The pictures:::::Christmas day

                                        Enjoying his first Christmas morning!

                                                      Slightly excited!

                                               Checking out all the goods

 I wish I could say this is his "morning hair", but this is pretty much how it always looks :)

                                      Trying his own technique at opening gifts

The pictures::::Christmas Eve

                     Matching jammies!!!! Do you think they will eventually get too old for this???  ;)

                                              Tyson opening his first present

                                                Kayden opening his jammies

                                                   Tyler opening his jammies. 
He has no clothes on because we had to put him in the bathtub after supper (a pretty regulary occurance)

A little catch-up

Without boring you with all the details, I will just tell you we had an awesome Christmas.  We were very busy, running here and there, but we made it to all of the places we were supposed to be.  We were blessed to spend time with all of our families, immediate and extended.  We have one last celebration with Mike's mom's family this Sunday. 
We took Kayden to church on Christmas Eve, and left Tyler and Tyson with my parents.  He did really well for the first half hour (before Mass even started), and then he fell asleep ;)  We got to church early, knowing it would be packed, but by the time we got there, the actual church was already full, and we had to sit in the "gathering area".  Sitting out there is fine, it's just not very church-ish. 


It was so fun to watch the boys, especially Kayden opening presents.  He's really starting to "get" the whole Christmas/Santa thing.  He was so excited about all of his presents and loves to show them off.  When people asked what Santa brought, he'd tell them, "You just have to come to my house and see, there's too much to tell you!"  I WILL post pictures eventually, as my camera issues continue. 

Monday I kept the boys home, and Morgan and Amazih came over so that I could take Tyson to the clinic---again---yes, another ear infection.  I decided to take him in, because he had been sleeping worse than ever!  I was really hesitant to take him in, and I couldn't get an appointment with his doctor (or any other doctor for that matter), so I took him to the walk-in clinic, and I am so glad I did.  He's back on ear drops and an anti-biotic.  The doctor that we saw suggested that we wait a few days for the meds to take care of things, and then we need to let him cry at night.  So, we will.  This has been my plan for a long time, but it's really hard to find two or three nights in a row where I can let him cry, especially since he'll wake up Kayden and Tyler.  We'll see how this all works out. 


Yesterday (Tuesday), the boys went to daycare, and Amazih and I had a shopping day.  She had some gift cards to burn, and I had a couple returns to make, we shopped, had lunch, and headed home in time for my dad to pick her up since she had a basketball game. 
At the last minute, I decided that we'd go to her game too.  So, my mom and dad picked up the boys at daycare, then picked me up, and Mike met us at the gym.  Things with all three boys went a little better this time.  I wonder if we'll ever get Tyler to sit semi-still to watch the games???  Dumb question, I know. 

Today (Wednesday), I took the boys to daycare and I am supposed to be crossing things off my ever-expanding "to-do" list.  Instead, I sit here writing. 

Traditions. Some new. Some old.

As our boys get older, I've started to put a little more thought into our Christmas/holiday traditions. There are some, I have carried over from when I was younger, and there are others that we've started or will start with our boys.  

One of the traditions that has carried over from my youth, is opening one present on Christmas Eve, and it's ALWAYS a pair of brand new jammies!  The boys are too young to realize it yet, but soon enough, they'll see the pattern ;)

Some that we've started more recently, include: 

• Baking cookies with Grammy (baking cookies, making a mess, whatever you wanna call it)
• Gingerbread houses.  This is something we did for the first time this year, and it was fairly successful, so I think it might be something we continue.  
• Decorating our tree.  This year, Kayden and I did most of the tree decorating.  I let him put the ornaments where ever he wanted, and that's where they stayed.  
• Caramel rolls on Christmas morning ::something I'm going to attempt this year, for the first time::
• Cutting our own Christmas tree.  We have had an artificial tree up until this year.  

I love that my boys are getting old enough to start some of these fun things.  Hopefully they'll be things they look forward to each year.   

Look here for more holiday traditions:  The Bonjour Family

Here we go!

This is a snapshot of what our Christmas weekend will look like--assuming everything goes as planned =)

Thursday:  

I am off, so the boys and I will stay home, wrap presents, clean, nap, pack things for the weekend and bake our birthday cake for Jesus.  ::I'm not sure why I even put anything on my list for Thursday other than disciplining kids, changing diapers and making lunch and snacks.  We all know that's probably all that I will accomplish, but I can hope, right? ::

Thursday night I work at the bowling alley.  I'm actually kind of looking forward to working on a night, when I don't have to get up early the next day for work. 

Friday:

Mike and I are both off on Friday.  He wants to go fishing or hunting, or do some other manly thing in the morning, but I'm working on talking him out of it.  I feel like, if I'm going to be working late on Thursday night, I might want to sleep until 8:00 or so on Friday.  If he is gone fishing or whatever he plans on doing, he'll leave early in the morning, which will wake the kids up, which will make for one-cranky-mama!

