December

So the cards are out! The tree is up! And last night I even wrapped a little! Whoo hoo! And we still have a couple weeks. This is the first year that we have put presents under the tree early. Every year Cash drives us all crazy with wanting to open presents early (as most kids do). Rather than dealing with that chaos, we just avoided the situation and left them hidden until it was time to open them. But then on Christmas morning, I found it too confusing to be like "well that's from us, that's from Santa, blah blah". So this year we are trying something new to us. I wrapped the kids' presents in colored paper that is "their" color, and they won't know "their" color until Christmas. Since there are no names on the packages, I am hoping this will curb their whining, er uh their asking. I will let you know how that goes.

Last week we went on the CDA light cruise. How fun was that?! We have been wanting to go for years. Jake and I had never been, but the kids go annually with Janet and Steve. The kids had been the week before also, so they were sort of ho hum about it. Jake and I were the ones that were like kids. When they lit up the Christmas tree I yelped with joy! How awesome! We sat outside the whole time. It was a perfect night! Plenty cold, but oh so worth it! We have always wanted to go, but always put it off. This year I won tickets, so we had to go! I am so glad we did! If you haven't been... GO! Especially while the kids are young.

I am getting excited for Christmas break from school. I love sleep in days! Yeah! And I actually get to see the kids! It is so hard only seeing J'Lee from 3:30-8:30 on school days. And I work weekends, so I just don't see her much. Atleast Cash is only half day at school. I am going to have a hard time next year when they are both gone all day. (Ok I'll love it - I know - who am I kidding?!)

As I wrote this I was surprised by three of my most favorite people. Jake and the kids came and surprised me with coffee, early birthday cards, and a beautiful african violet. Have I mentioned how happy they make me? What a fun surprise! The kids get so excited for birthdays. They always think that because they have such a big party, that everyone does, of course. They always say " I wonder what's going to be on their cake?!" I can't even remember the last time we had cake for Jake or I's birthday. Clearly we are missing out! It's so sad as you get older that birthday's just aren't what they used to be. I wonder when that happens. "Well, sorry kids, you are just too old to have a party now." Well that doesn't seem right does it? The more birthdays we have - the better! Beats the alternative!!

For my actual birthday I intend on getting a pedicure, maybe seeing a movie? Getting lunch? I don't know, but I know it's going to be fantastic! This week my bunco friends and I are renting a limo and driving around to look at Christmas lights. Isn't that fun? Hopefully by then we will have some of that snow stuff. Normally I don't even like to say that word, but Christmas light displays just aren't the same without it. It will be a busy week, but I am excited!