Today has been our nosewipiest day thus far. For those who don’t understand me and my humor and therefore, my writing, nose-wipe-ee-est. As in lots and lots of snot and kleenex. The kids are great though. Dekker is definitely in the best shape of all of us, but he’ll come tell me if his nose is runny and he cooperates really well with having it wiped. Laela will follow right behind him, making her funny face that sucks in her bottom lip and pushes out her top lip and nose, waiting for her nose wipe, which is inevitably much, much more necessary. But she also tolerates it well. Very good kids I have.
Last night, after all of my meltdowns, I felt better and more organized. Funny how that happens. After the much anticipated pretzel pizza, the kids went to bed and Brady pitched in a bunch. We got all the gifts ribboned and labelled, and looked at the list together. We decided which things he can fit into his week while being in the city every day, and what I could fit into one last city trip before we leave on Saturday. It feels more doable now. Not ideal still, but better. I discovered that we’ve been focusing too much on what needs to get done, and we have skipped all the fun stuff. It makes me a bit sad, but I’m trying to not look back and to just change my mindset from here on out. It’ll be great.
So this morning I relaxed with the kids and started laundry. This afternoon I’m continuing the laundry, painting my toe nails, and resting up a bit. We’re all still sick, and hope to be well before we leave this weekend, but Brady and I agreed to sing in our church Christmas Eve service, and we have to have voices enough to practice tomorrow. And to learn our parts this evening :/ No judging! Its been insane and we’re behind in everything! But we’re trying. It will all fit in, we’re determined!
Brady is having to work late every evening this week, so I accomplish what I can in the day, we do what we need to do with the kids for the short time we’re all together, and then we do everything else after they go to bed. This evening, we reeeaaally need to bathe the kids, but we also need to practice our songs while the kids are awake so we can use the piano, and we won’t have time for both. So the kids will wallow in their filth for another day or two. Its a shame that will get pushed to Friday, because we’re gone tomorrow evening at the music practice, and Friday evening is packing time!! Bah!!!!! (For those wondering why I don’t just bathe the kids myself, it has been an immense struggle to get to a place where the bath isn’t a wrestling match, and Brady has struck a beautiful balance with bath time, just the three of them. I will NOT ruin this!! One day, yes, but not today.)
I have to add in here that I love our crazy Christmases. I remember speaking to someone last year about what her plans for the holidays were, and she said she was looking forward to a good book and some tea. While I can definitely appreciate the silence and comfort that comes with times like that, I would feel so empty if that was all my Christmas held. I love the lack of sleep that I get, the amount of people we see, and all the activities we do. I anticipate the feeling of needing a holiday after our holiday. I’m good with that. That is the Christmas for me.