Kaylea munching in her present fort on Christmas Eve
Kaylea with her Grammy and Memommy
Kaylea trying to stay awake to see Santa
Mr. Jimmy and Mr. Bob Well, it appears that we all have survived the Christmas holiday. All of the out of town guests arrived safe and sound last Wednesday and then the games began. The days before Christmas consisted of:
Then there was that whole death in the family, the many dinners and celebrations with family that doesn't come to our house, plus preparing a Christmas Eve get together for 11, a Christmas breakfast for 9, and a Christmas dinner for 13. Wow, it is amazing that we were able to drag our lifeless bodies out of bed at 4:45 am on Christmas morning to open presents.
Kaylea was thrilled when she saw that Santa pulled through once again and he had brought her the Wii that she had been longing for. Hey, he is such a nice guy that he even through in a couple of games to go with it. She got the much sought after Hannah Montana game and a Harry Potter game. Boy, he is such a swell fella! Kaylea, also, received a Zune, lots of Gymbo outfits (we luv Gymbo), and too many other things to mention. I do have to say that Auntie M and Mr. Bob get the prize for the present of the year. You know the one; it's the one that the child will not put down and plays with constantly from the time it is opened until it breaks. Well, this year, they decided to give Kaylea the redneck child's dream giftbox. It included a remote control fart machine, a can of Flarp, a whoopie cushion and a belch-o-matic. I'm telling you it was like a regular symphony around our house.....THANKS SIS!!!!
You know, it is pretty bad when you have to rearrange the furniture to accommodate all of the presents. In our defense, all of these presents are for 9 people. So, we didn't go too overboard, did we?With each passing day, I watch the excitement grow in my daughter. She can hardly wait for Christmas to get here. I remember when I was little and how the days before Christmas seemed to be the longest days of the entire year.
I think this is probably our last Christmas for Kaylea to be able to see Christmas through a child's eyes (if you know what I mean). She has asked a lot of questions, which I am answering with total honesty. I refuse to lie to my daughter, but she will have to ask the "right" question to get the answer she is really looking for.
Kaylea keeps telling me about the kids in her 3rd grade class that don't believe in Santa. So far she has argued with each one of them and been able to hold on to her belief. You see, Kaylea has had some pretty BIG requests of Santa in the past, and he has always pulled through for her, even when Mommy and Daddy weren't 100% in support of the gift ;) Let's see, there was the year that she asked Santa for a puppy - and she got Angel (even though Mommy and Daddy are allergic to dogs and didn't think she was old enough to take care of a puppy). Then, there was the year that she asked Santa for a trampoline - and she got one (even though Mommy and Daddy thought they were dangerous and she would get hurt). Because of these Christmas "miracles" Kaylea stands steadfast in her belief.
When the kids try to burst her bubble and say, "Santa isn't real; it's just your Mom and Day." Kaylea is quick to argue, "Oh yeah, then how did I get Angel? All of the pet stores are closed on Christmas Eve after I go to bed, and my Mom and Dad can't hide a puppy in a closet or under the bed. Anyway, they are allergic to dogs and would never get one for me. AND where did my trampoline come from? It was all put together and everything; they couldn't hide something that big in a closet or under the bed, either."
I do have to agree, she has some pretty strong arguments. (And then there is the whole thing about her Auntie M working at Santa's doll factory at Disney World, but that is a whole other post for a different time).
Now, this year, she is asking Santa for a Wii, which she knows is the impossible gift to get a hold of. If Santa can pull through again this year, her faith will not falter, at least until she gets back to school after Christmas break and the kids start at her again. But, just so you know, the rumor around town is that Santa was seen standing in a real long line at Best Buy with a Wii voucher in hand way back before Thanksgiving. And to quote Kaylea's Pappy, "I think he caught his death of foolishness! " ;)
Well, let's just hope that we can make it through another 3 days without a slip of tongue on our part or any sneaky peeky spying on her part. If all goes as planned, Kaylea will experience the "Magic" of Christmas, once again.
