Santa's Crash Landing

Too much eggnog.

That had to be it.

Even after the unfortunate sickness that fell upon our household just before Christmas,  it did not ruin the actual day. 

So Christmas morning, we finished opening presents, and sat down for breakfast.

Dylan looks out the window, and says, "Mommy, what's that?"

We look and there is a large sheet of wrapping paper hanging off our roof. 

I blamed Jeff.  "Oh, I'm sure it's something your Daddy left out."

"I didn't do that!" he defended.

Eva, always curious, investigated a little further.
"Mommy!  There is a hat hanging up there too!"

So after breakfast, we all went outside. 

Dylan went out to shoot his eye out, with his new bow and arrow, while the rest of us stared at the roof.




Jeff climbed up there, he found paper, a hat, bells, and string.

There was also a big dent in the gutter! 

Apparently, Santa crash landed onto our roof last night, and left some evidence behind in the dark.

It had to be too much eggnog.

The trip for gingerbread from hell

On the way home one day, I asked Dyleva if they wanted to stop and buy our annual gingerbread houses. 

We are so crazy...walking into a Wegmans with two children at 5PM on a weekday. 

Dyleva chose their houses quickly....we got into line to checkout...we waited our turn....and just as we began to check out, Dylan looks at me.

"Mommy, I REALLY have to go.  I can't wait."

Uh oh.

We were in view of the bathroom, so I said, "Eva, look at that sign, can you take your brother to the bathroom?"

She was on the job.

So I finish checking out, and head toward the bathroom.

I get there, and there is Dyleva staring at me. 

"What are you doing? He has to go!"

Eva gestures and the ladies bathroom is closed.  

Apparently some 14 year old kid has decided to clean the ladies room at 5PM on a weekday.

Seriously?

I ushered her with Dylan into the men's room while I waited outside before he had an accident on the floor. 

And I waited.  And waited.

People have been pushing past me going in and going out. 

Meanwhile, the fourteen year old has exited the ladies room and now is waiting with me, to enter the men's room for cleaning. 
He is unable to enter with children inside.  So we become best buddies, hanging in a hallway together. 

Eventually, I open the door, and yell in, "Are you guys okay?"

"Mommy, Dylan has to go caca!"

Enough said. 

Ten minutes later.

Eva?

"Mommy, Dylan had to go caca, and now I have to go caca!"

Really?

Meanwhile, some guy comes out and tells me they are in there discussing  ninja turtles and violence.

I swear to god I was outside that bathroom for at least 40 minutes hanging with the fourteen year-old.

When they eventually emerged, we left.

Rush hour traffic.  It took us 20 minutes to go 2 miles.

What a disaster. 


But check out the results.

"Frozen" gingerbread house

Ninja Turtle sewer gingerbread house

Enano

He's back!

Enano is what Dyleva had named the elf on the shelf.

I think this is his fourth year at our house. 

Eva is especially excited to wake up every day and find where he is.  It is the first thing she thinks of the moment she is out of bed.

Dylan is apathetic.  I think he views the elf as another sibling there to snitch on him.

Here are some of our sneaky Enano hiding spots. 

Baby Anna

I love baby Anna.

When I had Dylan, I passed Baby Anna down to Eva as a consolation prize. 

But she actually gets it; she treasures her and takes care of her and sleeps with her every night.  (She plays with her other dolls also, but Anna is her consistent favorite.)

Well Eva was named star student this week.  She asked if she could bring Baby Anna in to her class to show her to her teacher and friends. 

So we cleaned her up and brushed her hair...the best we could. 

Later that night, she asks me, "Mommy, what did Baby Anna look like when she was younger?"

So I called up my Mom, and she sent me a photo of my first Christmas, when I got her from Santa. 

Me and Baby Anna (Check out the cool 70's decor!)

****

The next day I asked her about it, and she was clearly upset.

She started to explain that some of the kids thought Baby Anna was ugly and messy. 

The years have not been kind.  Who are you to judge?

She was sad, and dramatic.

