Apparently a large ‘bug’ bit us yesterday because we were busy, busy, busy.  Let’s just hope that bug bites again today so we can finish what we started!

UPDATE – LIBBY’S SURGERY WENT VERY WELL AND MY FAMILY IS SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS.  CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS OF THE BRAVEST 4 YEAR OLD I KNOW!

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Please say a prayer tomorrow (Tuesday) morning for my precious niece, Libby.  She’s four years old and is having surgery to remove a congenital tumor from her ear.  You can check out my SIL’s blog for more info here.  We love you so much sweetheart!

Ah, the holidays.  A time full of hustle and bustle and all things wonderfully Christmas.  I think I’ve previously mentioned my unnatural love for checking the mail – sadly enough it really is one of the highlights of my day.  And it doesn’t get any better than checking the mail during December because the mailbox always has Christmas cards!  I love opening them up and showing them to the kids and we proudly display all of them on the piano.  Well, I am sincerely apologizing to my cousin Glenn and his family, Clay’s cousin Daniel and his family, Clay’s Aunt Jeanne and Uncle David, and our friends the Louis’.  Here’s how it all went down:

4 p.m. – took the kids outside to ride bikes and play
4:05 – checked the mail and was thrilled to get 4 Christmas cards
4:07 – neighbors come outside to talk and play
4:20 - tired of helping Ethan ride his bike while trying to hold the mail, I put it on top of the car
5:30 – go inside to get dinner ready
6:45 – give the kids a shower and get them in their pjs
7:30 – Clay gets home from work
7:35 – we’re all in the car ready to drive around looking at Christmas lights
8:25 – I remember I have a prescription to pick up at CVS
8:30 – drop Clay and the kids off at home to get ready for bed while I run to CVS
8:30 1/2 – OH NO!  realize that I never took the mail inside!
8:31 – drive around the entire neighborhood at about 2 mph with my bright lights on scouring the streets for our mail
8:31-9:00 – find above mentioned Christmas cards with tire marks, dirt, leaves, etc. covering them…also find the Target ad, zoo membership renewal form, Mylanta coupon, Clay’s corporate AMEX bill and a credit card application…unfortunately, I also picked up a disgusting smushed cigarette package, an old receipt, a used napkin and a ribbon

In closing, I apologize to the unsuspecting families who lovingly mailed us Christmas cards on Friday/Saturday because they arrived at our house on Monday and went through a lot before ending up mangled on our piano.  The end.

As the kids and I were doing a little Christmas shopping this morning:

Me:  I think Daddy will like this one.
Rachel:  What is it?
Me:  It’s a _______ (can’t divulge that info just yet)
Rachel:  Why does he need it?
Me:  Because he lost his other one.
Rachel:  Oh, did a witch take it?

A couple of weekends ago we spent the evening at a local park waiting for the fire truck to bring Santa and candy-filled stockings for all the kids.  I hadn’t heard anything about it, but saw it on the marquis at the park and thought it sounded fun.  So, we asked my parents to come along and it was actually really cool.  They had the entire park lit up and decorated for Christmas and it was beautiful.  They also had free hot chocolate, apple cider, cookies, balloons, popcorn, etc. while you waited.  And then Santa went all around town on a fire truck handing out stockings to kids until he made it to his final stop at the park.  The kids were so excited to see him coming down the street that we even ditched our spot in the animal balloon line!  Santa and Mrs. Claus and the elves made their way to a sleigh with Christmas music blaring all around them.   While we were line we were rehearsing what to say to Santa when he asked you what you wanted for Christmas.  We were only 1 family away from our turn … finally we were up … and Rachel lost it.  I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised, but for some reason I was.  So, like any good mother would do I just joined Ethan in the picture.  This is what we got (Rachel’s giving Santa the major stink eye):

Tuesday night was our second attempt with Santa, and after not making a big deal about it all or even really prepping her for it, this is what we got (after the kids’ program at preschool):

And after Santa told her she could get her dollhouse, this is what we got: