Doings of DB and DD

The past few days have been pretty tough around here…for me, anyway. This stomach virus has really taken its toll. As a mommy, I usually try to keep going no matter what! But I haven’t been out of the house since last Wed. and today was my first day to really start feeling “better.” The girls, however, haven’t suffered too much.
Since I couldn’t get out of bed to fix them breakfast, they decided to fix their own. DD fixed herself and Doodlebug a bowl of cereal (no milk) as a first course. For their second course, they ate a bag of Funyuns that Daddy Darling bought for them the previous night. And for their final course, they each enjoyed a few Hershey’s kisses…compliments of Santa Claus. Who knows what the remaining courses would have been if I’d stayed in bed a little longer! LOL

The Smart Cycle that Santa brought has also kept them entertained. DD decided that she should wear a helmet for safety, even though the bike is stationary. (Must be watching too much of Lou & Lou Safety Patrol).
Since the girls did such a great job on their own breakfast menu, they insisted on helping me with dinner. That’s the least they could do to help their poor sick mama…The phrase, “Too many cooks in the kitchen…” might be applicable here. Oh well, I felt so bad that it really didn’t matter. I knew that I wouldn’t be eating anything that we fixed and the girls don’t really have refined taste buds at this point.

After dinner the girls decided to put on what DD calls her “stylish” clothes. They started by modeling their new boas. It only got more glamorous as the night continued, but unfortunately, I didn’t take any more pictures. You’ll just have to use your imagination! Let me just say that there were a lot of purses, bracelets, necklaces, and outfits to pick up before going to bed.

DD has decided that she wants to have a SUPER WHY Super Readers birthday party. Her favorite character on the show is Princess Presto who has the power to spell all words. Princess Presto sings a song with these lyrics:
I love to spell…S-P-E-L-L. I really love to spell…S-P-E-L-L.
I heard DD singing the same song today, only the lyrics went like this.

I love to spell…SPEEL. I really love to spell…SPEEL. LOL

I think we are all feeling better now and can possibly get out of the house tomorrow. A little fresh air will do us all some good.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!

OK, maybe it was only 5 days of Christmas, but we’re exhausted after celebrating Christmas with our friends and family. It started last Friday when the Desert Rats flew in from Arizona and spent Fri. night and Sat. with us. This was their first encounter with Doodlebug. She seemed to warm-up to them right away. Wow, it was like having 3 live-in babysitters!!! It was great!

They played outside...

They painted...

And practiced new poses for the camera. LOL

We celebrated our family Christmas on Sunday night. We always celebrate early because we traditionally travel to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with grandparents.

DD and DB loved the chocolate fountain I gave myself for Christmas. Sister Darling seemed to enjoy it too, and she doesn’t even like chocolate!

The girls got many nice things including a Smart Cycle that Santa brought for them. Santa always leaves our special gift at the front door because our chimney is much too small for him. Each year he forgets his hat, just so that DD knows that the gift is from him. We always pretend to mail it back to the North Pole. So, if you were worried why Santa was missing his hat when he stopped at your house, now you know where he left it. LOL

Christmas Eve was spent with Nanny Darling. Since I was a small child, we have celebrated Christmas Eve with aunts, uncles, and cousins! Even after I married and moved several hours away, we still managed to make it “home” for Christmas Eve…except for the year that Brother Darling was born on Christmas Eve. I just couldn’t pull that one off. LOL I am so proud of our two older children who still manage to make this trip every year even though they have jobs and lives of their own.

Uncle Frank knew just what DB wanted!

New PJs from Aunt Sherry! On to PawPaw’s for Christmas Day where we spent the day with more cousins, aunts, and uncles. This is a picture of PawPaw and all of his grandchildren.
Well, when I started this blog posting two days ago, I really thought it might be just 5 days of Christmas. Then, it became obvious that we had come home with more than just gifts...We also brought home a stomach virus. So, by the time it works its way through all of us, it may actually be 12 DAYS!!!!! LOL This is DD and DB’s cousin who we think may have so graciously shared the virus. He’s SO CUTE, how could we stay away from him????? We just couldn’t!

