Christmas celebrations

We had a fun, low-key Christmas week (how low key? well for Christmas dinner we realized all the forks were in the dishwasher, so we ate our nice meal with some red plastic ones I had stashed away). We enjoyed my mom being here, enjoyed the lovely weather, enjoyed making cookies and gingerbread, enjoying singing silly songs -- and enjoyed just being together.

Kisae was the perfect age for Christmas this year, just so full of joy and excitement. In fact, that's just what she kept saying, "I so 'cited!"

Both kids got gifts they wanted but didn't expect and, in Ben's case, hadn't even asked for (Swiss Army knife, Plasma Car), so watching their surprise/delight that morning was quite fun for us grownups.

Kisae gave us many musical performances, showcasing all the songs she'd learned for her preschool's Christmas show. It made us all very merry.

Season of Joy (and stress)

Okay, I'll be honest. The last month has mostly been one of stress here, with the financial health of our company getting a little more shaky (as if the past 18 months, with two those rounds of layoffs, weren't enough) and with Ben developing some issues that have us worried (we're working on things, and I'm sure everything will be ok, but it still has me a bit unnerved).

I am trying not to be too stressed (ha) and trying to enjoy the holiday season by focusing on the little, fun things we've been doing (making treats, cutting down our tree, decorating). The kids love that stuff, and it gives me joy to seem them delighted. They're both really looking forward to Grandma's arrival next week. Me, too.

Mr. Tacky, our big, inflatable snowman that Jim purchased two years ago for the kids (and, perhaps, because he knew it would drive me nuts) presides over our front patio in all his nylon glory. Kisae loves to watch him inflate and is sorely depressed when he is not up (like first thing in the morning).

And in fashion news, Kisae actually picked out and wore a skirt to her preschool's holiday show. I was stunned. She looked adorable.

But fitting with her keen fashion sense, she insisted that she wear overalls to the Christmas tree farm. I was worried she'd be cold (her only overalls are shorts), but it warmed up, so overalls it was.

So there have been fun times, despite the worries. I must just keep reminding myself of them.

A Birthday celebrated

Oh, so little time to blog these days.
But Kisae did turn 4, and she was quite thrilled with it all. "I 4! I a big kid now!" was what we heard all day.
We mostly celebrated at home, though at night we went to see Ice! - the fake winter set up at the Gaylord Palms hotel. Very cool, but also (duh) very cold. They keep it at 9 degrees (which, I'd sort of forgotten, is really very cold), so by the end both kids were freezing and ready to go.
Kisae's favorite gift was her new scooter, though she loved her art stuff and her cool tie-dyed shirt from grandma, too.
I cannot believe she is 4, though she is at such a great stage, full of fun and questions and funny observations. Like when Ben announced he was going to let his hot chocolate cool (mostly because he wanted to watch the Magic game and chocolate isn't allowed on the couch). Kisae pondered this for a moment and then said, "They call it hot chocolate because it's hot, Ben!"