Pictures

I forgot to mention that I posted a few Christmas pictures on flickr.

Christmas recap

It's been a busy kind of Christmas season. Today is relaxing with Joseph watching T.V. Sarah watching a movie and Rachel at a friend's house, which leaves me time to myself. Christmas Eve, we cleaned the house, delivered cookies and treats to some neighbors, watched White Christmas, and went to church. The service was a little different, Pastor Ray had elem. kids dressed up as the naivity scene. The message was like reality T.V. Sarah was the star. After reading Twas the night before Christmas, the girls went right to bed. Joseph had already gone to bed, he was fighting a temp. for a couple of days and wasn't feeling so great. Christmas morning I was the first one awake at 8:20. Rachel soon woke up and got her brother and sister awake. We have a tradition that before we open gifts we read the Christmas story and pray. We use a children's book, so the kids can have something to look at and easily understood. It was Sarah's turn to read this year. The big gifts this year was a guitar for Sarah, a Jedi robe for Joseph, and a Bitty Baby for Rachel. We cleaned up a little before my sister and family came over for brunch and to exchange gifts, We did something different this year and exchanged names. It worked out well for my sister since all her kids are old enough to have jobs, they bought there own gifts. I of course did all the shopping and wrapping for us. The kids played and watched movies until it was time to go to Mark and Marlene's to exchange gifts with the Mettes families, and dinner. Sarah had a hard time even though I warned her that there wouldn't be many gifts for her (the gift from her grandparents was a session of gymnastic classes she really wanted), so unlike everyone else she just had a few gifts to open. After a yummy dinner, the social butterfly did my hair for me! Blue and reddish streaks. It was fun, I think she really loved doing it. We stayed and visited for a little while (watched a candle burn completely down too.) The next morning we slept in, I watched the Barbie movie with the girls then took a nap, I think I'm getting a cold too. I got up and pushed myself to get out of the house. I wanted to look for a few things, and go to the grocery store. While at the store I decided I did not feel like cooking dinner so I got a sub and some chips. (I've given up on the South Beach diet until January 2nd) After dinner we all sat down as a family and watched Star Wars 3. Tuesday was laundry day, and I had to have my blood checked which of course was off again. At 1 o'clock it felt like it should be bed time already. I took the kids and Rachel's friend to the drive in where we saw Narnia and Chicken Little. Rachel was kinda bored with Narnia. We got home about midnight. Rachel's friend spent the night, the girls were up till after 2 in the morning. UGH! Yesterday, I took Rachel's friend to her grandmother's, then laid down for an hour, then we went to the movies. We met Mark and Marlene and their 3 youngest kiddos and saw Cheaper by the Dozen 2. We had seen the first one 2 years ago together too. It was cute, everyone liked it. We got home and I started to make dinner and Pat wanted the phone book to call his aunt, I wasn't sure where it was, so I had him take over cooking while I looked. He burned the meat, I was mad, I tossed it out, and we didn't eat. Sarah was complaining of an earache and went to bed. We hosted the annual game night, Sarah got up and was fine, even though my sister babied her. We played Imagine iff and Taboo, It turned out the be a fun night.

What a difference

Sarah's teacher loved that I went in for the holiday party today, and she had me help with a game they played. She was thankful I was there. Rachel's teacher's door was locked when I got there, I knocked but had to go next door and have the enrichment teacher call her, since no one answered the door. (the TV was on.) So the teacher answered the door and asked if she could help me, I'm like hello I'm here for the party. No other parent was there either. The teacher acted all put out that I was there, too bad, I'm going to be there for my daughter whether or not the teacher can handle it.

