The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

For me Christmas usually involves a ridiculous amount of planning and obsession regarding food, presents, decorating, etc.  But this year with the new job happening right after Thanksgiving, I found myself in the same situation as the typical male population- last minute shopping the week before Christmas and no meal planning whatsoever.  Normally I would have stressed myself into a bleeding ulcer in a situation like this, but my job is now occupying the part of my pea brain that would otherwise have caused me a stroke.  It was oddly relaxing this year to not have the time or energy to devote to the holidays like I have the past couple of years.  I found myself only getting the kids exactly what I planned to get them instead of buying a ridiculous amount of toys they don't want or need because I found a good deal or wanted to make things even or whatever asshole excuse I had in the past.  And because I didn't have time to plan an elaborate meal, we ended up having chili on Christmas Eve and breakfast casseroles Christmas morning. And I didn't have to cook either one.  The hubs loves proving that his chili is the world's best, and my sister took over breakfast duty, so I could help play Santa. The most amazing thing I noticed this year is that if I just chill the hell out for a minute, the hubs is more than willing to step up to the plate and help out.  He wrapped presents, went shopping, put things together, decorated, etc.  Not that he doesn't ordinarily do this stuff, but I usually don't give him the chance to do anything, and then I unload on him when my stress hits threat level midnight.  It was a very peaceful Christmas especially by our standards, and I really enjoyed it.  And now that it's over, I'm looking forward to our adults only trip to Tampa to watch my Gamecocks play in the Outback bowl.  Go Cocks!

Dinner with the Griswolds

"Making" cookies for Santa

By the time Grandma's presents were added, the room was filled.  

QC'ing the cookies

Putting cookies and milk out for Santa and water for the Reindeer

Final look at the gifts before bedtime

Excited to go to bed for once.

Santa was super nice this year.

Bike gang

Checking to see if the milk and cookies were gone.  Santa left a note, but it was really hard for him to sign his name in glitter, so you couldn't really tell it was from him.

What every 10yo needs- Family Guy merch.

So over the camera.

Never shies away from the camera

Sliding Doors

This past weekend, we took the boy to his first football game.  Well, technically he went to a Georgia game last year with the hubs and his Papa, but I don't count that, because it was Georgia, and they don't count.  So on Saturday the hubs and I took him to his first REAL football game.  We left the girls with the grandparents from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon, so it was the first time in 7 years that it was just us and him.  I mean, we've taken turns with each kid, making sure they have a day with one or the other of us, but never both of us together.  And I have to say it was surreal, and, dare I say it, magical.  It was incredibly peaceful- no arguing, yelling, or screaming for an entire day.  It was a glimpse into the life we could have had if we had just stopped with one. And I loved every second of it. I know that sounds horrible, but my God are the girls loud. One in particular, who's name rhymes with Schmictoria, is the loudest person known to man, so it was nice not to have my eardrums rattled for a day.  That's it, though.  Just a day, because that tiny glimpse into what could have been was enough to realize I would be bored with that life.  Trevor is 10 now, and he doesn't need me as much, which would be devastating if I didn't have the two girls behind him to keep me hopping.  I am happy that he finally had us to himself after all of these years, because he's an amazing kid and needs to be doted upon and appreciated from time to time.  He definitely gets lost in the shuffle, since he's the oldest.

Cocky

Phone camera sucks, but if you look in the center, that little guy is Steve Spurrier.  I didn't even know he was walking by, because I saw all of the humongous football players.  I got this shot by chance.

Nosebleed

Little Red Riding Hood.  This mofo talked me out of wearing a jacket, because I layered a jersey over a long sleeve tee.  Meanwhile these two Nancy's were wearing jackets in 50 degree windy weather.

Weiners

The band lining up for 2001.  If you don't know what that is, Youtube it.  It's the best part of seeing a game live.

Military appreciation.  They had jets fly over as well, and they were right above us, since we were so high up.  It was super loud and almost gave the boy a heart attack.

Blessings Counted

Yesterday the kids and I had the opportunity to participate in the Energy for Life walk in Charlotte.  It's a walk to benefit people with Mitochondrial Disease, and it was a wonderful chance for the kids to realize how lucky they are, and more importantly for me to realize how lucky I am.

We went to support my friend's nephew who is 3 days older than Trevor. We got to spend time with a family that basically helped raise me from 8th grade on.  My friend passed away when Victoria was about 6 months old, so I haven't seen them in a ridiculously long time (i.e. I had another kid since then), so in addition to supporting a good cause, it was a great opportunity to catch up.

The little monster refused to pose in this one.  I don't want to hear her crap when she's older about not being in any pictures.

Sharon (Ben's mom), Ben, and Mr. Williams (my bonus dad). Ben did so well yesterday, walking a majority of the time.  It's amazing to see how far he's come.  His parents are amazing people.

There was a Fire Truck, and that's Sophie's new obsession, so she and I broke off from the walk to visit the Firemen.  They let us sit up in the truck.  Sidenote: I'm too short to be a Fire Fighter, because I barely was able to get into the truck.

Sophie was supposed to be in front of this but refused.

She's not smiling.  She's analyzing the gauges on the side of the truck, and I happened to snap it at the right time.

There was a big hill at the park, so naturally the kids had to roll down it.

I love this one, because they all look ridiculous.

I was allowed to take this one.  Note: she's still not looking at the camera.

On the playground, they have an old train engine the kids can play in. Very cool.