~Roller Coaster Break~

Overall I'd say we had a very nice Christmas...I am wondering if I will ever be able to enjoy the Christmas celebrations without all the down sides...cooking, cleaning, traveling, more cleaning, falling behind because of traveling, no one getting a good nap, spreading germs, catching germs etc etc etc! Is it just me or are you other moms wishing for a child like Christmas!?!?!?

Enough of the downs... here are the ups...

My boys swap gifts with their cousins. This year we decided to swap their favorite treats! My guys certainly enjoyed that swap!

Gift giving is always enjoyable! I made this blanket for my cousin. It was the first real pattern that I followed. I had to call my mom once to walk me through the first step but overall had no problems!

My grandparents live very simply and don't ask for anything. I decided to make them two different kinds of granola, some peach jam, tea, dish cloths and chocolates...I also include a photo book ~ 45 photos of our year.

Most of our other gifts were bought this year. I've started a list of things to make for next year! I am excited to begin...I even have an idea for the guys!!!

During the week between Christmas and New Years Gregg and the boys spent a lot of time painting Jordan's race car that was his birthday gift). One day we took off to a Lego Store...It was a long drive and so not worth it. The boys were very disappointed in how small the store was. Oh well! We did see something else fun on that trip but I'll be sharing that later!

New Years Eve was spent separated...I stayed home with the three littles and Gregg went to our church service with the three biggies. We all had a good time. We had our own New Years Eve fun on New Years Day. I made popcorn in my new popcorn maker.

And had shrimp, bologna and cheese and homemade pickles while watching a movie.

The last week of our Christmas break was really up and down. The stomach flu came through. After that we did fit in some painting...
Here they are finished...

They played with these little things...I forget what they are called:-)...

and Jordan used Eric and Nathan as weights...

The boys also had a great time watching people fall on our neighbors pond across the road...boys!!!

I was a little overdone yesterday and frustrated with the mess around here. I don't do well seeing everyone just sitting around while I run circles around them trying to get things done. So I proclaimed today was cleaning day! We normally do "door to door" on Friday. That means we start at one end of the house and work through to the other end cleaning up everything in between. I give out all the jobs and they have to keep coming back for more. It generally takes us an hour to do this...this morning it took us 4+ hours! No kidding! The boys worked very well and did a great job...I have to brag on them because yesterday I was about crazy with all their fighting and crying and mess making. We took a lunch break and finished cleaning at 2...they were all happy to have all afternoon off. I have several things on my list for tomorrow but I really am pleased with how far we got.

So that was our up and down roller coaster break... I'm anxious to get back to my goals...I haven't been doing very well yet!