All I want for Christmas

The girls were rather difficult to shop for this year. Because their lists were composed of impossibilities.

Things like dogs. Winning lottery tickets. Baby sisters. So not gonna happen.

With list like this. One would think that really. And truly. They are lacking for nothing. They have what they need. And they also have what they might want.

When I took them for their annual visit with Santa. Madalyn asked for a dsi. Katie asked for World Peace.

I hope that Santa brings them an instruction manual on manners. Or living a whine free life. Or maybe one on peaceful siblings. Yep. We are all looking for impossibilities.

So...what about you? What is Santa bringing you and yours?

Christmas - It was the best gift EVAH!

It's January 5th. I can still talk about Christmas, right?

We had a great holiday. We got to visit with Santa. With the ER doctors. And with each other.

After Madalyn's visit to the ER on Christmas Eve to get her splint. We did manage to get ourselves to church. Where Madalyn could proudly show off her arm. And tell the Pastor how I didn't believe her. And we got to listen to Katie play "I wonder as I wander" during the service.

After church we went home to cook dinner. And usually we have a Thanksgiving redux. I am not sure why as I do not like Thanksgiving food. So this year we did things a little differently. My mom had gotten us steaks from Omaha steaks. So, Michael grilled those. Grilled some asparagus. And I made Pioneer Woman's twice baked potatoes. It was all rather delish.

And then the girls got to open their first Christmas gift. It's always pajamas. And it's always matching. Madalyn was told by the doctor to not use her hand. So, she tried to open her package with her feet. She was rather miffed that I got them matching clothes. Really miffed. Which got me rather exasperated. Once a year I can get them to match. When it's my idea. Now, next year, I think that Katie will fully be entrenched in junior sizes. So matching will be a thing of the past. Can we have a moment of silence? I am still grieving the loss of Gymboree clothes.

I might need another moment.

Sigh. Okay. I think we can move on now.

The kids put on their pajamas.

I am not even sure what happened then. But I managed to tame them for a moment. Except that they felt the need to channel the Rockettes. Before they could pose with Santa's cookies. And then they were sent to bed.

And when they got up the next morning. They were surprised with the best Christmas gift.

They quickly figured out how to work it. And Santa was kind enough to hook all the stuff up so it was ready to play. They played wii sports. They played Cooking Mama. They played Sims Castaway. And I they became rabidly addicted to Sims.

And then we opened Mario Kart. That Heather told Santa to bring to them. And now. Mario Kart is all that we play. Even Madalyn. Who figured out how to drive with a cast on her arm. (Yep. She graduated from a splint to a cast.)

We even got my mom to play. She keeps looking for the blue hair lane. And driving cautiously. Sometimes she actually wins.

But you know what? There was more. There was another gift. It was the best evah. Here are the girls with it on Christmas morning.

It's a stroller. But no ordinary stroller.

It's a kitty stroller. Yes, really. A stroller meant for the kitties. It's got mesh viewing windows. And it zips so that they cannot escape.

I am not sure if it was the best Christmas gift for the girls. Who can now take the kitties out on walks. Or if it was the best for the kitties.

Those same kitties who now sit in the stroller. And cry to be taken out for a walk.

ETA: Yes...the kitties really do LOVE that stroller. My mother will not reveal how much she paid...but I really didn't think they'd go for being zipped in it. On the first walk of the day, one kitty did freak out. She was let out. And she stood at our glass front door and watched her sister go on a walk. She cried. She felt left out. Really. And now they both are constantly clamoring for walks. I swear that these kitties are really dogs in disguise.

So...what about you? What was the favorite gift this year? Do you have a wii or game system? Do you have a favorite game? Have you entered the contest?

Theme song: Julie Andrews - I wonder as I wander. Because it is still Christmas. At least until tomorrow.

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...

I love Christmas. I love the season of giving. I love getting out our Christmas tree. Putting on the ornaments. Reminiscing about where they came from. Setting out my mom's huge collection of Santas. Opening the pockets of the advent calendars with my girls. Driving around neighborhoods to look at lights.

But this year. Everything has been on hold. Everything has remained in the attic. Because a certain species. In some circles known as feline destructicus. Has invaded my house. And after the intestinal blockage incident. I am rather leary of setting out all of my Christmas items. Because the hooligans might attack the hanging advent calendars. Steal the baby Jesus from the creche. Eat the ornaments. Or maybe even the tree.

So rather than putting everything up the day after Thanksgiving. We waited until December 14th. And we set up our Tree. Watched. And waited. We didn't have to wait too long before the invading hordes arrived to have their curiosity assauged. Here they are. Whispering plots and plans to each other.They quickly decided to put on their game faces. And pretend ingnorance. And innocence.But when the tree came out of the bag. They could not contain their excitement at having something new to investigate destroy. There was a little bit of chewing. But after few squirts of water. And they seemed to leave it alone.Seemed being the operative word. And the reason why my beautiful pre-lit tree is back in the bag. And back in the attic. Because apparently my kitties are still confused. And think themselves to be ornaments. Or perhaps tinsel. Or that elusive partridge.

So...what about you? Is your tree up and decorated? Do you have a favorite decoration for the holidays? Do you have to worry about feline destruticus? Canine destruticus? Homo sapiens toddler-zila?

(Did you enter the contest to win the HUGE pack of Disney scrapbook supplies? What are you waiting for? Only 2 more days to get your name in the pot.)

Theme song: Blue Oyster Cult - Godzilla. Which sparked a conversation about who Godzilla is with the girls. So, I found the hilarious video to this song. And then we got sucked in by You Tube. And watched Godzilla vs. Megalon. And Godzilla vs. Mothra. And laughed ourselves silly.

SITSmas Greetings!

Merry SITSmas! If you are a smidge confused. Click on the link and get yourself hooked up. Think of it as an early gift for yourself. There are amazing prizes being given away hourly. Including a $200 gift card to my very favorite place - Tar-jay. And did you know that I am doing weekly prizes right here?

Well, my friends, I need your help. A few weeks ago, my good friend Teri came over to take our annual family photo. We traipsed through the back yard. And found a number of places. Places that would surely frame a master piece.

Except that my children are in the pictures. And one of them is quite convinced that she is part of a comedy show.

Or perhaps a reality show. About modeling.

Or maybe it's all an exercise in meditation. Can I hear an "Ohm?"

And then. When you finally pick out the perfect picture. You have to figure out what pre-made border from Sam's will be a perfect accompaniment. The best pallate. The frame that is just-so.

But wait. You have more to decide. You can type in a message. In 60 characters or less.

Such as Wishing you health, happiness, and. Um. Why is it that I need things to come in threes? And I feel the need that the third word should begin with an H. Health, happiness, and hoopla. Hyenas. Horticulture. Oh. What about Health, happiness, and a histronic free New Year? No. Not quite right.

What about Wishing you Health, Wealth, and something else that might rhyme? Stealth? Can you just imagine that on a Christmas card? Maybe I should suggest some stealth with your wealth? Who knew that creating a card would so difficult.

Wishing you many blessings in 2009!

Love,

Casa Sunshine and Lemonade

So, which picture would you choose? Do you send Christmas cards? With pictures? Do you write a letter?

Theme song: John Lennon - Happy Christmas.