Holiday Favorites

Christmas break is always one of the best times of the year. Here is my list of favorites from Christmas Break 2008.


My favorite....

*Christmas Food: Sugar Cookies


*Christmas Tradition: Christmas Light Night


*Christmas Gift: Jewelry from my mom, although my husband wishes it would be the skillet he told my parents I really wanted for Christmas.


*Christmas Letter: Alan and Emily's. I look forward to it every year because it makes me laugh, plus it's the only letter we get that is written by the male in the house. That's worth extra points.

*Christmas Card Photo: Professionally - Ryan and Miriam; The one the kids think is the funniest: Cooper in the dryer


*Quote from the week: "I don't have to use my silverware because I'm a crocodile!" (2 yo)


*Movie (from those we watched during break): Made of Honor


*Phone Call (during break): When my husband called me last night from the roof and told me he was stuck up there and asked if I could come rescue him.

Happy New Year!

Holiday Happenings

Life is fairly low-key around here, which I guess is good, but I'm going to sum up the holidays anyway.

• We have yet another new addition to the family. Some friends of ours got our boys a fish for Christmas (they asked first). The kids love Tommy, who got his name because he's blue like Thomas the Train. I sure hope he fairs better than all the plants we've tried to keep alive.


• We are also the new proud owners of a 10-in-1 game table, which arrived because we had to take back some other gifts that were broken or did not work like we thought they would. The 60% off sale had something to do with it too. This table brings much joy to the 6 yo and much grief to the 2 yo, mostly because the little guy can barely see the top.


• Speaking of taking gifts back, that seemed to be the theme this year. Broken parts, gifts too hard to operate, missing pieces...it got so bad my son started asking after each gift he opened, "are we going to have to take this one back too?"


• We took the boys to see "The Tale of Despereaux" because we had free movie passes that expired tomorrow. None of us really liked it, and we spent as much on a small popcorn and two drinks as we would have on 4 movie tickets for a movie worth watching.
• Sunday morning my 6 yo was innocently playing on the floor when he instantly started crying like crazy and holding on to his neck. The pain kept him from doing much all day, but by evening he was moving around slowly, although he looked a bit crooked. A trip to the chiro today gave us the diagnosis of torticollis. Interestingly enough, he had this as an infant and couldn't turn his head all the way to the left. Six weeks of physical therapy did the trick - until yesterday. The chiro says he'll have him good as new soon, which I think means about 3-6 months of visits. Oh, and he says when this is cleared up, he probably won't suffer from allergies either. It's safe to say I'm skeptical, but the kid does need to be able to turn his head.
• We're getting ready for another Illinois trip. I wonder how 10 hours in the carseat will feel with torticollis?

Catching Up

On the 7th and 8th days of Christmas break, my true love gave me to me...
eight crazy cousins...
seven hours of eating...
six layers of wrapping...
...five extra pounds...
four games of cards...
three noisy toys...
two happy children...
and a date-night with my wonderful husband.

We interrupt this Christmas song...

for a silly kid moment.


It used to be that when kids would say something really cute or memorable, people would say, "Oh you have to write that in their baby book." Now when something funny happens, I find myself saying, "You HAVE to blog about that."


Interestingly enough, I am way better about blogging those moments than getting out the baby books anyway. So, in lieu of locating and dusting them off, here's what had me laughing today.


Those of you who know my 2 year old have noticed that he has a bit of a thumbsucking habit. Well, today, for the first time ever he came up to me and asked if I would wash off his thumb. Thinking he must have something on his thumb that doesn't taste the best (not gonna mention what I thought it might be), I said, "Sure, what's on your thumb?" He paused for a moment, obviously trying to come up with the right word, and said, "ummm...sucking stuff?"


To which I replied, "Your thumb is just wet? You want me to dry it off?"

"Yes. Dry it off."

And so I dried it for him, and asked, "Why do you need it dry? Just so you can put it in your mouth again?"

"Yep." And off he went.


Apparently he got a memo today that the most sophisticated thumbsuckers only suck DRY thumbs.


I'm waiting for him to get the memo about the fact that he is going to have to wear braces for 10 years if he doesn't stop.right.now.

The Fifth Day

On the Fifth day of Christmas break, my true love gave to me...a four hour school meeting.
...A semi-clean house...
...Christmas caroling...
...Crazy, noisy kids...
...And a 2 year old with a bloody lip.

The 12 Days of Christmas Break

Slightly similar to the tune of "The Twelve Days of Christmas", with a few minor (or major) changes.

On the first day of Christmas break, my true love gave to me...a 2 year old with a high fever.

On the second day of Christmas break, my true love gave to me...canceled plans with friends...and a 2 year old with a high fever.

On the third day of Christmas break, my true love gave to me...a Christmas celebration with family...rescheduled plans...and a 2 year old without a fever.

On the fourth day of Christmas break my true love gave to me...friends from out of town...jewelry from yesterday's Christmas...rescheduled plans...and a 2 year old who needs more sleep.

Stay tuned...

Almost Done

I'm almost done.

d.o.n.e.

DONE.

D.O.N.E.

DDDDDDDDDDDOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!!


I was chatting with my cousin (who is a freshman in college) the other day about how teacher's look just as forward, if not more, to the end of the semester and a long break from school. She laughed and said that she always wondered if that was how we really feel. Yep, it sure is. I love teaching and I love my students. I have never regretted for one minute my decision to go into education. But I love having a break too!


I have one test to grade, one more grade to calculate and turn in, and then vacation begins.

I can't wait.