Romper Rooms

Remember how Paul wanted "Rock Band" for Christmas? He had been talking about it all year and was hopeful Santa would bring him what he really, really wanted. Remember his homemade version?

Well, a few weeks before Christmas he started to ask for something much less expensive. Seemed like the smart thing was to let Santa go the less expensive route, eh? Problem was, two days before Christmas he changed his mind. I told him Santa had already packed his sleigh and Santa thought he wanted that Nerf game--but I could see the disappointment in his face. And as we headed to church on Christmas Eve he looked at me so earnestly and said he was praying Santa knew he really wanted Rock Band. Oh my! Those eyes! That expression of hope! Would Santa come through? But it was already Christmas Eve!

I have learned to hard way that if at all possible, give the kids the one thing they ask Santa for. I don't remember many of the Santa gifts over the years but I remember the look of disappointment the year Lizzy asked for a "Real Life McDonald's Baby" and didn't get it because her mom thought it looked like a silly gift and surely she would like a different doll much better. (Lizzy still remembers too.)
So, what happened?
Bakugan sets from grandparents:

Roller skates, games and Webkinz--frogs for both Patrick and Vu. It was so cute, Vu named his "Cory" after one of his orphanage friends:


Clothes and Sock 'Em Boppers for the biggest kid:

A new bike (yet to be tested with all this snow) and gadgets for Gadget Girl, like a headlamp:

i-pod and a bracelet for our girl growing up way too fast:

And surprises I can't disclose for James and Glamour Girl who spent Christmas out of town at her parent's. They will open their presents when they get home--here's a pic of James that Glamour girl sent from her phone. (I don't like James being away for Christmas but I guess I have to learn to share):

We also had a nice Christmas dinner with my parents coming over really slick roads--I am so thankful they made it here and back safely:

So, do you want to know what Santa brought Paul? The Nerf game he asked for. And a basketball and a new pair of gloves. Cool huh?

But you know what's really cool? Santa also continues to bring a gift for Joe, our son we lost to cancer. Santa brings a family gift that Joe would love for us to have. And Joe loved video games. And Joe would have loved for us to have Rock Band. And Mommy knows someone who was working at Game Stop (a video game store) late on Christmas Eve:

Funny comment of the night--Patrick was playing and here's what he said. "I like this girl, the one that's singing right now . . . she looks like a scientist . . . (long pause) . . . a really sexy scientist!"
Eaiii-yi-yiii-yi-yaiii!!! Where does he get this from? All I can think of is that I'm in big trouble! Big!

Mommy's words prove true--you have to believe to receive!

I love traditions--more of our favs:

Advent wreath and candles--each candle has a meaning. I would love to say we spend time reading the Bible and singing after lighting the candles, but we don't. I know, takes me down a notch on the Mother of the Year award.


In German tradition, St. Nicholas comes on Dec 5 and fills the kids' shoes with goodies--or sticks should they be needed. Actually, only one child has ever received sticks and that was Joe, in high school, because he had just received detention (though in the night I felt guilty, crept down the stairs and put in some candy too:-)


The youngest child puts the star on the tree. Vu isn't technically the youngest but he should be (he was a tiny preemie)--so we let the two youngest trade off.


Decorating sugar cookies--I cannot take any credit whatsoever for baking. Eric is my baker and he is a perfectionist which is why these cookies look so yummy. The kid's decorated cookies don't look quite so tempting tho they do have a lot more frosting--and TONS more sprinkles!


Going to a big, gigantic Christmas party at friends--complete with lots of games, food and fun. They are Ducks and we are Beavers so we always hide a little OSU Beaver surprise somewhere in their house. Here Vu does a balloon stomping game:


The Christmas Elf. This tradition came years ago from my sister, Texas. This was my fav. year when even the adults got pj's. He arrives on Christmas Eve after we get home from church and he mysteriously rings the doorbell and by the time the kids answer, he is gone and there is just a large bag of matching pajamas.

One year was Sponge Bob:

Last year was Transformers because Joe loved them so much:

And remember this year? Super Mario!

I wonder what the theme will be next year?

