More Than Enough Snow To Play In!

Uh, Helloooo Mom, the snow is kinda deep out here...

Look at me NOW...

Here, Mom, let me help you clear some of these "boulders"...

Brrr... it's cold out here!

But, not too cold to dress a tiny snowman, made out of snow boulders...

And now, for a little sledding with Cousin Matt...He's always up for an "adventure"!



Now, for my dual role as videographer and spotter: Not as easy as it sounds...

A Very Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve. We braved the icy roads to get to 5:00 mass. When I told Kayli I was considering not going to church because of the ice, she wailed "But I wanna see Baby Jeeesus!" I really think she thought we were going to see a real baby in a manger. When we stood in front of the little tabletop manger scene they had set up at church, and I pointed out Baby Jesus in Mary's arms, Kayli just looked up at me with this screwed up little face, and said "Hmm..." like she really wanted to say "Ok, THAT's not the baby I'm talking about!" Then, she just turned around and headed back towards our seats, stopping to look in the main area of church and glancing side to side as if she might spot the baby somewhere. Once the mass started, Kayli sang and sang, as IF she knew all the words, but trust me, she didn't!

Kayli is all ready for bed, setting out cookies for Santa, and oatmeal for the reindeer!
Christmas Morning...

"I love my new princess mirror..."
"Oh my gosh, it's a Beauty and the Beast Tea Set!"
"Mom, Santa DID bring me the Dora Roller Skates I wanted!"

This doll talks, and potties, and brushes her teeth, and drinks, and lots more, and all with realistic sound effects!


"Wow, this is a great box that my doll came in..."


"I think my doll and I can both fit in here...it's so cozy..."
Christmas is such a happy day!
Happy Birthday Jesus...

Guess this means we're not getting out..

I filmed this from my kitchen window:

So, if we were having any thoughts about getting out again, which we weren't, after our treacherous drive home on 435 last night, this scenario with the BIG,HEAVY Trash truck,unable to get through my street, confirmed it! Guess we won't be having our trash picked up today?

Nevermind the fact that we still have that minor inconvenience of a pile of snowboulders, that the snowplows left for us, at the foot of our driveway...


Soo, seriously, the story goes... yesterday, Christmas, beautiful white snow falling, presents opened, toys played with, no time for a nap, relish tray prepared, it's late afternoon, Kayli and I head out to pick up Grandpa on our way to the "family gathering" in Missouri. He wasn't kidding when he said they hadn't shoveled his walk, and had plowed a wall at the end of his driveway! I left Kayli's window in the car open so she could see me climb through knee deep snow to greet her Grandpa at the common door to his villa. I walked him down the completely snow covered stairs while he held his cane on one side of him and my arm on the other side. Every step took us knee deep in snow to the unfamiliar surface below. We arrived at our destination, enjoyed a nice dinner, more presents, more fun. We headed for home around 9, and ohhhh my, what a trip on 435! I said, "Wow, that wind is really blowing my car." Then I realized it wasn't the wind but the sheet of ice beneath us! We saw accident after accident after rescue vehicle after rescue vehicle, until finally we could see that they had closed the interstate up ahead and there were flashing red lights galore. We got off and made our way home at a snail's pace. This time, as we arrived to deliver Grandpa to his home, we had his newly acquired presents to help him get in the house. I unbuckled Kayli from her car seat, handed her the box that had a toaster in it, I grabbed a big box, Grandpa had already begun the trek toward his house. Then, Kayli drops the toaster in the snow, I'm losing a hold on the big box, we're both laughing as I scoop up the toaster, and head for the house as Kayli decides to "dive and swim" in the deep snow! We get Grandpa settled and head home, where just a few feet from the garage door, I manage to get my car "high centered" in the snow, and, well, I'm sooo close, but soo far, as my tires spin and spin! Darn it. Now I'm out of my car, shoveling snow around my tires, dragging throw rugs out to put under the front wheels, and getting Kayli a safe distance away as I gun it and manage to get traction from the rugs! (I didn't want to leave the car in the driveway because the snow shoveler is supposed to come by early morning) So, Whew, safely inside we take off our winter gear and Kayli's feet and ankles are as pink as a lobster. So, worried about frost bite I put her in some warm water and I proceed to read books to her until her normal color re-appears. It was sooo COLD but I couldn't believe that she had only been in the snow, with her boots, for about 3-5 minutes! Today, we are STAYING PUT!!!

Yep, she was right

Yep, we started the new tradition of exchanging family gifts, at the crack of dawn, on Christmas Eve Morning, while still in bed! I awoke to "MOM, our presents are STILL HERE! Will you open yours NOWWW?" Oh, yes, the fun has just begun, and Yep, Kayli was right. True to her recollection, she gave me two, earring & necklace sets, and a little, rainbow colored, compact mirror, that she's already confiscated and zipped tight in her own little bag, just as she told me she would. She told me I was welcome to look in it if I needed to, but that she really needed to keep it in her bag.



I gave Kayli a "Princess Themed" gift with a pink, sparkly, princess dress, shoes, tights, necklace, bracelet, hair bow, and tiara. She was as thrilled as I thought she'd be, and of course, has been wearing them all day, so proud to think she looks just like the princess in her book!