Teachers

Are driving me nuts. Rachel's teacher has told the class that she talks to Santa every night, and tells him if the children are well behaved in school. I think that is just so wrong. Rachel also told this teacher to tell Santa she wants a train for Christmas, which to news to me, and she will not be getting one. This teacher told Rachel, Santa will bring it for her. I think this is just so very wrong. Unless the teacher is planning on buying the train, she should not have said anything. Who knows what else she's said Santa would bring other kids. Joseph's social studies teacher makes me mad to, the missing journal is going to keep him off of honor roll, by ONE point. Joseph was able to bring even his science grade up to a B. This is so very disappointing. I have no problem with Sarah's teacher now. She got extra points by her wonderful thank you note.However, Sarah's friend Mom is making me nuts. It was said friend's coat she wrote on, weeks ago, we had Sarah offer her $20 to replace the coat then, (Sarah called and talked to the Dad) which was rejected at the time, now I get a letter that says, they would like it replaced. This family has my phone number (they called me when it first happened) and I see either the Mom or Dad when we pick up our kindergarteners everyday. It just bothers me that now, 3 days before Christmas, when we have no extra money they want the coat replaced. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so tired

I'm so very tired, think the kids would just go to bed when there suppose to, so I can go now? I doubt it. so I better stay awake. Pat works till 7, so he probably won't be home before 8. I had to push myself to get anything done today, I slept on the couch after taking the girls to school. When I picked up Rachel at 11, we went to Jo-Ann's and the grocery store, that pretty much took all my energy, but I still had to cook dinner and clean up the house a little, the floors looked like a cyclone hit them, since it seems like I haven't been home for days. It was a long weekend, first on Friday night, Sarah had rehearsal, then I took her and the neighbor girl out to eat. Saturday was spent downtown, watching Sarah and her cousin dancing in The Snow Queen twice. Sunday was the same, except we got home earlier because the second show started earlier on Sunday. Both girls did a great job, in all shows, and I think they both enjoyed to experience. I fell asleep, last night before 10, which for me is very unusual. I'm glad I am ready for Christmas, other than delivering Angel Tree gifts, and going to school holiday parties later in the week. I'll be resting up all week for the fun of next weekend~

Sarah-update

I took Sarah to the urogist this morning. The doctor wants us to send Sarah to the bathroom, every two hours, and make a log for about a week, on how often she poops, and to look at the poop to. After the log, I'll call and the doctor will decide what to do next. It could be that she's learned to hold everything and needs to retrain her brain, and work out her bladder to work correctly, and this might even eliminate night time wetting too. I am hopeful.

What not to do

Do not add an extra cup of powdered sugar when you make sugar cookies. How do I know. You might wonder. I accidentally miss read the recipe this afternoon. The cookies spread out all over the cookie sheet. They don't taste bad, there just a little on the crunchy side. The best part was the dough was a lot easier to roll out and cut into shapes. I think I'm done now with cookie baking now for the hoilidays.

I hate myself

Not me, but both girls have written I hate myself on their pillows. Sarah was upset with herself for writing on a friend's jacket at school. When she wrote it on her pillow. Rachel wrote it today when she was mad at me. Part of me is upset that they think they hate themselves, but the other part of me hopes that they have learned something about themselves and bad choices them made. Note-I don't get mad about them writing on stuff in their room, Pat has issues with it though. I wrote in nail polish on stuff in my room when I was younger. Maybe it's an heritary trait.

Tired

Long weekend. Pat and I went out on Friday night, we were celebrating 14 years ago on Friday he first told me he loved me :) Saturday I sent the day selling misetoe with my son's, scout troupe, took Rachel to a birthday party. Then went to a woman's Christmas party at our church offices. Sunday, I wasn't home for long all day, first church, then Sarah had rehearsal, then I get this call that I'm suppose to be the parent in charge of misetoe, so I drive from 40th St and Indian School to 7th Ave. and Bell, in 20 minutes. Got home about 5, grabbed some ham slices and Pat and I went to Mark and Marlene's, were we left to go together to a very funny, beautiful Christmas concert (Steven Curtis Chapman and MercyMe. This morning was busy running here and there, dropped the girls off at school, Fry's, doctor's, gym, Target, Khol's before having to pick Rachel up from school. Now I'm baking banana, pumpkin, cranberry, and blueberry breads, plus a gingerbread cake for my book club tonight. Now planning the rest of the week, it's just a busy if not more the rest of the week. I have something every night until next Monday, I think I feel more tired now!

