Winter Blahs

Winter seems like it has been so long already, and Groundhog Day was only the halfway point. It's this time of year when I really wished we lived in the south, so the kids could go outside more often. They *seriously* need to get outside, because their running around inside the house is driving us nuts. Jordis made it outside one day to play in the snow. This girl LOVES winter.

We've been playing lots of games.

We've even had successful trips to the library. I quit taking both kids at the same time after an incident where I had to carry one of them sideways, kicking and screaming, from the back of the library to the car while said child was pulling my dress off. It was quite a show for this little town. But a few weeks ago I let them each get their own library card.

Now we're having successful trips where we cooperate, learn how to look for books on the shelves and *gasp* have calm bodies with indoor voices.

The kids have done some chillin' by the fireplace, which we also use to dry coats, hats and gloves.

This week Xander was out of school for three days due to ice and we spent 12 hours without power. You know it's bad when your kids get half naked and start trading fishing baits in your family room.

Mayday, mayday!

Happy New Year!

We started, (or ended, depending on how you look at it) our year on a quiet note. We're not big New Year's Eve party people to begin with and Jason had to work at 6 a.m. on New Year's Day, so we just hung out at home. It was so warm on New Year's Eve! It got up into the upper 60's so we went outside with the kids. They put on a lovely concert for us in the driveway.

We are also not typical when it comes to our New Year's Day eating, because we don't like the traditional foods that most people serve. So I made us brunch for dinner. Just don't look at my homemade cinnamon rolls. I was already making the dough when I realized I didn't have enough flour so I attempted to use some wheat flour. Won't be doing that again. Anyway, I got out the china and let the kids drink orange juice with grenadine and some 7-Up mixed in, so it was good enough for them. Added some candlelight and we had our own little fancy evening.

Haircuts

Shortly before Christmas I decided to cut off a whopping 13+ inches of my hair. It was hot in the summer, full of static in the winter and after so many layers put in it was still giving me headaches if I pulled it up (which was most every day). So I decided to donate it.

Jordis soon decided that she wanted to do the same. I really hate fighting with her all the time to comb and style her hair, but it's always been so pretty. And it's pretty much all the hair she's had since birth, with the exception of a few trims. However, when a four-year-old wants to do something really selfless to help another child, how can I tell her no? Okay, I probably could have told her no when she requested a kid place, but I wanted her to have a good experience since cutting that much hair could be traumatic. So I made her an appointment at Sweet and Sassy, but on a Monday when it's 40% off. I just can't justify a $25 haircut for a 4-year-old. She waited excitedly for her turn.

She was a little shy at first, but started to warm up as she got her hair separated into pony tails for the big chop.

I almost couldn't watch my baby have all of her gorgeous hair cut off. Jason said maybe he should take MY picture, peeking at Jordis through the fingers of the hand that I had held up against my eyes. But the moment passed and we all watched with anticipation as her new little style took shape. Nanny Mo even stopped by to check things out.

After the haircut Jordis was sprayed with glitter and got stamps on her face, which just so happened to match the outfit she was wearing. She then conned her daddy into getting her nails done. Did I mention she has big brown puppy dog eyes? Her daddy has the same eyes, so this skill works much better with him than it does with me.

And when all was said and done it was time to walk the runway. Xander had to join in as well.

My big girl, before and after:

Christmas Day

After a leisurely morning at home my mom and step-dad came over for lunch and some gift opening.

Dr. Jordis spent the afternoon taking care of her patients.....


...while Xander taught Ba how to play his newc Wii game.

We don't get a lot of family time, so it was a nice way to spend the holiday.

Christmas morning

I'm so behind. My dog is sick, the oven is broken, and we're still adjusting to Jason being back on 3rd shift. So here goes:

Santa was here

Kids were excited

The kids requested a trip to the store to spend their own money on gifts for Jason. It was very cute. They each decided to buy him some bait for fishing.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Christmas Eve

Jason had to work on Christmas Eve so as soon as he got home we piled in the car and went to my dad and step-mom's. We had a small window to gather before they had to leave for their church service. We had an early dinner of sandwiches, potato salad, chips, dips, cookies and candy before opening presents.

The packaging is always more fun than the actual gifts, isn't it?

Having a "moment"

Everyone else


After leaving we took the kids to a street in a neighboring city that has twenty-two homes of Christmas lights set to music. On the way home we stopped to see my step-brother at the restaurant where he works. Got home, set out cookies for Santa, and put the kids to bed. For once they were more than eager to get to sleep.

Latiolais Christmas

We had some work conflicts with multiple family members, so our holiday celebrating with Jason's family was the Sunday before Christmas. It worked out nicely because it spaced out the festivities and the kids had some new things to play with the first week of winter vacation. Xander helped me prepare by making some reindeer snacks for everyone.

After dinner it was a free-for-all with the gifts.

We all chipped in and got Jason's parents this blanket. It turned out to be even nicer than we'd excpected.

Then the obligatory family pictures. Jordis loves this dress my aunt made her and refused to put on any attire related to Christmas or winter.