A Crazy December

Taking a rest in the neighbor's yard on Christmas Day.

Christmas in the Park.

A girls' trip to see "Princess and the Frog." Tiana is a new favorite! She works hard and is independent. The best kind of princess!

Haley had a holiday performance for school. It was darling, of course. She is front left.

Yuba City Christmas was a hit. It is always so fun to have the whole family together. The drink contest isn't so bad either!

Santa was very good to us! A skateboard and pads for Haley and a Rescue Pack for Ryan. I got a new gym bag and running shoes and hoodie and Josh got tickets to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. The first thing Haley did after she ran down the stairs was go straight for the plate of cookies and apples we left for Santa and his reindeer. "LOOK! He ate the cookies and fed his reindeer! HE WAS HERE!!!!" Ryan rubbed his eyes and took his time coming down the stairs. He's not at the age quite yet.
The Russell family treated all of us to a couple of nights at a beach house in Santa Cruz. It has been hard with the loss of Grandpa Irv last week and this is exactly what was needed.
It was another wonderful holiday season. Parties, friends, and family. We are truly so blessed.

Sometimes I Am Reminded

Last night Haley and Ryan were in the bath playing. Ryan started to do something really goofy and Haley was cracking up. I loved watching as Ry kept doing it over and over to make his sister laugh. I saw Jason and me as kids. My brother, who is 12 months younger, used to make me laugh until my sides hurt. He made everything funny no matter where we were. I would laugh so much that it usually ended up getting him in trouble because I egged him on so much! I remember thinking that when I became a mom I would want my kids to be a year apart just like Jason and me. Of course, reality hit once we had Haley and I remember thinking- I would be pregnant now?! I just had her!!! Wow, Mom and Dad...crazy!

Watching the kids in the bath made me sad that my brother is not part of my life and really hasn't been for many years. I have no idea what being an addict is like, but I know what it is to be a sibling of an addict who calls prison home. I think of him back then and think of how much potential he had. It may be silly, but after all the ins and outs of rehab, jail, and even prison, I hold a small glimmer of hope for his future. Maybe he will get well and it will last and he can be part of our lives. I think it is interesting that Haley remembers "Uncle Dude" as she points him out in pictures, but she never asks where he is or why we don't see him. I am glad because I really don't know what to say. I have no idea what this is like for my parents.

I have very fond memories of Jason. Seeing the kids in the bath last night was just like looking back to 30 years ago. I watched them play with a smile on my face.

Here It Is

It Was Bound To Happen

I think cutting your own hair is something most of us have done. Tonight Josh was reading Haley a book in bed and found this chunk of hair by her bed. He asked her what it was and she immediately started apologizing and then crying when she had to tell me what happened. This was the same night she decided to do glitter glue in her bed and was told afterward that she could only do it on the table.

The good news is that although it was a nice chunk of hair, it was on the underside and we don't have to do any repair. It is a good sign that it happened two nights ago and we didn't notice. I think she learned her lesson. The poor thing is so sensitive and could barely tell me what happened she was crying so hard. Of course, Josh and I got back to our room and started laughing.

It's Fact

We have the cutest nieces in the world. In alphabetical order...

Santa's Lap

Saw Santa tonight. Last year the picture was of him and the kids. This year it was all four of us (will post soon) since Ryan was not having it without us. Haley COULD NOT WAIT! For about a month she talked about how she wanted a doll castle. This weekend she saw our friends from San Diego and played with Ellie on skateboards. Tonight, yes she did, she asked Santa for a skateboard. It was very cute to see her interact with him and talk about the holiday. She promised him a cookie and milk under the tree along with a slice of apple for his reindeer. This was her 5th trip seeing the big man!

Ryan was just kind of enamored with the whole thing. It was fun to watch. He was also very interested in the animals that surrounded Santa's...throne? What do you call that thing?

I must say that it is very cool that we have the same Valley Fair Santa in all our pictures. I have found out through talking with him through the years that he lives in the midwest and comes out here every year. I know that last year he and Mrs. Claus were put up in Santana Row. Such a jolly fella! My favorite season is here! It usually brings out the best in people.

I Kept My Cool

Social Studies, 6th period.
"Mrs. Russell? There is a cockroach in one of the supply baskets."
Calmly, "Is there anyone who does not mind critters?"
Student raises hand and takes basket outside.
Back to our lesson.
EEEEWWWWW! SO GROSSED OUT!