Photo Journey Through Christmas

I just put all the Christmas photos up on my gallery. Feel free to take a peek at the fun we had with the Reynolds and the Boden Families.

http://gallery.me.com/jennifermany#gallery

He Caved!

So you might have heard that Seattle got some snow...and it shut down the whole city.
The kids were super excited when the first flakes started to fall.
It started on the 21st and didn't really stop until Thanksgiving. I was a bit afraid that we'd have to miss some of our guests but everyone made it to the house safe and sound.
But before we had Thanksgiving and before the snow really hit us, we brought the kids out to a local nursery to see the reindeer.
Trey has always stuck to waiting to celebrate Christmas until after Thanksgiving. This means no Christmas music, no Christmas drinks and NO Cranberry Bliss Bar from Starbucks.
But guess what? The snow got to him...and he totally bought one! And then? When we got back into the car? Yup! He turned on some Christmas music!!

Now that Thanksgiving is over we are officially getting into the Christmas spirit. Even our dogs are getting in on it...although they aren't as excited as the rest of us.

Break in the Schedule

Today marks the end of our vacation.
I was really looking forward to this break.
By the middle of December the Many family was tired. Waking up was becoming the most hated thing. My phone alarm would go off and I would audibly grumble at it before tapping the off bar. Trey would roll over and beg for 10 more minutes while I would shuffle down the hall to Hazel's room- knock, knock, (muffle, groan, groan) and then August's- knock, knock (silence), knock, knock, (huff), knock, knock ("OKAY!").
I would have to splash my own face to get motivated for the fight that was quickly approaching. My arsenal ready with words like, "You have 5 minutes to get out of bed before I start taking things away from you. " and "We have 15 minutes left for breakfast." and "Put your plate in the sink, go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, put your shoes on, put your coat on. Do you have your lunch?" With an extra, "What are you going to eat for lunch today?" when one or the other had left their lunch sitting in front of the door. Mind you, they had to walk right past it in order to forget it. And then the, "Run back and get it and then hurry up and catch up to us."
Makes me tired just writing about it!
Needless to say, we were all very ready for the break in schedule. And so, that first day off school? We all slept until 9:30am, which, remarkably was the exact time I'd told the kids the TV could be turned on during the break.
On Christmas morning I was awoken not by my darling children excitedly panting for gifts. It was my phone repeatedly buzzing and buzzing with pictures of my brother's kids opening presents at 7 in the morning. My kids were still dreaming of American Girl dolls and video games. August and Hazel, who by this time were regularly waking up at 10:00am, finally tip toed out of their rooms at 9:00 all sleepy like but willing to push themselves with the realization that the gifts waiting for them would make it worth it all.
Gifts were opened, hugs were given, pictures were taken and sent and then the house was quiet again. I poked my head in August's room, expecting to see his nose in a book or to hear some blip, blip, bliping from his DSi, but instead I found him in his bed trying to take a nap. "You tired August?"
"Huh? Yeeeessssss."
Today marks the last day of break. I woke up to a quiet house at (hold on to your hats folks) 10:45am. A quiet house. Dogs still in their kennels, husband still snoozing and the kids doors closed with no sounds coming from behind them.
I had to wake them up. At 10:45 in the morning. Tomorrow is going to hurt so bad.

Christmas 2009

A few weeks ago Hazel mentioned that she really likes one of the traditions Trey's mom has of putting baby Jesus out on Christmas eve. We've never had a nativity set and we started talking about how we should be on the look out for a nice little set for our home.
Days passed and Hazel was invited to go to a birthday party for a girl friend from school. They went to this place called Paint the Town. Hazel has been wanting to go this place for so long and we just haven't had the time or the inclination to go. Needless to say, she was ecstatic to spend a few hours with her friends creating something of her own.
August and I rushed over to the little shop to pick our happy girl up and found that she spent her time painting a nativity scene.
Folks, this place is full of puppies, plates, cups, cute little animals, you name it...but Hazel picked a nativity scene.
I was very touched that she wanted to do something so meaningful for our family in the midst of a million cute things she could have chosen.

This was our first year with the nativity set and Hazel was the first child to put baby Jesus out on Christmas eve night. The other day we were driving in the car and out of the blue August reminded her that next year it's his turn.

From Tank and Penny

The Many dogs wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

When Christmas Ninjas Attack

Hazel had a great time decorating the Christmas Tree this year.
We were taking turns putting ornaments up when she grabbed something sparkly from the big red box and ran to her room. A few moments later the Christmas Ninja appeared and, arms flailing, began to embellish the tree with such style and force only Santa could keep up with her.
Let's hope the New Year's Ninja is equally as energetic when it comes time to put all the Christmas items back in their storage container on January 2nd.