I have no excuse...

I haven't gotten any Christmas pics up (and the kids were of course darn cute) and cards still have not gone out...I have grandparents here entertaining the kids and everything.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. I'll get back on track soon. ;)

Focus

Posting forwards in my blog isn't typically my style. But, today, I found myself losing focus. This was a nice reminder to me.

FIRST CORINTHIANS 13 CHRISTMAS VERSION -AUTHOR UNKNOWN

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls,

but do not show love to my family,

I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifullyadorned table at mealtime but do not show love to my family,

I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen,carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity; but do not show love to my family,

it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ,

I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return;but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things,believes all things, hopes all things,endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break,pearl necklaces will be lost,golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of love will endure.

Wishing you a joyous & meaningful Christmas!

G & Communion

Giuliana took her first communion tonight! It was really cool to be able to share it with her. We went to the first night of our church's Christmas Eve services. They asked the regular attenders to go tonight to make room for visitors tomorrow. We obliged. No elementary age childcare for these services, so she went with us. She did awesome, sat still and was quiet the.whole.time.

Tre made a candycane in his class. I think he was one of maybe 5 or 6 kids. Ali of course had fun. She really likes that gal that works in her class. Same gal has watched her 3 times this weekend (starting Friday night with Parent's Night Out- which we worked at, so no, we didn't go anywhere fun so to speak).

Tre & G are really excited for Christmas. They're conveniently adding to their wish list...uhm, a little late for that.

Tre cracks me up sometimes...

He was sitting at the table with Ali today and started talking about her big name and her "widdle" name. We talked about her full name being Alessandra Kathleen. And, then he said "and her Nik-Nak name is Ali!" I contained my laughter. He's just so darn cute sometimes.

He's sleeping at the moment. We hit the doc's office today...looks like an ear infection. The drainage is making him miserable and his ears are red. This is the kid that doesn't complain about his ears unless it's absolutely bothering him.

Let It Snow!

We didn't exactly get as much snow as forecasted, but boy did they have fun! :)

Oh the drama of it all...

Today was day 3 of Ali's fever and nasty cough...I am so done with not sleeping. I'm sure she's done with feeling yucky too, so I'll just shut up about that.

Giuliana had her first cleaning with the new dentist today (I know, BAD MOMMY!). You'da thought she was being drilled without novacaine the way she was carrying on about the xray film. Then, she thought she was somehow in charge of how her teeth were cleaned, down to the polishing. We were blessed with a great hygenist who was very patient. She decided we could do without the xrays today and try again at another point. Unfortunately, she has her first decay. It's on one of her molars and needs to be taken care of. He said it looked like it just didn't come in strong and healthy. Speaking of, she's getting her 6 year molars right now. Thankfully, he's talking about using nitrous for the repair. I'm hoping that will be enough, but might talk to the doctor about anxiety...her's, not mine.

A little Tre update...he has a Christmas program on Tuesday, he's been walking around the house singing his songs. It's extremely cute. He's got pretty good pitch. Tomorrow, he gets to take a show and tell and return Buddy to school.

More on Ali...

Here eye looks a ton better today. She is now complaining that the other one hurts. When I go up to treat her (easy while she's sleeping), I'm just going to do both eyes.

Last night, she prayed. So cute, "Jesus, eyes better. Amen." She used her new skill at dinner tonight as well "Jesus, thank you food. Amen." I don't remember the others praying so early...but, I guess that's what happens when you're the youngest of 3. :)

Ali has pink eye...

Poor Al. Last night, after dinner, we saw signs of pink eye- goopy eye and fussy. Not to mention when you asked if she had an owie, she said "yeah" and pointed to her eye. I was up with her most of the night (Ange of course caught a couple too) and Tre when he missed a train going by. Being the awesome hubby that he is, Angelo took her to the urgent care this morning. Oh, and he let me sleep in...love that man.

Tre goes to the Dentist

He did incredibly well! He hopped right up in the chair and started asking questions about the "bib" they put on him. He'd like to have sunglasses next time as the light really bothered him. In the pictures, he's trying to cover his eyes, yet watch the hygenist. Ok, here's the one thing he wasn't having any of. As I took this pic, he was forcing the tray out of his mouth. At 4, I don't think I would have wanted a big old tray in my mouth either. She ended up brushing on the flouride.
Here he is just hanging out while waiting for Dr. George. While we all know those eyes look tired, he's not admitting it.

Again, remarkable. Total cooperation with Dr. George.He left with a slinky and an orange toothbrush with sparkles in it. Oh, and I left with instructions to please floss at least his front teeth.

Another Star of the Week!

Oh the excitement and planning...Buddy came home from preschool with Tre today! That means he is the start of the week next week at school. He'll get to be lineleader and bring show and tell both days. And, that's not all, he can bring a special snack if he'd like AND have a parent (or special someone) read a story at the end of class. Ofcourse, with a camera addict mom, the first thing we did when we got home was take their picture:

Ali wanted to get in on the action too. I wanted a real smile.

So, I nabbed her binki. Here she is coming for it:

Who's kid is this?

Angelo & I had tilapia for dinner tonight. Generally, we don't make the kids eat fish. They've tried it a couple times and just didn't do the texture well. So, Ange made them spagetti O's. Would you believe Ali wouldn't even try her's and instead asked for a piece of fish. As if that wasn't enough, she wanted the couscous on his plate too. Odd little duck that really likes to try different foods.

Big news on the Tre front. He put his face in the water this morning at swimming lessons! Yea!

Giuliana is hoping to try "bobbing" in the water tomorrow at swimming.

12 step?

Angelo and the bigs have been gone for over 4 hours. Poor Mama, I had to stay her while Al napped. ;) I'm wondering about 12 step though...they're out caching and it's beyond cold. Like seriously freezing. Can you say addiction?

Earlier, when Ali saw the swag bag come out, she toddled over and said "I go treasure hunting, DADDY!" Poor left out little one. ;) I had originally told him to feel free and head out by himself...at least there is one nice parent.

Such an over achiever...

Ali's over achieving...she's doing her best to act 2 before actually turning 2. We're into the feet stomping fits. Boy can that girl throw a hissy. Bad mommy, I admit they are kind of comical to watch. ;)

We went out looking at Christmas lights tonight. Tre's asking a lot of questions about Santa. Giuliana's decided he's real again (last year she told me she knew he wasn't real- which I told her not to tell her friends).