Our First Christmas

One week before Christmas I attended a meeting with a co-worker who coughed and sneezed through the entire three hours. He admitted to having a fever and seemed unconcerned by our worries that he was going to infect us all for Christmas.

Bah humbug.

Sure enough, on the first of my scheduled vacation days, I woke up with a cough and a fever.

Get-togethers were cancelled...

Cookies were not baked...

And this momma, who was so looking forward to a couple extra days of fun with her boys, spent the next two days in bed.

It was hard not to wish for a lump of coal for my co-worker!

On Friday morning, Christmas Eve, I was feeling a little better and the three boys weren’t showing any signs of illness, so we ventured north to Grandma’s house for our annual celebration. We had a great time and appreciated the welcome in spite of the risk of getting everyone sick (really hope you guys don't get sick!!!).

By the time we got home the boys weren't feeling well but that didn't dampen their excitement about leaving cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.

Upstairs in bed, as he snuggled into my neck, Dash said, "Mommy yummy" and just before drifting off to sleep Taye said, "Mommy, Taye happy." Now if that doesn't just say it all :-)

Unfortunately the rest of the night didn't go as well. On a night when most children are tossing and turning with excitement, mine were tossing and turning with fevers.

They were really sick by morning but magic was still in the air. The look on their faces when they saw what Santa brought them was priceless.

They have been asking for big boy bikes since they saw our neighbor riding one in September and they couldn't believe that Santa really brought them one. They can barely reach the peddles but at the rate they are growing they will fit just fine by spring.

Santa left them notes telling them what good boys they have been this year and how proud and happy they make their Mommy and Daddy.

They are still talking about the fact that Santa and the reindeer ate the cookies and carrots they left!

Discovering the rest of Santa's presents was almost as much fun. We won't have to wait until spring to put these into action!

Trying hard to have fun but feeling pretty yucky...until some Children's Tylenol and a move to the couch, plus a few more presents, helped them find a second wind. Dash kept saying, "Momma, too much!", meaning too many presents, but really he loved it!

In spite of the fact that there was a lot of this...

And a ton of this...

I have never had a more wonderful Christmas!