It's the End of the Year (as we know it)

And I would feel fine if all this mucous would stop clogging up my sinuses and airways.

We had a great Christmas, in spite of our colds, with both sides of the family coming out to spend a part of the day in our new house. The weekend before, we had a gathering at Chris's grandmothers, and got to spend time with family we only see once or twice a year.

Speaking of the new house, we finally-FINALLY got our official certificate of occupancy. Over the weekend, Chris nibbled away at all the little things that needed to be done, such as disconnecting the trailer's sewage lines and installing a clean-out for the line from the house, putting up the railing that will keep anyone from falling into the stairwell, slapping up some ugly railings for all the steps leading into the house, and putting numbers on the house (as if anyone could see them from the street). It's nice to know we can legally live in our house now. Chris was especially happy to have accomplished this goal by year's end.

We are into week two of the kids' winter break. I had grand plans of all the things we would do, but between the snot and Christmas festivities, it was quite an accomplishment to fulfill just one of those plans: making gingerbread houses.

On a side note: it is almost impossible to get a "normal" picture of the kids these days, thanks to the influence of their father. But I guess goofball is their normal.

One day last week, Finley slipped this note to Chris after supper:

I felt bad, remembering a word I let slip when I thought the kids were out of earshot, and thought there might have been a time or two when she might have misheard my under-the-breath mumbling. I'm not one to get bent out of shape over a cuss word or two, but I really don't want my kids to think swearing is an okay habit to develop, so I went to Finley to find out exactly what she heard and to apologize. "What did you hear me say?" I asked her when I got her alone. "You said 'I SWEAR...'!"

So I have one more week of walking on eggshells until the kids go back to school and I can let the blue-streaks fly without worry.

The Kids

Figured I should take a minute to brag on the kids a little.

 Finley and I have been helping the neighbor with her horses the past couple weeks. Last night, the neighbor was gone, so we were supposed to lead the horses to the stable, feed them a little, and treat one that was having some dermatitis issues. Up to this point, the horses had been pretty calm whenever we got them, but last night, the one Finley had was feeling a little impatient. After Finley circled a few times to try to get the horse to slow down, it decided to take off at a trot to the stable, nearly dragging Finley alongside. Finley's foot got kicked or stepped on in the process, and when it was all over, Finley was a little shook up and in tears. I asked a little later if she still wanted a horse. She didn't hesitate. "Yes." Cowgirl up.

 Last night, the kids watched the Rudolph Christmas special on television. At the end of the show, Rudolph's dad, who initially was rather embarrassed by his son's red nose and doubted Rudolph had a future with Santa's team said, "I knew that nose would be useful someday. I knew it all along!" This BS was too much for Joe, who blurted out, "THEN WHY DID YOU KEEP MAKING INSULTS ON HIM?!"

And Zivah. She handed me a huge stack of addition flash cards the other night, insisting I quiz her. She happily and correctly answered all but three. I have spent little to no time with her on her math facts up to this point. Apparently, she's the one that inherited my math gene.

Easing from Thanksgiving to Christmas

I have just survived Thanksgiving. For that, I am thankful.

The kids were home from school all week. Thankfully, the weather wasn't awful, so the kids got in some sunshine and fresh air. In spite of the the poo scattered through the yard and sometimes tracked into the house, I am also thankful for the chickens. The birds keep the kids occupied when other animals (like Daisy) aren't as easy to play with.

 I have to admit that I am not so fond of our big rooster. He has never shown any aggression toward me, but I just don't like the way he treats most of his ladies. I rarely see him making romantic overtures to woo the hens like one of our old roosters would. Most of the time, he just takes what he wants when he wants it. Zivah, however, probably has no thoughts of the chickens' love lives, and likes him just fine. She has been getting a kick out of catching the big roo, and I am getting a kick out seeing Mr. Macho at the mercy of my baby girl.

 We hosted Thanksgiving dinner at our house this year, and Finley helped bake some pies. We made pumpkin (from the pumpkins Finley grew this year), apple, and chocolate.

 As my in-laws gifted us with an actual tree this year, I let the kids decorate it before Thanksgiving. Three different colors of garland, multi-colored lights, and the miscellany of ornaments make it a sight to behold. The kids think it is beautiful. I am glad they like it.

 So this year, our cactus was spared from the heavy burden of all those ornaments, but it just wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't decorate the cactus. A strand of white lights, red garland, and candy canes will do.

Now I need to figure out where to hang the stockings. If there is one thing I miss about our old house in Nashville, it is the fireplace mantle. Nowhere else seems appropriate.