New Year's Resolutions

At dinner, we were talking about resolutions and trying to come up with one resolution each.  Alex and I mentioned the usual:  lose 10 pounds, stop biting nails, stop chewing gum, etc...  Pretty boring stuff.

Last year my resolution was to drink more beer.  I didn't do too well with that one.  We still have beer in our fridge from 2006.

Robert says "I am going to stop being a sassy child".  I like that resolution!

Robert then asks Jack what his resolution will be.  Jack pauses and you can see him thinking it over in his head.  He then says "I am going to start drinking soda!".  

Not going to happen, little man.  But I give him props for trying.

Kids' Christmas Party

Last night, we hosted a small Christmas party for the kids in our neighborhood.

In the morning, I dropped a fire extinguisher on my bare foot.  I actually didn't drop it; it fell from on top of the fridge.  As I sat on the floor moaning in pain, Jack came over, gave me an ice pack and told me I should go to the hospital.  Robert agreed, but added that I absolutely cannot go until after the Christmas party that evening.  Fortunately, I only have three badly bruised toes and did not have to go to the hospital.  The Christmas party was on!

Pure chaos.  That is the best way to describe the party.  Fortunately, friends Meghan and Ben stayed and helped out.  I did manage to take a few photos:

The kids devoured our pathetic looking gingerbread house.  I'm glad it's gone!  Everytime I looked at it, it reminded me how I will never measure up to Martha Stewart.

  Maddie and Robert eating the gingerbread house

Everyone made a snowman decoration to hang on a tree or put on their window.

Meghan and Keira

Good morning!

Santa

I thought I'd step it up this year and have the boys actually dressed nice in matching red/green plaid shirts for the photos.  I was so proud of Jack for not crying or running away from Santa.  And, he actually spoke to Santa for once.  It was just the word "yellow" to indicate which lollipop he wanted, but it's a start.  While he made big improvements over previous visits to Santa, you can tell by the photo that he isn't very happy being forced to sit on Santa's lap.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

The Christmas Tree is up! 

I finally won and we got a fake tree.  At first Alex and Robert were opposed, but now that it is decorated they have come around and love our new tree.

                                                 

In our house, Christmas season is also the time for crafts...

 Worst Gingerbread House ever! 

I love to bake but I hate to decorate.  I am not an artist.  Robert and I did this together, but I am the one who did the icing.  Oh well, the boys LOVE the house because of all the candy.

Worst Handprint Tree ever.

I think I am going to have to paint over this and try again.

Here are some Fred the Elf pictures from this week:

Fred is wearing Robert's shoes

Fred replaced our family photos with his own.

Riding a dinosaur

Playing a game of bowling on our wii.  Surprisingly, Fred is really good. 

 He bowled a few strikes.  Robert was very impressed!