But then I heard sobbing.  I look over and Dylan is crying uncontrollably.  "They were mean to Baby Anna."

Oh my precious babies. 

Christmas season!

Fire truck parade

"Eva, you realize if you rip all the chains off your Christmas cadena, it does not make Christmas come any quicker."

"Whatever Mommy."



We have decidedthat we like the Christmas season more than the actual Christmas day.  (We meaning pretty much me.)



"Dylan, you realize even if you eat all of your gingerbread house, it does not make Christmas come any quicker."

"Uh huh."

Not being especially religious, we partake in many of the holiday activities to heighten our Christmas spirit. 





At the Nutcracker


I don't know how long it lasts, but Jeff and I want to make it as magical as possible for them while they are young, while they still believe and get excited about everything!



It is so much fun to watch the delight and amazement in their faces. 

Last night we watched the Polar Express while we snuggled by the fire and drank hot cocoa.  They were so engrossed in the movie it was fun to watch there expressions.

Doodlebug Performance

We just finished our Christmas cards.  Eva was in charge of putting the stamp on each card, and Dylan sealed the back of each one. 


Last week we went to get our Christmas tree and decorate it.  Dyleva played hide and seek again running around and dodging trees.  Yes, they really love us there. 

We actually saw Santa while we were there.  We were sitting outside on the steps and Jeff was paying for the tree.  He came walking up to us out of the parking lot.  We could not figure out where he parked the sleigh!

Oh it was so much fun decorating with our 200 ornaments.  All we heard was: "I want to put that one on!  I had that one first!"

This year we actually strung cranberries as well.  But we have not gotten to the popcorn yet.

Last week we also went to see the Nutcracker.  It was amazing, it was a children's performance.  We got all 

Viewing of "Home Alone"

dressed up for our night out.  Again, the kids were dazzled by all the effects and decorations and beautiful music.  It was a two and a half hour performance though....they were exhausted and a little antsy by the end.


Going carolling





Dylan's Captain America doughnuts

Marley and his new baby

One Amazing Weekend

After Thanksgiving, we headed north for our mystery destination.  On the way down the road, Dylan burst into tears. 
When we asked him what was wrong he yelled, "I'm not buckled in!!!"

Whoops. 
It happens.   
But it was funny.

So, on the road again.

The news predicted two hour waits at the border; we got right in. 

Our hotel overlooked Niagara Falls. 
Our check-in was at 4PM.  We arrived at 1:30.  Again, no wait, room available. 
Nice. 

When we got to our room, Wow!  What an amazingly beautiful view!  Later the holiday lights went on, and it was wonderful. 

We began our adventure by going to the waterpark; uncrowded and warm.

Dyleva was sufficiently tired out after a couple hours.  We took a break, and ate dinner at the Hard Rock. 
Of course, I happened to find myself sitting under Dave Matthews guitar....
What are the odds?

Later we returned to the waterpark for some adventure play.

Eventually, we returned to the room. 
Dyleva spent over an hour soaking in the bathtub, because there was a TV in there.  A Christmas program was on.

Seriously? Soaking in the bathtub while watching a Christmas program

 
My kids have the life. 

Just before we were nestled, all snug in our beds, fireworks began outside our window. 

Are you kidding me?  How much more perfect could the night have been?

****
I woke up in a marshmellow bed and Starbucks coffee.

We had a little desayuno, and then headed for the waterpark yet again.

Afterward, we took the kids up Clifton Hill.

There is so many cheesy activities to choose from...where do we begin?

Well, with the big-ass ferris wheel of course.  It was warmer than the outside and no wait. 

Again, beautiful views.  We could see the Maid of the Mist and both waterfalls. 






Next we explored the "House of Mirrors..."  I don't know.  It seemed like a good idea in the freezing cold wind....

We lunched at the equally cheesy Rainforest café, and then headed south of the border.

For the record, Dyleva was intrigued by the shark and simulated thunderstorm at the Rainforest Café.

Success.  A journey over the border.