I don’t remember if I shared and I’m too lazy to go back and look but in July, I scored the girls’ major Christmas gifts at a great price.  Toys R Us emailed me a coupon for 75% off any of the Dream Town play sets from Hasbro.  After some online browsing, I decided to go get the Cherry Blossom Market and the Rose Petal Cottage for the girls.  I arrived at the store to find them on clearance in addition to the coupon so I walked out of TRU with both for $32 including tax.  Because the girls are spoiled by family when we head north for the holidays, I only added a doll for Tessa and some board games for Sabrina to round out their gifts from us.  For the record, Candyland with a 3 year old is not a particularly good time.  Also for the record, it is faster and easier to put up a 6 person tent than assemble the market and cottage.

Sabrina already had a play tent.  When we added the new gifts, we realized the girls now have a whole little village to play in.  All they need is a 3 car garage to house the new bikes from their aunt and uncle (yes Rusty and Mike we are going to get them tomorrow).

Because ownership is a BIG! DEAL! with 3 year olds, the market is Sabrina’s and the cottage is Tessa’s.

We bought a sleeping bag for Sabrina to sleep in on our trip north to avoid the falling out of bed issue from last year’s trip.  It came with a 3 sided tent so they even have a bedroom.

I want to know where all of this cool stuff was when we were kids?  I thought the box from the new frig was the Best! Thing! Ever!  Regardless, the girls are having a great time with their new digs.

Happy New Year to all of you!

Happy birthday to my amazing, wonderful husband.  I couldn’t imagine a better partner in this crazy adventure we are taking.  He is truly the best father and husband I know.  (But WOW he is getting old!)

I took this photo on Christmas Eve.  The favorite game at Grandma and Pap-pap’s house is WHAM-O.  WHAM-O is played by taking these 2 specific (they are soft) pillows and throwing them into someone’s face while shouting “WHAM-O!”  All of the children think this is the most brilliant game ever invented.  Steve shows the greatest tolerance for WHAM-O so 3 of the 4 children in the house were attacking him.  Sabrina is greatly upset that our house doesn’t possess WHAM-O pillows.

We are back in TN safe and sound.  I have a bazillion pictures from Christmas and a post to write.  I will do that soon but right now I am off to enjoy a little more time with my family.  Here is a preview because I know my lovely readers forgive my absences if I throw a little cute their way:

I’ll be missing one tradition today as I have for the past 3 Christmas Eves.  My dad was not a particularly sentimental guy but we had one tradition between just us.  Every year, no matter where we were, I would call him before bed if I wasn’t with him.  He would read me Twas the Night Before Christmas every year.  I’ve made that call from some strange places over the years - work, in-laws, locked in a bathroom at a holiday party, my car, maybe even from a sidewalk in front of a bar one year.  I never missed that call.  Through the years it sometimes meant more to one of us than the other (during my teen years, I made the call for him…later I made it more for me) but it was our tradition.  It was our thing - one of the few things that existed just between the 2 of us.  My dad passed away 3 years ago this month, tonight there will be no call.  This year, it is my tradition to carry on with my children.  I breaks my heart he never knew my girls and never got to read Twas the Night Before Christmas to the next generation.

I’m sure when Dad started reading it to me as a child he never dreamed it would turn into such an important tradition with us.  Some traditions aren’t planned that way and those are often the best ones.

The original version by Clement Clarke Moore.

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

I haven’t had a single Christmas cookie this year.  Not one.  This isn’t bragging about my self control - this is bemoaning my serious lack of sugar cookies!

I was sick for the cookie swap with my Mom’s Club - I figured no one wanted my plague ridden cookies so I stayed home.  I’ve been sick so I haven’t baked…I’ve been painting ornaments when I have a few minutes instead.  I seriously hope someone up north will hook me up with some cut outs or I’m going to have to make New Years cookies when we get home.

