3 Girls and a Guy

Christmas Break and Two BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!

We were off to a great start for Christmas Break. We headed to Incredible Pizza for our first time. That place is a money pit, but fun. The kids loved laser tag the most. They did it twice. Everything costs there, except you can go back to the buffet as many times as you wish. Kade loved the red slushy and all the kids loved the hot cinnamon rolls. They ate two or three times in the four hours we were there. It was crowded, but we left as the crowds came. My kids played so nicely together. The big kids helped the little ones and it was a nice outing. They bowled, laser tagged, bumper cars, and rode some arcade rides. Alex and Abby gave their tickets to Adri and Kaden to get prizes. Such nice girls.

Kaden got a bb gun for Christmas. A couple times during Christmas Break, Renn, Kade and sometimes Adri would shoot off the deck at milk cartons or boxes. As long as they weren't shooting cute Gracie, the bunny, I didn't care. It was fun to watch them freeze and shoot off the deck. Kade is getting better at aiming.

The night we came home from Incredible Pizza, Adri and Kaden got really sick. They had fevers of 103. Wednesday and Thursday were spent being so lazy and I enjoyed every second. Adri and Kade laid around and were so pleasant. They would snuggle with me and were so loving. Alex and Abby were busy doing sleepovers with friends and staying away from the sickos. It was so nice that the girls had fun things to do while I stayed home with the sickies. But then on Thursday night, Alex and I got sick. Abby got sick on Saturday, right after her bday and Renn came down with it on Jan 2nd. We all got sick, but some were more sick than others. Renn and I didn't get fevers, but body aches and coughs. Alex and I got really bad sinus infections. All the kids got high fevers. It made Christmas Break super relaxing. I loved it. Life is so crazy and I needed the break. We think this all came from my parents house on Christmas. Pita, Ashley, Matthew, Grammie and Papa all got this sickness right before we did. We passed it around.

All week I was concerned if I would make it to GNO. Tawny came in town for Christmas Break and we had this planned forever. I made it. I got sick during the night right after GNO. I hope I didn't give it to anyone. I love these girls. I needed lots of sisters and I didn't get enough. It was a fun night with lots of laughs and CHIMPSY desserts. It's so fun to get together once a month and talk and talk and talk. We talked till 11 p.m. We love the months Tawny comes, because she is so fun to make fun of and she cracks us up. We've been buds for over 11 years. Our schedules are so crazy these days with lots of busy children, but we do our best to make it every month. It's a much needed break from life.

On the way home from GNO, I was blowing up balloons in the car. The next day was Abby's bday and it was not decorated and presents were not wrapped. I knew I had a lot to do so I started in the car. Haha. I also was awake all night trying to come up with a great present for my mom's 60th bday. Between decorating, body aches and thinking of mom's bday, I think I got four hours of sleep.

I was still bound and determined to make Abby's bday the best amongst the sickies. As long as we were drugged, we were able to play and have fun with Abby. Abby wanted homemade sweet rolls for her bday breakfast. That would have taken all day, so we got some yummy pillsbury ones and she loved them. Abby got an I Home for her new I Touch, a new fuzzy blanket, a jewelry holder, and some other little things.

We ran a few errands in the morning for Grammie's bday present, played uno attack (present from Grammie for Abby's bday), bought Abby her favorite onion rings, and got ready for the big night. Haha. We all went to dinner at 4 p.m. to Cafe Rio. We love that place. Not Renn as much as the rest of us. Everyone was sick except for Renn and Abby, so we stayed drugged up so we wouldn't ruin her day. That night was came home and played games all night, uno attack, dominos etc.. We also made brownies and had brownie, candy cane ice cream, and fudge sundaes. Sooooo yummy. Our neighbors had a big New Year's Eve party and we had to back out because of all the fevers. It was a nice night with just our little fam.

We all ended up on the couch watching movies, and the ball fall. I actually went to bed at 1030 p.m. because I felt like crap. Kade fell asleep and the three girls stayed up in the family room until midnight. I was awake in my room watching it in bed. The girls were loud at midnight and then went right to bed. I think Abby had a great 11th bday and we didn't miss the big parties at all.

New Year's Day we all got drugged up and spent the day de-junking the house. If we had to stay home and be sick, we wanted to get something done. Renn was home and helped like crazy too. It was the best day ever. We took all of Christmas down, went through all the kids rooms, closets, toy room, our closet, and got rid of lots. We had a car load for the DI and a car load for the dump. There is no better feeling than a clean house. We dusted every room and made everything look neat and tidy. Too bad it doesn't last long, but it was awesome to feel like we all worked together and did an amazing job even though we were all drugged and sick at times. My kids were the best helpers that day. We made fettucini for dinner and stayed in our pj's all day.

My mom and dad had been sick in bed ever since Christmas. We were not sure if the party was going to actually happen on her bday, Sunday, Jan 2, 2011. My mom was getting back to normal and the party went on. My dad invited over the whole family, some of my mom's siblings, friends and my grandparents. My dad has thrown some extravagant and expensive parties for my mom's 40th and 50th bdays. My mom begged to do something low key and it was perfect. We all went over for ice cream and cake. It was a fun night. What an awesome lady. What an awesome 60 years she has made of her life. She is so giving, loving, perfect, a great listener, never gossips, angel, peacemaker, and kind to everyone. No better lady or mother. I just wished she knew how to play more. Haha. I'm a player and she is not.

I stressed all week for a meaningful gift for my mom. I finally came up with it the night I didn't sleep. My mom's name is Julie so I did things that represented each letter in her name.

J-Joyful I gave her a ornament that had JOY on it. She always has a smile and is full of joy!

U-Ultimate Gift. She is everyone's Ultimate Gift that knows her. I gave her a book mark of Christ and a plaque that said "Families are Forever." Two other ultimate gifts.

L-Lovely lady. My mom is a classy lady and very lovely. She exemplifies how a woman should act and carry herself. I gave her some of her favorite lipstick. She will never go anywhere without lipstick and she teaches that to all women.

I-Inspiration. She is an inspiration and inspires all of us to be better and do better. I gave her a CD from Hillary Weeks with inspirational music. My mom's given us the gift to love inspirational music. Also I gave her some popcorn and butter spray because that is one of her indulgences.

E-Extra. My mom always goes the extra mile in all that she does. She is also an example of how to live. I gave her EXTRA gum, her favorite.

I wrapped it up cute in a basket. You can see the basket above. My mom loved it. I loved that I had thought of it. I know I get my creative little side from my mother. She always thinks of cute ways to do things, and I try to be like her.

I took a pic of my mom and dad, per my dad's request. Cute parents. The cakes were awesome.

Fun party and fun to be with family to celebrate a fabulous lady's life that has touched us all. We love you Grammie Girl. You are the best grandma and mother. We are happy you are ours!!!

It's back to school, dance and life. Adri and Kaden are off track and it hasn't been so bad. I'm amazed. We go to lunch here and there, have playdates, and hangout. It's January and we can't wait till it's over.