HoHoHo

If you haven't already heard this one...What's the difference between Tiger Woods and Santa? Santa stopped at 3 hoes. Oh, that's awful... anyways, on a brighter note, Jesus' Birthday! I wonder how it came to be that others (we) got presents on His birthday? Anyways, it's fun. My children had a wonderful time (and thus, we, the parents, did too). The kids got entirely too much stuff. Yet, I stayed under my budget this Christmas. Where do I begin? Christmas is so much more fun with little kids -much more "magical". I never really believed in Santa growing up but it's cute to do the whole Santa bit with my kids...they sprinkled reindeer food outside (birdseed and glitter), left out cookies and milk. We made the cookies that night - Reindeer Cookies. (Super easy - a roll of peanut butter cookie dough, shape it into a triangle, cut, put little pretzel twists as antlers, chocolate chips as eyes, and red hot as nose. or you can use maraschino cherries and raisins for the eyes). *sidenote* Dang..anyone else have trouble making sugar cookie cut outs this year? Those things are hard and time consuming! I have so much more appreciation for the people that can get them out actually looking like their cookie cutter shapes.*
Then of course it's quickly open presents, cut out all those annoying straps that attach toys to their packaging, add batteries, throw out paper and boxes, pack for a day in the country, load up the Griswolds and it's off to Grandmother's house we go. We spent the day at Leon's mom's house along with his whole family. Quite a full house. The kids had fun playing with their cousins they hadn't seen in 3 years...well, Emory met them for the first time (they live in NM), played in the snow (Yes, we had a WHITE Christmas thanks to the foot and a half that was dropped on us a couple days earlier!), visited Leon's godparents, and hit the road back to our place. Leon's sister and her husband stayed that night, then his brother, his wife and their 3 kids were here for the next 2 nights. whew...did I get it all in mostly? Well, the point is...we had a great time. I saw the movie "It's Complicated" last night with my two sister-in-laws...a cute flic...I "lol'd" several times. Now, we'll have a few peaceful days at home before we head out to Norfolk area for New Year's. (my friend is having a 30th bday party out thataway, and we'll get to hang with Leon's sisters too.)
Hmm, perhaps I'll add some pictures later after the shutterfly album I'm downloading is done.
I just asked Emory where she wants to go tonight (caus the boys are at a bball game) and she said, "I want to go to McDonalds. Peas!!" um, negative... I've completely acted like a glutton the last few weeks, plan on doing it another week, then it's off to the Y (5 days a week?!) and 0 point vegtable soup here I come! More on New Year's Resolutions later.
Till then... Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!