MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well, wouldn't you know - it wouldn't be a holiday at our house without....someone is getting sick! JR woke up Christmas morning at 6:30, considerably earlier than his sister (who decided to sleep in until 8 AM - UNHEARD of). At 9 AM, when JR was curling up with his blanket on the floor - I thought it was a bit odd. I also thought he was the teeniest bit warm before he went down for his nap at 11:30. So, when we took his temp at 2 PM - 104.2 - I wasn't surprised. At least we were able to get through the morning before he started feeling to crappy. Dr.'s verdict (after a strep test) is a viral sore throat. No biggie, should be doing better in a few days.

Anyhow, here's our holiday:

On Friday, family friends came over and we did Ginger Bread houses. The kids weren't as into them as we would have hoped, but hey :) It was fun anyway. We got up Christmas Eve and had a breakfast of strawberry crepes. JR wasn't having the crepe part, but the whipped cream and strawberries were cool. Ms. Attitude wasn't having any of it.

After breakfast we headed outside for some burn-off-some-pre-Christmas-steam. I swear, even though the kids really didn't KNOW what they were in for...they sort of did.

The kids went down for late naps, and I got to work...a couple of my creations -

Apple Pie, Jeff's new favorite:

And Holiday Rum Cake:

Then we played, fed, and dressed for candlelight service. The kids did pretty well - as well as you could have hoped for a 1.5 year old and 3 year old.

Then home and Christmas PJ's.

With the kiddos all nestled snug in their beds....Mr. & Mrs. Claus got to work. Finally Christmas day -

Of course, we made sure to take the new wheels for a spin....I can't get over how quickly little kids take to riding a bike. The whole pedaling thing is a bit beyond JR, but he likes riding!

And....we have meltdown time. Poor kid was so tired he couldn't even see straight, he just wanted to go to bed.

So, pretty good Christmas all things told. The kids have been happily playing since yesterday. Big news in the house is that Janna is sans diaper - ready or not! We just went cold turkey, per the ped's recommendation. It also appears that Janna has given up her nap. Her schedule has completely shifted around, and now she's skipping the afternoon nap but sleeping until 8 AM. Between the two wheeler, no diapers, and no nap - I really feel like I'm down a baby. She's all grown up now..sniff, sniff....

Anyhow, we hope the holiday was good for everyone else. I'm already contemplating next year....