Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-oh forget it.

So you may be wondering why I'm just now catching up on, like a THOUSAND blog posts.  Well if you didn't see my Facebook status, here's a musical rendition of how December 15-17th went down:

On the 6th day of Christmas my true love gave to me:

6 filled prescriptions

FIVE co-pays!

4 eye drops

3 ear infections

2 days in bed

And a cor-ne-al abrasion!

So I just caught up on some December-Christmastime happenings, and this week the goal will be to post about the actual Christmas Eve and Day events in the Kiehl household.  Thanks for following our craziness!

A Brave Young Woman

This is Grace - our new babysitter.  While she's a new babysitter, she's not new to us.  She is the daughter of Rachel, one of my "besties" (Rachel-ism).  Grace is now brave old enough to baby sit our kids, and she does a STELLAR job.  Don't even think I'm giving you her phone number.  Plus, I have her on retainer anyway.  So there.

Candlelight Dinner



L-R:  Brett, Me, Carol, Peter, Danica & Stu

For the last four (?) years we've been meeting with these two couples for an annual "Candlelight Dinner" at the golf course during Christmas time.  The guys are all golf buddies, two of Brett's closest friends.  The women have all become friends too - bonus!  Since our first dinner as the six of us, there has been one wedding, 4 babies (with a 5th due in May - don't look at me), job changes, moves, the loss of loved ones and the joy of many blessings.  We're truly honored to call these people friends.

Jingle Bells!

I don't know WHERE he gets his penchant for performing?

Shhh! Don't tell Kristine at Wild Child!

So I've been buzzing Sam's hair for awhile now. Last night I gave him my best haircut yet. That made me brave enough to cut Jane's hair today. It looks pretty good, though I definitely need salon grade scissors and those thinning/layering shears. She's pretty forgiving since she's so damn cute on her own.

I couldn't resist.

When Raspberry Charlotte is on the menu and your first born's name is Charlotte, it's really a no brainer.

Sweet Baby Kate

My newest niece is 3 weeks old today. Happy birthday Kate! We already can't remember what our lives were like without you. You're going pretty easy on your parents, so great job. Please keep up the good work. In a couple weeks we'll be celebrating your first Christmas. I can't wait for you to begin special Christmas traditions with your mom and dad and the rest of us. We love you!

We LOVE Santa

Even if his beard was falling off!
Annie

Embarrassed? A Kiehl? I don't believe it!

Brett and Jane were off running an errand yesterday, when Brett complimented Jane's singing in the car. 

Jane:  Dad, I'm embarrassed to sing in front of other people.

Dad:  Really?  You have such a beautiful voice.  Does that mean you don't want to sing in Alleluia Singers?  (The kids' choir at church.)

Jane:  Oh no, Dad.  I'd never be embarrassed to sing for God!


(Mom, later to herself when hearing this story..."Oh, Jane.  You just kill me.")

Would you believe she's only 1 week old????

Happy Birthday Kate!!!



There's that Kiehl dimple we all know and love!



This is my new niece, Kate.  She was born only a week ago, and as you can see, she's really enjoying her new status as "real live baby."  She's a doll, and this snow is making it really difficult for her auntie to get over and see her.  It's been 2 whole days!!  Miss you sweet Kate!  See you on Thanksgiving - I'm thankful for YOU!

2010 Snow Day #1

 

After putting learning first -- practicing writing is the girls' favorite thing -- we got out the Christmas books, a wooden (a.k.a. childproof) Nativity and put on Christmas music and boogied around the family room.  It felt good to get our blood pumping. After that, we needed a breather, so we watched the movie "Santa Buddies."  What's cuter than a bunch of puppies that talk like humans and help Santa and Puppy Paws save Christmas?  Nothing I tell you!  Since the girls already had packed lunches, we went up to the playroom for a "carpet picnic".  Charlotte set up several stations of different games:  hopscotch, hoops, a slide and bucket stacking. Then while Sam napped, the girls worked on art creations for their new baby cousin Kate.  I'm sure they'll be wallpapering her room with masterpieces in no time (Auntie and Uncle will be thrilled).  All in all, today has been a great day with great kids!  

Teach 'em young.

See how I conveniently broke rigged arranged for the vacuum to have a short handle so only small Kiehls can use it?  That will teach Sam to throw his Cheerios and raisins onto the floor at breakfast.

At least he gives some attention to detail.  Wonder where he got that?

Oh Buddy, I think you missed a spot!

The Ear Piercing Rite of Passage

After nearly 5000 2 years of waiting, Charlotte turning 8 meant she could get her ears pierced.  She wasn't sure WHEN this was actually going to occur, but I surprised her after school one day and we spontaneously picked up Auntie Chrissy, Cousin Luke & Auntie Jane - who was due with her first baby on that very day. 

We ran over to Larkin Jewlers in the North End and took some before pictures...naked ear lobe. 

Auntie Jane due with baby of unknown gender on November 9th, the end of the seemingly neverending 9 months.  (A week later, November 16th, we joyfully welcomed Cousin Kate into the world.  Kate was definitely worth the wait!!)

Charlotte perused the display of diamonds.  I don't know where she got that from?

Then she learned they had the kid "diamonds" in another section.  However, she wasn't disappointed.                                                                      



She was kinda sorta a little bit brave-ish.



And then everyone got ice cream!  Yea!!

    



Matching girls!!!



Boo!! Night #1 of Halloween Madness

Tonight is the Pumpkin Jamboree at Charlotte's school, so the girls were pumped to get ready as soon as Charlotte got home from school. Charlotte requested her hair flat-ironed, and both girls had Mommy-the-makeup-artist (not) do their make up. The little guy is pretty happy to be a "tiger", (we keep correcting him) and he's got a mean "ROAR".

 

Charlotte the Rock Star

(it says Rock on one arm band and Star on the other in sparkly letters - pretty rad)

            The friendlies lion you ever did meet.                         Little Miss Lady Bug Princess

You will NOT believe this!

I know, I know...you're wondering if I curled those lashes.  Nope.  This is SOOC (straight out of the camera for you non-photography buffs) while sitting in the Costco cart. 

{Jenny S. is drooling right now, while getting in her car with mascara in hand.}

And yes...it's incredibly unfair.

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Today I was fortunate enough to go on Jane's field trip to the pumpkin patch.  Luckily, it did NOT rain, which was awesome - it was cold enough without it.  :)

 

Charlotte is 8 years old today!!!!!! (Click on pictures to see them larger.)

Charlotte Lee < 1 day old

 1st Birthday

 2nd Birthday

3rd Birthday

4th Birthday

5th Birthday

6th Birthday (Kindergarten)

7th Birthday (First Grade)

8th Birthday (Second Grade)

My how you've grown Charlotte!  We love you so much, and we're so proud of who you're becoming.  Remember to be prayerful, and remember you are prayed for.  

~I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.~ 

Philippians 4:13

Love, Mom

20101010 Disneyland-Palm Desert

If you click on this picture of us, you should be able to access my Picasa album from our recent trip to
California.  Let's see how it goes.  Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3...

We're BAAAAACK!!

This is one of my favorite of the 757 pictures I took while we were in Disneyland and Palm Desert for the last 9 (not that I was counting) days.  My son was totally IN to Jasmine.  Who wouldn't be?

The kids are tucked in, and we're pooped.  I'll post more picures later with a link to the Picasa album. 

It was F.U.N. to be sure!!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