Monday, December 21, 2020

So This Is Christmas

This picture about sums up our week.  Kids are excited and the dogs ear is bent inside-out as he's forced into a sack.  
I totally get-it Jasper.  
Sometimes we just have to let things lay where they want to.


As I look through past years posts around this time of year, I don't think I'd want to trade places with myself.  There was so much to do, so many "traditions" to follow, so many expectations- and it all had to be hidden. 




This is our first year without having to convince someone Santa wouldn't burn up in the fireplace.  The first year I didn't have to scramble up early and sneak the dang Elf somewhere before I was caught, the first year I can binge watch Criminal Minds with my girls before bed and not worry about falling asleep and forgetting to fill stockings before going to bed.  

Oh, don't you worry- the stocking are still being filled every night, it's just not as urgent and planned as it once was.  
Lottery Tickets, American Eagle Underwear, Face Masks and Poo-pourri have taken the place of Dollar Store toys and candy.



Perhaps that has to do with the fact that our puppy chewed the plug-in off the Christmas Tree lights.  No lights on the tree this year.
Nobody really liked my tall, skinny tree anyway.



And my ornaments keep getting snagged by that sweet puppy, leaving Barbie and a Train Engine participating in our our Nativity Scene this year. 



But this little girl has her first basketball practice tonight and she's been ready ALL DAY.  As we got closer and closer to the school, she said her heart was pounding and she was so nervous.  
She told me she wants to be a champion.






With her level of energy, strength, motivation and confidence, I think that just may happen.







Thursday, December 17, 2020

Christmas Bells are Ringing

Although nobody 'really' believes in Santa anymore (Jayson could take it or leave it), I'm still stressing over what I'm putting in stockings tonight.  

18 years old and 15 years old are tricky ages.  

Underwear and candy is about all I got.

Our only holiday traveling took place last weekend and we brought the puppy.  

He's a handful, but I love watching Mike step up to the plate as he cares for the Jasper, as I did our babies.  

It's quite the role reversal, and I'm LOVING being on this side of it.


















And once we're done with students Friday for Christmas Vacay, I'll be feeling like this for next 10 days....






Sunday, December 6, 2020

Jasper and Cookies

Jasper got to meet Aunt Heather and Laura over the weekend.  He peed himself on the way, which meant Molly's pants were wet and the dog was soggy.  Then again, he's only 8 weeks old and doing much better than I expected with potty training.  

Goose is keeping him in his place and makes sure he knows who's boss. Jasper seems to be really curious about Goose's tail (probably because he doesn't have one) and sometimes thinks Goose's penis is a nipple.  Goose couldn't be more annoyed.

Took him out to meet the goats again this week and he was head butted quickly by Jersey.  Pretty sure once they felt how sharp his teeth were on their ankles, they were DONE.

 


                                But the pond was drained this week, all but a few feet (we think)  

                    Hoping for a clear pond by the summer of '21 or '22.  


Molly and I made Christmas cookies over the weekend and we couldn't skip the peanut butter kiss cookies, the caramel pretzel and Reeses cup cookies.  We listened to Christmas music and Molly told me she loved having everything organized and ready to go.  
You're welcome sweetheart.  It's called "Mise en Place"




She kept saying 'This is SO much fun"



                                        
I know where she gets it.