WOW, Kaylea received her first MeMe. So, she is going to answer all of these questions the best she can. Just remember, she is only 9.
Once you read this, if you would like to join in the game, just copy the questions and post your answers. Leave us a comment so we can check it out!
1. Wrapping or gift bags? "I like wrapping presents. I have practiced a lot and I am getting better, too."
2. Real or artificial tree? "I like an artificial tree better because it's easier to decorate."
3. When do you put up the tree? "When Mom and Dad pull it down from the attic."
4. When do you take the tree down? "When Mom tells me to."
5. Do you like eggnog? "EW, No!"
6. Favorite gift received as a child? "My little Angel that Santa gave me." (This is her pet Schnoodle)
7. Do you have a nativity scene? "No but when I was in Georgia this summer, I went to Camp Ocmulgee and I made Baby Jesus out of clay. We have him sitting on a table in the living room."
8. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? "A pair of underwear."
9. Mail or email Christmas cards? "Actually, I have never sent Christmas cards."
10. Favorite Christmas Movie? "Oh, that's easy, The Santa Clause 2."
11. When do you start shopping for Christmas? "When Auntie M takes me."
12. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? "Lots of COOKIES"
13. Clear lights or colored on the tree? "Definitely, colored lights"
14. Favorite Christmas song? "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"
15. Travel at Christmas or stay home? "Always stay home so Santa knows where I am."
16. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? "Hello? I am nine; of course I can name all of the reindeer.
17. Angel on the tree top or a star? "On my tree in my room, I have a pink star and a turquoise butterfly."
18. Open the presents Christmas Eve or Christmas Morning? Duh, Christmas morning. Isn't that when everybody opens them?"
19. Most annoying thing about this time of year? "Having to wait to open all of my presents."
20. Do you decorate your tree in any specific theme or color? "No, just bright fun colors and cool ornaments."
21. What do you leave for Santa? "Milk and cookies for Santa, celery and carrots for the reindeer, and a piece of cheese for Santa Mouse."
22. Least favorite holiday song? "I don't have a least favorite. I like them all!"
23. Favorite ornament? "The big purple glitter ornament on my tree that says, 'Dream' "
We hope you enjoyed all of Kaylea's answers.
This time of year is so busy for our family as I am sure it is with yours. Kaylea sings in the children's' choir and plays the hand bells at church. She is also a member of Chorus at school. All of these activities have involved Christmas concerts over the past couple of weeks. As I helped Kaylea get ready for her performances, I was reminded of when she was little. Kaylea always thought is was a big deal when she was able to wear "panty toes" with her dresses. And she especially loved trying on my dress shoes and walking around the house. She would always say, just to make sure I was aware, "Look Mommy, I am wearing your 'knocking shoes'" You see, we had wood floors in the dining area and linoleum in the kitchen and she just loved the sound the shoes made as she walked across the floor.
While thinking back on these moments I realized that my little girl wasn't so little anymore. She has become a very grown-up and independent young lady. I no longer have to help her get dressed; she can now put on her own "panty toes" and "knocking shoes." Though she has grown up a lot, she still thinks it's a big deal to get dressed up and still loves the sound of her heels clumping across the floor, as do I.
Yesterday, Kaylea brought home the proofs of her school pictures and they were great. I am very excited about receiving the prints! Many of you are probably thinking, "Wow, they are getting their school pictures awfully late in the year." Well, we had to have retakes this year. And yes, of course, there is a humorous story to explain why.
You see, this year is the first year that Kaylea has been able to take a morning snack to school and keep a water bottle on her desk all day. WHOOT!! WHOOT!! (She thinks she is a BIG kid, now) Anyway, on the first picture day, Kaylea asked, for the first time, if she could take a Cherry Kool Aid Mix Stick to add to her water at snack time. I was trying to be a super cool Mom and I didn't see any harm in it, so I said, "of course." (See where this is going?)
