Free Choice

I don't have time for a proper entry - I'm up to my eye balls is sprinkles in every size, shape and color imaginable, but I have to share a laugh I got at the expense of Lil Bit a little bit ago. We were busy turning plain old sugar cookie cut outs into mouthwatering masterpieces. While T. Bone, Miss Bit and I transformed the naked Santas, angels, reindeer and tannenbaums into decorated delicacies for Mr. Claus, we were enjoying my Christmas playlist (of course). We were exalting "R-E-J-O-I-C-E, R-E-J-O-I-C-E" during my personal favorite...

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel -

when a lightbulb came on in Miss Bit's head. She sang, "F-r-e-e c-h-o-i-c-e, f-r-e-e c-h-o-i-c-e!?" Then she said, "That's wierd! I don't get it. Why are they singing free choice in a song about Jesus? He doesn't have center time! He's not in kindergarten!"

Absolutely priceless and every bit as sweet as the cookies we will be leaving for Santa Christmas Eve.

Don't Let Them Fool You...they sure don't fool me!

We come home in the afternoon and they are snuggled up sweetly spooning just the way we left them in the morning, but they don't fool me.

While it appears they have spent all hours of the boring day sleepin' and a chillin'...

Just waiting for us to walk through the door...

They cannot hide the evidence, or blame their surprise manger attacks on their army of toy mice. For I have seen them unswaddle Baby Jesus and toss him around as if he weren't the holy infant that we know he is. I bore witness to them batting and pawing him, so I know that the furry rodents were planted to throw us off the trail.

And then when they're done terrorizing the holy family and kidnapping Baby Jesus, they turn on the computer, order up some entertainment and proclaim that their's is THE life.

So I'm no fool. I know that when the people are away, the cats will (and do) play. And I'm also smart enough to know, that if I ever come back...I'm signing up to be a cat.

Grateful Friday

Today I'm Grateful For...

Family time spent playing games this week. T. Bone and Miss Bit almost (ALMOST) made it through a whole game of Jenga without any that's not fairs or I don't want to play anymores. We all played Sorry lastnight. The game lasted so long...that I was almost (ALMOST) sorry I suggested it.

The little tradition we have of reading Christmas stories before bed during the month of December. T. Bone usually retires to his room to read Wimpy Kids or Sports Illustrated Kids or the like by himself, but this month he is often snuggling in beside us listening to me read (and enjoying it too). And what's not to enjoy? There are so many Christmas classics!

I found my Mom's spinach stuffed tomato recipe this morning. I wasn't sure that it was even recorded and had started to talk myself into believing that we didn't really need them on Christmas Eve. The extra bonus is that it's written on a piece of scratch paper in her very own handwriting.

T. Bone is star of the week this week. We gathered various pictures for display on the classroom bulletin board. He took the one year old photograph taken of him in a teddy bear costume and is not even bothered that all the girls have been calling him teddy bear all week.

An impromptu gathering with my in-laws for soup and Sunday afternoon football last weekend. It was nice to share the delicious leftovers from Saturday night's soiree with them and Jess, and to visit during this frenetic time of year. Oh...and our team won!

T. Bone and Miss Bit will be participating in the children's mass at church on Christmas Eve. He will stand in as a shepherd and she will be in the choir of angels. I always adore this service, but this year it will be even more meaningful.

The time to help Miss Bit and her classmates with their gingerbread houses this week. Not one of them looked like another...each one had it's own unique design. A couple children quizzed me to find the one they had made. I was right each time...every house was like an abstract self portrait. So cool. Peanut decided that not only does Miss Bit's house look cute and colorful, but it also tastes good!

My shopping is done and I really feel so good about each and every gift we are giving. I just love it when that happens!

Last Saturday's gathering...it didn't last long enough, but it was so good to see everyone. So, so good.

Tomorrow we are having breakfast with Santa with our very good friends. It's a new tradition we started with these old friends of our's...and you know how I love me my traditions. It was so festive last year...a pianist played Christmas carols while we ate in the beautifully decorated room. We had plenty of time with Mr. and Mrs. Claus all to ourselves for the sharing of wish lists and the taking of pictures. Miss Bit told Aunt Jess the other night that she is just so excited, not to see Santa Claus, but to eat breakfast with her best friend B! Have I ever told you how much my girl loves bacon...I mean a hot breakfast?

T. Bone told me that he met his friend, J.'s, Dad who was here visiting from TN this week. He came to say goodbye to his son before heading home to the south, and J. nonchallantly waved...he kind of blew his Dad off and ran off to play with his friends. T. Bone got all choked up as he told me this. He felt so badly for J.'s Dad. I loved the way that he could sense how the Dad was feeling, and I used it as an opportunity to talk to him about why J. might have done what he had done. We talked about how sometimes when we are sad and afraid to show our emotions, we act like we don't care. He understood that J. was probably really hurting because his Dad was leaving to go far away for a long time.

