Christmas Miracle

We just had the best Christmas this year. We got to have Grandmommy here for a visit.



About a year after we moved away from her and Memphis, Grandmommy was diagnosed with liver cancer. We were devastated. We have been on pins and needles ever since, following her treatments, her ups and downs, and her miraculous hair retention despite months of chemo. So when she agreed to visit us and Clay's brother's family for Christmas, we were beyond excited. She got here right when we left to see my family in Fresno, so she saw the sights with the other Callaway's for a few days.

We didn't tell the girls that their beloved Grandmommy aka Me-maw was coming. We just showed up, after a four hour drive back from the Sierra's, at the Callaway's and let them figure it out. I had five dollars on Neve crying, but she kept it together, at least that day.

We couldn't wait to show her the temple in Oakland and all the pretty lights.





We enjoyed a nice quite Christmas eve at our house. On the menu: grilled pizzas and Ginger Ale (like they have at Grandmommy and Dudah's house).



Then a little wii to wind down the night. Oh dear, Kiera is the boxing champ. No one can take her down. Her little fists don't fly quite as fast as her little feet. It is really hilarious and entertaining to watch. Come by anytime. We'll have her put on a show.



Christmas morning and the obligatory jammies.



Later on Christmas, Sarah treated us to a delicous dinner and fine company. Thanks, Sarah and Josh for your fine hospitality.

The next day we took Martha down to Monterey. She had never seen the Pacific Ocean before. She couldn't look away.





It was a big chilly for her skinny self, so we tore ourselves away after a while. Not before Eli got wet.



We took her to Lover's Point to see the sea lions.



and the tide pools.







Quick, before it gets dark...on to 17 mile drive (and the warmth of the rental car. No my car still isn't fixed). Can you imagine living on this street with views like this?







This was the last time Neve smiled that day. She cried and cried when Grandmommy got out of the car at the airport. Stupidly, I thought that if she could say one more goodbye while Grandmommy was curb checking her bag, it would make it better. It didn't. She wailed for another 15 minutes in the car. She is such a sweet, sensitive girl.



Grandmommy. We already miss you. Can you come and play again soon?

Ironic

Neve: Mom, KIERA IS COLORING IN ONE OF NANA'S BOOKS!
Me: Oh, shoot. Kiera....where are you. Did you really color in THAT book?
Kiera: No, mommy. I didn't do it.



Luckily it was pencil.

Merry Christmas

Second Annual Nutcracker Ballet trip

Thanks Nana and Papa for a great afternoon and lots of great memories. I am ready for Christmas now.

Kiera's Ballet show

I don't think I have ever been angrier at one of my children before. In the nine years since Maren was born, we have yet to spank one of our children. That almost ended on Wednesday.



In the above photo see if you can spot Kiera and I along the wall on the right.

Wednesday was Parent Observation day at Ballet. This only happens once a YEAR. All the parents are allowed into the classroom for a special treat. Kiera refused. Outright. She just wasn't having any of it. Granted, she woke up with a bit of a cold that day, but really. I asked her to just participate in one thing. Please, just the arabesque. Oh, how about bourre. Just show Mommy you learned to passe. Denied.



I promised her the world. I will buy you Pokemon cards, take you to McDonalds, buy you a barbie. Refusal.



I threatened the world. No treats after dance. I will call Santa and tell him not to bring you any toys. I might even take your special blankie and cut it up into little pieces. And then throw them away in the outside garbage. Can you see my level of frustration growing? I am resorting to threats of mutilation.

At the end of the class the teacher gives each dancer a stamp on the hand. That is when she decided to participate. Oh, no you didn't. I pulled her out of there so quick her head was spinning.

And then we had a few choice words in the car. What am I going to do with that girl?

The video footage is sorely lacking (all three seconds of it), but you'll get the idea. Kiera, all 'no go'. All the other cute little 3 year olds prancing about for their parents...

Nativity Duet

We had our church party last weekend, and Neve and Maren were asked to sing together on one verse of the Nativity Song. They loved practicing together and did a nice job that night, despite all the chaos. Sixty kids on stage with costumes makes for some high drama! I love Christmas time. Now excuse me, I need to go make some more toffee.

belated piano recital

Neve had her first recital last month and in the crazyness of it all I never posted the performance. Maren was up first and then Neve. Alas, the camera battery died about halfway through the song. She did amazingly and wasn't nervous at all. Way to go, girls.

My morning didn't start out so well...

It is interesting the thoughts that run through your head when you realize someone is going to plow into you and there is nothing you can do about it.

1. Sure am glad we are all buckled in.
2. Sure am glad it is Thursday and we don't have anywhere we HAVE to be today.
3. That trip to Target for the last of the envelopes for my Christmas cards will have to wait until another day

Yes, Kiera and I are just fine. And, no it wasn't my fault.

Thanks to my girlfriend Jenny who happened upon us and gave us a ride home so we didn't have to do the perp ride.

Do you think they will be able to fix it?

Conversations

Tonight Kiera had to pee in the middle of dinner, like she does almost every night. Upon preparing to mount the toilet seat, she paused and said, "I wish I could do it like a boy. It would be easier."

Can't do anything about that, but at least her daddy's been trained to always leave the seat down.

Marathon runner in training

Today when we rode to school for the second time (First trip: Maren, Second Trip: Neve) today Kiera was as usual, in her pajamas and sans shoes. After we dropped Neve off Kiera refused to get back into the bike trailer for the ride home. She insisted that she was going to run. Now, remember, we DO live pretty close to school, but not THAT close. I just checked and the distance is .8 miles. So I let her start out thinking she will get 100 yards into it and ask to climb back in the bike trailer. No way. She ran the whole way. Ok, she had to stop for a rest a few times on the way home, but always started back up with a OK, Mom. Let's go!



I got some strange looks on the way home. Strange you think? Me on my bike with my empty bike trailer and my three year old running barefoot beside me. Why would you want to ride in this chariot when you can run all the way home? Yes, I did make her reenact the run for the photo. She didn't mind at all.



Those were some cold, dirty feet.