The Back and Forth Game

Is it possible to be more excited for Christmas than your kids? I think I am. Not because I think I'm getting something great under the tree. And not because I'm sure to have some dissapointed children who don't get what they want. Well, probably one dissapointed child who is an eternal pessimist. (It never fails: he gets a whole bag of loot and within an hour is complaining about being bored.) No, I am more excited because I know what's coming.

I have the unique experience of having my family and my spouses family living one block apart. I know I can't be the only one with a set up like this but it does make for an interesting Christmas. Christmas Eve we head to my parents house in the late afternoon. This is after taking a nap (hopefully) and loading up the minivan with my food assignments, all of our sleeping requirements, and all of our presents. There we play games, eat Christmas dinner, and have a "live nativity." Then we hop back in the car to cross the road to my in-laws. We can't possibly be required to walk because carrying three kids through 20 degree weather just isn't worth it.

At the Carrolls, we play more games, eat Christmas dinner again, and have a Christmas program. Then as we are all enjoying dessert downstairs, Santa drops off all our presents. We have never caught a glimpse of him but we always hear his footsteps and "ho, ho, ho." Aren't we lucky? In case you are wondering, it is now 12:00 and officially Christmas Day. We run upstairs, open all our presents in a mad frenzy with flying wrapping paper and, sometimes, flying children. Some of the gang stay up all night playing with their new video games, pop n style cabbage patch or whatever. Me? I drag my group back to my parents by 1:30 or 2:00 because I'm trashed.

Back again, we get in as much sleep as a baby will let us (maybe only a few hours) and then are awake ready to open presents again with the Valentines. The rest of the day is spent back and forth from house to house as we see fit. Does this sound crazy to you? IT IS. And it takes me two days before I'm not tired anymore. But that's what we do.

Man, I started this post planning on telling another story about Alisa but it looks like I got sidetracked. That will have to wait for another day, I guess.

We Love Chest

The other day Nicolas and I were playing a rousing game of chess whilst Alisa looked on collecting the killed pieces. Alisa calls it "chest." I don't know why I was playing chess with a 6 year old--quality time? Or more likely . . . that's about my chess level. He is catching on to how each piece moves and how to look ahead a few moves. He instinctively plays very defensively by building up barriers around the king and protecting each piece. He's not very proactive about killing . . . there has got to be some sort of psychological cues to him in that. I don't now . . . self preservation, I guess.

Anyway to get on with the story, as Alisa collected our pieces she would line them up or set them up in formation for parties or whatever and they would talk to each other (typical girl--turns chess pieces into dolls.) Later, I heard her say that they were at church (I'm sure you can see what's coming) but I wasn't really paying attention. Soon though, I looked over and she had all the pieces on one side of the piano bench in a group while one piece was on the other side facing the group. It was a church congregation. It just so happened that the piece that was facing the rest was, of course, THE BISHOP. She must have been listening to us pretty carefully to figure out which piece was the bishop. Very perceptive.

Housework, Staples, and $9.00 Fleece Pants

Last week was Thanksgiving and I did no, absolutely no, housework. I'm paying for it this week . . . had that panicky feeling yesterday when I realized there was no place in the house where I could sit down without utter chaos. Nothing a little floor scrubbing won't fix.

Also, the cold is coming. I thought it had already got here until I checked the weather report last night. Fourteen degrees. Are you kidding me? I went and bought some $9.00 fleece pants for running. I told Diego this morning that it is one of the best $9.00 I've spent. Adidas vinyl just doesn't cut it.

Speaking of spending . . . I feel like it's an avalanche right now. Sorry Diego, I really am trying to reign it in. Holidays and growing kids aren't a good staple.

Speaking of staples . . . Alisa had staples in her head last week. A heavy pot fell off the counter and landed on her head. It split right open. The staples look like real staples. Imagine that. I'm too lazy to download the picture but here are some other pictures.

I've Got Crazy Hair

Washing the Blankie Requires Constant Supervision

Is He Really Painting Wood Chips?

