Perfect Christmas 2012

Thank you Misty for capturing this perfect picture of our Christmas. Santa had lots of toys and surprises for the kids. Thanks to lots of family we had a really great Christmas.

An Angel

Dear Misty, talk about an angel in disguise. You're probably one of the reasons I am still sane.  We will never forget the night I went Christmas shopping for a few hours.  When I walked in the door you were cleaning up Jaida's throw up off the floor (yuck) and then headed to the couch to clean up Joey's throw up (it was everywhere - the couch, wall, tv stand and tv). As I walked in to help I noticed Kylan squatting on the floor. He was sitting in diarrhea, all over the floor because I forgot to put a diaper on him!  What a mess! The next time I left Kayla threw up. You cleaned her up and did her hair. And I think the last time Monty and I left to go to a movie Keira cried almost the whole time.  Too bad every mom can't have some one like you. :)

Most Annoying

Dear Keira, Horhey, Sammo and Ling, lets see who was the most annoying last night... Keira, you were up and down all night and if I didn't have you snuggled right up to me you were awake and crying (when I write it like that you weren't annoying at all).

Horhey, I think that this is how Jaida wants to spell your name - poor cat. You kept jumping up on the bed, climbing on top of me, laying on my belly, and licking my face and hair. I kept shoving you off the bed listening to your claws rip at my blanket.

Ling, you also had to be sleeping right on top of me and at 5:30am when you heard Monty outside shoveling snow you barked and barked and barked until he came in and smacked you.

Sammo, there was only one time that I woke up and you were digging at the blanket. When I let you under you layed down right on my feet and wouldn't budge. Were you scared of the rumbling snow plows? Who knows.

Special Teachers

Dear Jaida, you have one of those special teachers that everyone wishes they could have just once.  After the Newtown, CT school shooting Mr. Greenalgh sent home a letter. This is what he wrote:

Dear Parents,
As the events of the last week have unfolded, our hearts have been saddened by the tragic events that took place in a town that is very similar to ours. It is unimaginable, the grief and broken hearts that Newtown is facing at the present time. As a school, I hope you understand that we, as a school and a district, will do all that is possible to try and secure the safety of your precious sons and daughters. Spending 6 1/2 hours a day, 5 days a week with them cultivates a close bond that is very similar to our own children at home. Please rest assuredly that our staff will do everything possible to protect them from harm. We thank you for trusting them in our care. It is a privilege to teach your kids and build positive relationships. The rewards to us are immeasurable, and the joy that they bring to us are life enduring. May this Christmas be special to you and your family.
Steve Greenalgh

Boxing Practice

Dear Joey, holy cow I can't believe how good and hard you can punch!  It was fun watching you punch dad's hands with the boxing gloves until you missed and hit Keira in the forehead. 

Dancing at Seven Months

Dear Miss Keira, you can't hear it in the video, but we had Christmas music playing in the background. You were on your hands and knees and when I asked you a question you started bobbing your head up and down and kind of bouncing on your arms. I think you might have been copying my heading moving up and down but we'll just say that you were dancing to the music!

You're The Best

Dear Kayla, last night you threw up while I was gone.  Misty got you all cleaned up and even blow dried and styled your hair.

Dear Jaida, the other night Misty was supposed to be writing a paper for finals but instead she came and got you, took you to her room and had you play the ukulele with her. You were down there until bedtime singing and playing. What an awesome Aunt you have!

No Sitting

Dear Keira, you want to just stand now and fight us when we try to sit you on the floor, it's pretty funny. :)
Last night you got to spend a few hours with Misty while I went shopping.  From these pictures she sent me it looks like you had fun!

Dear Santa

 Dear Santa, I want a lap top. Love, Jaida

Dear Kylan, my camera wasn't fast enough, but you would NOT sit on Santa's lap.  Wish I'd gotten a video, you wouldn't even take the sack of candy from him, I had to give it to you. Thank goodness Keira sat willingly! :)

Dear Kayla, you were way to fast and I wasn't able to get your picture with my crappy camera phone. You told me that you asked Santa for a pony. Santa said that you might get into a bit of trouble with your mom and dad but he would first ask your mom and then he'd see what he could do.

