Kicking off the Christmas Season

A few weeks ago we went up to Prescott, AZ for the city's annual light festival and program. It was the first time since moving to Arizona that we've needed to pull out our winter coats. Noelle didn't even have a winter coat that fit and I made her wear the one I bought that is two sizes too big. The program was short and concise and as they read the story of the nativity they would turn on the lights in the park. It wasn't Temple Square, but it was a nice start to the Christmas season.

Since then we've made a couple of drives through our neighborhood to check out the lights on the houses. I guess since its warm here everyone puts up lights, except for us. When we get home Noelle informs us of her displeasure with our lack of lights.

Christmas Caramels

Back in the day when we managed to live in about 600 square feet and our lives were less complicated I made my first batch of caramels. It was to be used as our "neighbor" gifts. So I pulled out the biggest pot I had and went to work. Little did I know that all that sugar and cream boils for eternity and can make a pretty sticky mess. My biggest pot wasn't big enough and my longest spoon not long enough. I remember holding onto the very tip of that spoon hoping not to incur any more burns to my fingers. I'm not sure it ever really made it to the "soft ball" stage, but nonetheless they were really yummy. That event resulted in asking for a much larger pot and longer spoons.

Fast forward six years later to today when I tried to make another lovely batch of caramels. Its not a super complicated task, however once you get far enough involved you must "stir constantly." I'm really good at stirring and recalled the events of previous attempts. I was not going to let this fail. When it got about three degrees from done Noelle informs me that she needs to go potty. I had a small conversation in my head that went something like this:

"Should I take her to the bathroom or tell her to wait until I'm done with caramels? But what kind of lesson am I teaching to my potty training toddler? The caramels will be fine."

After the quickest stop in the bathroom I run back to my bubbly pot and start stirring to see I've finally reach the temp I've been waiting for only to find that we've got some extra brownage on the bottom of the pot. They're still delicious and look pretty, but that is a tough lesson no matter which way you look at it. Needless to say, we've not had to change Noelle's clothes all day long. Now that's worth a caramel.

Practicing for Christmas Morning

Noelle has been doing her best at rehearsing the times she will attempt to wake up on Christmas morning. As her mother I've been rehearsing taking her back to bed. It never goes as planned, for either one of us, however we still endure. This morning was especially rare. 5:15am wasn't that bad, considering we've had all hours. Of course there is the crying for water and being sad that she has to get back in her bed, but I left the door to her room slightly open as part of my own tricks. When she decided to get up again I think she smacked into the door expecting it to be closed (first complication), then she came into our room and just stood looking at me. I hate having a shadowy figure staring at me while I try to sleep, its just creepy. I finally asked her what she was doing and her words were, "You go away." For Noelle this is the sure sign that she would like privacy, in the bathroom sense. Seriously, don't we all? After explaining that it was my room and that she was welcome to leave she walked out the door for a few seconds maybe minutes, I was in and out of consciousness so I can't be sure, to tell me that she had indeed pooped. Being so wise she won't sit after such business and just stood there, that same shadowy figure, until I told her to go and find the wipes and a diaper. No I didn't get up and turn on any lights for her, but miraculously she found what she needed and we continued on with the task. Hopefully we can improve our system in the next week and keep our fingers crossed for seven o'clock.

Merry Christmas

I thought I would start this holiday season off by giving many of my closest friends and family a computer virus. It was one of those unintentional gifts that just seems to keep on giving. One of the real disappointing kind of gifts. So I'm truly sorry if you got some strange email from me and tried to open it. Next year I'll shoot for rocking horses and not Trojan horses.