Oh well, virus or not, we had a wonderful Christmas and we hope you all did too!

OH WHAT FUN IT IS TO…

Go to the play group Christmas party!!!! We all had a wonderful time today at our 3rd annual Chopstick Chics Christmas party. (Doodlebug’s first!) Thank you Ski Patrol for offering your home to us.

First we tried to take some group pictures of the girls in their pretty Christmas dresses.

Next, a photo with the mommies...! Then for some unknown reason, we thought it would be nice to make a video of the girls singing a Christmas song. I was definitely not prepared for DD’s choreography! I was able to post this still shot but unfortunately, I couldn't get the video to upload, I'm going to continue to work on it and try to post it here:

Next, the girls exchanged gifts. Doodlebug liked this part the best!!!

Then, the girls traded their “dressy” dresses for comfortable clothes and enjoyed their lunch together.

After lunch it was time for a different type of dress up group picture. Too cute! LoL

CHRISTMAS...A Busy Time

Christmas is a busy time for us as I’m sure it is for everyone. I haven’t had much time to post, but here are a few pictures of what we’ve been doing.

This year we decided that it would be fun to pull out all of the “old” ornaments to decorate the tree. When our older children quit making hand-made ornaments to go on the tree, I decided that it was time to have a “pretty tree” with everything matching, etc. So that’s what we’ve had for the past few years. Yes, the tree was pretty, but it had very little “character.” This was much more fun…tacky, but fun.

The girls also enjoyed making Christmas cookies with our friend, Sandra.

These weren’t just ordinary cookies…They were huge, full of sugar, complete with a stick and personalized for each one. I’m beginning to think that Sandra may be in cahoots with our dentist.

DD’s list is getting longer and longer as she gets the hang of this “Santa” business. It won’t take Doodlebug long to catch on. She loves to write…on just about ANY surface!
It’s nice to be able to say that DD understands that Christmas is about giving, too. She visited the AWANA store Wed. night at church and bought special gifts for her family. Doodlebug loved the little bunny DD picked for her and DD loved the little “clapper” that she picked for me! LOL

We’ve also been doing a lot of shopping! Well, at least I’ve been trying to shop. By the time I get the girls dressed, fed, loaded, buckled in and settled down…then unbuckled, unloaded, and into the stores, there’s not a lot of time left for shopping. LOL

No matter how much I try to stress to the girls that Christmas is just around the corner and that I MUST get this shopping done…they just don’t seem to take me seriously. I think they are giving way too much credit to Santa Claus and his elves! Thank Goodness for gift cards and on-line shopping!!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Sister Darling!

Today, Sister Darling celebrated her 24th birthday. I can’t believe it’s actually been 24 years since we were blessed with our first child. The time has really flown by. There are some things in life that you forget no matter how hard you try to remember, but I hope that I never forget the feeling I felt when I first looked into her beautiful eyes. It was incredible! She was the most beautiful baby that I had ever seen, and I felt as if I had known her forever. I couldn't have been happier. She’s all grown up now and living on her own. I really miss having her at home, but I know that’s all just part of life. I guess it makes it more special each time we get to see her.

Having a child of my own really helped me to understand "in my own shallow way" the depth of God’s love for us. Actually, it just made His love more amazing to me. I remember thinking that there was no way that I would be willing to let my child die for the sins of others…NO WAY! That would have taken more love than I could imagine. But that’s exactly what God did for us through his son, Jesus Christ. I guess it’s a good thing that it wasn’t up to me, huh?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SISTER DARLING! We love you!!!!!

Overalls OVERHAULED!

Every year my sister makes a special pair of Christmas overalls for the girls. I am amazed at her talent! I think they just get cuter every year! The pictures really don't do them justice. DD and DB wore them today to visit Santa with their play group. You may have to enlarge the pictures to see the detail work.

(Front View)

(Back View)
Define GOOD...

Actually, I think these girls could have asked for “anything.” How could Santa say “no?” They are so cute. I just wish Doodlebug could have been in the picture. She wouldn't go near Santa, but she managed to get a sucker anyway.

Greatly anticipating the gifts that Santa will bring on Christmas Eve !