And just for fun since our attempt at Christmas card photos was a flop, here are our big boys being the four year olds that they are!

I should apologize.  I am so excited about Christmas and am already planning my Christmas card.  I am that annoying early person who gets their cards out as close to Thanksgiving as possible.  So in the spirit of trying to be prepared, I’ve perused Christmas card options and …. well.. I have a problem.  I like about 5 designs and can’t decide.  So, I will apologize in advance if you receive all 5 and have no room for anyone else on your fridge!  In all seriousness, there are some darn right adorable templates this year.  This could spell trouble!  When do you receive your card in the mail, please know that it was a VERY hard decision! And to think, back in the day when I was little, photo cards were a BIG deal.  We received only a handful.  By high school, most had taken a liking to photo greetings but there were but 2 options so we all ended up with the same boring borders and cheesy text.  And here we are today.  Liking so many that I may need to start sending cards to strangers!

I have to share a cute Chris story.  This week, Mike worked from home on Thursday as I had 2 Dr.’s appointments in the morning and needed a hand with rides to school and watching little Mr. Jake.  Mike to the rescue….  He played super Daddy and I couldn’t have been more thankful.  He ran errands, took the little guy to the park and held down the fort.  What a guy!  While working from home, he headed to the police station to get finger prints done for a license needed for work.  Aiden went along for the ride.  During their time away, Chris said “Hey Mom, do you want to get your fingers painted?”  I explained that girls love to have their nails painted but this Mommy is too practical and would rather save my spending money for other treats.  Chris said “Well then do only Daddies get their fingers painted?”  Still not understanding what he was referring to, I explained that usually Mommies go as a super treat and Daddies aren’t usually into that kind of thing…. Chris pipes up “Well then what’s wrong with our Daddy if he likes to get his fingers painted.” Ahhhh!  Sometimes the little misunderstandings are just what you need to lighten up the day!

On a side note, I got good news all around at my appointments.  I have had significant hip pain since delivering Jake and was referred to the Orthopedic surgeon months back but wasn’t able to schedule until November.  I am counting my blessings as it isn’t a problem with my hips but rather inflammation and muscular. I’m hopeful cross training and some ibuprofen round the clock for a few months will help.  I still have a strong desire to run a half marathon once these old hips stop creaking!  Any takers in joining me?  Another praise, is that I didn’t need a TB shot as I anticipated.  Silly me stepped on a nail in the attic last weekend.  Without much thought, I stuck on a bandage and went about my week.  A few days later, my smarter other half inquired about whether I should be concerned about TB since it was a puncture wound with a dirty nail.  Humm… Unsure of exactly what TB was, I was going to risk it, until I referenced Google and decided random muscle spasms and locked joints didn’t sound like fun. The nurse strongly recommended I get the booster so off I went only to find out that the booster was in the DTAP shot I received at the end of my pregnancy in March!  Score that I didn’t need a shot and didn’t have to worry about TB.  Bummer that I wasted a morning in the Dr.’s office unnecessarily.  Our streak of good health continues!  How did we get so lucky?

This weekend has been just what we needed.  Relaxing.  Am I weird for getting excited about have a productive day at home?  It feels GREAT to be crossing things off our to-do list… we’re talking tasks from last summer.  Yay!  I must share that it is a special treat for the boys to watch tv.  So special that they sat quietly and watched an entire episode of Dora….. On the Spanish channel…. not understanding a word of it but still sitting quietly and enjoying.  It wasn’t until the show was over that Chris said “Hey Mom, do you know what they said?"  From the kitchen I had no idea what he was talking about and entered the living room to see a spanish ad. Ohhh kids!