and finds transformers.com all by himself and proceeds to write down… about 25 of these blasted things. I had no idea there were so many. I thought there were like… five.

Yeah, I’m SO not buying 25 of those things. I thought 2 was a good number but ended up with one that’s a two-in-one, they fit together to make one vehicle but are two separate robots. So I’m in my amazon.com list going down and deleting off the list ones that I think are too expensive to pay for and then deleting again ones that he doesn’t have on his list because BELIEVE IT OR NOT, there are even MORE than 25 of these things. Then I picked from the affordable ones on his list and he’s getting the police car Decepticon and then the two Autobots that go together. That one was kind of hard to find, actually, on amazon anyway, somewhat limited and the first one I added to my cart actually got purchased before I could check out, so I had to find another and, of course, the one I ended up buying was a bit more expensive.

These kids are making out like bandits, I think. Of course, other parents might look at everything we’re getting and go “what the heck, I spend 4 times that much on my kids” and maybe a lot of parents do, but, really, my kids don’t need anything. They have everything they could need or want already and I don’t see any point in just spending hundreds of dollars per kid each Christmas. For one, I don’t want them to think that is what Christmas is all about, amongst other reasons, including the fact that they get tons of stuff from grandparents and aunts and uncles, etc. (One of the perks of being the only grandchildren on two sides, sans one.) I’m happy though, yesterday Elijah came to me and was talking about what he thinks Christmas really is and he didn’t mention presents.

But alas, and woe is me, my Christmas spending for this year is not over yet. I still have to get my grandpa something and Steve still has to get something for my brother. We still have to figure out what to get his mom, and I think we’re going to go together with his brother and his wife and get their dad a new cell phone (without extending a contract), then I still have to figure out what to get my parents. All us siblings were going to go in together on a gift for them again, but I think none of us have any ideas at this point. At least I have my aunts and uncles and cousins on my mom’s side figured out, because that’s always really hard – I don’t want to just give them candles every year (even though they all rave and say “keep them coming”), but I can’t spend a lot because there are just so many of them… and they’re multiplying every year…

In part, I think I feel like I’m spending more on Christmas than I really am because other things have come up, too. Steve had to get some new tires on Thanksgiving Day (long story), I got a candle order only to find out I’m out of wax (what the heck, I could have sworn I had 10 lbs left) so I had to order that (STILL waiting on it) and, of course, the price has gone up again. My printer broke. (Thankfully, Marie tells me she is going to save me there! Thanks, Darling!) My tripod broke. Stupid hunk of plastic. I gotta stop buying cheap ones, I guess, but then there’s more mahnies there. Then there’s every day things like food and our enormous natural gas bill this month… oy.

Que Sera, Sera!

Last week we finally hammered out the gift exchanges on both sides of the family. We are doing sibling exchanges and drew names on Steve’s side on Thanksgiving. My family wasn’t able to completely be together for Thanksgiving so we worked it out later. On my side, I have my sister, a little obvious as we are the only two girls there right now. On Steve’s, I have the middle sister. Haven’t done much shopping yet, but just finished those two ladies tonight. I am trying SO hard to get on this and get everything done online so I don’t have to go out shopping. I don’t mind being a home body, ha. I hate shopping, the stores are always hot, I can’t stand crowds, and when you add my two little monsters to the mix… yeah, it’s enough to drive a person crazy. So I got the sisters done and we have just a little bit so far for K and for my niece, but not finished there. I’m glad I don’t have to worry about boys this year, haha, they are so hard to shop for. Steve says he’s about ready to order for his part of the exchange, one of his brothers and one of mine, he just has to make up his mind.

I’m still unclear as to whether or not we siblings are all going in on gifts for the parentals this year or not. I know my father-in-law needs a new cell phone, I’d love to get him something good. Not sure about my parents or my mother-in-law, though, or my grandpa (he is the absolute hardest one) or Steve’s grandmas.

Getting there, though. I like this organized exchange thing, and I think everyone else does, too.

This thing was so hard to do! Heh! I don’t know if they’re always like this or because it’s a year old, but the green icing meant to be the “glue” for parts was so thick! The directions said it would be toothpaste-like, but it was more like play doh! I finally got it put together though, and Elijah added the candy where he wanted. Silly kid always wants it to look just like it is on the box, so he put candy in a lot of the same places (some even using the same colors!) but of course, the one on the box is probably actually plastic, so it’s near impossible!

It was fun, though, and we will hopefully continue to make this a yearly thing. Elijah loves putting these together and he can’t wait to eat it. The thought of eating it really grosses me out, though it does smell good, but for his sake I’ll make sure I keep any dust from gathering on it HAHAHA

And, yes, I enjoy taking pictures of it with the 50mm lens!