Its almost time for Christmas, thank goodness.

I have been anxiously awaiting the part of Christmas where 'all the children were nestled all snug in their beds'...or however that saying goes. Well, we're almost there. And boy, has it been bumpy getting there.

Last week was filled with parties and T's actual birthday, which we celebrated with little fanfare, since she had the big party on 12/8. Both T and J had class parties last Thursday, I opted not to attend T's, since I was just over the party thing. Here is J with his friend Emma (have I mentioned, I LOVE her?! She is so sweet) at his class party. We (John and I) had a party Friday and a dinner Saturday night near ATL scheduled. Friday, I had a parent/teacher conference with T's teacher. She is doing great-a classroom leader. I'm not surprised, especially since she can be a little bossy (motherly)-wonder where she got that from?! I am so impressed with the Pre-K program, I would recommend it to anyone. I can't believe all they are doing with the children, and how much they are learning (Denise-I swear I typed this before you called and told me the news about Alli). It has been a great experience for us all. T really loves her teacher and has met some wonderful new friends.

J came down with bronchitis, a mild case mid-week (last week) and T tossed her cookies after school Friday. I thought the party for Friday night was ruined, and thought for sure she had strep, which has been going around, but a quick visit to the doctor Friday afternoon revealed that my girl just had a bad cold and needed some rest. She said the "junky bologna" from school made her throw up and that she felt much better once it was gone. Probably so, junky bologna sounds no good to me either. So, after putting the kids to bed, we went on to the party Friday night and told the sitter to call us if needed. We had a great time catching up with our local adult friends at Kristen's beautiful home. I was glad not to be hosting. Saturday we had a nice dinner with one of John's coworkers and his wife. I drank a martini after we got there (on a very empty stomach) after we witnessed an accident happen right in front of us on the rainy interstate. The people here drive like maniacs, and I had just finished telling an old friend from home that I needed to be distracted (I was talking on the cell phone while John drove...and very carefully I might add) during this long drive to our dinner destination during what was probably the most rain we've had in at least 4 or 5 months. It was a little scary, but I don't think (hope) that nobody was injured. The accident came to a stop in lanes 2 and 3 of 5 and since there were still cars coming at us and it was dark, we just called 911 and gave our name instead of stopping-too dangerous. So, I drank a lot that night, thankful we got there ok (Pastor Joe would probably have preferred I prayed, but a drink was what I needed). I probably drank too much, especially considering this was the first time we had ever hung out with this couple. Oh well, I hope they forgive me if I was silly....and I know I was a little off, but I won't embarrass myself and say exactly how. I'll just have to be better next time. Sunday we rested and just did some rearranging in the kids' rooms. T's room is almost complete! I'll post a pic of that later.

This week there were only two days of school for T and none for J. Tuesday was T's school performance. It was very cute. Each class sang a song and they all sang one together for the grand finale. The cutest part was when Santa made an appearance during 'Santa Claus is coming to town' and T just lit up. Check out her wave in this pic:

The next minute she is talking to her bud Trevor in disbelief. The program was adorable.

We've just relaxed the rest of this week (i.e. drinking and eating a lot), enjoying John's birthday Wednesday and getting ready for our visitors due to arrive today. Actually, Uncle Buck and Jen are already in town, and the kids are napping to prepare for the party that will surely come later as I write.

I snapped a cute picture of the kiddos this morning while we were lounging around: I am happy to report that we successfully got a nice haircut for Jack after this picture was taken. I was so scarred after the last time, that I had been reluctant, but it had to be done!

If I don't post for a while, its because I'm planning to enjoy some downtime with the family. I may sneak away to document some of our fun-its always enjoyable to look back on the memories from each holiday. I hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday!

Birthday time!

Ms Tonya's class...well, those that weren't in the bathroom at the time.
Well this weekend started with a bang-T had a field trip to a Christmas tree farm. It was a fun field trip, albeit a bit far-50 miles away. The day started a bit chilly (by GA standards, this means 50s, hence the gloves and hats in the pic above), but ended up beautifully, with all the coats, hats, and mittens being ditched by the end of the day. I was glad she rode home with me with the incentive of....picking up her cake! Thats right, we celebrated T's 5th birthday this weekend (the real day is Wednesday).

