Wordful Wednesday~ Rock on lil one!

The boys all got a Guitar Hero world tour for Christmas. If the big guys thought THEY were actually going to get a chance at the drums, well, they were SADLY mistaken! Brennen insisted that, "I rock out! I play drums" If they others got anywhere near him, they were more than likely going to be the one being beaten on with the drumsticks. He was SO serious about his job. Quite a cute lil drummer boy if I do say so myself!

B's doctor visit

Brennen had his well check today. The peanut is only 24lbs! He is BY FAR my smallest baby. Jon was 28lbs at just 12 months! Brennen is 34" now....we're pushing 3'!! The doctor did a strep test because he's been somewhat cranky, not sleeping or eating well, intermittent fevers and a red throat. I'm not convinced that it's strep...I think it's due to cutting those 2yr old molars. He was cranky with most of his teeth. But, better safe than sorry. God knows I don't need a housefull of sick boys! Especially not during Christmas break! Yep, it's started....the boys are off for the next two weeks. If I seem somewhat scattered and frazzeled, you'll understand why!

How ready are you?

So, the holidays are quickly approaching....how ready are you?
Do you have your shopping done?
Do you have your tree?
Is it decorated?
Do you send Christmas cards?
Have you sent them yet?
Do you take holiday pictures?
Any holiday parties coming up?
Holiday traditions you just can't live without?
Do you open presents on Christmas Eve or just Christmas day?

I just want to know how behind I am! I have been trying to get the boys to clean up their rooms today so we can get the decorations down and deck the halls....they don't want to clean up. They DO want to decorate but they don't want to clean up.....makes NO sense to me!

It's picture day!

I've scheduled and rescheduled our family pictures about 4 times now. Today is the day. Brennen no longer has bruises on his forehead, Jared's scraped up nose is all better, the runny noses are minimal, I, of course, broke out for the occasion but can luckily put on makeup..... This is our first family (of 7) picture! It's the ONLY thing I want for Christmas and I can hardly wait! Please help me out and pray for the photographer to be patient, with a sense of humor. Pray that the boys are happy and not homicidal! This could be really bad......think good thoughts for me!

So it has begun.....

I know you may be thinking this is INCREDIBLY early to even be thinking about it but I cannot help myself.....I have started my Christmas shopping. Really, it IS early. BUT, I hate it when December comes around and I am not yet finished with the gift buying. I find myself scrambling then, buying things that I didn't want to buy because, well, the things I DID want to buy are no longer available. (You CAN still get them on Craigslist or Ebay but the cost is astronomical) I do find that if I wait to long to get started then it seems decisions must be made on wether we eat or the kids get gifts. I think that by starting earlier....say, last week...I will find that we can afford to both eat AND have a Merry Christmas come December. I am also cutting back drastically on the amount I spend as the economy just SUCKS! I've been cutting back little by little over the past several years and throwing in more family activities instead of more gifts. I find it rewarding....there are many more original photo ops too! I mean, seriously, after the umpteeth pic of your lovely child opening a gift, they all seem to run together! SO, yes, it has begun...the insanity that is the holiday season. I am going to do my best to be finished by Thanksgiving because, well, back when I only had 2 boys I was ALWAYS done by then. It makes the holidays much more relaxing! Give it a try!

SO, have you all started with the holiday shopping? Thinking about it? Any fun holiday family activities you think 5 boys would dig? Do tell!

Seriously though.....

How can it be that the holidays are already upon us? It seems like I just finished cleaning up after Christmas 06! Does anyone else out there feel like the years just absolutely RUSH by? SO, let's hear it.....any big Christmas wishes out there? Anything you're REALLY hoping is under your tree come next Tuesday/Wednesday? Me, well, I'd love me a new camera. Yeah, yeah, I got one last year......we all know how THAT turned out. (If you don't know...visit the archives....something about a camera vs. washing machine!) So, there's this Nikon D40.....it looks absolutely fabulous and I think it would feel just swell in my hands. Trouble is...it's BUCKS! So, I think I'm just going to start saving for it. They do have it at Costco for a decent price WITH a memory card and a sleek ZOOM lens. So, let the saving begin. So, what about you? What's your secret desire? Big or small, let me hear it....

So glad it's over!

While I LOVE Christmas and all the family and traditions, I am always SO glad when it's over. It's a lot of work! Being the mom is tough. I have to say, we had a really great Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve just hanging out with the boys until my dad finished up with the choir at church. We went up to my mom's for a quick couple of presents and some dessert. Then home, to wait for the kids to fall asleep, so we could play Santa. What a wait that was! Jake wasn't tired! UGH! Didn't seem to matter to him that I was exhausted! I've never had a newborn around Christmas and it was a very different kind of year for me Santa-wise. So.incredibly. sleepy! Not that Baby B isn't a great sleeper. He is. He's been sleeping from about 10:30-6 for several days now. It's just that when I have a baby, I tend to semi-sleep. I spend a great deal of time listening for the baby and being basically awake with my eyes closed. Not to mention the fact that he's sleeping with me since "he's too cold in his own bed" SO, you can imagine how comfy I am while trying not to smother my child all night long! Well, the boys woke up pretty early Christmas morn and we managed to get them to wait a bit to open their gifts. Then it was back up to Grandma's for more presents and brunch. My dad's sister and her hubby came up with 2 of my cousins. My other cousin and his wife and daughter were there as well. All in all it was a great day. My grandpa, aunt, uncle and cousin came up much later. There were STILL too many presents, even after everyone toned it down this year. The only downer part of the day was when Tucker (my lovely 8 year old) found it necessary to COMPLAIN that he was getting some clothes and not enough toys! At the last minute, I bought him a couple pairs of pants because he has grown so much. I figured I'd just wrap them to give him a couple more things to open. AND HE COMPLAINED! Little terd! He got A TON of stuff. My guys totally spoiled me this year. I was blown away when I got a great new digital camera on Christmas morn! It takes such great pics and when I figure it all out, I'll share those pics! LOL! I just about DIED when later on that evening, I got an IPOD! I told Jared that he spent a small fortune on me and I felt unworthy. He answered back that "it was nothing compared to what you did." What did I do? "Brennen!" he said. He's such a sweetie!

Unsuccessful

I tried to go out sans kids last night to get my Christmas shopping done. I didn't have much success in finding things I wanted to get them. Bummer! I'll try again while Tanner's in school today. Wish me luck, I'm running out of time!