Love Notes

i'm baaaack. unbelievably, i haven't visited the cyberworld for a few days. things have been CRAZY around here. we've had snow storms, snow days, play dates and over nights, flu bugs, severe head colds, school Christmas parties, treats to make for said parties, gift shopping, grocery shopping, and friends and family members needing a shoulder and/or help after custody issues and minor auto accidents. that is just the extra stuff, don't forget the laundry, bill paying, dance classes, homework, school projects to wrap up, preparing meals, etc., etc., etc. you know, the normal everyday, 24/7 kinds of responsibilities. whew! i could really use a vacation right about now!

i have managed to cross a few items off of my ever growing/changing list.
gift shopping done - check
check the gift list again - check
cards addressed and mailed - check
tree complete - check (had to wait for the Daddy so we could put the angel on, as per the instructions of a four year old decorator)
treats prepared - check
dishes to pass planned and ready for preparation - check
play in snow with kids - check
visit north pole as a family - check
visit santa - check
email santa - check
watch some Christmas shows/movies with family - check

.....now, if i could just get some help cleaning the house.....

in other news...all of the kididdles are VERY excited about Christmas, every part of it. every year they each enjoy different aspects of it in different ways. they pick up on different details of the church celebration and story each year, and the family time and gift giving is a lot of fun for them too. i really enjoy listening to their ideas for gifts, decorating, and how we should celebrate. you know, we would all be a little better off if we would follow their lead more often!
A lost two more teeth, has been very helpful with her siblings, and received an excellent progress report this week. i love her soooo much, and can't believe how quickly she is growing up.
B is doing well in school, is so much fun, and full of Christmas spirit. she is in that gray area between being a little girl and trying to (sometimes) be a little big girl. i don't quite know how to put it in to words, but she is going through this subtle change with style. a style so uniquely hers, and I love her for it.
C is a study in contrasts. he is a sweetheart one minute and a stinker the next. he will be picking on his brother one minute, and comforting and consoling him the next. he is waaaay more observant than people realize, and he shows glimmers of his observations when you least expect it. he is a very good big brother, and is trying to teach things to D daily. of course, some of those things i would rather D not learn yet.
D is mimicking everything his siblings say and do. good and bad! his vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds. he is trying out so many new words daily...like his older siblings, he has understood and had the words, names, and phrases in his head for a while...he is just now deciding to share them with us. D is also very independent and must do for himself...and me...and help with everything. he is so much fun.

actually they all are a lot of fun! i can't say that i have a favorite age. there is so very much to enjoy at each of their different stages. i love reflecting on the people they are and are evolving into. i am a very blessed mommy. my cup runneth over!