Our Nanny ornaments have been purchased. Every year my Mom gave the kids a Li Bien ornament for the tree. I am keeping up with this tradition. I bought my brother and I each the angel ornament last year in memory of our mother and angel in heaven. This year's angel is already hanging on my tree and wrapped beneath it for my brother.

So many movies to see. I love this time of year because the best movies are released. Then of course there are the Christmas classics like National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Elf and The Polar Express just to name a few.

Christmas cookies. I have already made about 10 batches and have plans to do more baking right up until Christmas. I like to put together tins to share with everyone from the mailman to the kid's teachers to friends and family.

Party at Jess's tomorrow night. I am looking forward to the gathering and happy that she is excited to have company. Now we can drink the Montepulciano.

On a Roll...

You Know What I Mean?

We are all faced with events in our lives that we find unfair, or even cruel. Often they do not make sense. How do we get through them? With the help of our friends.

A very wise woman once said that if you can count your close friends on one hand you should consider yourself lucky. How fortunate I am to have been blessed with you as my friend. You know what I mean?

Jess (Guest Post #2)

I know exactly what you mean Jess and so did she! Pretty soon you're gonna have your own blog! You go girl! Looking forward to tomorrow...I'm proud of you!

In Her Words...

They Call Me Aunt Jess -

I am honored (and slightly intimidated) to be featured as K’s first guest blogger. I hope you enjoy my posting as much as I enjoy K’s. Although we talk daily and I think I know our resident blogger better than I know myself, reading her blog always offers a different perspective. Thank you K for sharing your gift of writing.

Wednesday evening I was charged with watching T & L for a mere two hours while K & M attended a funeral. On their way out the door, I told them to have a good time. This inappropriate comment should have made them question my ability to watch their most prized possessions.

After completing a quick game of Guess Who (HINT: She always picks the girls.), L and I proceeded to the family room for a game of Ponies. I didn’t have to exert one ounce of imagination because she provided every line of my dialogue.

I was given the daunting task of preparing a gourmet meal for my favorite children.....OK, that is not exactly the truth. We were going to feast on spaghetti and garlic bread; a meal even I should have been able to execute (NOTE: K made homemade spaghetti sauce). Unfortunately, the gas range presented an obstacle and prevented me from boiling water. Do not worry. The children did not go hungry. I repeat, they did not go hungry. T informed me that I could serve frozen pizzas (Emphasis on the plural. Yes, these two young children insisted I make not one, but two pizzas!). His justification? They don’t pay me. I am free!! ( TIP: Little or No Investment= Low Expectations!)

Other exciting events of the evening included having to unclog the toilet (Oddly, they were both wildly excited to get the plunger and try their turn at using it.). I also witnessed six rounds of Wrestlemania. T, a natureal athlete and great competitor, has a huge heart and knows how to compromise to make sure his little sister has her fair share of fun. After many laughs and a few tears, the focus switched to song and dance, as we all enjoyed some Christmas music.

Although I am not perfect, they love me for who I am. Who could ask for anything more?

Thanks to my first ever guest blogger, forever frister and honorary aunt to T. Bone and Miss Bit!

How Is It?

How is it that a week ago I was caroling with senior citizens, and this week I am going to the funeral for a young man? There were so many people in attendance, but sadly this man felt so overcome with loneliness that he didn't want to live any longer.

How is it that Aunt Jess can put in dimmer switches and trouble shoot when her lawn mower and snow blower aren’t working, but she cannot boil water to cook noodles? She was kind enough to come to our rescue last night so we could pay our respects, and instead of pasta…they had pizza so no one starved. Hmmm…sounds a little like a well-planned plot to me.

How is it that no matter how many loads of laundry I do a week, there is ALWAYS more waiting to be done?

How is it that I can be charged $19.50 plus tax for my daughter’s haircut, and then not even be able to tell that any hair was trimmed?

How is it that the teacher told the kindergartners not to eat any of the sweet treats put before them yesterday…that the chocolate bars and kisses, candy canes and gum drops, licorice and life savors were only for decorating their gingerbread houses? Is it really legal to use tax payer money to torture young children? They were under strict orders not to lick the frosting from their fingers. I confess that I was first to lick mine out of the 6 charges at my table, and I am proud to say that most of them had white faces by the time they were through!

How is it that kids aren’t expected or allowed to be kids? How is it that idiotic rules reign supreme over childhood fun and folly? Every single adult was sampling the candy as they snickered within sight of these salivating sweethearts. (Say THAT 5 times fast!)

How is it that a candle can smell better…more real…than a live tree cut fresh from the forest?

How is it that no matter how much Christmas shopping I do, there is still more to buy?

How is it that Christmas is a week away?

How is it that I can feel so cynical 7 days before Christmas?

WHERE'S FRED?

Oh...the places he will go. We just never know!