The Vomit Zamboni

Pretend you're at Sams.  It's morning and Christmas vacation to top it.   The kids are barely awake, you haven't showered, baby is still in pajamas.  The cart is full and the kids are chomping on bagels not yet paid for.  You're trying to decide between the mega or the super mega pack of salsa.  You hear the nightmarish, unmistakable gurgle before puke sound just in time to turn and see said pajama clad baby projectile vomiting.  You're covered, brand new boots included.  Floor is a mess.  Kids are screaming, now laughing, now screaming.  What in Heaven's name do you do?  Unsuspecting lady passes by and tells you she's been there, offers to watch children while you find someone to clean up vomit.  You, not thinking, leave children in care of stranger and run looking for help.  You suddenly remember children are with stranger, think to self, no one will steal vomiting baby and continue to look for help.  Nice man, noticing you're covered in vomit offers to help.  You get back to children just in time to see a Zamboni looking machine roll up and take care of the floor (wish same machine could take care of you).  Kind man finds you and hands you lots of paper towels.  What now?  Leave cart full of perishables and half eaten bagels or dare to make it through the check out?   We checked out.  It was rough.....for everyone involved...poor, poor young check out girl.  I think I've helped her make the decision to hold off on having kids any time soon.  

The stockings were hung....

8:10 pm, Santa must be on his way.  Two sweet girls busy crafting their letter to Santa.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Bath time after the vaseline incident.

It's been days since I posted last.  And what good days they've been.  I've felt peaceful and focused; able to enjoy the little bits of Christmas all around. I love Christmas but honestly by about the 20th my steam is running low.  Too much sugar?   Shopping list too long?  Lack of sleep?  Probably.  I have to admit at least 2 of the 3 hold true this year too.  But my steam is ample.  Christmas feels perfect this year.    What's different? Age, experience, my faith walk?  Probably.  I was also blessed to serve as a co-chair for the Kingdom House Christmas Shop, a volunteer gig which after accepting made me seriously wonder if I'd lost my mind.   I spent last week at the shop which provided new Christmas gifts for 600 very needy St. Louis families.  Even though I run the risk of sounding incredibly over the top, I'll say it anyway.  I'm not quite the same, and I hope never to be quite the same again.  Witnessing the goodness, and generosity that is abundant in our community was humbling.  Being a part of Christmas for families in need has put Christmas into perspective for me...forever I hope.  I helped a mom shop for her son, and watched as she excitedly picked out a pillow, a regular old bed pillow.  She was so happy because he doesn't have his own.   I saw a middle aged man from Kirkwood sit at the bus stop with a woman and her Christmas gifts packaged in trash bags, as the rain poured down, he didn't want her waiting alone.  I found out that jeans are better for little ones than leggings because they're warmer and can stand up to more dirt, and more washings.  I now know that when you live where these families live, a Target gift card is useless because you can't get there. No, I won't be the same.  And thank goodness for that.  My kitchen looks a bakery disaster, I just finished shopping for our fabulous teachers THIS morning (school is out today!) Lucy covered all of her hair and face in vaseline as I was distracted  brushing Emma's hair in a hurry, trying to get out the door on time, which meant we took the girls to school and ran our errands with Lucy looking like an oil slick, with every little piece of everything sticking to her.  It's Christmas and things couldn't be better!  How very, very blessed we are.

On the fifth day of December....

some of us were under the weather so ALL of us (except Kevin) stayed in our pajamas for the whole day.

On the third day of December....

we were in full Christmas spirit!  Our day began with a trip to visit Jolly Ole' St. Nick.   Clearly we're missing someone.  As this picture was being snapped that someone was screaming and crawling up my shoulder in an attempt to get as far away from Santa as possible.   Next year?

After, the big girls and I walked to the Hi Pointe and saw Miracle on 34th Street...the old one in black and white.  We ate popcorn and drank Sprite at 10:30 in the morning, we could get used to that.

In the afternoon we attended the most fabulous piano recital.  Emma's first.  She played a duet with her teacher Miss Sarah and was a delight to watch.

We told Emma we could go out to dinner to celebrate her performance. She asked if instead we could order Jimmy John's and eat it on the living room floor while watching Santa Clause.  Does life get any better?  I think not.

On the fourth day of December....

we got our Christmas tree!  As always we went to Ted Drewes and chose a cute Balsam.  Our best yet.  

Pre Ted Drewes (and custard) we went to Starbucks and Lucy discovered peppermint hot chocolate...she's hooked. 

On the first day of December....

I had the blues, the peace and happiness I so love about Christmas sure didn't feel alive in our little home.

our Advent calendar...can you believe it actually caused a fight, a real pushing, shoving fight?!

On the Second day of December I remembered that when people are the hardest to love they need it the most.

Feeling awfully blessed tonight to be sharing my Christmas with these cuties.
We're off to watch The Muppets Christmas Carol and eat homemade nachos!