And then,

The first week of Christmas break went a little something like this...

The girls had their very first dance recital.

They were so cute and so very sparkly.

And then, this little boy turned SEVEN

He informs me that he is now just THREE years away from turning TEN.

And then we officially got snowed in.

And then they cancelled school.

So then I thought I would culture the kids a little and we watched a Doris Day movie.

But then the power went out and I thought how am I supposed to entertain the kids with no TV.

Then I pulled out a puzzle for the kids to play with, but apparently puzzles are too old school for them.

So then I just left them in the house to fend for themselves and I went outside to shovel the driveway for two hours.

And then I lost 5 pounds.

Then I prayed for more snow to shovel so that I could lose another 5 pounds.

(that snow came today)

Then the power came back on and I was thankful that I didn't have to live like a pioneer...

a pioneer in a nice home with a gas fire place and a gas stove to cook food on.

Then Christmas finally came!

And then, like every year before this, Nate & I look at each other and wonder why we got the kids as much as we did.

So then I secretly hid a few gifts that the kids haven't played with and I plan on taking them back to the store.

(I'm pretty sure Santa's gifts are exchangeable/returnable at Target.)

(Because I'm pretty sure there's a Target at the North Pole.)

And then, when the cashier hands me my money back, I will be oh, so happy.

And then I thought it would be fun to end this post with a little Christmas mooning...

. . . . .