Nutshell

I'm not doing very well at keeping my New Year's resolution to catch up. Maybe what I really meant was that for 2012 I was going to ketchup. That's it. Ketchup. I think I'll be able to do that.

So December and January happened, but I haven't blogged about it at all because the bloggable mass is so great that I find it extremely daunting. So I've just procrastinated instead.

Here is how I'm going to get over this hurdle. What you get is a bite-sized version of the past two months in a nutshell, and what I get is relief from knowing that it needs to be done. Deal? Good. Let us commence.

At the end of November, Seth was awarded the school's "Dragonmaster" reading award. It pretty much means he is only the best reader ever. Well, him and that other kid that got it also. They have currently read more than anyone else in the school. Does that surprise anyone?

Christmas happened. Millie slept through Santa at the extended-family party on Christmas Eve.
Evy was awake, but miserable since her eardrum had just ruptured that morning.
The Tylenol and Amoxicillin had kicked in by bedtime, and they were all smiling in their new pjs. Millie is in the helmet .... though this will be the last helmeted baby picture you see of her. Not long after this she figured out how to pull it off and refused to leave it alone. The orthotist decided she was close enough to symmetrical to call it quits. Yay!
So Christmas happened, but I didn't get any really great pictures of it. Here is one I love of the kiddos playing with one of Thomas' gifts though. Our entire playroom was a giant mess of toys for all of Christmas break. It wasn't even worth thinking about cleaning up until they all went back to school.
The twins were over their colds by New Year and seemed a lot happier, though Ev was still dealing with ear issues. (Amelia is sitting, Evelyn is standing).
For part of the extended-family New Year party I had the kids help me recycle a bunch of glass baby food bottles by making a colored sand art project.
Alice's turned out cool.
We went bowling. Most of us opted to button our pants. Some of us didn't.
These guys (plus Michael) went snow shoeing. I stayed home with the babies.
Thomas and Lilly didn't actually do much snow shoeing though.
After six weeks of continual ear infections, two perforations and four rounds of antibiotics we arrived at the conclusion that Evelyn needed tubes. They have been miraculous..... she's finally sleeping through the night again!
Did you know National Popcorn Day is January 19? We celebrated with family by making and sampling a dozen different varieties. The twins supervised. (Ev left, Millie right)
Still reading? Thanks for hanging in there.

There you have it. Ketchup.

A Visit With The Jolly Old Elf

"I'm too old to sit on Santa's lap, thank you very much....... but I wouldn't mind at all if he brought me a Wii game or a Ninjago Lego set, I suppose."
"Why yes, I have been a very good girl. I help with the babies and only fight with Thomas occasionally. I would like a praying mantis habitat. You haven't had any other little girls asking for praying mantis habitats, have you? I do hope there is not a shortage."
"Hello there Santa! Don't ask if I've been a good boy. I think the twin sister situation should count as a handicap toward my overall goodness. The fact is, I'm a five year old boy. I do the best I can with what I have to work with. I have a fixation with bathroom humor, I can't keep my hands to myself and I loooooove to tease my sisters. Mom always says I'm a sweetheart though, and I'm pretty helpful most of the time. I also have an excellent attitude. Doesn't that count for something? Don't say anything.......while you think about it, I just thought I'd let you know I'd like a Hot Wheels racetrack. Certainly I've earned at least that....."