Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Pageant 2011

Secret Talent #1

Pretty much only my immediate family knows I can do this...

Breakfast with Santa

The high school where Phil and I work had a Breakfast with Santa this weekend.  

We took the kids for some pancakes and sausages, face painting, crafts, and of course...pictures with the big guy!

John-Paul asked Santa for a 3DS, an iPod, trash packs, boy squinkies, a camera, a DSiExcel, and an iPad.  

So not too much ;)

Maggie asked St. Nick for trash packs.  

Because obviously that's what a girl with four brothers would want :)

Andrew asked Santa for an iPod.  

Santa promised that he would try to get that for him.  Try being the operative word.

Eamon asked St. Nick for trash packs.

Notice the theme??

Xander asked for new diamond earrings for his mom!!

Actually, he asked to get off Santa's lap :)

The elves posed with my elves.

There was an awesome balloon lady there who made all these cool holiday hats.

Some cousins came to the event and we all had fun!

6 More Days Until Christmas!!!!!

7 Quick Takes: It's Almost Christmas!!! Edition

1) Oh my goodness, December is FLYING by...right?  This is the last weekend to get any shopping done before Christmas!

2)

I *think* I only have a couple things left to buy for some siblings-in-law  sibling-in-laws  Phil's siblings.  I've done all the rest online, and I'm almost good-to-go.

3)
Although I never really feel that I'm good-to-go until I wrap all the presents and pile them according to recipient.  Because above all else, the presents must be fair.  The last thing I want to hear on Christmas morning is "It's not fair that so and so got a stereo and I only got ice skates." (Which is what SOMEONE said back when SOMEONE was ten and coveting her sister's new stereo.)

4)

After about 6 months of hearing John-Paul proclaim his love for trash packs, and how much he hopes to get them for Christmas.....this week he decided he would rather have "boy squinkies".

Well, guess what I bought him over a month ago?

Trash packs.

And I thought I would be the coolest.mom.ever.

I just can't keep up.

5)

Speaking of "keeping up"(get it?)....this trampoline is on our ultimate wish list for the kids.  We don't have a huge yard, but I think we could find a place for this.  If it means they will go outside all the time to jump until their heart's content...then we would love it!

6) Andrew's teacher called us this week to let us know that a parent called to complain that Andrew told her child that "Santa doesn't bring the toys.  Our parents do." We've been through this Santa debate before, and in the end we don't tell our kids the truth (Santa is fake) or lie to them (Santa is real and brings you presents).  

We try to stay somewhere in the middle by avoiding their questions and just asking them what they believe instead.  And we emphasize that St. Nick was a real man and Santa is a story about him.  Which would be fine if my kids live in a bubble.  But they don't, and while they should not go around dashing the hopes and dreams of little children who's parents tell them that Santa is real...they should also not get in trouble for telling the truth.  

John-Paul got in trouble for doing something similar back in first grade as well.  I'm not looking for a Santa/No Santa debate here, but I would like some advice on how to talk to Andrew about not telling everyone that Santa is a fake without telling him to lie.

7) Well, #6 was so long, I think I'll skip this one.

Merry *Almost* Christmas!!

Wordless Wednesday: Christmas Village 2011

"All I Want for Christmas" or "Phil, I'm Making This Easy for You!"

1) A healthy baby and delivery for three of my mommy friends.  You are all in my prayers!

2) An end to abortion.  Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, so that would be especially nice!

Now for the more materialistic...

3) An iPhone. 

4) An arm band to hold my iPod while I run.

5) An electric car starter, because baby, it's cold outside!

6) Some bangers (Irish sausage).

7) Tights.

8) Just Dance Wii game.  I love to bustamove in the privacy of my own home :)

Ok, that's it. 

What do YOU want for Christmas???