It's Christmas Eve

Last night I finally finished my shopping. I never wait to the last minute but getting out shopping was challenging this year. Frank has been working so much overtime and you can't quite bring along the boys to buy their gifts!

I spent a few hours wrapping gifts and getting organized last night. By 10am this morning I had baked a cake, made breakfast and made about 5 batches of cookies. I just have to decorate the cookies by tomorrow. The boys "helped" with the cookies. Not sure why I even let them because it's a big ole mess but they love it so I figure I can suck it up.

Colin is finally feeling better today. And my fingers are crossed because so far Ciaran and Cormac have not become sick. I am hoping they can hold off until Friday or not even get sick.

I just can't wait until Christmas morning. To see the look on their faces is going to be so memorable. I can just imagine what they will say. Last year was fun but this year will be even more enjoyable. They are going to freak when they realize Santa brought them big boy bikes.

I forgot about some of the gifts I purchased for the boys a long time ago so when I went to the garage I realized they had quite a few more gifts. Bonus for the babes.

We played in our first snowfall of 2008. They LOVED it! Can you figure out who is who??? With hats and hoods you can't really tell.
Cormac

Colin

ciaran






The boys got up really early once this week. I put them all in my bed with a drink of milk. I was buying some time so I really didn't have to start the day yet.



We are off to my sister's house for the evening. Should be alot of fun. It's also my Dad's birthday so it's a double celebration. The boys helped make the icing for the cake and can't wait to share it with him.

I'll post some Christmas eve and Christmas photos later on.

The Fair in the Square

For the past three years Frank and I have attended the Fair in the Square in the town next to us. It's an outdoor fair in the winter and ends with Santa arriving via Fire Truck and he lights the town square tree. Our first year the boys were only 8 months old. We bundled their little butts up in snow suits with their santa hats and they loved it. Well, Frank and I loved it. Not sure if they know the differnce. We did wind up in the local paper that year with the headline "First Christmas times 3" I have it saved and framed. Here they are from our first Fair in the Square.



Last year was another story. The boys were another year older. It also happened to be so cold out it was really unbearable. After getting all ready and arriving at the fair I think we lasted exactly 6 minutes before calling it quits. We didn't wait for Santa or the tree. Three crying frozen babies wanted no part of it! I remember it like it was yesterday. The wouldn't wear mittens and their little hand were like ice.

This picture of Colin pretty much sums up our day! Can you say miserable????




Fast forward to this year. Another year older. And a smarter Mommy. We waited until the very end of the day. We headed over just in time to wait about 10 minutes for Santa and the tree lighting. Three two year olds now understand their hats and mittens keep them warm and chose to leave them on this year. Not to mention the crazy warm coats they were wearing.

Santa arrived on the fire truck and I have to say the look of pure delight and wonder in the eyes of a two year is enough to bring tears to your eyes. They couldn't take their eyes off of Santa. He was up on the ladder of the fire truck and they moved him over the crowd and brought him down to the ground. We stayed for the tree lighting and they loved it. Maggie was up for her birthday so she was able to go with us. We didnt bring a stroller since the boys are getting big enough to walk. Only thing, Cormac and Colin really didn't want to walk. I got stuck with Colin and I swear, he weighs a TON. We don't own a scale in the Lawrence household. Never have so I have no idea what he weighs but he has got to be 35 pounds at this point. My arms are killing me today from holding him.

The local paper was there again and caught us all posing for a picture and said we will probably be in the paper again this week. We have really turned into mini celebreties around here. We have been in the paper quite a few times. Christmas, Halloween, Family Night Out. But hey, can you blame them? My kids are stinkin' cute!

Here are some photos from last night.







It's turning into a nice family tradition. I think it is one we will keep!

Cormac came and told me one of his implants wasn't working and he couldn't hear yesterday. This is a huge step. Normally, he is wearing two so he doesn't tell us he can't hear. He will get there eventually but is still quite young. But he was only wearing one implant and he came and told me he couldn't hear the TV. YIPPEE for him.

He is also talking so much lately and not just statements. (may I have milk vs I want milk) He is asking questions and conversing more. He asked Duke the other morning, "how are you doing today, Dukie boy?". So cute. Today at the mall on our second attempt to see Santa I gave them some candy. Yep, bad mommmy bribes them in the mall with candy. You can report me anytime you like. But I always try and compare what it's like to shop with three two year olds. My best analogy? Next time you go somewhere take along an octopus or two and let me know how it works for you! I have gotten very skilled at maneuvering our stroller out of arms length from anything. I have gotten off track. The boys were eating candy and I gave Cormac the bag to hold. He leans forward and say "Colin, Ciaran, you want some candy?" I just love hearing them talk. The answer to this question was of course a yes. And Colin says "thank you Cormac" Cormac turns to me and says "I shared with Colin".

On to Santa.... Ok. The local Santa has a southern accent. I mean a REALLY southern accent. I asked him if he was from the South Pole instead of the North Pole. I guess if I lived in the South this wouldn't seem strange but when Santa tells your children "you better mind your mamma, I'll be watching" I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone! He was super nice and the kids loved fleecing him for every candy cane he had in his possession but strange none the less. I had to be in the picture and was none to happy. They were not afraid of him. They just didn't watt to sit. Well, Colin didn't want to sit without me. He can be a real pain in the you know what when he wants to be.

Anyway, we did get a picture. They looked handsome as ever. As we wheeled through the mall they intermittently shouted out Merry Christmas to passing shoppers. They were truly in the spirit!

I have yet to finish my Christmas shopping. Well, the boys are done but I still have everyone else. I have no idea when I will find the time. I am just not productive when I go with all the kids. I wind up spending money on them and NOT on what I am supposed to be buying. Yes, we came home today from the Disney store with three new firetrucks. I think I will hide them from Frank because if he sees one more toy in this house he will flip!