Da da dum.... Strep

So, to follow up my happiness of the holiday and spending time with everyone......the boys have strep. So, I took them to the doctor today because Hayes has been coughing for days and Sam has had a runny nose for days. Ben is on the starting line of the cough. Doctor says, lets do a strep test....doctor comes in....Hayes has strep and Ben is borderline. Sam has a sinus infection. I mean REALLY?????

At least the boys seem to feel ok but REALLY?????

Tick Tock goes the Clock, Christmas is almost here!

My boys are rock stars! Have I ever said that? Because they are. They are the best little sweetlings that have ever happened to me.

We have had a great few weeks. Starting with my birthday and coming to into the tail end of Christmas week.

Just a few things:
Sam has made a new best friend in the neighborhood, Will. We pray that it continues. Will just turned 8 and he and Sam have just clicked. We are 4 for 4 right now, meaning, played together the last 4 days and it was great. They get along very well, he lives close, they ride their bikes, they do legos, they basically just have fun.

The elf, Elfie, has been actually leaving every night to go to the North Pole and report back to Santa. Last year, and at the start of this one, Elfie apparenlty was seeing behavior he did not care for because he stayed in the exact spot as he had been in. Either that, or he was warm and toasty where he was. The second night he did not move the boys met me at the garage door (I had gone to a 6 am workout) and were beside themselves. "Why didn't Elfie move?" "What is wrong with Elfie?" etc. The boys left for school and I read the note Sam left and it said "Wut the heck? The elf did not leave. Sam Walton" I died laughing!!! It was so funny! Yeah Elfie, what the heck? I mean it is not like you have three boys that need constant attention and care. Jeez!

We gave him a pep talk, which seemed to work because he has not missed a night since. That little guy has been loving him some Walton boys because he has left and he has been upside down on the fan string, hanging through the paper chain links on Hayes' Christmas countdown, in the brownies with powered sugar all over him. That was actually so funny because Ben scolded the elf two times telling him that Santa was not going to be pleased that he had sugar all over him. Ryan and I thought it was so cute.

So, today was the last day of school until January 5. Everyone is thrilled! I am too, no I really and truly am!!! The boys had great Christmas parties, they are ready to do Gingerbread houses tomorrow, wrap presents and just enjoy our time off. Then, we get to go to Snowmass and tear up the mountain, and when I say tearing up the mountain, I mean at least I will. I am quite the ski bunny. Sam is kicking up there too now and I can't wait for the twins to get good. The best is skiing with your babies!

Anyway, I pray everyone has a blessed and wonderful Christmas.

It is my Birthday

Today is my (gulp) 38th birthday! Yes, I am closer to 40 than I might like. As Sam said this morning, "Mom you are almost 40." Why thank you son, I appreciate it!

So, I had the most fantastic day!

Started out with some delicious coffee in bed topped with whipped cream and whoppers courtesy of Sam. A lovely box of Kashi cereal from Hayes and some delightful kisses from Ben.

Sam got the paper, Ryan started some bacon and eggs and we were set on a chilly, rainy oh so cozy morning.

We went to church together and my heart nearly burst with love and pride when my sweet little Ben stuck his little sweet hands out for the bread during communion. He has never done that before and who I am to tell him he cannot eat the body of Christ. So, he had his first communion today and I was so proud. He said to me as we walked away "I was so brave" and then he said "that was yummy". He did not have the wine and tonight he took a sip of mine and said "now I have had two Christs today". Haha! Darling little baby.

So, after church Ryan and the boys went to run some last minute errands while I went for a nice pedicure. I am not sure but I think because it was my birthday, my leg and foot massage was better than ever!

I came home to a house full of excitement. The boys had gotten my gifts and cookie cake and I think, no I am sure, we finished opening the gifts in 2 minutes flat! Cookie cake was had by all, a couple times, and we sat in front of the fire, watched tv and loved the rainy afternoon.

Dinner with my parents capped off my day and the kids are now all are tucked away in bed. Where will the pesky elf land tonight? He was a little hi-jinxy last night.

I had one of my best birthdays ever! I am one truly blessed person with the love of my family and my love for them.