Sunny Vacation

I almost forgot to tell you . . . we're going on vacation! Or, as David likes to say, "a sunny bacation". It was totally a last minute decision, but we're going to Orlando shortly after Christmas. I can't wait!! Not because it's Orlando, but because it's vacation!

Snow Day

It snowed last week, and my children were thrilled. Me? Notsomuch. David and Henry wanted to play in the snow. We don't really have appropriate clothing for snow play. They used our only two pairs of mittens that night, and I didn't anticipate them wanting to play in the snow (or the snow still being there) the next morning, so the mittens were still wet. What to do? Don't worry -- they wore ghetto mittens. Socks on their hands.

Don't Call Social Services!

Had I been home today, my children would have been beaten. I got a phone call from my husband while I was at work. That NEVER happens. It's not an issue if he calls, but he doesn't. I missed the call, so I called him right back. I could tell he had had enough. Henry was being particularly ugly today. He was pissed and picked up a chair. And. Threw. It. What?! That child is a barroom brawl in the making. He then was mad at Chris for something so he stood on the couch. And peed. All over the couch. Yikes. I'm positive Chris was very pleased when the babysitter got there.

Then I got a call from the babysitter as I was driving home. (Just to put things in perspective, I work about 45 minutes from home, and I could still see my office from my car.) The following is the conversation that ensued:

Kayla: Kim, I'm so sorry to call you.
Kim: That's OK! What's up?
Kayla: Is there a key to Jack's room?
Kim: Um, what?
Kayla: (Sounding a bit more frantic this time) Is there a key to Jack's room?
Kim: I don't think so. What's wrong?
Kayla: David locked Jack in his bedroom so he wouldn't bother David. I can't get him out!
Kim: Um, oh my God! You can use a screwdriver and try to open it.
Kayla: I already did! Jack's screaming!
Kim: I'M GOING TO BEAT DAVID! Send one of the boys in to wake Chris up.

Chris got the door unlocked. With. The. Key. I didn't even know we had one.

Any ideas on an appropriate punishment?! I've never had to punish him really, other than time outs. And I don't really beat my children, although the thought has crossed my mind. A lot.

The Walker

It's official . . . Jack is walking! He took steps 2 at a time yesterday, and today is taking 6-8 at a time. How is this happening already?! He's so proud of himself, sitting down and clapping when he's done. I'll post a video soon. I have a ton of photos to upload, but my camera (or computer?) is acting foolish. I'm going to try uploading them to my laptop.

Do You Think?

Do you think that Starbucks planted all of their nice shrubs along the sidewalk line to intentionally block a driver's view of the line of cars at the drive-thru window? As you drive up to the Starbucks closest to my office, the shrubs line the whole exterior of the parking lot, obscuring the view. Had I been able to see as I was pulling up, I probably wouldn't have gotten into a line with 17 cars that wrapped around the building. I love some caramel macchiato, but I'm just saying.

Tuesday Ten

Yes, a Tuesday Ten. I only have ten today!

1. Would I be crazy to have all of my children share a room? I'm a big proponent of shared rooms. Even though I didn't share one until I went away to school, which is probably a good thing. Do you know my sister and me? Let's just say one of us would have been an only child had we shared a room. . . However, my own children (so far) share nicely. They will share a room until they ask not to. I am contemplating moving Jack into D&H's room with them and making Jack's room a playroom. That was how we had it before Jack was born, and I miss the contained mess. They would be sleeping dorm style!

2. Um, the wrapping? Still hasn't happened. I got all of the stuff out, realized I had no boxes or tissue paper, and put it all away. Where the hell are Santa's elves when I need them?

3. All I want for Christmas is David to sleep past 4:45. He wakes up, has to pee, and thinks that means that it's time to be up. For the day. He doesn't nap, so you do the math and figure out when that makes him turn into Satan's spawn because he's so tired. Right around 4:45 PM. Um, who goes to bed before six o'clock? My child. It's a vicious cycle.

4. D&H had their Christmas program at school last week. Which they were almost late for, because they had to be there less than 15 minutes after I got home from work. Supernanny had them dressed, coats on, ready to go, thank God. I was literally walking them up to the stage (while their classes were already there) in my work clothes and coat. Nice. David stood in the top row and Henry was in the middle row right in front of David. David vacillated between "participating" with his mouth clamped firmly shut while his arms were crossed and sticking his fingers in his ears when people clapped. Henry sang every song, did every dance move, and had a big smile. It was hysterical. I have some poor photos I'm going to upload later.

5. Should I be knocking on wood because Jack is not interested in the Christmas tree at all? I've literally had more issues with David pulling stuff off than Jack.

6. We went to two birthday parties over the weekend. At the second were our friends with their 4 week old baby. While the boys were eating cake, I gave Jack his bottle in the stroller and fed baby Joel. Jack was NOT happy. He kept pulling on Joel's pants and trying to take him. It was funny to see him like that.

7. Speaking of Jack, I don't think he's ever going to walk. Why should he, when someone can carry him? If he's standing holding my hands and I let go, he stands there for a second and then instantly sits down and starts clapping.

8. Why does December go by so quickly and so busily?! We have had two things to do every weekend since November, and continue to do so until January.

9. Chris, the boys, and I are all off for the last two weeks of December. I'm excited for us to be able to do some fun things together and also get some things done around the house. I asked them what they wanted to do when they were off from school and David said he wanted to go to Toots (which he's obsessed with and has never been there) and get two fluffy white dogs with red leashes. Um, he'll have to be OK with only accomplishing half of his list.

10. WTH is up with Henry wanting to wipe his own bum? Thanks, but no thanks. As much as I can't wait until I don't have to be the designated bum wiper, the mess that comes with him doing it himself is so gross.

Five for Friday

Have you missed me?

1. Jack developed an illness on Black Friday. A mystery illness. One involving a fever of 105 degrees for several days. It's a mystery no more -- an ear infection and Roseola. Nothing like a text message from the babysitter that says, "Did Jack have a rash this morning, or is this new?" Thankfully he's back to his shiny happy self.

2. We put our Christmas tree up on Black Friday, as usual. Unfortunately, none of the lights turned on at the same time. Um, what? After MUCH finagling by my handy husband, still no lights. Seriously, how long does an artificial tree last? And we're not talking the $88 pre-lit special from Big Lots. We've had it for six Christmases, and we had some issues with it last year. We chucked it and got a *gasp* real tree! Never fear, I'll be purchasing another faux at the end of the Christmas season when the prices are slashed.

3. David and Henry had their "gumdrop shop" at school yesterday where they can do their own Christmas shopping for $1 per item. I limited them to five gifts each. Why? Because it would have taken Henry the entire school day to select more than that. He's very thoughtful in his selections! Most of the things are wrapped in gift bags, so you know I looked to see what they purchased. The difference between what David purchased and what Henry purchased is hysterical.

4. Guess what I got at work yesterday? MY LAPTOP! I honestly felt like Christmas came early to me.

5. I was also feeling like Christmas came early yesterday when I realized that if schools are closed in the county I work in, my job is closed too. WHAT?! Love it.