Day 61

Wow, day 61. SIXTY ONE! It's December. DECEMBER!

December 21st is a big day if you struggle with the lack of light during the day which is just about everyone in the Midwest, right? The winter solstice. Woohoo. The light at the end of the tunnel or at least it feels like it. By this time of the winter I normally have a deep groove embedded in the couch. I can be found with my nose smashed against my light box. I can be found on my knees, begging God to fix my brain. Not this year or at least not today. And I will take all the good days I can and thank God for them.

"A Silent Night for Peef" was the first book on the pile of Christmas books this year. It is an annual favorite written and illustrated by Minnesotans. Before I can start the boys run and get their Peefs and then listen intently while "peefing" annoyingly through the whole story. This autographed copy was a gift from the Devine Ones. We are so grateful for this special gift that we get to enjoy every year. Thanks, friends.

Get well soon, E.G.. Ky misses your mommy.

Day 61 Life Lesson: "It's knowing who you are, and being where you ought to be, and doing what you ought to do... and you gave that to me."

Day 60

I had a super fun time celebrating Kyle's birthday with him at school. Gramsie read Rumble in the Jungle to his class to start off the fun. And to all of the parents who think they have to celebrate with sugar and processed crap, I am here to report first-hand that kids do not need junk food when celebrating a birthday. My mom and I brought bananas, pretzels, cheese and apples and the kids ate like they lived in a third world country.

Kyle was the official page turner during story listening time. It's a very important job. When you hear the chime, turn the page. Yikes, that's a lot of pressure. My heart was pounding in anticipation hoping he wouldn't blow it. Okay, not really.

Kyle has the most welcoming teacher I have ever met. Mrs. G. is great at letting parents come in to the classroom to observe, help, cut, play football or just sit and drink coffee. This kind of freedom is ideal for a stalker parent like myself. I can walk into their space and not feel like I am intruding.

Admittedly, Kyle gets the short end of the stick when it comes to birthdays. I didn't even put a birthday sign on the wall. Oops. For this reason, I tend to go a little overboard with his gift. And when I say "I", I mean "me" not "we" as in me and Corey. Corey has no clue what to get our three sons, where to get it, when it needs to be ready, etc... you get the idea. As long as I don't involve him he is happy. So, Cooper got a much desired three ring binder for his birthday. I actually think he got teary-eyed. Kyle got a Razor Powerwing Scooter. I got stampeded at midnight on black friday and knocked in the head with a Barbie Ride-On Four Wheeler for that baby. 3 dollar gift... 49 dollar gift. Hmmm... I wonder how long I can get away with that?

Day 60 Life Lesson: No present is worth getting stampeded for, even if it's a three ring binder.

Day 60 coming to your computer soon

Technology. Blissful when it works, painful when it doesn't. Our wireless Internet is on the fritz. Hopefully, we can get back online on Monday. Until then...

Day 59

Tryptophan coma. I'm just coming out of it. For all my friends who have trouble sleeping: Eat turkey before you go to bed. It's a tasty sedative.

I told Corey that we would have the tree put up before he returned on Thursday night. I don't put the tree up. Ever. I leave the house and when I get back it's all done. Every year. That's how it happens and I love that. Not this year. This year I wanted to do it. So do it I shall, with the trusty help of son #3.

 Apparently, every male has an ingrained need to check the oil. Even if it's not a vehicle you are checking. Cam made it clear that he was definitely checking the oil. Who am I to argue?

We had a slight light debacle that started with 6 strings of lights in a Target bag. They weren't new. They were from last year's hanging. After 6 hours of untangling we ended up with 3 working strings of lights. Okay, but it FELT like 6 hours. Thanks for interrupting the madness, Snaps. It was great to see you. (Little i, big O, little s, 5) You can do it!

My mom had blankets that she asked the boys to drop off at the bank for their annual blanket and bear drive. The boys wanted to wear their festive hats about town so they looked pretty spiffy for this photo op. The bank lady even took a picture of them. Corey and I try to openly and purposefully give so the boys can see that modeled. My mom is a wonderful example for them, as well.

Cam finally wrapped up Tap & Jazz class tonight. It was hilarious. He had not one iota of concentration and focus in him. I think the young lady instructing actually gently grabbed his head at one point to turn his eyes toward her.

So, as you can see, we are definitely getting in the Christmas spirit. This is the last blog entry I will compose with a 6 year old in the house (well, until next year.) Wow!

Day 59 Life Lesson: Time flies... except when you are untangling Christmas lights.

Day 56

Woohoo! Another reason to be thankful!

Day 54

Kyle attended his last swimming lesson for this session. He passed and is moving on to Level 3. Woohoo! Way to go, Ky! He is turning into quite a fish.

The For Sale sign got plopped into the ground this morning. So weird. Cameron is wondering why our pictures aren't on the sign instead of our realtor's picture. Let's look at the realtor Magic 8 ball, shall we? What is the worst possible time to put your house on the market? Yeah, it's today. Hey, you can't win the lottery if you don't play, right?

Day 54 Life Lesson: A sign is just a sign until it's in your yard.

Day 52

There IS a sound more irritating than my three sons playing in the house. It is the incessant pounding on our roof created by hammering workers removing shingles and laying new ones.

Day 52 Life Lesson: sigh...