so the kids and i set our tree up the other night while dave put up some trim in the mudroom.

the kids all helped and we had a great time.

then, once the tree was finished, we turned off the lights and sat on the couch to admire our work. 

i got out my guitar and we sang a few songs, and then i told the kids we needed to talk about Christmas.  

i said, "now you guys know that Christmas is not all about....."

and tyden and shaeya both quickly said, "the PRESENTS."

and i said, "that's right. tekoa, can you tell us what Christmas is really about?"

she looked at me and said, "yep! santa and his sleigh!"  

oh kids are good at keeping you humble, aren't they? just when you think you're maybe doing an ok job of teaching them about what's important in life.....

but oh how i love that girl.  her smile.....

but while i'm thinking of her smile.....i think i've mentioned that she is getting a bit vain.

and i think she's had a few too many people comment on her dimples lately.  it's getting a bit out of hand.....

"hey mommy, do you want to see my dimples?" as she flashes me a big smile. "mommy do you love me because i have dimples?" 

and i've heard that she has been known to tell people that her mommy loves her because she has dimples.  and then i've got shaeya asking me if she has dimples.....

so if you all could work with me and just NOT ever mention dimples ever again that would be much appreciated! :)

she wet the bed yesterday morning.  i mean soaked.  it was like nothing i've ever seen before.  her clothes were completely drenched from top to bottom.  so she wrapped herself up in a blanket to hide it from tyden and shaeya and came downstairs to discretely tell me.

she came to my bedside and whispered, "mommy i need a bath...." :)

does anyone else have someone pee or poop EVERY DAY?? it just seems so EXCESSIVE.  the wet beds, the leaky pull ups, the random accidents, the "i almost made it to the toilet but not quite".....

the other day neiko happened to poop in his underwear.  and i didn't realize it.  i took him into the bathroom, took off his undies, lifted him onto the toilet, and stepped right in the poop.

it squished all in between my toes.

i must have made a big enough deal about my poopy foot, because the next day when i put him on the toilet he said, "noooooo poop mommy's foot, okay? no poop mommy's foot." :)

speaking of neiko, he and i are enjoying a quiet morning to ourselves this morning.  dave took the other kids out to my parent's house at the lake very early this morning so he could help my dad out with a few things.  and i'm here taking the morning to shop online, wrap presents, and bake some goodies for a Christmas party tonight.  and obviously getting a lot done, right? ;)

poor neiko is LOST without anyone to tease :) 

i sure wish the kid would sit and watch tv for once. :)  he doesn't sit.  ever.

but it is fun to have him to myself for a little.  

grandma and grandpa k babysat for us last night while i sang at weaver ridge (more on that in a bit) and when neiko woke up this morning he was yelling, "graaaaaaandma! graaaaaaaaaandma!!" 

so cute.

i went and picked him up out of his crib and sat with him on the couch while he was still a little sleepy.  i asked him if he was a good boy for grandma and grandpa.  

he said "yep! eat roni (macaroni).......bonk head.....owie.....fall down....stairs.....owie cheek......

and he pointed to his cheek.

I LOVE IT.  he is talking so much.  i kissed his cheek, and he said, "thank you, mommy."

so sweet.  and then he was done.  ready to start 100 mph :)

so my performance last night......teehee......they had no microphone stand.  

i was trying not to stress through dinner about the mic problem, but any of you who sing will know that the mic really does kinda make or break the sound quality of your voice.  and they wanted me to use a lapel mic that was popping and crackling as they used it to talk during dinner.....ahhhhh....i'm not a diva by any means but i was really not sure about trying to use it.....but i did.....and about 20 seconds into my first song it made a super loud high pitched sound :) and so we stopped and switched to a hand held mic with the mc holding it over my shoulder for me.  sooooooo funny.  the good thing was that it made us all laugh and broke the ice, and we were able to crack some jokes about it.  

i just gotta laugh though, cause it's always something.....but i had a lot of fun singing my songs and sharing a little from my heart....and then afterwards dave and i took advantage of our freedom and did some Christmas shopping.  

and we made some progress!   and then got some ice cream :)

well, i guess i've procrastinated long enough......time to get to that shopping/wrapping/baking......i've only got 2 more hours of quiet.....:)