And speaking of needless sugar, does anyone still make that hard candy people used to make at the holidays?  It was different colors and flavors and dusted with something (powdered sugar I guess).  I always liked that stuff.  I loved the black licorice and cinnamon the best but you never see it in anyone’s candy dish anymore.  No idea why but I was thinking about it today.

You may now return to your day.  Thank you for listening.

• I took Sabrina to see a movie in the theater for the first time.  We saw The Princess and the Frog yesterday.  She did great - she sat still up until the last 10 minutes or so - although I think she was as excited about the popcorn as she was about the movie (sniff, sniff…just like her momma).  As for the movie, I was a fan.  I thought the jazzy music was fun and some of the characters were a hoot - Mama Odie and Raymond the Cajun Firefly were awesome.  And the message about working hard and not relying on wishes to make your dreams come true was great.  The scary parts were a little scary for Sabrina but she was fine.  I think we’ll add this one to our collection when it comes out on DVD.

• Remember my whole insurance coverage fiasco? It still wasn’t resolved.  I went to the doctor last week (specialist) and she advised that I see someone about my cold.  I don’t have a general practitioner here (I know, hush, I’ll find one) so I went to the CVS minute clinic.  They were quick, painless, and competent (more than I can say for my stupid insurance company) so I give them a thumbs up.  I paid my co-pay and they declared I had a sinus infection and gave me a couple of prescriptions.  I walked 20 feet to the pharmacy and was told my insurance company was claiming that I wasn’t covered.  (That sound you heard? Was my head exploding.)  Apparently, they have decided that I’m allowed to see doctors but not allowed to have drugs.  Steve called them yet again to get me reactivated.  (For the 5th time for those of you keeping track at home.)  He wisely wouldn’t allow me to call them.  I think he was afraid my threats rants toward our insurance company might actually be punishable under the Patriot Act.
• Tessa, who used to eat nothing, began eating like a truck driver.  Seriously, she shovels food in her mouth now.  But don’t give her milk while she has a mouth full of food - she doesn’t realize she could swallow it and then drink so she spits out whatever is in her mouth so that she can immediately drink.
• Tessa only says a few words but it is fun to watch her starting to understand things.  Sabrina watches a lot of Dora.  She loves Dora.  Tessa seems mildly entertained by Dora and has started doing the cutest thing.  Whenever she sees Swiper the Fox either on TV or in a book, she puts her hand out and waves it like Dora does when she says “Swiper no swiping.”  It is adorable.  She also “dances” by shaking her head no - too cute.
• My sister and her husband love doting on children who are not their own.  They will shovel sugar into my children for hours on end and then offer them ponies.  My sister called on their way to Wally World to buy Sabrina a bike for Christmas.  I told her she would have to have it shipped to our Wally World because there would be no way we could fit it in the car to bring it home.  She and her husband laughed at me.  Not only did they buy Sabrina a bike, they bought one for Tessa too.  I explained that there was no way we could fit them in the car with a weeks worth of luggage, other gifts, and a pack n play.  They assured me it would work.  I took a picture of my not overly large trunk and again tried to explain physics wasn’t on our side here - there would be no room.  My sister then tried to go around me and called my husband to appeal to him.  (That sound you heard? My head exploding again.)  He was even more adamant than I was - it is a hugely appreciated gesture but the bikes would not fit in the car on the way home.  I think she believed him.  Why does no one listen to me?  Despite their disregard for the physical limitations of my car, we love that they want to give our girls such fun gifts.  So I’ll quit harping and just say thank you Aunt Rusty and Uncle Mike.
• Getting sick right before Christmas means I’ve done no baking.  I even had to skip a cookie exchange with friends.  My butt thanks me but I haven’t had a single Christmas cookie this year.
• I thought it might not be a horrible idea to go to the mall last Friday.  Quit laughing.  I thought everyone would still be working and I could run in and grab something at 1 store.  Let me just say that my county is doing its part to turn this economy around - the mall was insane.
• Gah - how is Christmas in 4 days?  Assuming the weather looks okay, we are leaving tomorrow night to head north.  We plan to leave around 9:30 pm and drive through the night so that the girls will sleep.  We’ll see how that goes.  Anyone who follows me on twitter or is my friend on facebook might want to look away if colorful language offends you.

