Pictures from the Water Park

Here are a few pictures from the Water park on C's birthday. As you can see the lazy river was a big hit for the little two. D spent as much time as he could in the Cub Tub - little kids hot tub - he likes floating on his back in there.


Sorry, the pictures are not very clear because they were taken with my phone...the camera was forgotten at home and the hotel didn't have any disposable cameras. They did have fun though...

Pictures of the Sleigh Ride

Here are we all are - ready for the sleigh ride - covered in blankets to stay nice and cozy. The weather wasn't actually too bad. The big wet snowflakes were kind of fun although C didn't really think so. K loved the horses but couldn't see them from where we were sitting so she had a few fussy spells but overall did great. D was worried about the wolves coming out of the woods to get him.Here we go...it was about a half hour ride. The horses really did work hard pulling us through the fresh snow. They deserved extra hay that night....

Well, I guess I survived another one...

Not that I know where my blood pressure is but I survived another Christmas season. It was way too hectic and things will be done differently next year but I guess you are always learning. New Year's Eve was fun - I hosted a Murder Mystery Party called "The Good, The Bad and The Guilty." It was lots of fun - especially because everyone got into dressing up to their part even though I didn't get their information to them way late. Here is a group "shot" of the motley but interesting crew....

Yesterday was the boys' birthday party along with my nephew's. It was a great time - they had lots of fun playing with their cousins...Here are a couple of pictures of their day...

K loved the cake too - at least the frosting...

I just downloaded pics of Christmas so I will have to post some of them later. I forgot the camera on Christmas Day and at the hotel for C's actual birthday...but I guess that keeps it even for forgetting the camera on D's birthday. I do have a few pics on my phone of water park so I will have to get them too. And, hopefully Uncle Bob with email me some from the sleigh ride....More postings to come...

This used to be my favorite holiday...used to be...

Now, I think that I would rather just stay in bed all day with my kiddos and they can bring all their toys and play in there. Much more comfortable, peaceful, and less stressful.

The peaceful has been replaced with stressful, the comfortable has been replaced with running around trying to make everyone happy and the joy of giving has been replaced by having to buy the perfect gift. Well, I refuse to find the perfect gift so if you don't like what you get this year - give it to someone else next year!

I no longer find joy in shopping for others because people at the stores are pushy and downright rude. There is no longer any time for relaxation and enjoyment of the day spent with family because there is rushing from one place to the other. There is no longer time to sleep in and just wait until the kiddos wake up to find "Santa" has come. And, who knows what the traveling will be like with the 11 to 20 inches of snow that they are predicting....

Oh, and did I forget to mention that between my pregnancy and my kiddos being sick all week that I haven't had much sleep. I guess that really doesn't help the mood either...still doesn't hide the fact that I am not looking forward to Christmas this year!

The one positive thing that is going to happen this year is that we will get to go to Christmas Eve service and be able to enjoy that short time of the true meaning of Christmas...maybe that will help my attitude to change for Christmas Day...

Wishing you a less stressful, more peaceful Christmas!!!

Stressed...

Why do my kids think that they don't have to listen??? I think that I need to change the way I am doing things because nothing - not even the time of year - is helping! Maybe they sense that I am way too tired to do any follow up or disciplining. It is kind of stressful for me around this time of year...even if they were listening and it doesn't help that I am seven and a half months pregnant with no energy. I am waiting for the nesting period because my house needs a good cleaning - after it is organized and put away. We have no Christmas decorations out - much to the boys chagrin, except the little tree that my sister graciously brought over.

Somewhere around there they managed to kill the DirecTv...which makes things worse around here - I could at least turn that on and get a MOMENT of peace but can't even use that today. The only thing that works is that it shows that it is recording something constantly. Don't ask - I have no clue what they did.

Here is my schedule until after the first of the year - now mind you that my house is still not put together....tomorrow I work, Friday or Saturday Dan will finally come home, his brother is coming up from GA for the week, Sunday is D's birthday, Monday is our wedding anniversary, Tuesday I work, Wednesday I have an ultrasound and dr appt., Thursday is Christmas eve, Friday is Christmas, Saturday is C's birthday, New Year's Eve we are doing a Murder Mystery Party with friends, and New Year's Day we are having family over for the boys' birthdays. Christmas day is usually spent on my side but Dan's family wanted to have it on Christmas Day because Bob and the boys were up. That means we would split the day and it makes it more stressful. I really love time with family and friends - I just don't have the energy this year.

Gotta go - need to yell at my kiddos again!!!!!!

Most of the Painting done!

Yeah! Most of my house is now painted...no more white. I love it - though the blue in my laundry room is a little brighter than I like but I think I will get used to it...The room has no windows so I wanted something that was a little brighter. The only ones left are the kid's (main) bathroom, boys bedroom and K's/baby's bedroom. I am doing murals on these though and so it will take more time - maybe have to wait until after the new year - before baby...hahaha!

I am so not ready for Christmas - though not really in the mood. I went shopping this weekend and got a lot of it done except for my kiddos because they were with. I just don't know what to get anyone anymore and I don't like giving gift certificates. We are going to be so busy from now until probably the end of January that it is just going to get crazy. Hopefully my blood pressure cooperates with this baby.

Dan's brother is coming up on Friday, Sunday is D's birthday, Monday is Dan and my anniversary, Wed is my ultrasound and Doctor appointment, then Christmas eve and Christmas day, then Saturday is C's birthday. We are doing a Murder Mystery party with friends on New Year's Eve and on New Year's Day we are having a birthday party for my two birthday boys along with my nephew whose birthday is on the first. Whew, I think I need a nap just thinking about it. Oh, yeah, my house is still a mess and not ready for company...guess I should go put the kiddos to bed and get busy....even though I would rather hit the hay too....

No rest for the wicked!

Painting

Yeah! I can finally paint my house and start getting settled in... All of the rooms are primed and there is one coat of paint on three of my bedroom walls. The living room is complete - along with shampooed carpet so one room is completely done! Well, we still have to hang pictures and find the rest of our furniture but it is a start isn't it?