Over Way Too Fast

Christmas has come and gone in a flash - again. Only this year it went even faster. My brother and Hien are usually here for a few days before and until the day after Christmas and they typically do most of the cooking for Christmas dinner. This year they came for a couple days, but left on the 23rd because they have a new puppy and she is still very needy and hyper, so they decided to have a (semi)quiet Christmas at home by themselves, rather than chase her around the house all day among the 27 other guests in our home on Christmas. So, Cindy and I were on our own and, while everything went off without a hitch - almost - I got to spend a lot less time with our guests than I would have liked, even with all the help plating, serving and cleaning we got from a couple of WONDERFUL women. Thanks Ladies!
Overall, an amazing day, as always.
Olivia finally gets Christmas and she really made out this year; a couple games, some crafts, beads, markers, coloring books, crayons, paints, more glue and pom poms, toys, clothes, a camera, a computer a scooter, annual Collector's Edition Barbie, etc, etc.
Her favorite things: annual snowglobe, underwear with stars on them and a 5 pack of lip gloss.
My favorite: contribution to her college fund.
I think my favorite thing about Olivia and Christmas this year was the sheer pleasure she derived from giving rather than receiving. Makes me proud.
Emma and Jake are completely clueless and I intend to take advantage of that for the next 2 years, but I think they had a blast anyway.
We made cookies on Christmas Eve to leave for Santa, then went to Christmas Eve service, during which Olivia made an appearance as a Traveler and an Angel in the Christmas pageant.
We left the cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer. Lo and behold when she woke Christmas morning and ran to the fireplace where we left them, they were gone and she screamed and woke the whole house. FUN!

It only gets better form here.

OG got a dress from my brother and just HAD to put it on immediately. Then they popped bubble wrap together.

My angel at the Christmas Pageant.

Santa did come - and he ate all his cookies.

OG (the lion) and her cousin Alex (the princess - and yes, he's a boy) couldn't wait to get out of their Christmas clothes.

OG was a good big sister - teaching Emma and Jake how to use the toy she gave them.

We FINALLY got a pic of ourselves on Christmas - this never happens.

And me and my girl - this really never happens.

OG thought it would be fun to go in Annabelle's crate (my brother's new puppy).

OG's gift to Emma.

Holiday Show

Olivia and her classmates put on a Holiday Show at schoolyesterday. The lights were off, so the video is a little dark, but you will get the gyst.

The 3 year olds were dresses as Rockstars because the song they did for their big finale was Bruce Spring.steen's version of "Santa Claus is Comin' To Town".

Decisions, Decisions...

We spent yesterday afternoon, during halftime of the 1:00 game, of course, trying to get a picture for our Christmas cards this year. After a half hour of posing, primping, reprimping, fixing dresses, etc. we got a couple shots to choose from. Her are the finalists.

I really wanted to go with the picture of the whole family, but Jake isn't looking at the camera. I could switch his head with another picture where he is looking and smiling, but it feels a little creepy. Besides, what's the fun in that?

And the other is just my angels. They were so good for me. I'll enjoy it while it lasts. i have a feeling that next year will be a nightmare.

Picture With Santa

Merry Christmas!
It's that time of year again. I took the kids to get the annual picture with Santa yesterday. Do you know what it's like to bathe 3 children, dress them up, load them in the car, drive to the mall, unload the monstrous stroller, pack them all in it, get through the entrance doors (where nobody will hold the door for you), take off all that bulky winter outerwear, brush their hair (Emma has none, so that made it easier), wipe the snotty noses, unhook the straps and take them out of the stroller, set them on Santa's lap and get them ALL to smile at the same time? Piece of cake! Well, Emma didn't smile so much, but at least she wasn't crying.
But we did it and here's the finished product.