m.o.M - mother of Michael

The Children are Nestled all Snug in Their Beds

Or they will be soon...I hope!

Lizzy and Michael made special Santa Claus cookies this evening. His very favorite kind; the one's with extra icing.Fortunately only one was

put out along with the carrot for Rudolph.

Michael's big concern has been having any confusion between his gifts and any gifts for his father since they share a name. He told his father that if there was a big box  that said Michael, it would be for him. Michael (big) asked, "Why couldn't it be for me?" Michael (small) replied, "The only thing I asked for was a pogo stick and that would be in a big box, so the big box would be for me and not you."

Hmm. Can't argue with that logic.

But, Michael posted this sign on the window next to the tree...just to be sure.

The other big concern of the evening was the lack of a chimney. We tried to explain that Santa would get in with the gifts no matter what. Michael wasn't sure that was really true so he took  an ornament that he'd made at school off the tree and had Michael (big) put it up high on the front door...just in case.

Once all my son's neuroses were subdued and the annual reading of "The Night Before Christmas" was done, my children were tucked into their beds. So far, I've only had to tell Michael once that Santa's going to get tired of circling while he waits for him to go to sleep.

Now, I'm going to curl up on the couch with Michael (big) and watch what's left of "It's a Wonderful Life" because, you know what?, it is!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

A Very, Merry Preschool Christmas

Yesterday was the Christmas Party and Sing-Along at Michael's preschool. The party started in the chapel with the telling of the Christmas story. Bouncer, the assistant pastor's collie tried to pass as one of the sheep. He made me think of Snoopy in "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

After singing, shepards and wise men, the kids were all invited up to look at the baby. Michael said, "It was just a doll, Mom!" Thank goodness because any real baby would have been crushed by all
those  children gathering so close around.

After that, it was off to the classroom for some overly decorated cookies that the kids had made and some more singing! My favorite was the song about throwing snowballs at at the appropriate time, all the kids threw their "snowballs" at the parents.

On the Seventh Day of Christmas...

my swap pal sent to me snowman playing ca-ards

emery boards for filing

some gold-en pins!

a blue sti-itch marker

brand-new chibi needles

Sock-shaped point protectors

and a tape measure with inches o-on it.

On the Sixth Day of Christmas...

my swap pal sent to me emery boards for filing

some gold-en pins!

a blue sti-itch marker

brand-new chibi needles

Sock-shaped point protectors

and a tape measure with inches o-on it.

On the Fifth Day of Christmas

my swap pal sent to me some gold-en pins!

a blue sti-itch marker

brand-new chibi needles

Sock-shaped point protectors

and a tape measure with inches o-on it.

Breakfast with the Big Guy

Yesterday was the big breakfast with Santa. Michael could hardly wait to tell him that he wants a Pogo Stick for Christmas.

A Pogo Stick? Where did he come up with that? And what's with his godmother who sent him one for Christmas? They must be in cahoots.

I guess it's good that his godmother anticipated his wish because telling Santa was a bust! The moment Michael climbed up onto Santa's knee, he clammed up and wouldn't say a word.

After a hearty beakfast of Mickey Mouse pancakes, grits, fruit and S.O.S., Michael did go back to discuss reindeer with Santa. They had a long conversation during which I hope Santa saw fit to mention that he sees when Michael's behaving as well as when he's not.

Between the hand gestures of the elf behind Santa who was talking to Mrs. Claus and Santa's hand, you have to wonder what kind of people these Claus' are and what kind of shop they're really running up there.

Michael must have made an impression because Santa followed that discussion up with letter today! Very exciting!

On the Fourth Day of Christmas...

my swap pal sent to me a blue sti-itch marker

brand-new chibi needles

Sock-shaped point protectors

and a tape measure with inches o-on it.

Look Who's Five!

Michael turned five last Thursday.

Five. That first milestone birthday. The first birthday that you really acknowledge. The birthday that you can announce by holding a whole hands full of fingers up and say, "Look at me! I'm five!"

Since the current favorite movie is "Cars", the theme of the party was easy to decide upon.

Lightening McQueen, the star of "Cars" for those of you who are not in the know, was the model for the cake and dear Michael outdid himself again.

One of the many challenges, other than how to bake a spoiler, was how to get the frosting red enough. Several bottles of red food coloring later and Lightening McQueen was as red as he could get without being toxic. (I kept having visions of this cake looking like Lightening's ex-girlfriend, Barbie.)

Not only was this cake cute, it was delicious. Homemade red velvet cake layered with strawberries and bananas. I'll be sorry when that last piece goes. Probably tonight.

We had a lot of fun. Patti, Tom Terrific, Erik, my parents, my mother-in-law, and Lizzy and her boyfriend, Brian were  all here to celebrate Michael's special day. It was a good day.

Then again, any day I'm not in labor is a good day.

"Why buy good luggage? You only use it when you travel." - Yogi Berra

eBay loves me, this I know
cuz their email told me so!         

You are on a roll! You're halfway to your Blue Star. We want you to know that we noticed how busy you've been on eBay, and we appreciate your business. Achieving a feedback level of 25 is great.

Thank you for contributing in such a positive way to the overall success of eBay. We hope you'll continue to do what you're doing so well--and before you know it, you'll have your Blue Star!

We want you to know how happy we are to have you as a member of the eBay community. People like you make and keep eBay strong. Keep it up!

I love that: "Continue to do what you're doing so well." Umm, shopping? I'm glad that I make eBay strong, but I think I'll take a break now.                  

Packing commenced today and is almost done! I never thought that all my stuff, my collection of things I never knew existed prior to six weeks ago would fit in my bag with room to spare. And room to spare is very important for all the cool stuff I want to buy!

 

On the Third Day of Christmas...

my swap pal sent to me brand-new chibi needles

Sock-shaped point protectors

and a tape measure with inches o-on it.