Santa: Caught in the Act

We had a lovely Christmas. Here is a photo I snagged of Santa in our house filling up the stockings, and leaving Kate some presents.

Ward Christmas Breakfast

We have two favorite events around Christmas time-The Relief Society Christmas Dinner and the Ward Christmas Breakfast. This year neither disappointed. Here are some pictures from the Ward Christmas Breakfast.

I love that Kate is old enough to love Santa and not cry on his lap. First, she gave him a big hug...

Her nod of assent that she had been a good girl followed with Santa's second, and more favored question, "What would you like Santa to bring you this year?" Kate grinned and whispered, "Tiana Dress up."

Of course, in childlike fashion, Kate told me yesterday, after Tiana dress up being the thing she wanted for a month, that she wanted Santa to bring a bike-you know the one at Costco that they leave out for all the kids to try out in the toy section. I told her that she already asked Santa for the dress up and she said that he could bring her both. Right. Santa might disappoint this year because I already know he isn't buying her a bike.

Kate, still star-struck from seeing and sitting on Santa, went into breakfast and afterwards performed in the nativity with all the other children. She was one of the angels. Suddenly a man, dressed in all white steps up to the microphone. Kate pointing, whispers audibly, "Is that Santa?" I motioned her to come to me and whispered back that he was playing the role of the Angel Gabriel.

Maybe she has a good memory. This year's Angel Gabriel played Santa at last year's Christmas Breakfast. That is the same wig and beard.

More of the nativity.

These kids were so reverent. At the end of the program someone had to tell them to go ahead and be noisy children again. I really enjoyed having a child old enough to really participate. Kate is singing all the songs and making everything quite merry over here.

I quizzed her last week at bedtime, not knowing what to expect. She was talking about gifts and I asked her what the real gift of Christmas is. She said, "Jesus!" I thought it was a fluke so I asked her who gave us Jesus as a gift and she said, "He-men-ly Fah-ver!" {That's 'Heavenly Father' for those who don't understand Kateese} We were on a role so I thought I would just try for one more and asked, What did Jesus do for us?" And she exclaimed, "He died on the cross and was resurrected!" {surprisingly she says resurrected perfectly-go figure} Good job, Kate, That's 100% on your Christmas pop quiz!

She's also been receiving special gifts from a secret Santa. Santa comes pretty much everyday, night or morning, and rings the door and magically disappears. So far, Kate's received a pre-lit, three-foot tree, ornaments, Santa socks, a Christmassy headband, window stickers, a snow globe, and a few other things. I have my suspicions as to who Santa is-but I could be wrong. So whoever Santa is, thank you for making this a really special Christmas.

A Little Mishap in the Tub

Well, it all started with the popcorn bowl that Kate dumped on her head leaving a greasy, kernally mess in her hair. So of course, she had to have a bath. After getting her started in the tub, I proceeded to sweep and mop the bathroom, kitchen, hall, and entryway and mistakenly thought, "Surely, if I can hear her jabbering away, there is no need to sit in the bathroom because she is clearly not drowning." Well, was I ever in for a surprise when I found the tub full of an entire magazine, ripped up.

Remember: She's not naughty-She's just being "creative"


After laughing a lot - mostly to myself but a tiny bit out loud. And telling Kate she was a silly munchkin. And asking her what on earth she was thinking. I scooped all the big pieces up and dumped them in the trash. And cleaned and removed Kate from the mess.

What I couldn't pick up to put in the trash, I hoped would go easily down the drain.

It didn't.

I hauled out the plunger and did some plunging action over the drain for a bit.

That helped.

I also used some Plumber-grade, drain-clogging crystals. I think the combination of the crystals and the plunging motions did the trick and the water started moving freely.

The tub had a tremendous black ring from the top to the bottom with swirly colorful stains on the bottom. I managed to remove it all with my Magic Eraser sponge (smart move buying that last week!).

Scott removed the rest of the magazines from inside the drain when he came home from work. He just laughed when he heard what Kate did.

I'd like to think that I've learned my lesson, but I don't think I have. Plus, this was such a fun "science experiment" for Kate so I'm glad I didn't deprive her of it by hovering over her.

Kate's Preschool Program

Here's Kate doing the actions for "I'm a Little Teapot"And "There's a Great Big Turkey on my Grandpa's Farm" Song

Here's Kate with Keldon (Her "boyfriend")

Kate and Aunt Jeni (Jeni took a couple days off work before the Thanksgiving holiday so she was able to come to the program) Thanks for coming Aunt Jeni!

Scott was able to come too and Kate just beamed to have a few people in her corner cheering her on. I love Kate going to preschool. What a fun stage! She comes home with all sorts of new stuff in her head and I love to watch her use it.

Pink Christmas Tree

I started Kate's Christmas celebrations with an 18 inch, pink, decorative Christmas Tree for her bedroom. We decorated it with a few ornaments.
Do you love it?

The Big Red Shirt & a Few Other Updates

Scott and I had a little romantic getaway this weekend. Scott brought me flowers even. We went to Providence Inn, a quaint little B&B near Logan. My Mom & Dad watched Kate. I missed home and Kate so much. I could barely sleep. Scott laughed when I told him at 10:00 am that I was ready to go home. He decided we need to get away more. But what a great weekend it was! Kate had fun in her favorite shirt. Kate likes to pick out Scott's clothes for him when he is heading to the shower after work and she always picks this shirt and if he puts it on when she hasn't helped him pick out his clothes she is so surprised and chirps, "Daddy you're wearing my favorite shirt!"

Kate LOVES her Da-da. She races for the door after Scott's lunch break and begs three or four hugs and kisses. After four hugs, he'll close the door and head to his van and she will cry, real tears even, that she wanted "One more hug!" And I will race out the door with her so she can grab that one last hug from her Da-da. I love to see her little hands curled around Scott's. Even though she is getting bigger, Scott is still monster-huge to her. He's her very own giant.

I enjoyed hosting Jill and yet another new boyfriend. He came with his two adorable little boys (5 and 3). I have absolutely nothing negative to say about him. I can't imagine anyone better suited for Jill. Chris and Michelle haven't met him yet but everyone else in the family thinks he is pretty perfect for Jill. And she is all but taken by him. I'm not saying anything is for sure. They've dated three weeks so far and anything is possible at this point but the good news of it all is that we have learned it is possible to please Jill and have the majority of the family pleased with the match as well-a very important development.

I'm really enjoying my Jane Austen Book Club. So far we've read and discussed Northanger Abbey and Pride and Prejudice. Right now we are reading Mansfield Park. If anyone is interested, we have an opening in the club. I kicked my sister out-a touch of mercy on my part, to be sure. Even though she didn't say it, she is grateful, I promise. With only four people in the club and six intended, we would enjoy a couple more. But if not, no bother, even if it's a club of one, I'm going to read these books regardless-they are some of my favorites.

I'm no good at facebook these days. I never know what to say. If anyone has any good methods of making facebook work for them, do pass them on. I'm at a loss.

Kate Pledges "Ah-wee-gence"...

Happy Veterans Day Everyone!