Last night we decided to follow one of our favorite traditions. Usually we bring out the scrapbook from the previous year and look at everything we have done up until that point.

Sixteen inches of snow and six days with no internet or phone--partly from the snow, partly from me trying to play "Tech Support Specialist" and messing it up more! Oops! As I wait for the sugarplums to dance in little heads, some catch-up:

Snow, snow and more snow!
Kim and Paul have a snowball fight with the neighbor guy--my kids thought it was all in fun but I have a feeling my neighbor was getting redemption for all the baseballs hit into his yard!

No internet or phone so--act crazy in the snow!


Gingerbread house:

Watching "Home Alone"--the little boys had never seen it and thought it was hysterical!!!

Candle light service Christmas Eve:

Opening a gift Christmas Eve:

The Christmas Elf comes once again! Super Mario theme:

Cookies for Santa:

When your kids ask how Santa Claus is able to visit every house in the entire universe in a single night, how do you respond?

When you hear the word "drugs" what substances come to mind? Most people would answer: marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy, PCP, or perhaps even alcohol. I doubt many individuals would categorize Vitamin C as a drug... unless, of course, you're a fourth grade teacher in Florida.

'Twas The Week Before Christmas . . .

We've been snowed in all week and I was beginning to wonder if we would make it to see Santa. Vu has never seen Santa. Vu really wanted to see Santa. Mommy really wanted Vu to see Santa.

The skies cleared so we sprang to our sleigh, to our team gave a whistle, and took off as dry leaves before hurricanes fly, through hail and lightening and a blizzard.

This means there was a tiny bit of snow still on the road.

Our actual destination was a party on the other side of town. We hadn't planned on going to the mall but since we had two minutes to spare I talked Eric into stopping--promising it would be more rapid than eagles on coursers could fly with the down of a thistle stuck in his eye!

We looked for the man with the nose like a cherry and belly that shook when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly--found plenty--but none dressed in red fur from his head to his foot. We looked. And looked. Up one side and down the other playing "Where's Waldo" with Santa, six kids in tow, a man trying to pretend he wasn't with me--a crazy vixen with a STALKER look!

The kids were tired, the kids were hungry with visions of McDonald's dancing in their heads. . . So hungry. How hungry?

Me to Patrick: "Patrick, quit picking your nose!"
Patrick: "But I'm hungry!"

EEeowww!

FINALLY, we find the jolly old elf, tucked away by the chimney, obviously HIDING from children!

Just then a sign goes up saying he's going on a one hour break. An hour!!! What kind of Santa leaves his post for AN HOUR just days before Christmas? I look over at Vu. He looks very disappointed. He looks like he is going to cry! Santa cannot leave!

I dasher, dancer and prancer after him yelling in front of the whole crowd, "Santa, Santa! Please! We need to see you! Pleeeeease! We can't wait an hour because I have a husband who is going to divorce me if we spend five more minutes in this peddler-packed-forsaken mall!"

He looks over his shoulder, sees desperation on my face and pauses. I think I've got him . . . oh but then, that "I've-been-peed-on-one-too-many-times-today-look returns and I realize I'm losing him--he is NOT going to stop--he is leaving so lively and quick I know in a moment it's the REAL St. Nick!

I consider doing something drastic--how can I get his attention in a flash??

Tear open my shutters and throw off my sash? Or MOON him giving a lustre of mid-day to objects below!

That might get me arrested!

Desperate times call for desperate measures! I take the reindeer by the horns and use every ounce of sugarplum I have, creating a clatter. "Santa PLEASE! My little boy has NEVER seen Santa in his whole, entire life!!!! He grew up cold and tired and hungry in a far away orphanage dreaming for six years of the day he could finally meet you!!! Please Santa, please??"

By this time a crowd has gathered to see what was the matter. Was this the REAL Santa? Did Santa have a heart? Would he stop in his tracks like a moose after a long winter nap?



Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Remember the stampedes that ensued when the original Tickle Me Elmo hit the shelves back in 1996? Thousands of parents pushed, shoved and pummeled their way through toy stores to get their hands on the furry red monster. Back then Sesame Street's most famous resident was the hottest toy around.