Too many toys

I think I got too many new toys for Christmas this year. My husband spoiled me with as laptop, smart phone, and a kinect for the family. Then my mom (and dad) got me a Silhouette SD. And I haven't had time to play with them all.

The kids got lots of puzzles and Veggie Tales dvds. I feel spoiled compared to them, but they are happy and don't know better...

Typed on smart phone...

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Santa and Some Randomness

Yeah, so I have post ideas, and then I just never open the Dashboard to write them. I get sidetracked with the kids, and don't comment on blogs as well (but rest assured I still read every post in my Google Reader and open most of them thinking I will comment later). Here is one topic I have been thinking about:

I am glad we haven't done the Santa thing. Reading and seeing things on Facebook makes me really glad we don't want the pictures of the kids with the jolly man. The lines. The grumpy Santas. The kids scared of the big man. Yeah, I don't think it is worth it. Now, there are some good pics of kids with Santa too. But, they are not the majority!

So why haven't we done Santa? Well, there was no way AJU5 would have had a picture with Santa before her first Christmas as she got home from the hospital 4 days before and was still on oxygen. Plus, it wasn't even on my radar that year, as I was still recovering from all the insanity that was her birth.

Then there is the whole lying/hiding/being secretive thing. I just don't think it is worth it. I want the kids to actually thank the person who got them things - and you can't really thank Santa... Okay, you could write a thank you card, but it isn't the same. And I am not great at being secretive anyways, so it would be difficult for me.

And then there is the part where we don't go all out at Christmas anyways. With their birthdays so close to Christmas, we only get them a few things. They get enough toys from family that they don't need more and won't really appreciate it, especially at this age.

And then at this age,t hey don't get it anyways really. AJU5 has been watching Saint Nicholas - the Veggie Tales version - a lot lately. Maybe she has a little idea that there is a person called Santa now. But, before that show she was completely clueless. She saw a few Santa decorations, and she thought they were Noah (since she has a few Noah books and a Noah Little People set). It would be a battle to get her to completely understand Santa even at 3, so it is just easier.

Now I just have to remember not to ruin it for my nephews that still believe. Last year I almost blew it because I was telling my sister how the kids only got a few things from us, including the things in the stockings. Luckily the boys weren't listening closely...

Wordless Wednesday - Birthday Present (Yesterday)

I Survived!

I don't know how military wives do it. DH was gone for almost a full week, and I was so ready for him to be home!

He left last Sunday from church, and he got back around 6pm on Saturday. And some how I survived the week with both kids. AJU5 asked where Daddy every day. She actually does this during the week too, but she did it a little more frequently (normally it is just when she gets up, and she will tell me where he is). Of course AJU6 can't talk much, so I don't know how much he noticed.

Luckily it was a fairly busy week. Monday I had to pick up exams and grade them. Tuesday I had to drop them back off at campus so they could be mailed to the students. Wednesday I got a call from the neighbor inviting us to a cookie exchange on Friday. We also had church that night. Thursday was our normal walk and then Cubbies at night. Friday, we went to a Christmas Corral (the Pumpkin Stand transformed), then to the cookie exchange (minus Amos who I left with a friend), and then dinner at the friends'. That was 9 hours away from home - minus a quick run to the potty and grabbing of cookies. Saturday was our church's Christmas potluck, so we were gone for about 4 or so hours as well. Between Friday and Saturday, I bakes two double batches of oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and a batch of butter rolls. I also had to make to morning trips to the store as we were out of oatmeal, Crisco, and butter before it was all done. Luckily the "bribe" of cookie making made it easy to get AJU5 out of the house.

I also got one 22 page mini scrapbook album done for my MIL and got all my shopping for the niece, nephews, and husband done. Now I just have a TINY bit for the kids (AJU6 socks and AJU5 tights or leggings) left, plus my mom and sister. Not too bad!

This week will be crazy too. Tomorrow is AJU5's birthday, Thursday I am in charge of Cubbies craft and snack, Finals are this week, and Saturday is the kids' birthday party. So, if you don't hear from me - don't worry!

Maybe I won't Scrapbook This, as He Might Kill Me Later

I am referring to AJU6 and his current "room."

On our road trip, he became a TERRIBLE sleeper again - up every 2 hours. I thought it might be the dog, who slept right outside their window most nights. Or it might be teething. But, after over a week of not getting more than 2 hours of sleep in a row, I decided we needed to try a little CIO. But, I couldn't have him waking AJU5, as that would be worse as she would want to sleep with us (which means I get kicked all night).

I knew the guest bedroom wasn't a great idea because the one other time we let him cry for more than a couple of minutes he woke his sister in the next room. The office wouldn't be much better, as the distance to her would be about the same. And of course our room wasn't an option. Downstairs wasn't a good idea because he would be woken up by AJU1 when he goes to work in the morning - before 6am. So, there was one option - their bathroom.

Luckily the bathroom is big enough for the pack-n-play plus access to the bathtub, both sinks, and the drawers. The potty isn't accessible, but it is rarely used anyways since AJU5 prefers the downstairs bathroom for some reason (probably because that is where we trained her). We started Tuesday night. He woke around 8;15, and screamed for a while. Since we weren't in bed yet, I got him and tried to get him to sleep. I also offered him his cup. But, he just screamed. So, before too long, I put him back in bed and he fell asleep within a few minutes. He slept for 3 hours at a time, and I was "happy."

Wednesday night AJU1 watches him while I go to church (and AJU5 comes with me now). So, when he cried when I got home (well, a little after that), I did let him nurse since he didn't have that option before going to bed. He nursed well, and then he slept for about 4 hours at a time. I was happier than the night before.

Last night he did okay. He didn't wake when I got home (from Awana with AJU5), so when he woke about 4 hours after going to bed, he was definitely thirsty/hungry. After that, he slept for about 3 hours at a time. At one point I realized AJU1 didn't change him before bed, which might have been why he was waking so much (very soggy diaper!). Also, he didn't have jammies on, so his legs were a little cold. But still, it was better than the every 2 hours he had done before. AND!!! he slept in until 7 (he had been up by 6 most of the week, beating his sister up).

Tonight he went to bed early - before 6. Four hours later, and he is still asleep. He did get two shots today (MMR and PCV), so he was tired and fussy this afternoon. I dosed him with Tylenol before he went down, and I have Advil ready if he needs it tonight. Hopefully it will be another night of good sleep.

I don't expect him to sleep 10+ hours at night for a few more months. AJU5 was definitely older before she did it regularly. But, I will be happy as long as I don't have to get up more than twice a night! Oh, and there has been very little CIO it turns out. I am just afraid to put them back in the same room right now... maybe a week before Christmas we will try again.