This month is flying by. I keep saying over and over again that I cannot believe it is the week of Thanksgiving already. I have been so busy at work - we opened an office in Atlanta and moved our Birmingham office. As the new year approaches and I am moving into my new role as Principal and Chief Operating Officer, I have had to spearhead everything that went on with both moves, all while carrying on with my normal work load. It has been really tough. I have been really stressed out. I'm starting to think that if this is what it will be like, I might decline once January 1st gets
here. In fact, I was going to take a day off this week but it doesn't look like that will be happening either. I'm completely exhausted but I have managed to do a few things with the kids here and there.
Jules and I had a girls day at Disney on Ice. We had a fun time though I think next time I'll choose a night time one and make it a date. Both she and I were yawning through the entire 1:30 show!
The only thing she consistently asked for was a picture with Ariel. The real, $15, picture is super cute. It was an expensive picture but well spent because she LOVES it!
We had to get the super human sized cotton candy bag with the Mickey Mouse hat. Who doesn't need a $20 huge thing of cotton candy! No kidding though I think it did help me perk up for the second half of the show
This Thursday we took the kids to the Grand River Outlet Mall tree lighting in Leeds. I thought it would be less crowded than The Summit and we could see what Jules thought about just seeing Santa in general. She is all about Christmas stuff. Everywhere we go she is so amazed with every little detail, trees, lights, balls, you name it! I love it! It's like we were meant to be together!!!!! She and Michael have been reading The Night Before Christmas since before Halloween and in case I haven't mentioned this, she was telling people at Halloween that she was going to be Christmas on Halloween! I got some strange looks on that one. So, we get there and the lines for everything are CRAZY! Plus, Santa doesn't come out until 7:30. I'm still not sure what they were thinking on this one. But, because she loves Christmas she just HAD to stay for Santa and since I want her to not be scared of Santa so bad, I waited in line with her. She was very good in line too, very patient for Santa.
Here is her close up. This picture gets to stay in her room!
She asked Santa to be a Princess. I thought this was reasonable until on the way to school Friday when she said she told Santa what she wanted to be for Halloween! I'm thinking she is a little bit confused!
Shook and Jules both decorated cookies and ate them. Look at this man. He is so handsome! He is getting so big. He was running around outside at the mall saying "Run, run, run, run". His little running cracks me up!
HIs language is really starting to explode. He says something new everyday - I just can't keep up with him. He is still such a Momma's boy. Everyone I talk to with boys who are like this say that it never ends. If that is the case, I might be in the insane club very very soon! He can spend all day with Michael, Babysitters, DeeDee, etc. and be perfectly fine and play play play and the moment I walk in it is all crying and whining and wanting me to be beside him every second. I feel like I should be flattered and love it but it's hard to when we are on the go so much. Please say a prayer that we work through this and it doesn't last for years!
So, that was Thursday night and then Saturday I was on my way to the Junior League Market and they had Santa there so Jules said she wanted to see him again. No line, no waiting so what the hay! He was great too. And, they had free food and free frozen yogurt. Gingerbread was delicious! Look at this smile! I love it with all my heart! She told him again she wanted to be a Princess.
I think Santa and Mrs. Claus liked her too! After we ate our snack, she asked to go back to see him again! I told her we had to let the other kids have a turn to tell Santa what they want. You can tell by her atire in each of these that I did not do a great job preparing but really I just can't let her wear Christmas stuff before Thanksgiving, it feels wrong. So, we'll be back Santa!
And, I resigned myself to online shopping. While I appreciate it and often use it for last minute things or bargains, I do really enjoy going shopping in brick and mortar places. Nothing takes the place of seeing everything around you and being in (some of) the crowds to get in you in the spirit but that's not in the cards for me. So, I'm actually almost done with all my shopping except for things that pop in my head or people that I never know what to get anything for anyway. I will also say that online shopping does more damage to the pocketbook!
Last but not least, we had a baby shower today for my great friend Laura. She is having a boy at the end of January. We met in Memphis and have been friends for 10 years but she and her husband currently live in Austin. We love these guys. They are up for a good time anytime. I'm so glad they could be in Birmingham and we could give them a shower with their friends and family here. Jules, Shook and another little boy stayed downstairs with a baby sitter during the party and they really did a great job of behaving. I was impressed.
They are Alabama fans, so we went with elephants!
We also did books instead of cards and it was really cute to hear why everyone chose a certain book! I hope we get to see them again before the Holiday is over!