Here she is with her High School Musical Cupcake cake (hot, and ready to open presents)

We had a blast with about 14 friends and an absolutely beautiful day. Thank goodness, as I have no idea what I would have done with all those kids in the house. The kids were all great, and I think a good time was had by all. We had some fun entertainment-my friend Shari came to do parachute, obstacle course, and limbo activities with the kids. They loved it, even if they were a bit hot. I mean, it really was hot! We had some cake, opened presents (T waited so patiently until the party just about over and asked, "Can I open my presents now?"-a hard thing for a kid that has to wait until December!!), and then we did the pinata. The only downside to this pinata is it didn't hold enough candy! I should have scattered some more about, but I just didn't get to everything! Oh well, hopefully the kids had a good time and the parents were happy to have a few hours to themselves. All except poor Kelley-who got there a little late and got stuck. Thanks, though, Kel, for your help. You were a good sport for someone who was looking for a little much needed free time.

Parachute activity

T got this cute guitar-thanks to Grampy. Well, she wanted this Cheetah Girls' guitar-$150. I convinced her that we could make this plain white guitar into a Cheetah Girls guitar using some stickers.

She is a natural. Unfortunately Mommy doesn't know how to flip the picture around. Rock on, Sweet Pea.

Tonight, we wrote a Christmas list to Santa (all thats left is a 'real live cat'-no way), and we made a gingerbread house (warning: if you are thinking of doing this, and haven't already purchsed the kit, my advice is to purchase the kit with the pre-assembled gingerbread house).

J missed the whole party. Everyone thought he'd be mad, but I knew as long as he got his cupcake, he'd be alright.

It was a fun, but tiring weekend. I am glad it is over. Let it be Christmas. Oh, oops, we have another birthday in this house next week. More celebrations to come. All this is good fun, no matter how exhausting. I wouldn't change it for the world.

You know you live in GA when...

You have this in your backyard! Kidding, really this could have happened in any state, I just thought it was cute-a pickup truck in the yard. John and his dad picked up two loads of wood for the fireplace this weekend. Too bad it was almost 80 degrees today, and a little too warm to enjoy it.

3rd tooth...gone

As predicted the Tooth Fairy will be making another visit to this house...even sooner than I thought. T lost tooth #3 this morning, just minutes after she arrived at school. Here is a pic. of my toothless girl, and the new tooth that is growing in its place.

Some of you have asked, what does the Tooth Fairy bring? Well, in this house its $1. I mean, wouldn't the tooth fairy be broke if it was much more than that?! Seems to me that is still a lot more than the 25 cents my Tooth Fairy brought. Of course, this in no way keeps up with the Tooth Fairy at T's friend Maggie's house. That crazy fairy brought $25! I guess because Maggie's Mom works in a Dental office, she thinks she deserves the extra cash since she digs around in people's mouths all day. Who knows the logic, but T is delighted with the dollar bills. And they keep comin'.

Tooth #2...gone. Is that how it goes?

Ok, so it wasn't too long ago that T lost her first tooth. Tonight, as she stuck her fingers in her mouth repeatedly after we were out at the local Target and BJ's, I pleaded with her NOT to put those fingers in her mouth to touch that pesky loose tooth. See, she has not one, but two loose teeth. Or she had two loose teeth. I told her that she was risking getting sick and missing her birthday party Saturday if she stuck her dirty fingers in her mouth (yes, I'm paranoid about germs). So, I told her to use her tongue to wiggle the tooth, not the fingers. And lo and behold...that pesky tooth fell out right there-seconds later in the car. I thought I was in the clear.

Hours later (sad, but true, it took me hours to check) I checked out the new 'void' in her mouth only to find that the tooth that was very loose was not the tooth that fell out tonight. Therefore, not only will this kid have a birthday in the next week, but another visit from the Tooth Fairy...I'm sure of it.

Stop growing up so fast, T, will ya?? Oh, and give the Tooth Fairy a break.

No time to blog?

Not so. I should be cleaning....but cleaning will always be there. There is a tremendous amount of dust upstairs, but it'll be back tomorrow. Really, I am wasting time on the computer instead of cleaning the wood floors because T is on her way home from school early (only a few minutes) and so why get started with a project I can't finish before she gets here, I say.

These are busy times. With birthdays approaching, sickness last week (cross your fingers we don't get it back), and Christmas just around the corner it seems like this time of year is so busy, yet it is the most wonderful time of the year. So, as soon as the kid gets home from school early, I plan to pop some cookies in the oven and start the tightening of the waistband. Just because....

And then I'll do some cleaning.