It's Dec 21, How excited are

your kids?? Alex is so excited, he can't stand himself! He has been counting down, and getting into the "shopping season" himself. Myself, it has been a busy few weeks.
We got the tree and got it up and decorated. Hassle free this year. Not sure what we did right, but it was an enjoyable tree experience.

we took the kids to see Santa. Man, talk about anticipation!! When he asked the kids what they wanted, Alex rattled off a list a mile long. Kimberly told him one thing, and Ethan looked at the man in red like he had three heads. I am not sure I could be a mall Santa...(Even if I were the right gender) If I think about it long enough, I will go into convulsions, so I will let someone else do that job, I'll just take the pics.

not to mention, they cost an arm and a leg to purchase. OY! 21.95 for 2 5 x 7's. Sheeish. I remember when Alex was little, you could just "visit" santa, and mom could take all the pics she wanted.....egads.
ok, next on my busy, busy schedule... torment PEtie. I know I post a lot about the cat. And, I can't just post about the kids, so this is whet I did, I boutght him an elf costume. He was not HALF as amused as I was.lol He had the hat and collar on for about 2.5 seconds. look closely at his paw, you'll see him giving me a furrry middle finger!
and lastly, I took the kids to get their pictures taken for christmas. I will say thing, they looked great! The boys wore their suits, and Kimberly wore the dress she wore in the wedding. (her wedding dress) I have no photo to show you, since they would not let me take pics in there.....
so for now, I have 4 days to finish baking, finish christmas presents, and wrap the ones for the kids. Anyone want to help with the wrapping??

it's the season

for miracles, and a little bit of humility and compassion. I read this post, for a gent, who is sick and needs some good wishes. I got it from Jada (thanks jada!) from SCS. Here's the deal-io. It was the goal on scs to send Nick at least 100 cards of get well wishes, and give him the courage to get through these next few weeks. His story is truly amazing, and he is an awe inspiring individual. I am posting a link to his caring page, so you can see for yourself. So, if you can take a moment, and send soemone a holiday wish, who could REALLY use it. Him and his wife and their two little children. SHould you choose to visit his page, keep a box of kleenex handy, the strength he has exibited, will move you!
check out NICK

eta: Nicks info.
Nick Graham (Family: Katie, Evan and Nate)
960 Westwell Run
Alpharetta GA 30022

so, what do you get, when

you take a fat,lazy,freshly woken up from an afternoon slumber kitty, and a bunch of birdies out for an afternoon lunch? Stuck... LOL. Yup. Petie woke up from his snooze and ypwled at the door. We let him out, since it was afterall, the afternoon. He spied the birds in the tree, on the feeder. He did the whole hiney wiggle, get ready to attack stance (but his bloomers kept wiggling, long after the hiney stopped. Obviously, he hasn't called Jenny yet). With skill and grace, to charged at and scaled the tree. Rather well, I might add. He was after those twittering little birds. I think he thought he was going to get a snack. What did he get? Bark up in his manicure. lol He kept climbing. and climbing. We stood at the front door, and watched. Then he stopped. There was a chickadee flying around him, giving him what for, for disturbing her lunch.( apparently she has not met petie-turned-chain-saw ) or those of you who have not been to my house, know that the arbor you see in the photo is about 7 feet below the tree branch where Petie is perched. (I never claimed my cat was smart. Funny, outrageous, and a *bit* tempermental, but never smart) This is where the hubs and I shook our heads, and called him a dumb ass and waited for him to try and come down, with out breaking his little petie neck. I am suprised that the branch held all 11 lbs of him, and did not strain under the weight.

the Ick had landed...

yup. Alex came home from school two days in a row and told us that kids had vomited in the lunchroom, class room, etc.
last night, he came home from school and sat on the couch. (OY) for those of you who know Alex, know he is not one to sit still.... He asked to lay on my bed..... (again, he only lays down under protest...)
it started around 4 30, until around 12 30. I am hoping he is ok today, he doesnt want to eat or drink anything. I did buy icepops and jello for later, when he feels better....~sigh.one down, two to go.....

If Petie were a bum...

this is what he would look like, sleeping at night. minus the comfy couch of coarse....

and, he would have to use a different paper, I dont think the hubs would be willing to give up his favorite tool paper....

"Nut-trackah's"

as Ethan fondly refers to them.

thought you might like to see what all the fuss was about. This is one collection, that does not include the 2 other shelves.....

Let the Frenzy begin...

so Thanks giving is over. One large 23 pound bird and a house full of comapny later, I am ready for the Christmas season. This was kicked off for me, by shopping on Black friday. I love watching all the insane people out there on that one day. I got up at 4:15 a.m. (yes, that time DOES exist, and I saw it) and I was very amused to get my sister and my nephew up at that hour. (they are NOT morning people). I kept referring to it as "fun friday", since black friday seemed a bit harsh. lol
Dana played at a bar called "Big Heads" on Saturday, and on SUnday, we put up some decorations. The trains are up and running in full force. They look cool, and the kids are thrilled for them to be up and running. I put up all 80 gagillion nutcrackers I have. As much as I joke about having so many (thanks Mom) I actually like them. They do look kind of cool. I for get the exact number, I lost count after 90. They have become a tradition in our home, and the kids get excited seeing them come out every year. what are your traditions?