What we did today

Check out my pictures to see what we did this afternoon. It was a half-day today so I thought I should use the time to get the kids to help me. Man, was it hard not to try a little dough or broken piece. The kids did pretty well hanging in there till they were almost done. Usually they get bored pretty fast, and I'm let to finish and clean up, by myself.

Strong willed

That's how I might describe my children. I just wished they didn't have to be so much so. Seems like daily I'm in it with them about something or another, usually more than once too. No amount of whining is going to work to get their own way, it just makes me mad at them, when do you suppose they'll learn that? My latest battle was with Rachel at Costco this afternoon. We had gone to Michael's first and even got the things at Costco I needed, and she did wonderful. She even started to ask me to buy something at Michael's then knew she shouldn't (that's the first time ever!) But of course I wanted to reward her with a hot dog since she did so well. Well, first I sat at the wrong table, then I got her the wrong drink, but how should I know what she wants to drink if she's already not talking to me because she's mad that we can't sit at a table with an umbrella. So I ate my lunch, which by the way the polish sausage doesn't taste nearly as good without the bun. I tried to talk to her about her day at school and she tells me she wasn't going to talk to me. So half way through my lunch, I mentioned to her that I'm half way done and we'll be leaving when I am, and she'll have to take her food home to eat. Nothing happened, then I said the same thing a few minutes later and she ate and drank the drink she didn't want, even though I sat at the wrong table.(she even talked to me too!) There was a man watching us the whole time, he winked at me once for encouragement, and when I got up to get more to drink, told me, he was impressed that I didn't let her get her own way. But geez it was so very hard not to loose it with her.

What were they thinking?

This morning taking Rachel to school, there was a boy about 8, walking to school in shorts, a short sleeved t-shirt and sneakers with no socks. It's December right? Not July! How did this little guy get out of the house dressed like that? It just breaks my heart to really think hard on it though.

Holiday Shop

Today was the first day of the girls' holiday shop at school, of course I was reminded often all weekend for money. I sent Rachel to school with money, she was so excited this is her first time shopping on her own to buy gifts. She had to show me mine on the way home, because she knew I would just love it. It's cute, but I especially love that she really thought about it, and bought something that she knew would please me. Wonder how Sarah will do? I'm glad I got the little guitar for Sarah for Christmas, yesterday she was looking at the Toys R Us ad and saw one, and asked me if I remembered her telling me in the summer that she wanted one. I got that right!

Oh! Christmas Tree

The tree is up, and decorated, they did well, in the forest picking out a nice tree. It does seem amazing to me, how much more the house looks like Christmas now that the tree is up, even though everything else was done last week. I'll put some pictures up on flicker to show off the kids decorating and out outside lights.

has been found

The tickets were safely put on the highest shelf in my kitchen, that I can not even reach without getting a step stool or chair, which I don't remember doing at all! My address book, was blocked by something in my room, so when I looked for it yesterday I couldn't find it. Now, it just feels like I've been losing my mind all week, wonder were I put that!

C or Better!

The tween has a C or better in all subjects, right now! He is very happy. Pat told him he couldn't go up north on Saturday unless he had C's or better to get our Christmas tree. He just made it in the nick of time, science has been keeping him from going until tonight. I'm only a little worried now that incentive is made, will he stop doing homework again?

Ok, now I lost.....

Our address book. I can't stand it, hopefully Pat will know where it is. Since I haven't needed it for awhile, I'm hoping it got put away somewhere when Pat set up the turtle tank on the counter. I already called my MIL to see if she could write down all family addresses for me, and I'll borrow and hopefully not lose my sister's address book. On Thanksgiving I messed up too, I accidentally gave my in-laws, all of the girls' school pictures and not the envelope of pictures I had ready for them of family pictures. I feel like I'm losing it.