Crazy Christmas week

It has begun! Only 5 more days until Christmas. We started the festivities out last night taking Kesler to the Memphis Zoo Lights with Preston. They had a great time together running and playing. Although he was a little upset that we chose to leave Ellis with her Nanna, he thinks she is supposed to be there for everything, which I am sure will change by the time she is old enough to actually be there for everything. Tonight, cookie swap at Paige's house - tomorrow night, church - Thursday night, Christmas with Jonathan and cooking goodies with kenlee - Friday night, grandma's house, - Saturday night, Derrick's grandparents house - then Christmas with our immediately family all day Sunday. kes can't wait till Sunday, because that is "chainsaw" day!!! I only hope he slows down long enough to enjoy every aspect of it. As for me though, I am not enjoying it so far, I still don't have a gift for my dad!!!!!!! Nor either of my grandfathers or derrick's grandparents. I wish some light bulb would go off in what to get my dad. Hopefully another last minute dash to Memphis will spark something. Have a great Christmas!

Visit from Santa

So, last night was the first time that Kes has seen Santa this year. He and Ellis had been having a great time at Peytin's birthday party and enjoying playing and eating everything in site. Kes has dawned the pink skates and princess helmet, and loved every minute of it. Then, it was time for Santa. All the girls and Kes were crowded around the door waiting for him to make his entrance, then once the door swung open, girls scattered! You could hear screams for 20 miles. Some were in fear, some in excitement/fear and some just because the others were screaming. The only "brave" soul still standing at the door was Kesler. In his "I am not afraid of you" stance. The one where his hands are on his hips and his face is snarled, most that have seen him more than once, know what look I am referring to. Santa came in and told all the children hello, and said happy birthday to the birthday girl, who at the time wasn't really interested. Kes still staring him down like prey. Then Santa sits in his chair and I told Kes to go sit with him and talk to him. Not wanting to show his fear, he said ok and sat down in his lap. Once up there, his eyes immediately fell straight to the floor. He was limp. He wouldn't look at anyone, just staring down and giving the occasional nod. Someone then asked if Ellis would like to join Kes on Santa's lap. Mind you, Ellis is securely tucked in my arms loving the excitement, completely unaware of the awful fate awaiting her. I delicately handed her off to Santa, and it was on. She does the classic swan dive trying to free herself from the clutches of St. Nick. She spits her passey across the room to try and convey how seriously she doesn't want to be there and lets out a piercing scream. I grabbed her up before she totally flipped out and her little heart was just racing. Why do we do this to our children? I guess since we know that we were traumatized, our children deserve it too... We had to immediately leave, because Ellis kept watching him and crying, Kes is yelling in my ear, "He is scaring Ellis!, let's go mommy." So, the night ended with both of them wore out from all the fun and a little scared to sleep fearing Santa might make it to their house while they rest. It was fun non the less, and I know Kes will tell me about it every time he sees Santa aka Christmas (Kes thinks that is his name).

A year gone by

Ok, this is one of my sappy days! I think for every mother though, a child's first birthday makes you all sappy. You can't remember what life was like before that child was born, and don't really care to. All you know is that your life is forever changed and you couldn't be happier. Ellis turns a big 1 yr old today about 6:30. Last year on this day I had decided to take the day off, since I was going to be induced the next day, I figured I would do some cleaning and a few Christmas things. I was awake about 5:30 that morning as usual, and felt a some pretty consistant contractions, but I knew I was going in the next day and I could just wait it out. Sitting on the couch watching TV, the cutest little blue eyed blonded haired boy came walking through the door draging his mickey mouse and said "I wanna watch Mickey", he had no idea that this would be the day he was introduced to his life long best friend. Contractions continued through out the day and Derrick came home for lunch when I told him he may have to take off work a little early, because I didn't know how much more I could take. I called him about 2:00 that afternoon and said I had to go. We went in and they checked me, admitted me to the hospital and by 6:30 she was here and all was well. She has been the most amazing baby. I guess she knew I wasn't ready for another difficult baby, so she did everything like she was supposed to. Lately though, she is developing her own since of identity. She typically loves Kesler, and in awe of everything he does, but if he tries to take something away from her, she holds on for dear life and screams as if he is trying to kill her. I just laugh and think, in a few years this won't be nearly as cute as it is today. I love my Baby L, Ewis, Eunice, Fatty Patty, Juice. Virginia Ellis Connor 12-8-2010