Mom Forgot to Wash My Cute Little Face

Waiting for Mom to Get Ready for Church

Beautiful People

I know I am completely biased but I think that my family is beautiful. Here are some pictures that we had done by my friend Amber--Emoticon Photography. We have some more traditional shots too but I love these leaves shots. You get only kid pictures today. Sorry.

Update on Jackson

The Pincer Grasp


Musical Protege


(I tried to capture the movement in his arms.)

First Day of School Pictures

Kindergarten

Preschool

Playing with Dad

Six Months Old

My baby has reached the half year mark and I have to say that I am already missing his babyhood. He seems like a kid already--no more cuddly little ball. Grabbing, sitting, crying, eating, and lots and lots of toys are the name of the game for six month olds.

Ten Things I never want to forget about Jackson:

1. He'll lay on my bed with his arms around my neck and gaze into my eyes.

2. He thinks Alisa is hilarious.

3. He smiles, and smiles, and smiles.

4. He hasn't disliked any food yet. (Even that rice cereal which Alisa tried and almost threw-up)

5. When he falls asleep in my arms, I have the strongest urge to kiss his angelic face. . . but I don't because I know it will wake him up.

6. How easily he falls asleep (except when he's sick or teething or constipated or overtired or in a strange place.)

7. Sometimes, especially when he is asleep in my arms, I just don't want to put him down even though I know I should. Let me cradle him just a bit longer.

8. He gets really excited when Dad comes home from work.

9. He gets constant love from his brother and sister.

10. He loves his mama!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures

Nice hair Alisa!! Cutest kid ever.

Summer T-ball

The Clean House

I have a strange relationship with the clean house. On the one hand, organized spaced make me feel calm and in control. On the other, I get tired of cleaning up the same messes repeatedly (like 6 times a day . . . ) And, I have this nagging feeling that people who always have a clean house don't have a life. You know, like, get a life! My busiest days are my messiest.

Recently, my beloved husband made a completely innocent comment about most people having clean houses and it really got me wondering . . . I claim that people just clean right before he gets there (just because that's what I do, he, he) . . . but maybe I'm decieving myself. Maybe I really am a slob. And maybe I really am lazy. I don't feel lazy or slobby.

Growing up, my mother always compared the status of her house to her neighbors: "So and sos dishes are always done." As a child, I really couldn't see the point. As an adult, I can see the temptation to do that but I have made a concerted effort to let it be. I mean, aren't there more important things about a person than to judge them based on if there are toys in their living room?

So what do you think? Do people let messes lie or do people really have tidy houses?

I Dare You . . .

. . . to find a cuter baby.

(Tessa doesn't count here because she's in another realm.)

Sparklers

Alisa

Nicolas

Nicolas and Alisa

Fairy Mark

Kristen and Jackson

And the grand finale . . . . .

. . . . we lit them with a blow torch. Jealous aren't you.

Dressing

Alisa likes to pick out her own clothes every day and she has certain things she likes to wear. Right now her favorites are dresses and skirts. Sadly, we don't have enough casual dresses and skirts for her to wear every day, at least, not without me doing laundry more often. But really, why should I when she has plenty more clothes to wear . . . A little while ago, she started this too--laying out her clothes in a set (just to see how they look together you know.) Please note, I did NOT do this myself. This was completely the work of a 3 year old.

A Few More Pics . . . Active Boys

Diego's mud ride


Diego's bike after the mud ride

Spring ski day

Ditto

Ditto--wish I was there

A Few Pictures

Here are a few pictures from the last little while. I have so many pictures on my camera that I am not even going to try to catch up on posting them all. Just come visit me and I will show you shapshots. Man, I wish I was a better photographer . . .


Family picture at Disneyland when Jackson was 6 weeks old.

Nicolas' first fish--fished from Vivan Park pond.

Jackson's blessing day at the beginning of June.

Blessing Day

Blessing Day


Size comparison: Nicolas carrying Jackson. Nicolas' legs just might be thinner than Jackson's.

Taken yesterday.