Merry Christmas!

The girls had a great Christmas! Ellie woke up before 8 AM, but we had to wake Claire up at 8:30. We trudged downstairs to see what Santa brought us. Santa did a good job this year!

Claire opened up a Disney Princess tent and a dress-up treasure chest. Claire has had on various princess dresses all day. She LOVES them! She also had her "quiet time" aka nap time in the tent.

Ellie opened a whole bunch of stuff (Santa apparently lost count of the number of packages he had Ellie's name on). Well, opened is not the right word. Claire opened most everything, but Ellie liked playing with everything. Luckily, they both understand that they are sharing everything. Claire even dressed Ellie up in a princess dress before dinner.

Speaking of dinner, we had this fabulous pecan-crusted halibut, with lemon-pepper green beans, and twice-baked potatoes. Yummy! We are having a more traditional turkey and trimmings dinner with my extended family tomorrow at Mama and Papa's house.

Our Santa experience

I had heard that the local mall Santa was very good, so I decided to take the girls to go visit him. First, we got there during his lunch break and had to walk the mall for an hour.

We arrived back in time to be first in line. Minutes later this crabby grandmother gets in line behind us and starts to complain at someone over her cell that she is second in line and what a crock that is...since they have been waiting an hour. I almost took her out. Get over it, lady. Anyway...

Santa arrives and the picture girl asks me what photo package I would like (the cheapest one, please--maybe I will upgrade if they are really good - or funny) and asks the girls names. She walks back to Santa and motions us over. Claire says, "I am not going to see Santa." Ellie walks confidently forward...until she sees Santa. Then the sucker fish (Ellie) attaches herself to my right leg, and begins to glare at the old man in the weird clothes. Claire does not look very happy, but I proceed.

We walk up to Santa and he says, "Well, hello, Claire and Ellie." (he's good...oh yeah, I gave the other lady their names). Claire says, "I don't wanna see Santa." Ellie glares. I ask Claire if she wants to talk to Santa... "No!" We get closer and Ellie starts to cry. Santa asks if we want to try the "sneak." I say, "Why not?"

Santa leaves to feed Rudolph (wink, wink) while we distract the girls with a book. We convince the girls to sit on Santa's chair, but they won't let me get very far. I've already sat on Santa's lap once (2 years ago with Claire) and I'm not doing it again. So we have me sitting as far to the left as possible. Claire is sitting on the right arm of the chair and Ellie is sitting right below her on the seat. Cute. The picture lady rings some bells to get the girls attention and takes a pic. I'm thinking, why am I paying for pictures of Claire playing with a book and Ellie glaring at the picture lady while sitting on a chair that looks like a candy cane. The lady motions me over to look at the pictures on her computer. Ah-ha! Santa is peeking from behind the chair. So he didn't leave to feed Rudolph - liar! Anyway...

I have the pic to scan and I have the story, which is not so funny now (nor was it then, really). Finally, the crabby Grandma behind us in line finally got to see Santa. I'm thinking Santa may need to wait a few years for another visit.

Claire was on a roll.

Sunday morning in Sunday School, Claire told her teacher (Miss Susan): "You are crapping me up!" I tell people all the time that they crack me up. I am pretty sure that is what Claire meant and she did not need a potty break.

In the same class, Miss Susan asked the boys and girls, "Who is Mary?" Claire said "She's the Godmother." She's right...mostly. Again, Miss Susan got crapped up. =) I am not willing, at this time, to correct Claire. Ask her who Mary is when you see her.... and Mary's husbands name is "Jofus".

Claire cracks me up....

We are all sick...some more than others. I am battling a sore throat and my voice is not 100%. Claire is very concerned when I cough and has told people that I am sad because my throat hurts (she is a very discerning child). Today I was talking to her and her face lit up...she said, "Mom, your voice isn't broken anymore!" She was so excited that I sounded like...well...me. Then later, when I was hoarse again, she said, "oh no, your voice is broken!" She's such a sweet girl.

Ellie coughs when I cough. Faker.

Funny...to some.

The scene: Dinner at Front Range Barbecue

The players: Mama Sue, Mindy, Drew, Claire, Ellie and Me

The conversation:
Mama Sue: Claire, who is your favorite cousin?

Claire: Ryan

(Cousin) Drew: What?

Claire: Ryan

I thought it was funny....

Halloween

Claire = Princess (still talking about it)

Ellie = Pink Poodle

Mommy = Ballerina

Daddy = Disgruntled government employee (Daddy is not very creative)

School picture:

Shots Day

Claire and I took Ellie to the doctor yesterday for her 18-month check up (and shots). I had warned Claire that Ellie would be getting shots and she would cry, but it would only hurt for a minute and then Ellie would be fine. Claire tends to get upset when Ellie is upset (unless she is the one doing the upsetting, then she is fine with it). Anyway....

The nurse asks me about flu shots for both girls (yes, please). I figured I would have to make another appointment for Claire's, but the nurse said she could do Claire's while we were there. Nice! So, while we are waiting for the doctor, I explain to Claire that she is going to get one little shot and it won't hurt...much. She seems fine with it. Doctor comes in....examines Ellie. All is great! He is very happy with her physical and developmental progress. Although he does tell me that the second child is typically a bit more aggressive/outgoing than the first, compliant child. Right...we have proved all that birth order crap wrong. My girls are opposite of what they are "supposed to be". Anyway...that's not the best part.....

The nurse comes back into the room and says, "Let's do Claire's first." Ok.... I put Claire up on the table, pull down her leggings, the nurse pulls her towards her and braces Claire's legs between her body and the exam table. Claire's eyes get really big as I take both her hands and bend down to talk to her. I know EXACTLY when the nurse punctures Claire's skin with the needle because Claire lets out this high-pitched, very loud, blood-curdling scream. My first thought was, "Man, is this nurse cutting off her toes?" I can only start laughing.... It takes Claire several seconds to recover, then she tells the nurse that she (Claire) is going to have nightmares. The nurse asks me, "Did she just say...?" Yes, she did. I'm not sure the nurse thought that was funny. I certainly did though.

Ellie's turn....same procedure...but Ellie gets 4 shots and doesn't start crying until the second or third one. She recovers a lot faster and is smiling at the nurse within 15 seconds or so. Claire continues to glare at the nurse, demands her sticker, and we leave the office.

Next day: Claire wakes up puking. Nice..I hope it is not the stomach flu and only a reaction from yesterday's trauma. Bad dreams? For mom!