Well, that afternoon when I picked up by beautiful daughter from school, imagine my surprise (you will hear me say that a lot when referring to Kaylea) when she got into the car and had a lovely red Kool Aid mustache. Oh, but it wasn't the typical Kool Aid mustache; you know, the kind that peaks out the corners of their mouth and makes their smile a little more exaggerated. OH NO, you see Kaylea sticks almost her entire upper lip inside a water bottle when she drinks, so her Kool Aid mustaches kinda resemble Hitler's. They stretch from her upper lip to right under the tip of her nose.
I very calmly asked Kaylea (with all of my fingers and toes crossed), "So, did you have your picture taken before snack or after snack. She replied, "Oh, way after." I just kinda sunk into the seat and said, "Well, you are going to have a really pretty Kool Aid mustache in your school picture, then." At that time Kaylea proceeded to argue with me and tell me "No, I won't." I was very insistent in saying, "YES, you will, because you still do." Apparently they have no mirrors at her school, or she is the least vain person I know, because she had no clue that she had walked around all day with her upper lip stained cherry red. To my surprise, she was only minorly embarrassed when I brought this to her attention. So, to stress the importance of GOOD school pictures, I pointed out to her that this picture was going to be in the yearbook and everyone in the school was going to see her Kool Aid mustache. Of course my message fell on deaf ears because she just rolled her eyes and said, "Mom, the mustache isn't going to show because the yearbooks are in black and white." (DOINK!!!!!)
Anyway, we have beautiful pictures, now. We will just keep those fingers and toes crossed that the yearbook staff will take mercy on her and put in the retake.
Once again, you might wonder what lesson I, as Kaylea's mother, have learned from all of this. Well, once again, there are a few:
1. Kaylea does not take Kool Aid Mix Sticks to school anymore.
2. I have a lot more vanity that my daughter.
3. In Kaylea's future, I think she will hear the following saying quite a lot, "bless her heart."
For all of our readers that are family members, you have already heard this story. It is such a good one, though, that is deserves being repeated.
A few months ago, Daddy went to pick up Kaylea at school. He was giving her the usual third degree about her day and getting the usual responses. You all know the dialogue:
Daddy says, "How was your day?"
Kaylea's response, "ok."
Daddy asks, "What did you do today?"
Kaylea's response, "Nothing."
Daddy says, "You had to learn something."
Then he starts questioning her subject by subject. When he got to Social Studies, he finally struck gold. She actually remembered the lesson in Social Studies. She tells Daddy that they talked about the difference between their needs and wants. Well, Daddy is very intrigued about Kaylea's answers.
Daddy asks, "What did you say your wants are?"
Kaylea said, "Oh that's easy! I want a plasma TV, a Wii and a fireplace screen." (I have no idea where that one came from)
Daddy said, "Ok, well, what did you say your needs are?''
Kaylea's response, "I said we needed food, clothes and plants."
Daddy was a little puzzled by the plant answer and said, "I think I would have said food, water and oxygen."
Kaylea responded in a very condescending tone, "DUH Dad, that's why I said PLANTS. Don't you know that plants take in carbon dioxide and convert it over to oxygen then release it into the air?"
The only retort Daddy had was, "Well, Kaylea, I guess I just didn't think it through far enough."
When Daddy told me this story, I almost fell over laughing. I told him that she had won and we need to surrender now.
This is an example of how our quirky little girl's mind works. She is way too smart for her own good. I have told her many times that she is a super smart girl and I am hopeful that she will use her powers for good, not evil, as she grows up. We are in soooooo much trouble ;)
Yesterday while Aunti M and I were working on round 2 of the Christmas bake-a-thon we were having one of our normal (or not so much) conversations. Auntie M was making fudge and Kaylea was helping - and listening. Auntie made a comment about a certain food item and how is really "sucked." Suddenly, Kaylea chimes in and agrees whole heartedly with her Aunie and says, "Yea, it really does suck!" Well, I was quick to correct Kaylea that "suck" is not a word that she should say. Then Auntie with all of her wisdom informs us that "suck" is now listed in Webster's Dictionary as an adjective, as well as a verb. Kaylea's response was, "I didn't know there was a Webkinz Dictionary!?!