I’m still not feeling 100% but I’m feeling some better and I’m sick of sitting on the couch.  We had a Christmas filled day.  We ran a few Christmas errands and then went to the Opryland Hotel to check out the decorations.  I’ve never been to the hotel and have been wanting to check it out since we moved to Nashville.

After fighting traffic in 2 separate parts of the city, we made our way to Opry Mills.  We parked at the mall and walked to the hotel to avoid the $20 valet fee.  Yes, we chose the coldest day of the year to be frugal (although we don’t have the foot or 2 of snow that many of you do…just rain, wind and 40 degrees).   The walk was cold but the hotel was rather balmy.  We admired the lights, decorations, and sheer size of the hotel and garden conservatory then enjoyed a yummy lunch (seriously - mango pineapple vinaigrette - YUM).

The Christmas tree was ginormous! (There are 2 people standing by the banister on the right - that is how huge the tree is.)

Isn’t this a lovely angle?  Perhaps Steve was hoping to check out how my sinus infection is doing?

The hotel minus decoration is cool.

The ceiling in the lobby.

Several waterfalls inside the hotel.

Easy to forget how cold it is outside with all of the tropical flowers.

Lots of Christmas flowers too.

All of the Christmas decorations were fun to see.  Put us in the spirit.

We are in Tennessee - what is Christmas without a little Jack Daniels?

I suspect many of the decorations will serve double duty and stay up for Mardi Gras since the colors are right.

Sabrina’s favorite part?  The build your own cupcake bar at lunch.  Red velvet cupcake, chocolate frosting, and M&Ms.

And wouldn’t this be the most gorgeous venue for a wedding?  We missed the wedding but the wedding party was taking photos in the gardens while we walked around.  The bride was in gorgeous red (!) dress and looked to be 17 (hopefully she was older).  I couldn’t get over what a special place this would be for a wedding.

Hope you enjoyed touring the Opryland Hotel with us today!

Sorry ya’ll.  I’ve been sick.  Lying on the couch, hacking up a lung, napping for hours while my sainted (and also sick) hubby watches the kids, feeling miserable and listless, producing copious amounts of snot, not able to do much of anything sick.  I’ll throw you a few cute photos of the small ones and you’ll forgive me, right?

I took this photo before I gave up hopes of a decent Christmas card photo.  In retrospect, I should have used this one.  It makes me laugh. (I told Sabrina to put her arm around Tessa…it ended up with a bear hug…the next photo on the camera is Tessa running away from another hug attempt.)

This is mostly for me…I’ve been wanting to capture how sweet Tessa is with her froggie at bed time.  She sucks her fingers, brings its arm up across her nose, and snuggles it close.  Sabrina has stuffed animals she sleeps with and likes but never had a true comfort object like this frog with Tessa.  For her it is a more of a routine - for Tessa, froggie is necessary.  Tessa got sick in bed one night and I had to throw froggie in the washing machine.  She was quite distressed to go to bed without him.

This looks says “Momma, you got your shot now leave us.”

Please to ignore the blood stains on the sheet…Sabrina has nose issues.  All of our crib sheets look like that.

Today was observation day at Sabrina’s ballet class.  Basically that means that the moms were invited to sit in class and watch.  I was worried that Tessa would make her normal racket and I would have to leave the room but she was enthralled by watching all of the girls dance.  She didn’t make a peep the entire 45 minutes.  I believe she actually paid more attention than Sabrina.  The girls were adorable - most wanting to show off for her mom.

Sabrina still doesn’t pay attention as much as most of the other girls and still has trouble with a few things (like galloping) but she seems to have fun.  And she is a darn cute ballerina.