All Shook Up: So, December Happened

We're a little shook up. December happened. An earthquake or two (or let's be honest, twelve) rattled us. And, as I was inspecting the floors and walls for cracks, I realized I'm a little behind. To be honest, I'm glad I'm behind. Being behind means I've kept the right things in front of me this holiday season: my family, my friends, my job, and me. My December calendar intimidated me. There were just so many things on it. I could barely get the things written down much less contemplate actually doing all of them. But I did it! We did it!

She pointed her pretty toes, 

and we made her brother watch. 

She discovered the joy that a great pair of boots can bring. 

We celebrated the graduation of our Mizu, and

I remembered how much my family memories mean. I'm glad we're making more.

She celebrated her bestie's birthday, 

and then the party ended. 

We puzzled over brown paper packages.

And we donned our holiday finery. I can't believe the dress still fits!

The stomach flu tried to keep me and the girl down (along with bronchitis and stomach flu, the reprise). 

She rallied, and so did I. 

They survived the first half of the Nutcracker hours after the bout with the bug. 

Keeping those hands clean now!

He sang about shaggy, smelly sheep. And my computer ate my photos. I think I need therapy to get over the loss. 

And just hours after stomach flu, the reprise, the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

She looks like an angel and sings like one too.

She elected her hairstyle.

And her shoes. Because she likes to point her pretty toes. The boots are special to her too, 

because they're her bestie's. 

Someone should talk to her mother about teaching her to sit like a lady. 

We made it to pajama/movie day!

Exchanged some bestie Christmas gifts.

Discovered the inexplicable calm of the sanctuary at our little Lutheran school. 

Toasted the holiday with chocolate milk 

and maybe a little sugar. 

The force awakened, and RJ survived the most terrifying experience of his young life. His mother and father forced him to see the new Star Wars movie. Tears. So many tears. And when it was over, "That was a pretty good movie, Mom." No kidding. Welcome, kid. 

He'll remember this Christmas for a long time. 

Our elf, Hamilton Hank Holidae (no typo, it's derived from the Nordic elves), build graham cracker houses for us to decorate. 

The elf knows how to  build; his houses have fewer cracks than our kitchen floor does after the 4.2's this week. 

When you're a big deal, you get floor seats for the Thunder….Blue. They're minor league, and the pre-game buffet leans more toward Branson than L.A., but it's good family fun. 

Christmas is a lot of work for moms. There's the desserts, and the stocking stuffers, boxes from Amazon, and shirts to wrap. Or, it can be 65 degrees on December 23rd, and mom shakes things up. Santa can eat processed cookies; there are lorikeets to feed!

They found the golden goose!

I did not pose her. She is just this prissy.

They discovered Minecraft. 

But, her favorite will always be good old fashioned markers with a fresh page of ponies. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. With duct tape. Because duct tape worked.

Christmas Eve came too fast.

The gifts weren't' the only things that got unwrapped quickly; Christmas dresses are itchy.

Gigi loves this picture, and she loves this toy mixer. 

Santa brought silly string. I don't know what he could be thinking!

And the darned elf gift wrapped my fridge the day after he pooped chocolate chips the day after he turned the milk blue the day after he stole our underwear. I'm glad he went back home. 

My calendar scared me, but 

we made it work, and 

we even found a few minutes to pause for snuggles. 

We're a little shook up. The pictures are crooked, and I need to move the crystal from the high shelves. December happened. 2016 is here. I'm already behind on my New Year's Resolutions; but this year, I'll be too busy keeping the right things in front of me to spend much time worrying about them.