Dear Joey, after I got everyone into the car I went back looking for you and you were standing in line to sit on Santa's lap (you kids were seriously in 50 different directions all night). You asked Santa for a toy gun and were very disappointed when you looked into the sack and there was only peanuts, candy canes and an orange. I told you that you tell Santa what you would like and then he tries to bring it to you for Christmas. So then you asked how Santa could remember that you wanted a toy gun. Well because Santa has a perfect memory, of course, and all those elves and lists to help!

Crazy Sleeper

Dear Kayla, I don't know why I don't have my camera out everyday! Last night you decided to sleep in the giant stocking you found yesterday.  The night before that you strapped yourself in Joey's car seat walked around for a bit like a turtle and then got in bed (shell side down). Then next morning you said you had a terrible dream and kept waking up and got out of the car seat - I would have had nightmares too sleeping like that.  The night before that you slept all night in your roller skates! What will tonight bring? :)

Major Tickling

Dear Kylan, you and Keira got to stay home with me while the older kids went to Grandma's and Dad went to a funeral.  You were so fun and helpful the whole time! You played with Keira while I worked, you cleaned up her spit up without me asking, you got to paint and then got paint all over Keira and the carpet when showing me your painting - you just ran to the kitchen, grabbed napkins and cleaned it up.  At dinner, even though we were at a play place you just sat and ate your food, and played with Keira. We read books, watched Wild Kratts, decorated the house, chased each other around the house and did some major tickling.  I loved my nice quiet 24 hours with you!

Missing Out

Dear Monty, while you've been gone you've missed out on sick kids, doctor visits, poopy diapers, school visits, clogging practice, me doing clogging chugs, baby crying all night cuz we lost her blanket (just kidding, I don't think that's the reason), obnoxious dogs, annoying cat ripping up wrapping paper while trying to wrap a present, dirty dishes, cereal for dinner and the neighbors moving. You also missed Kylan and Keira being up at 11pm, me doing the dishes, Keira spitting up and Kylan cleaning it up for me. You missed Kayla yelling out the window as she, Jaida, Joey, Misty and Dusty, were driving off, "Bye Kylan, we're off to have lots of fun!" I was trying to keep him happy that he was staying home. Later on I told Kylan I couldn't find Keira's blanket and he went and hurt himself getting into the crib and getting another one for me (sweetest kid ever!). I'm sure it's more fun reading about what you missed. Let's not make it a habit, okay?

Scary Spider

Dear Kylan, this morning you brought me this sucker and said, "Oooh, I want the spiderman one, its so scaarry!" I had to do a double take to see how scary it was.

Hurt Feelings :(

Dear Kayla, I went to the school to pick up Jaida and saw you sitting in the corner of the playground. I walked over to you and you immediately started crying saying that a girl hurt your feelings. I felt so sad and couldn't even give you a hug because the fence was between us. We talked the whole rest of your recess and two cute girls came up asking if you wanted to play (which you didn't because you were still so upset). Its hard watching things like this happen to your little kids. We talked about what you should do next time and so far its been a good week (also its lucky that you forget about things like that easily), way to bounce back Kayla!

Jaida's 5th Grade Program

Dear Jaida, can you see yourself in this picture? You're the third one in from the right. Cool and terrible picture I know, it's the best one I have.  Great job at your program, you sang like a pro and really looked enthusiastic singing, "America Rocks!" (insert sarcasm) You have one of the best teachers ever and are having a great year!

You have been sick since Friday and today stayed home from school. When you're throat was hurting you so bad you told me you could also feel that it was bleeding. Today you said that when you get a sore throat you get slits up at the top. You couldn't even move this morning so I took you to the doctor and he said you had a viral infection and just had to push through it.  It was great because as soon as you knew that it was nothing serious you became a lot more lively. Isn't it good/bad what our minds can do?

Understood?

Dear Keira, you are crawling all over the place! You crawl to us in the bathroom, the kitchen, the bedroom and when you get to us you try and stand up.  You are already standing up in your crib and on toys! I think you might be getting a tooth because you stick out your tongue a lot. You've started eating really good  and hardly making a mess, yay! I saw the picture below and thought of you. :) And then I thought of all my kids, and then I thought, "Joey is still this way." Ha!

Kayla's Leg Protection

Dear Kayla, last night you went to the store with me and you were in shorts! You told me that your legs were super, duper, luper protected and that they knocked out cold weather air.

I let you get a treat for being so good and just sitting in the cart the whole time. You picked Tic Tacs and ate them all in about 30 min. I hope they made your breath fresh all night.