The Christmas Loot

I love all these photos, they turned out especially good this year. Well, Hannah got the cell phone she wanted plus makeup, clothes, jewelry, shoes, slippers, and so much more. Grandma made her a pretty new blanket for her bed and she got a slurpy machine and is dying to try it.

Adam got a new bike and a Nintendo DS game system which he has been playing non-stop. He also got clothes which he didn't like and movies and games and other toys. He loves his new UNO Splash game and his Tractor Tipping game. We have to play both games consecutively when his DS is being charged.

Justin got clothes, and shoes, games, a Nintendo DS, and two framed Cardinals posters that he had been wanting. He is really into Monopoly and got two versions of it both of which we have already played. He also got both Pirates of the Caribbean Movies and has been watching them day and night. I got a microwave for my classroom, some new silverware, bath stuff, a movie, dish towels, and we got a new gas barbecue grill. Bob got a paint ball gun and so did Justin and they can't wait to try them out. Bob also got some cologne and shaving kit and we also got a new coffee maker. After almost 12 years of marriage, stuff starts to wear out that's why we got all the new kitchen stuff. Sounds boring but it's what we wanted.

We had a really good Christmas, I was glad to see my 78 year old grandmother and all my aunts and uncles that I only get to see about once or twice a year. This weekend we will see Bob's aunts and uncles that we also only get to see once or twice a year. There are some new babies added to the family to show off.

No plans for New Years as Bob is working nights (someone has to)! I may let my kids have friends over and just hang out with them. I plan on watching The Devil Wears Prada and the Davinci Code, my two new favorite movies, and eating the last of the holiday junk food.

Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

Happy Holidays

It's Christmas evening and all is well. We have survived another holiday of monumental proportions. In the course of two days we have seen about 50 relatives and the kids have opened about 30 presents each. Our house is over flowing with wrapping paper and discarded tape, half eaten cookies and chewed up candy canes. We are truly blessed to have our family around us happy and healthy to share in this joyous season.

I will post more post-Christmas news soon including pictures but for now I am basking in the sound of happy voices from the other room and a full belly as I type.


Season's Greetings to you all!

Christmas Blues

I really don't feel like it's Christmas. I have been so busy with the kids' activities and Adam's birthday (which is today) and my school work that I am very stressed about Christmas. The kids seem to want everything and nothing all at the same time. I am still not finished and have a class tomorrow night, and a work Christmas party on Wednesday night. I am off on thursday but my kids aren't so that will be my day to finish shopping, wrap everything, finish those last few Christmas cards and decide what everyone will wear on Christmas and CHristmas eve.

We just finished decorating our tree on Saturday that's how far behind I am.

I kow in my last post, I was bragging about how caught up I am at school but in a week where all the kids have been sick with strep and Bob has worked day and night, I am exhausted and now behind with school stuff also. But still I have time to blog.... don't know how that works except I have a rare few minutes to myself at school because there is a dance this afternoon that I don't have to go to so I am blogging after I graded a stack of papers.

I think I really need to get back to church. I have been reluctant to go to another church because of the hypocrisy I felt at Hope over the last year or so I was there. I need to focus on the main reason for the season and stop letting all the commercialization get me down.

I hope your pre- Christmas hype is less stressful than mine!

Skipping School

Well, my kids are sick today. Justin has a sore throat and Hannah's asthma is acting up so we are staying home from school. I am really upset about it :) I let Adam stay home also, probably shouldn't but he hasn't missed any school yet and he thinks it's fun to skip school with mom. Better not get him into that habit........

Anyway, it's great, I slept late and so did everyone else. We go to the doctor at 11 but until them I am going to finish decorating the tree( no I 'm not done yet) and catch up on some wash.. It is so hectic around here but I still have time to blog.

I am caught up at school, all papers graded and recorded. The end of the quarter is the 30th which doesn't make sense since we are off school then but whatever. I will still make my kids work the rest of this week and next but.... you know how it is my grades are pretty much done since I do my gradebook with excel and it calculates it for me. Anyway not much else to say, finished my Christmas cards and am getting those in the mail they turned out really really good and I did all myself using Word, and Publisher. I may try to link it to my blog if possible.

Oh one more thing, Justin and Hannah's hockey team won their first game. YEAH! Justin scored and he played great and Hannah is finally getting the hang of it.

Adam's 7th Birthday

Adam had his birthday party at Happy Joes again this year. He enjoyed seeing his friends Josh and Kyle and playing games, eating pizza, and ice cream. He also had fun with his cousin Megan, grandparents, parents and brother and sister. Adam was excited to get some new video games, clothes, shoes, a sleeping bag and other toys.

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful...........

Adam had a great time sledding and playing in the snow.

The kids went sledding in Francis Park with Max and Alex Rode.

A wintry pose for our Christmas card.

Well the winter weather has finally come and it is a welcome sight to students and teachers alike!! We all had a snow day on Friday and enjoyed sledding in the park, drink hot chocolate and watching movies all evening. The snow and ice left many without power including both sets of grandparents but by the next morning all was right with the world. Bob has been working all weekend and I have just been hanging out with the kids. I even managed to forget my bag of papers and lesson plans at school so it will just have to wait till Monday. Sunday is Adam's birthday party, he is going bowling and to Happy Joes with his two friends and the family. His real birthday is the 18th and we are going to try to go to Our Lady of the Snow's light display and have dinner over there as well. I have been working on the Christmas shopping but still have much more to buy. I hope all of you have enjoyed the weather as much as we have!