I've come to the conclusion that...

We will not have a Christmas tree this year, sigh...but, I know it is for the best, as Aiden (the destroyer) has already unleashed his fury on my friends' decorations. So far the list includes: prickly pine cones, shiny Christmas balls, a very unsuspecting shepherd, several felt baby Jesuses, and the list could go on and on. I guess I am okay with it. I sure miss putting up the tree; but I'm not sure if we even did it now, it would even be worth the hassle (or carnage, as it were) for the two weeks that we'll be here. I warned my mom last night on the phone about the little menace and she suggested that I just tell him no, humm, I hadn't thought of that one, ha ha. I told her obviously it had been 30 years since she had dealt with a toddler in the house! I'll let her try the "no" thing and see if it works for her, ha ha. Oh, well. I am planning a "treasure" hunt for all the pieces of the nativity set. This year I finally broke down and bought the Little People one. I guess it is best that it is plastic, at least the shepherd will not lose an arm and the baby Jesus might stay in one piece on the Twirlin' Whirlin' Garden!

Baby Jesus takes a ride on the twirlin whirlin garden...

A precious conversation...

Last week while Chris was gone and Caitlyn and I were snuggling in her bed, the following conversation transpired:

Me: Caitlyn, when you get older and have your own family, will you still need me?

Caitlyn: Oh, yes, Mommy.

Me: You will (feeling very special)? What will you need me for?

Caitlyn: To clean my house (giggle giggle).

Is anyone else on twitter?

I just thought I'd join the twitter craze, mainly because I want to keep up with Sue Sylvester's tweets. I just need a little Sue nugget to get me through the week. I think she's hilarious and I need a little more hilarity in my life. My username is rishfoster (how original, right?). Anyway, become a follower and you can keep up with my life. Maybe I'll even use that format to bless you with hilarity or wisdom each day/week. Who knows?

A favorite of ours...

We have recently found a favorite site for homeschooling activities, Fortunately for You Books.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Thanksgiving projects that we worked on, so I recently purchased some Christmas activities for us to work on as well. I have gotten the sticker stories and the grammar by the book products. My son has trouble with handwriting so these products (a cut and paste approach) are perfect for him. Also, the literature with which the exercises are associated are perfect for the whole family, a double bonus! If you are looking for a literature based approach to comprehension and grammar, these would be perfect for you. I can't wait to try their other products!
Their Christmas products are featured on their home page. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Well, today is the day for an update. I should be cleaning my house, you see, and well, you know the rest of the story.

Thanksgiving was a great time with Chris' family. Chris' mom was nice enough to watch the kiddos for us so we got to go out and eat Indian food, yum. We also got to browse leisurely around Best Buy, which I haven't done for years, I think. I'm so used to chasing around kids that sometimes I just get a little antsy when it is just Chris and me. I guess it is so rare that we do things together alone, that it is strange; although being with Chris alone is great. It reminds me of the good old days. I love my husband. I know that someday when our kids are grown we will enjoy that stage of life too, just the two of us. I wish the kids had been better for Curtis. I think Aiden cried the whole time and Caitlyn was sassy. Oh, well, what can you do, that's kids for you, right?

Today Aiden came to me patting the front of his diaper. I asked him if he needed to go potty and he said yes (raising his eyebrows). I took him to the potty and he went. I praised him and he leaned over and gave me a kiss. Again, I am so glad that I didn't have him first. Even though we have had some trials with him, overall he's VERY easy. He definitely is a mommy pleaser. You see, if I had had him first, the others would have been such a shock to my system! Not that the others were bad. Overall, they all have been pretty easy (except Noah and potty training - NIGHTMARE). I just feel so blessed as a mother. Over the holiday I found myself much of the time, on the couch with two kiddos hanging off of me and I stopped and thanked God for those moments. The sound of my children's laughter is the music of my soul. I can't imagine this life without them. Thank you, God, thank you.