December 31st

Well, I made it through the month. Instead of doing a December Daily album, I decided to try to blog everyday this month. Too often I try to keep track of things in too many places--calendar, blog, albums, Project Life, Facebook, texts, emails, written journal. I need to figure out the best location to keep it ALL together in ONE spot.

We started off the day a little slow. Doc McStuffins, puzzle (we finished it!), waffles for breakfast, cleaning up the house a bit, laundry. Miranda wasn't feeling well, so she went back upstairs to rest for awhile. Bird stayed home with her while Brad and I took the other kids to go do a little shopping.

Costco was our fist stop to get the photos for Grandma and Grandpa's calendar. Brad got a hot dog to split with Krish. Lina and Merek shared a slice of cheese pizza with me. Next we went to Safeway to get our New Year's Eve Movie Marathon snacks and treats. We also picked up a few groceries (eggs, fruit, veggies).

While we were gone, Bird made a sign to hang on the front door "Welcome Home Family and Happy New Year". He also taped a movie ticket on the door for us to have access to our Movie Marathon. Totally cute. Inside the house, he had taped a handmade envelope on the wall with "Put tickets in here" sign. He also posted Movie Rules: "Be quit. Sit still. Don't be silly." And one more sign on the bookcase by the TV: "Watch Movie Here". He stayed busy while we were gone!

Miranda came downstairs after we arrived home and seemed to be feeling better. I added the photos to the calendar and then wrapped it, along with their other present, packaged it up, printed a mailing label, and took it down to the post office with some Christmas cards that I still needed to send out. I need to organize my Christmas card list for next year. And start on the calendar a bit earlier :)

Brad and kids got the snacks and treats ready--quite a spread of lox & bagels, veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, popcorn, candy-M&M's, oreos, rolos, Hershey's drops, chocolate covered pretzels, our box of 70's candy from Michelle and family. I tried to use up another kit (February 2011 Polka Dot Whimsy kit). I got three layouts and two cards made. I have enough to make a few more cards and then it will be done.

The kids gathered their blankets and pillows, and got on their pajamas. We gathered in the Family Room. I snapped a few photos for posterity. Our movie line-up began with Kung Fu Panda. Next we watched Tangled. Then the boys were getting restless so we decided to take a quick walk out in the night air. It was cold! The sky was clear so we were able to spot the Big Dippper, Orion's Belt, and Venus. It was a good way to get out some energy.

When we came back in the house, I took Merek upstairs and got him ready for bed. It was almost 9pm and he was tired. We read his Big Counting Book. He usually points to the pictures while I count, but tonight when we got to 14 he wanted me to hold his finger and help him point as we counted. We did this up to the number 20. Sometimes I changed it up and went fast or slow. He liked that. Then I tucked him in and sang him is 5 songs. We said his prayer. He asked me to stay by him for "a lot of minute". It took about 15 minutes for him to fall asleep, including another trip to the bathroom.

Brad and the kids had waited to start the next movie until I was downstairs. They were flipping between Enchanted on one channel and The Return of the Jedi on another. When those were over, about 10pm, we put in Rudy. Lina was not happy because she wanted to watch The Parent Trap. The boys had seen parts of Rudy on TV but I'm not sure they had seen the whole thing. Yikes, on DVD the language is much worse than on TV! We'll have to have a talk tomorrow about it and making sure the boys know that language is not appropriate to use. Bird fell asleep about 11pm. The movie ended at 11:50pm.

We watched the NYC ball drop and counted down with it. Brad served us herring on triscuits--a good luck tradition in memory of his dad. Then we went out on the porch to shoot off the poppers we had bought at the store today. Happy New Year! Hugs and kisses to all the kids.

And the night ended just like every other night . . . putting the kids to bed, tucking them all in safe and sound, coming downstairs to finish putting food away and cleaning up the kitchen.

Life is good.