Christmas Spirit

We are slowly but surely getting into the Christmas spirit.  We put the tree up last Sunday when things settled down after getting back in town. The kids spent almost the whole day in pajamas, but we had a fun, festive day in the house on a super cold day. 

Today, however, was much colder and it just so happens that this is the one that worked out best to put up Christmas lights.  The kids had fun "helping" with the lights, but more riding the jeep power wheel around the neighborhood until they abandoned it in the cul-de-sac because it was "too cold to ride with wind."

Tomorrow we have pictures with Santa and then we are going with So-So to the Rockettes!  We are supposed to have some freezing rain tonight, but it should clear out in time for the Santa visit, and definitely in time to see some high kicks.

Tomorrow we also find out what bowl game Vandy will play in this year.  We are pretty sure that we will be in Birmingham, which will be on January 4th.  We have sitter issues no matter what the date, but I figure we have a better chance on the 4th than we do on New Year's Eve, which is when the other options are.  I say that, but with the Birmingham bowl being at noon that means two nights away rather than one - which is virtually impossible.  Either way it looks like we may not both be able to go to the bowl game, but we have a better chance of being able to take the kids to Birmingham than any of the others so that's what I am (secretly since Lance would definitely like a better bowl) hoping for in the announcement tomorrow.  I love this age with the kids and don't wish for the days and years to go any faster(!), but one thing that will be nice when they are a little older is that I know they will be able to manage trips like this if we take them with us!  On the otherhand, the kids have been pretty defiant and whiny lately (maybe that's why we can't get anyone to help watch them  ;)), that another age and stage may be welcome! 

Seriously, though, all of us getting on each others nerves these days has to be expected.  I am at my busiest at work in December and we added an event this month just to make it more exciting, which makes me stressed and a lot less patient.  Lance is working seemingly all the time, and when he isn't seems to be constantly fielding phone calls, texts and emails about work, which essentially takes away the "parental back-up" element that makes parenting the dynamic duo tolerable.  The weather has been pretty horrible and the kids are stuck in the house more often than not, which can be taxing and they have had a lot going on, too, with school activities and new experiences.  So,  I think all of us are really looking forward to the Rockettes tomorrow, and time with family in a couple of weeks, and the much anticipated visit from Santa, and all of the fun traditions and special festivities in this season - this year the Christmas celebrations and seasonal happenings are much appreciated as a welcome work reprieve and a reminder of what is most important!