Polar Express Train

We invited another family over to decorate our Polar Express Train that we do every year as part of our Christmas tradition. We read the book and then decorate our train. Here are the results......

Katelyn Goes to the ER

On Monday evening (December 22) I was making dinner when Katelyn headed into the living room for some reason unknown to me. A few seconds later, I heard a loud crash and then silence, so I figured she was fine since there was no crying. I then asked what had happened and received no response. So, I headed in to investigate when she came toward the kitchen holding her head and crying. She said something fell on her and I noticed blood on her hair. I had her sit down so I could determine how bad it really was. And when she heard there was blood, the tears really started and she was getting panicky. I got the bleeding stopped mostly and saw that she had a cut about 1 inch long just back from her hairline above her forehead. Then I discovered another puncture on the side of her head that was also bleeding. I called David, who was on his way home from work, and we decided that I would wait until he got there to head to the ER. Long story short, we went to the ER and they were able to glue the cut back together. She was very relieved she didn't have to have stitches.

I had to laugh at her in the car on the way to the ER, she asked me what they have to do if you lose all of your blood. She was worried that she was going to lose all of her blood because the cut was bleeding so much!!! She was very brave at the ER and didn't even cry when they were washing it and gluing it. My only complaint was that they were soooooooo slow. We got there at 6:40 pm and didn't leave until 9:10pm. And now we are waiting to wash her hair because you can't get the cut wet for about 4 days. Below is a couple of pics of the damage.

Pictures with Santa

We had the kids pictures taken with Santa for the first time and they turned out pretty cute. My friend did it and hired her own santa, so we didn't have to wait in line at the mall. Katelyn and Jacob had a good time and Maya wanted nothing to do with Santa, as you can see from the pictures!!

First Piano Recital

Katelyn began taking piano lessons over the summer and then we stopped when school started and just recently started her again. And Saturday she played in her first piano recital. She did a great job and I think I was more nervous than she was!! She played two duets with me (Sharyn). They were Jolly Old St. Nicholas and Over the River and Through the Woods. Below are some pictures. The light was really bright from the window behind the piano, so the pictures are not that great. I am going to try and get a recording of her playing the same songs here at home, so you can hear how she sounds.

Kids Say the Darnedest Things.....

So, tonight while decorating the Christmas tree with the kids, Katelyn said something to me that is a sad milestone for me as a parent. As I handed each of them an ornament, I would tell them if it was one of theirs or one of mine from when I was a kid. As I gave Katelyn an ornament, I told her it was one from when I was a kids and she said to me, "Mom, does mean that you were a kid in the olden days when they didn't have cars?" I couldn't help but laugh. And then I told her that no I was not THAT old. But apparently I have reached the age where my children believe I am really old. Funny thing too, because I remember asking my own parents something similar and truly being surprised they had cars when they were young!! I am also surprised that Katelyn even knows what the "olden days" are and that they didn't have cars in the olden days. Oh, to be young again. Wait, I am still young, no matter what my kids think!