Newthanksmas 2011!

This morning, Maggie and I got up around 9:00 and enjoyed breakfast. Then, I gave her a bath in the kitchen sink.  This is a new thing we've started to enjoy.  It's nice, because I don't have to bend over to wash them, it's quick because there's no room for toys, and so far the novelty of it has them pretty content.  Then Eli got up, and everything went crazy! See, my little boy usually sleeps in a pull up, because he's known to have accidents.  Last night, he wanted to wear underwear.  He hadn't had an accident in a while, and he already had on underwear (it was on with one leg hole around his waist and because of that sort of fitting like a thong, but he had put it on himself), so I gave in. I found out this morning, that it wasn't such a good idea.  So, I pulled the sheets off the bed and stripped him down to wash the only sheets he'll sleep on and the only jammies he's wanted to wear since Grandma got them for him on Christmas Eve.  Well, he didn't want to take the pajamas off, but it was a battle I wanted to win.  He laid on the couch, naked and whining, while I dressed Maggie. It was a breeze, because she was willing to wear what I picked out, she let me comb her hair, and she wanted to brush her teeth.  Nice.

I returned to the living room and found that Eli had peed on the couch!  Really?!!  The child was lying on the couch surrounded in pee saying, "I peed on the couch!" and smiling.  Nice way to begin the day.  Well, I fussed, and he cried while I made him help clean up.  I managed to wrangle him into the sink for a bath by convincing him that he could eat his waffle and watch Spongebob at the same time.  After he started eating, he was in a better mood.  I swear, both of my children turn into monsters when they are hungry or tired.  :) I got him out of the sink, and he decided that he didn't want to get dressed.  So, he sprawled out naked on his bedroom floor, while Maggie played in their room beside him, and I took a shower.

I got ready, and saw that Eli had dressed himself.  His jeans were unzipped, his underwear was sticking out, and he was wearing an old red tshirt.  But, man, he looked happy.  My sweetie had dressed himself and was proud.  :) 

We got in the van and went to Jerri's for Newthanksmas.  This is a celebration that we started last year in our family, when we weren't able to get together for Thanksgiving or Christmas until January.  We had a great time.  I mean, when we first arrived I thought I might just lock myself in the van and cry, but after the two leeches who came with me :) decided to play and not make me carry both of them, things were great.  Maggie stuck close for a while, but when Eli knew there were other kids there to play with, he took off.  We played.  We ate.  We opened gifts.  We talked.  It was a fun time. 

We got home, and I made Eli's bed.  My least favorite thing about bunk beds: changing the sheets!  It's insanely hard.  At least his is the bottom one.  I hate working on Maggie's.  It's quite a workout.  But, I made the bed.  The kids played in their room with Mr. and Mrs. Potatohead.  And, then we colored our new piggy banks from Aunt Patti.  That went fine, as long as we could keep the marker lids away from the dog.  Bless her heart.  She loves to eat the kids' toys.  It will be nice when she's over that. 

Now, we are in our jammies.  We are having a snack, and soon everyone will be asleep.  Saturdays with kids are busy!  (But, totally worth it!)

Okay, I typed that last bit before the bedtime screaming began.  Sometimes we go to bed peacefully.  Sometimes we are WORN out, so we sort of flip out before falling asleep.  I read stories, got drinks of water, and sang songs.  But, these babies are super grumpy.  :(