Christmas Break

A few more days and we'll be back to the normal schedule, and then some- with basketball starting this week. Christmas break has been......surprisingly- amazing. I'm not sure what has made it so wonderful. I can't pin point why behavior has been so angelic. (well that's not an adjective that I should ever pair up with my kids- but you get the picture) Here are some possibilities: 1) Grandma Lynn blessed us with a trampoline for Christmas! Its impact- is more than I can put into words. The kids LOVE it. Libby wakes up asking to play on the "Trampaleena". They can all play together. They can get out all their energy. They are caged in. Need I say more? It's amazing to look out the window and see their laughing faces. Simply amazing. Thanks Grandma!
2) Luke has his playmate back. They have really been getting along great. Maybe they are maturing. Maybe it's just excitement about new Christmas toys. I'll take it either way.
3) Libby seems more content when they are all home. It's crazy, she will play better by herself when they are around, then when they aren't. It appears she feels more comfortable and happy when she knows they are there.
4) More individualized time? I've strangely been able to give all of them some one-on-one. It's been nice. Individuals can really get lost in a group. It's hard to completely know your child when they are constantly changing and you don't have much time alone with them to see it.
5) Excitement. Christmas was wonderful. We missed seeing Jer's folks- but are planning to next week. The kids had a great time with their new lego sets, Mario Karts and the cherished "tramp".

Chess? Good thing I had to teach it in school a few years ago- or he would beat me in no time.

They got new food for the kitchen (Thanks Grandma Linda!) and had fun planning meals and playing house. Ian was the dad and all of the sudden I heard his manly voice- declaring that it was time for prayer. The only reason I was able to catch this, is because Ian's prayers resemble Obama's speeches. He has these intentional, powerful pauses in them.....it. is. hilarious.

Pirates that day...

celebrating mom's big 3-0! Thirty is the new twenty!

Making pizza together. That's a challenge.

Trying to ice skate. this was a bust.

Christmas morning!

Pillow pets from aunt Shannon and Uncle Darin! HUGE hit!

And normal everyday fun of dumping my folded clean clothes pile and playing games in the laundry baskets. and THAT's why I can't go off and do things while they are playing for extended periods.

So- it's been great. It's been fulfilling. Maybe another reason I feel good is that I'm (whah whahhhhhh) dieting. I know- go ahead and gasp. Not because you think I'm a size 0, but because you know my LOVE and passion and obsession and compulsion and..and.and.my relationship with food. I've always been able to balance it out with my workout plans and being so busy at work - with no time for increased calories. But now that I'm making several more meals a day at home....I'm in the danger zone. Jer and I are both trying to be more aware of our food intake and the nutritional value (or lack there of) in the foods that we eat or snack on. So, it's been a week. We have our "weigh-in" tomorrow. ;) I would post the before pictures, but I vomit a little in my mouth when I look at them. If he sticks to it, he will SHED pounds- just like the guys in biggest loser. I'll tinker by and maybe get a few here and there. Mostly, I want my body toned again. I got a new workout DVD series for my Bday, and it's been great. It's shorter in time but more intense, so I can do it in the mornings and not have workouts hanging over my head all day. That has probably relieved a LOT of stress. That and the fact that potty training is over- and I will never have to do it again. ;) Unless God gets real humorous and works past the tubal ligation.