Christmas Fever

Jillson came home from school yesterday and immediately started to run a fever. She seemed better this morning (just long enough for us to make it to Girl Scouts), and then the fever returned. She was pretty pathetic all day long: resting her head on the table during craft time at Girl Scouts, snoozing briefly on the couch before dinner.

Madelyn, too, was a bit off. Changing from ballet clothes to dogwalk clothes resulted in a full meltdown. She then fell asleep in the stroller during the walk and was a total mess when we woke her for dinner. To top it all off, we couldn't find pink bun-bun before bedtime.

Bronwen, not to be outdone, let 'er rip with some hysterical, inconsolable crying during dinner time. And this kid can reach a decibel level that is not to be believed.

I'm thinking it's a good thing we have a whole week to rest up before Christmas gets here.

Two Great Dates

Today I got to enjoy one-on-one dates with two of the people I love most of all. 

First, I attended Jillson's holiday party at her school. This was a highly anticipated event. She was up at 5:50am, asking if I could help her with the buttons on the back of her nightie so she could put on her party dress. When I said "hold on a second" as I fumbled for the clock, she replied something along the lines of: "oh sorry is it still the middle of the night well I'll just put it on anyway and try to sleep a bit more that way there is less for you to worry about in the morning mom if I put my party dress on right now okay?"

Jillson was a darling hostess when I met her in the lunch room. (It was my first time visiting her at school; I can't bring the younger kids into the school with me so I cannot volunteer or meet her there for lunch.) She introduced me first to Haley's mom, so that we could set up play dates. Then she stood up and walked around the table introducing me to all of her friends. She was so excited, so sparkly. I could tell how much she was enjoying showing me her world.

Together we made cute little reindeer candy canes.

Fast forward a few hours and the Gutsy Dad and I were hittin' the town for a date night. This time we tried out Tangerine, an Asian fusion place with some of the best pad thai I've had in years and a lovely house merlot.

The Gutsy Dad had the tangerini, and before you start making fun of him for ordering a chick drink, let me say these two things in his defense: 1) there were no manly cocktails on the menu and 2) it was a damn fine drink.

How lucky the GD and I are to be able to escape the craziness of our schedules and the mundanity of routine to be able to get away together once in a while. Luckier still to know that our children are in the hands of some very capable babysitters. And that the babysitters, in turn, are in the hands of these three, fine assistants.

Party Girls

Yesterday was Madelyn's preschool Christmas Program & Party. She played the role of Twinkling Star quite beautifully.  I think.  I was frustrated because I had to stand in the back of the church with Bronwen, so I couldn't see her for much of the performance.  I did manage to sneak to the front about half way through so she could see that I was there for a moment, and my good friend snapped a few cute pics.

Last night at dinner Madelyn rather spontaneously reprised all of her songs a cappella for our listening pleasure. I am now trying to keep these songs alive in her memory so that she can perform them for my parents when they arrive tomorrow.

Today was the party at the Gutsy Dad's work. This was a potluck for--I kid you not--800 of my husband's co-workers and their families. (I made Ina's apple and sausage stuffing and Gina's roasted broccoli with smashed garlic.)

Jillson had a lot to say to this man. He, like her parents, was surprised at her two requests. #1) a kayak. #2) slippers. I hope she isn't holding her breath for #1.

Madelyn, too, had much to say to Santa, even though she was extremely distracted by her candy cane (her favorite candy). Unfortunately, despite the fact that Maddie has a reputation for being fairly articulate for her age, neither Santa nor her parents could comprehend her request.  I need to remember to ask her at breakfast if she remembers what she asked for.

We have one more Christmas party tomorrow.  Then "vacation" begins. Things around here are getting rather exciting.