XMess

This Christmas was... interesting. I worked the 7a-3:30p shift, and it was one of the worst shifts I have ever worked. Whenever anyone says to me "oh, you have the best job", I try to smile and agree. What I'm really thinking is, "it's a good job when everything goes well." When things don't go well, it's a terrible job to have.

Anyhow, I ended up having to stay an extra 1.5 hours to do paperwork, and when I got home the kids were practically drooling with anticipation. They waited ALL DAY to open the presents with me. :)

Chris got me some really thoughtful gifts, including microwaveable socks and an "I heart grapefruit" shirt. He got some pretty boring presents, but went out the next day and bought his real gift: a pair of Bruno Maglis. His right to make fun of me for having two pairs of the same Keen shoe in different colors has been revoked.

The kids have been sick since Dec 23rd. First it was Enzo, then Annabelle, and then Hannah was discovered to have an ear infection while her siblings were at their pedi appointment. It has been the most hectic holiday. Enzo ended up with spasmodic croup, and I have like 17 more gray hairs. I am looking forward to everyone recovering so we can have a peaceful furlough vacation week in Maine.

Year in review (photo-heavy)

How did time go by so quickly?

Things have been rather busy lately. Somehow I still haven't finished my holiday shopping (after Christmas). A few weeks ago, I made photo calendars for my mother, my grandparents, and a few others. Unfortunately, I found out about the buy-one, get-the-rest-half-off sale the day it ended. I spent an entire day uploading pictures to a very cranky Shutterfly, then I stayed up until 2:30am doing the calendars. It left me entirely unenthusiastic about taking or uploading pictures.

Going through the last year's stock of pictures reminded me that my kids have an okay life. The next time I feel like Bitch Mother, I'll remember that my kids spent the year going on field trips, gardening, and playing on the beach in Maine.

Here's a little (big and photo-heavy) year-in-review...