I really think opening our exchange gifts at the beginning of the day is good because it helps us shift our focus later in the day to preparing for Baby Jesus' Birthday. Kayli is so excited to see "the special baby" in the manger at church tonight. Then, tomorrow, Jesus will watch from heaven while Kayli opens the special presents Santa brought, then she'll sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and eat birthday cake with breakfast!

By the way, it's sleeting outside, lots and lots of tiny little ice pellets, that are supposed to turn to snow by tonight. Oh, how I love a White Christmas!

Starting a New Tradition?

Today, Aunt Suzanne came in town and took Kayli to pick out a Christmas present for me. Well, first, we all went to see the new movie The P*rincess and the F*rog, Kayli's first real theatre experience. The hardest part of the movie theatre experience was convincing Kayli that the previews would eventually end and the "real movie" would start! She kept saying "Is this the movie yet?" So, directly following the movie, I gave Aunt Suzanne some money to take Kayli to help her pick out a little something for her "dear ol' mom". Once Kayli had the wrapped presents in her hands, she wanted me to open them right away, of course! I told her that she and I would give our Christmas gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. (tomorrow) Then, Santa would be coming the next day. "Ohhh, mom, can't you just open them now?" she begs. No, Kayli, we have to wait until tomorrow. "But, mom, I picked out some really good presents, and you know, I think we should SHARE them. Well, you can have the earrings..." WAIT, KAYLI, Don't tell me what you got me... "Well, I am NOT telling you Mom, but I'm just telling you that we can share them all, but really you can have the earrings and the necklace, but I should have the mirror, and... But, I'm NOT telling you what I got for you!!!" "I'm not telling you, Mom." Oh, ok. Then... pondering the wait til I get to open these...Kayli continues "Mom, when we get home, can we put on our pajamas and go to bed and, and, can we sleep with the presents? Then, we can wake up in the morning and open them!!! Wouldn't that be fun???" Hmmm...well, that does sound like fun...and honestly, since we all know that Kayli does not spend her nights asleep in her own little bed, acting like I've lost my mind when I suggest that people usually sleep in their own beds, and opting to pretend like I just had a moment of insanity, then crawling in my bed with her barage of plastic dinosaurs, tiaras, books, and stuffed "snuggle friends", then settling in for the night. I'm thinking that sleeping with a bunch of wrapped Christmas presents can't be much different. It can't be any more inconvenient than dodging my little "bed hog's" feet, or trying to roll over, just to discover that her head is actually ON MY pillow. Really...what a small price to pay for some extra special Christmas EXCITEMENT!!! "Okay, Kayli, we can sleep with the presents!"

Oh, my gosh, this is just so exciting!

"This BIG present is the one my mom is giving me. Maybe I can sleep ON it?
Ok, it's settled, I'll sleep with these two little presents... one in each hand.
Good night Kayli. Hmmm...I can't wait til' morning to see what you got me for Christmas??? Ha. Ha.

Makes More Sense?

I set out two different manger scenes this year, as part of our Christmas decorations. Seems that my arrangements aren't quite right, though. It just cracks me up when I come into a room and see that all the figurines have been re-arranged from the "traditional" display, to a more "personalized" tight, cozy circle, as if the characters are making human contact with one another! Hmmm, really makes a little more sense that way, doesn't it? Notice in the modified grouping of the large figurines, "Mary" is wearing a nice knitted scarf, that Kayli borrowed from a Rudolph ornament! It WAS very cold outside, you know! Plus, I noticed that a "stray toy camel" showed up in the front of the group one day! Seriously, I just walk by, see these things, shake my head and enjoy a good chuckle.

"Traditional Display":


Kayli's "modification", with the added scarf and toy camel:

The tiny manger scene as a "traditional display":
The tiny manger scene arranged as Kayli sees fit:


AND, Here are some angels I usually keep on the table:
AND, Here's how I usually find them:
Looks like they're just chatting away, having a grand ol' time, doesn't it???

Always Coming Up With "Great Ideas"...

Kayli was playing in the basement with her dolls and doll bed, when suddenly she was struck by another one of her "Great Ideas"! She announces "Mom, I've got the perfect plan! We can bring this little bed upstairs and put it right next to your big bed. Then I can sleep right next to you!" "Isn't that a great plan?"
So, being the good sport that I am, I tell her if she can drag that bed upstairs, she is welcome to sleep in it. Since I'm not supposed to be lifting heavy things yet, I hold one end, to help get this doll bed up the stairs without anyone or anything falling! Kayli is working hard, grunting and groaning all the way, as she pulls this little bed up the stairs, then "Phew, that was a job!" she exclaims. She is sooo excited to carry out this plan that she rushes to get ready for bed, brushes her teeth, then "makes her new little bed".
"Good-night Mom"
Wait a minute. Hmmm... On second thought...
"Mom, that bed is just too far away from you. How 'bout we just climb in your bed, read a story, and snuggle together. Maybe I can take a nap in that bed tomorrow?"
Hmm... How 'bout we just use this doll bed for your dolls??? Good night, my sweet, always-has-the-perfect-plan, girl.