NYE

I've started so many new posts that I haven't put on this blog this past few weeks and I've finally realized why-I'm having a hard time balancing being very superficial about my life with "TMI, dude." In other words, I want to be open about what's going on and how we're really doing, but I know that can make people uncomfortable. It's also not in my nature to sugar coat reality or pussyfoot around issues (and I know some of you just LOVE that about me!). <- that was sarcasm, by the way. So...I'll try to find that balance of letting you know what's happening with us without overdisclosure. I'm welcome to feed back if you have any.

Here's the thing about being separated as opposed to divorced or married: no one knows what the rules are. When you are married, you spend the holidays together. When you are divorced, you don't. What do you do if you're separated, you have kids and your spouse doesn't have family in the area? And you are tyring to orchestrate a holiday without awkwardness? I finally came to the solution- lower your expectations. Not every Christmas can be The Best Ever, right? So the schedule looked something like this : Brian comes over on Christmas Eve (my family does a buffet and program and games) for a few hours. Girls open presents here in the morning, then go to Brian's for more presents, in case they didn't get enough stuff the first time. I think it worked out pretty well and the whole thing was low key and fight free. Not bad! Plus, my kids got s.p.o.i.l.e.d. and they had a great time.

This was the first year that Leah really got into Christmas-concepts like "Santa" and "We'll open presents in a few weeks" are so abstract for her. The excitement of it all was both fun and exhausting. Leah thought Santa would like chocolate milk (who wouldn't, right?). That's Jacob in the picture.

I have more pics on Facebook, if you want to see them. It really was a smooth, enjoyable holiday for us.

Backing up a few weeks, the anticipation of "When is Santa going to come and bring me my purple Barbie mermaid?" caused a few, uh, behavior issues. Here are the two monkeys after they got into some markers.

I honestly don't remember this picture being taken, but I know Hannah did it and I think it's hilarious that I'm being attacked by a naked five year old. Probably most parents a totally fed up with their kids by the end of December.

This new year should probably be completely awesome. Why not? I'm puuting a ton of time and energy into my senior recital, which will happen in April (put that on your calendars). After that, I will commence Growing Up and Getting a Life. I will keep you updated on that, for sure!