Season's Greetings

Another Christmas has come and gone and now it is time to (regret)reflect on the holiday season. Christmastime with kids is like being a kid again. Except you have to pay for everything. And you have to hide the damn elf every night. And bake tons of cookies. And create "holiday magic" for 30 straight days. But other than all of that....it is EXACTLY like being a kid again.

Cienna starred as a Christmas angel in her first school play. She was adorable and Tony was able to bring the truck down to school so he could see it too. We were proud parents! (I think AJ was bored.)

AJ also made us proud when he made the front of the newspaper after Christmas dinner at the firehouse. An ABQ Journal reporter was there to do a story about how firefighters spend the holiday...and AJ stole the show. The reporter was enamered with his bubbly personality and roll playing...he was arresting firefighters with his new handcuffs and hauling them to "jail" for hitting "foxes".

Christmas Eve we drove out to the old folks home (aka my in-laws lovely retirement community) where they hosted Mrs. Claus and a gingerbread house event. The senior crowd sure knows how to throw a good party! They decorate as if it were a competition and they go crazy when it comes to the gingerbread house supplies! It was super fun for all!

We then brought the party back to our house where we had a house full of holiday cheer and tamales for our bellies. A quick trip around the neighborhood looking at the luminarias and we were all ready for Santa to deliver the goods!

One thing that we were all counting on was Tiny Quinn (our Elf on the Shelf) coming back Christmas Day. You see, AJ didn't treat Tiny Quinn very well this year. He must not have been able to hear the threats of receiving no presents from Santa as he swung the tiny little elf all over the house insisting that he "liked it." Tiny Quinn didn't come back for days...and Cienna cried, prayed and begged God every night in hopes that he would stop punishing her for her brother's indiscretions. Well I guess he heard her prayers because he finally came back Christmas Day with a message...

Christmas 2012 was a hit with the kids and adults alike. Santa brought all my favorite labels (Lilly Barrack, Gucci,Starbucks), Tony got more weapons that he can't "legally" possess and the kids were spoiled with (almost) everything their little hearts desired. Even Tonka was thrilled with the giant hedgehog Doganta left for her under the tree. An all around success!

Woof!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

It has been an usually warm December in Albuquerque which has thrown my Christmas radar off. I can't hardly believe that it is just 6 days away even though we have been prepping around here for weeks. First, with some gentle persuasion, I convinced Tony to put up Christmas lights on the house. He really got into it...and I must say, I think our house is the merriest one on the block!

Next, we went hunting for a Christmas tree. In the last few years we have driven around for hours in the Colorado forest wasting time and diesel gas searching for the perfect tree to chop down for only an $8 fee. This year we drove right up, paid $40 and picked the perfect tree in 2 minutes flat. And we didn't have to drive home for 4 hours with it tied to the top of the car! Mission accomplished!

Speaking of Christmas trees, I couldn't resist taking a picture of Cienna's tree-picking outfit. When I told her that she needed to get ready to go this is what she chose...

She takes her fashion seriously people! I love this about her. Unless it is 7:45am and she is hysterical that her tights don't match her shoes.

AJ enjoyed a hot cup of cocoa during our tree outing...well sort of. I am pretty sure only about 2 sips actually made it in his mouth. The rest was spilled in a dramatic fashion all over the ground. He hasn't quite gotten the concept that when you bend down you need to keep your cup up!

AJ and his hot cocoa in happier times

We also had fun decorating gingerbread houses at a neighbor's house. The kids actually shared a house...and decorating responsibilities equally. I was so proud! There is hope that they will get along!

I have been blasting Christmas music, baking cookies and making the house a winter wonderland. Only 6 more days until the fat man comes! Here's to hoping I am still on the nice list! Happy holidays from our house to yours!