Well, here I am, doing what I have talked about for awhile. I am making a written record of all of the silly, crazy, frustrating and hilarious things that my daughter does. I will be honest, though; I am feeling a little bit of pressure with this being the first post and all. I have 9 years worth of material and don't quite know where to begin. I guess since it is the holiday season, I will begin with our latest Kaylea story.
You see, in our family, holiday cookie baking is a tradition. We make several different kinds of treats and prepare trays to go to Dad's office, to the neighbors and to the school. Well, the crowning jewels on the cookie trays have always been the hand decorated sugar cookies that have obviously been made with much love and given the utmost attention. Yesterday, Auntie M and I began the bake-a-thon and immediately Kaylea wanted to make her sugar cookies. I told her she would have to wait for a little while. After about the 50th time of her asking, we finally agreed to let her choose her cookie cutters and begin the process. Well, Auntie and I had already thought through this task at the grocery store, thus deciding to buy the sheets of cookie dough that merely get unrolled and cut. It sounded, to us, like the simplest way to approach this chore, since we would be preoccupied and wouldn't be able to stand over Kaylea to make sure things were done correctly. And after all, she is 9; how hard could it be to press a cookie cutter into cookie dough??? We let Kaylea and her cousin, Miss C, spread out on the dining room table, each armed with cookie cutters, their own sheet of sugar cookie dough and their own baking sheet (you know, we can't get their cookies mixed up). After awhile Miss C was through and had rejoined the fellas in the living room for the Christmas movie marathon, but Kaylea remained in the dining room working feverishly on her cookies. I didn't know what was taking her so long, but thought I would let her do it her way. I was feeling a bit of pride that she was showing such attention to detail (not a trait she demonstrates very often.) Imagine my surprise when I walked into the dining room to find Kaylea with her cooking dough in a ball and her Playdough rolling pin in hand. Apparently, she didn't like the number of cookies that she cut the first time ("there weren't enough, Mom"), so she took them up, smooshed the dough into a ball and traded in her large cookie cutters for smaller ones. Finally, Daddy had to go into the dining room to help her finish. We noticed that Miss C's baking sheet had A LOT more cookies on it than Kaylea's, but we just assumed it was due to placement of cookie cutters and the fact that Kaylea's were a little bit thicker. Later on in the afternoon, after the two sheets of cookies had baked and cooled, the girls began the decorating process. They had Christmas sprinkles along with various shades of frosting and sugars. We thought we had ensured that we would have lots of gorgeous sugar cookies. Well, Auntie and I were quite surprised when we overheard a conversation between Kaylea and Miss C. Kaylea was complaining that she didn't have as many cookies to decorate. Miss C responded frankly, "well, if you hadn't eaten all of your dough when you were cutting out your cookies, you would have more cookies to decorate."
Auntie M and I just looked at each other and nodded saying in unison "ah ha". You probably could have seen the little light bulb light up over our heads at that time. Our synopsis of the afternoon was that Kaylea decided it would be a lot quicker and easier to eat the cookies before they were baked instead of wasting all that time waiting for them to bake and then decorating them.
At the end of the day, we only had about 10 sugar cookies that survived. Oh well, I guess the jewels in the crown on our trays will be a little more sparse this year.
You might wonder what lesson I, as Kaylea's mom, have learned from all of this. Well, there are a few:
1. Nine is not old enough for Kaylea to be trusted with raw cookie dough.
2. When Kaylea is really anxious to do something, she probably has an alterial motive.
3. Once again, Kaylea has shown she doesn't share her mom's great attention to detail.
Tune in again tomorrow and I'm sure I will have a new story for you. If I don't, I will gladly pull one from the archives.
