When Things Break

This is how our Christmas tree currently looks. Pretty pathetic. This seemed to be the year of malfunctioning lights. Within minutes of my completion of lighting the tree (it only took about 3 hours and maybe 12 strands of lights) one of my darling children fiddled with the lights and knocked out a strand in the middle of the tree. "Not to worry." I told myself. "I'll fix them in a few days." It never happened.

We had lights that fell from the roof. And then more lights that went out on the stairs. By Christmas, another strand of lights has burned out on the tree. And on Christmas Day I watched another strand burn out. Oh well.

Maybe all the lights going out sent bad vibes to our other things. Our van wouldn't start up when we were headed out for a trip the day after Christmas. After a prayer, Clark managed to get it started and to the repair shop. We were on the road 2 hours later. During those two hours, we discovered the TV was not working. It took it upon itself to turn off whenever we turned it on.

The kids decided to then entertain themselves playing the piano. I discovered another broken note (in addition to the one we already have) while attempting to practice the other evening. Our piano is definitely on its last legs. It is only about 65 years old.

When we got home from our trip and plugged in the Christmas tree this is how it looked. The kids still insist we need to keep it up and turn on the lights.

The kicker for me is this: the kids just think we can easily replace a broken TV or a breaking piano just like we replaced the toaster that broke this month. Buy a new one.

Outtakes from Christmas Pictures

Setting the scene:

 It only takes 201 pictures to get a decent Christmas card photo.

You catch a sneeze in process.

Sometimes can only round up a child or two.
We only need four more to actually take the picture!

 Some awkwardness . . .

 

And a little bit of attitude . . . 

 get you to . . .

Picture #201!  Success!

 

Life As a Baby . . .

Brought to you by Cora.

As child number five you learn and experience many things:

You make sure you are soothed at all times. 

You always keep your ear tuned to the happenings of the household.  Maybe its the rustling of candy being unwrapped; the proximity of siblings; or quite possibly Mommy catching a spare moment to get something done.

You learn how to smile BIG.

Tummy time is a rare event.

Multi-tasking: sleeping and blowing bubbles.

Christmas lights, smimas lights.  They all look the same to you.

Always someone who wants to hold you.

Little green frog toys really make you smile.

Daddy can easily be suckered into napping.

Siblings are always a good source of entertainment.  That, and singing and dancing snowmen and dogs too. 

 

A Little Christmas

We enjoyed a laid back - although not "quiet" Christmas.  A few shots from activities at our house.

Gingerbread house decorating.  The best part about this, they mostly used their Halloween candy.  What a great use for that.

 

Cut out sugar cookies.  Lots of hands involved with this one.

Eliza demonstrates how Clark and I feel by the end of Christmas.  Most likely she was demonstrating her exasperation in having to wait her turn.  So hard being a middle child!

 And now time to decorate those cookies . . .

Eliza decided to use her hands instead of a knife. Yum, yum.  Santa probably was sure excited to eat those. 

Opening presents

 

I'm not sure who was more excited about this gift, me or Cora.  But I finally got around to making her what I call, "Burp in Style" burp cloths.  Fabulous!

Hope your family had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!