Elf on the Shelf

This year we are starting a new tradition at our house, the elf on a shelf. We spend a lot of time reading to Mary-Kate about the birth of Jesus. We usually make a birthday cake for Jesus, since MK is really into birthdays with cake. It is something she can relate to. I want her to understand the true meaning of Christmas. She helps us decorate the tree. She has a tree in her room and she has a nativity. She loves this.

This is not to say that she doesn't get many presents at Christmas. It almost shameful. The grands are something else. We don't get her many presents through out the year due to this.

Everyone has a different take on Santa. We go and visit Santa at the mall, but it normally turns out bad. Her first Christmas, she took her picture with him. The 2nd year she was scared to death. Last year I had to be in the picture with her. She was practically crawling up my neck. I wasn't impressed with the Santa either. (It was a woman. Mary-Kate didn't know, but I did. I was in a long line and didn't realize until we got in the picture. That's just wrong.) It will be interesting to see what she does this year.

I do like the tradition of the Elf on a Shelf. You can bring your elf out around Thanksgiving. The kids aren't aloud to touch him, but they can talk to him. You just have to remember to put him in a different place everyday. He goes back and tells Santa how they have acted that day. I think it is cute. Sometimes children act the worst around the holidays, so this helps keep behavior in check. My mom got us this last year and we decided to give it a try this year. I think MK understands a little more this year.

Do you have any neat traditions?

Okay I am Early

I know. I know. I am early on Christmas. With all of the sickness in my family right now, thinking about the holidays makes me happy. I hope you don't mind my jump start on the season with my music selection. It helps to start listening to the true meaning of Christmas before all of the commercialism enters.

Flu of Some Kind

I am not sure what has hit my house, but oh man is it something else. Mary-Kate woke up Sunday morning with a headache. I took her temp. It was 100. I gave her something for it. I thought I had it broken. When the medicine wore off, it was 102. She didn't wanted to play. She slept a lot. Her little eyes were so red. She didn't want to eat. She was having muscle spasms in her legs. I was beside myself. I am glad we have doctor in the family. Kids are notorious for getting sick on weekends when no clinic is open. My husband's dad came over and helped me. You guessed it. Thara has it too. He says he doesn't have the flu. We got meds to help fight this off. I am not sure what this is exactly. It has characteristics of H1N1, but I am not sure. I am watching them both like a hawk. Mary-Kate and I stayed home today. Her fever was pretty high again when she woke up. She didn't do much from 7Am until 2:30PM. She either stayed in my bed or laid down on the floor. She said she was dizzy. Finally she decided she was ready to play a little. So far she seems to be feeling a little better. I think getting the medicine in time helped. It is not something to mess with.

We were scheduled to get her the H1N1 shot today. Can't get it with fever.

I haven't mentioned anything about my husband's feelings about the baby. He is really excited! He is always so supportive and really helps out. I married a prince you guys, I really did.

I am staying home with her again tomorrow! It is a real treat to be with her during the day even if she is sick.