Tom asked for Katie pig tails for Christmas so he finally got them today. (She doesn’t like wearing them anymore.)




Tom asked for Katie pig tails for Christmas so he finally got them today. (She doesn’t like wearing them anymore.)





As is tradition, we set the kids’ phones outside their rooms so when they get up in the morning they have something to do until we get up and are ready (which is always by 7). This morning Katie was still sleeping at 7 and Owen had already had enough of his phone and was laying by the door just waiting… So Tom woke Katie up!

Katie got a note from Santa telling her he left a big present at home since he knew she was at Gramma’s—a Barbie power wheels!!

Then the kids opened their gifts from each other… Owen loved his sword, yoyo, and Lego Ninjago stuff and Katie was happy he was happy. Awwwww.

And then it was her turn to open and she LOVED what Owen got her (a Belle doll and matching Belle dress)!

And Gramma’s picture of the same scene from a different angle! So cute and so thrilled! 🙂



And then they put together their Lego figures they got each other.

Tom said Katie saw this wine key when they were out and about and she had to get it for me. So now whenever I want wine, I show her the key and she will bring me some. 🙂
And she also picked out this painted stone at a favorite store of mine in Grayling—Tip’n the Mitten!
The one thing she repeatedly asked for—a Sparty cheerleader outfit. She used to have a hand-me-down from the Besons but it is too small. This one should fit for a few years (Gramma had to take in the skirt because she’s so tiny).
Gramma Marsha had all these Barbies packed away so we held on to them until this Christmas. She loved them.










Owen wanted to be buried!


We stopped to eat dinner at Culver’s. I simply asked for a pic and this is what I got. I love it.



I finally made it in for Katie’s rescheduled-from-Thanksgiving P/T conference. Why did it take so long, you ask? Good question. Buckle up.
So, remember we missed P/T conferences due to a death in our family? Well, I didn’t think it would be a big deal to reschedule…because why would it be?! And Owen’s (third grade) was fine, but for Katie (kindergarten) it seemed to be a huge deal and it could. not. be. done. But no one ever gave a reason—just that it couldn’t be done.
To her credit the teacher tried to have me come in over lunch on a day I was going to volunteer, but a week later I got an email saying “I’ve been advised by my team to not schedule a conference outside of conference week.” What?! What the hell difference does it make? She said we can do it over the phone but I really really hated that idea. I just could not fathom any reasonable explanation for this.
Not trying to be annoying or make a mountain out of a molehill—but obviously wanting an answer—I emailed the principal (and CCd the teacher) explaining funeral, other kid’s rescheduling, past school’s experience, and simply asked for clarification.
FIVE DAYS LATER (!) I got an email from the teacher saying she’d talked with the principal about my email and although it was against district policy, it was decided that she can meet with me (“since your son’s teacher did”) but I never actually received any response from the principal regarding the policy in general but the teacher says it’s strictly a district-wide rule so it doesn’t start an avalanche. She said technically Owen’s teacher shouldn’t have done it. (And she didn’t care–she was just following the rules.) I told her we can always meet outside of school over a bottle of wine.
But I digress. 🙂
Katie is doing very well—she’s on par for pretty much every thing. The teacher’s only real comment was that she’s “a little chatty.” 🙂
On the way out I saw this wall so had to stop and look for Katie’s.


She loves ink stamps. As you can see. 🙂

She had other ideas.

Grannie got us all matching jammies! Well, matching bottoms with shirts with sayings!

Grannie made us scarves!!


Papa being silly!



Grannie wanted to do something “Santa-y” this weekend for the kids, so we found a Brunch with Santa… Unfortunately I think it might be the last year to see Santa—neither one wanted to sit on his lap (though honestly, neither has ever loved the idea) but they agreed to stand at his side. They did enjoy the crafts afterwards, though. 🙂