Back to normal

Every year around this time, I look around my house after all the Christmas decorations have been stowed away in the attic, and I let out a huge sigh of relief. The holiday season (which, in my opinion, begins with Halloween and carries through all the way until the New Year) is fun and busy - but it's always nice to just be back to normal!

This year I'm even more satisfied, because Jamie and I did a massive decluttering project over the first weekend of 2010. We hauled something like 30 large trash bags of donations out of our house. We did a full cleaning/reorganization of our storage closets, bedroom closet, playroom, Elise's room, spare bedroom, and master bathroom! It did not make for a fun weekend, but it feels great to have it done. I feel like we are starting 2010 on the right track!

In other exciting news, Elise got her ears pierced last weekend! She started begging a while ago, but I had serious doubts as to whether or not she would actually go through with it. I explained the process to her and warned her it might hurt for a few minutes, and she still persisted that she wanted earrings. I agreed to let her give it a try, but I suspected strongly that we would leave without pierced ears. I thought as soon as they sat her in the chair, she would start crying and change her mind. She proved me wrong - very wrong! Not only did she march right up to the chair and sit right down, but she did not shed a single tear! I was really proud of her. She is thrilled with her new look, and now instead of bugging me to get her ears pierced, she is bugging me to get her some new earrings. I told her she cannot change them until Valentine's Day, so I'm planning to surprise her with some heart studs as her Valentine's Day gift from Jamie and I.





Christmas was really nice, and I took tons of pictures, of course. I just haven't managed to get them posted. With so many to choose from, it just feels like a task that is too daunting at the moment.

Grandmother is leaving to go back home next weekend. We will all miss her - I wish she would stay longer. But I know she is anxious to get back home, see her dogs, and be in her own space again. We just got so used to her being here...it is going to be strange when she's gone. Elise is going to really miss seeing her everyday after school. :( Now that she will be back home, I suspect I'll be blogging a bit more regularly so she can keep up with us from afar.

Another week of elf mischief!

Okay, here's the rundown from last week!

Sunday



Monday



Tuesday



Wednesday



Thursday



Friday





Saturday

The Festival of Lights

We finally made it to Moody Gardens for the annual Festival of Lights display. We've been trying to get down there for 3 weeks now! It was great fun - better than I expected. :) The weather was perfect - cold, but not miserable and no rain! I loved all the music, and of course Elise was impressed by all the lights.



















Elise took this one - not bad, just a bit blurry. :)

Elise's Class Party

Elise's class party was last Thursday, and she and Jamie are now officially on a 2 week break from school. I am so jealous. I was in charge of decorations for the party, and we had a fun time. After the party Elise and I went to see Princess and the Frog, which was super cute. It was nice to sneak in a special one-on-one afternoon with my girl. :)

Santa on the firetruck

Every year in our town on the Saturday before Christmas, Santa comes down every single street in the firetruck and throws candy to all the kids...sirens blazing and all! As a kid, I looked forward to it so much, and now it's fun to watch Elise wave to Santa too. We started hearing the sirens close by around 9:30am, but it wasn't until around 2:30 that he came down our street. Talk about a long day of anticipation! Elise waited and waited, refusing to come inside. Jamie and I made the best of it and trimmed some bushes while we waited. Ha!

Santa, baby!