Friday afternoon, we plan on taking the boys sledding at the high school in Albany.  They have a huge hill, and I haven't been there in forever, and I know the boys will love it, plus, it will be a good workout for me;)

Friday evening the plan is for Mike and Kayden and I to go to church, and Tyler and Tyson will stay at my moms.  I'm just not up for the challenge of taking all three to such a crowded Mass.  After church, we'll have supper at my mom's and birthday cake for Jesus. The boys will each get to open one present (pajamas for each), and then if all goes well, they'll all three fall asleep on the way home.  

Saturday:

Saturday morning,we'll be at home. The boys will have time to open presents, play for a while, have caramel rolls for breakfast, then get ready for the day.  We'll head to my mom's in time for lunch, and we'll celebrate Christmas there with my family.  

Saturday evening,we have the Frericks family Christmas, which, conveniently is going to be in Albany this year!  Then, we'll either head back to my mom's or Mike's parents to spend the night. 

Sunday:

We'll head to Mike's parents' house on Sunday to celebrate with his family.  We'll have lunch there, open presents, etc, then head back to my mom's for Christmas with her family.  

By Sunday night, everyone should be good and exhausted.  I'm thinking I'll keep the  boys home on Monday so that they can have some time to finally try out all their new goods, while I try to find homes for everything. 

Things will be crazy-busy, but as long as everyone stays healthy, and we get sufficient sleep (haha), things should go fine.

Germs, and a little sleep!

The sicky-ickies have finally made it to me.  I went to the clinic today and found out I have an ear infection and pink eye.  So, antibiotics and eye drops for me.  I swear, there is always someone on an antibiotic at our house.  

On the up-side of things:  Tyson woke up just once last night, and Tyler and Kayden slept all night! Of course, I was awake before Tyson woke up at about 2:00 a.m because my ear REALLY hurt.  BUT, he woke up just once!  I REALLY hope this isn't just a coincidence, but rather, a sign of things to come.  

We have no plans for tonight or tomorrow night. Thursday I will be home with the  boys all day, since I don't have school.  We'll finish wrapping presents, clean a little and make our birthday cake for Jesus.  Then, I work Thursday night and by Friday, the holiday craziness begins!!!! 

My little barometers!

There is a snow storm moving through Minnesota today.  I knew this already yesterday.  Not because Chris Shafer (the weatherman) told me, but because my kids were N-U-T-S!  They were bouncing off the walls.  It only got worse as the day went on.  By supper time they were jumping on everything and everyone.  Throwing things, yelling, crying, giggling, running, just nuts. 

So, I finally got them all bathed and in bed last night, up and off to daycare today, and I came to school to spend the day with my 16 other little barometers.  I tell you,these kids are much better at predicting the weather than any meteorologist.  The weather, combined with the excitement of Christmas being just days away, might just send me over the edge!!!!

Proof that Santa IS watching!

Santa sent Kayden an email!  You can see it here.  It is so fun!  It was REALLY easy to make.  I made one for Tyler too, and even Amazih got one (she was on "naughty watch"), which made Kayden really think.  I highly recommend making one for you young-ins!!!

GERMS!

This weekend will be spent cleaning and disinfecting our house to try to get rid of all the yucky germs that have been lurking, causing lots of runny noses, coughs, head-aches, and over all crankiness in our house.  

The cold symptoms started for all three boys on Monday.  Tyler definitely had it the worst to start out with (I think for him, it was a combination of the cold, and new teeth coming in).  I took Tyson to the clinic yesterday because his breathing sounded horrible, and even our daycare provider (who doesn't worry often) said that it worried her a little, and she'd have it checked out.  Turns out he has an ear infection (yes, even though he had tubes put in just one week ago) and croup.  So, he's back on ear drops, and a steroid for his croup. 

As of last night, Kayden is really starting to feel the symptoms too.  He was home with Rhonda while we went to my sister's basketball game, and she texted me to see what she could give him for his cold/cough/aches. 

I, also started to feel some of the cold-ish stuff coming on last night, but I am the least of my worries:)

So, we'll spend our weekend relaxing at home (with the exception of my dad's family's Christmas celebration tomorrow) and try to get everyone healthy before the highly anticipated Christmas time finally arrives next week! 

Thank You

Thank you to my friend Gail for letting me use her crib.  We have a crib, but Tyler is still in it, and I'd like to keep him there for a while.  So, we were in need of a second crib for Tyson.  I really didn't want to buy one, so Gail is letting us use hers.  

Thank you to Holli for having four boys, and passing on lots of hand-me-downs to my boys and for letting us use her spare toddler bed. 

Thank you to Tammy for letting me borrow a mattress for the crib that I'm borrowing from Gail =)

Thank you to Target for giving free gift cards when I buy diapers and for providing me with a generic, much more inexpensive formula than I used to use.  

Thank you to Rhonda for picking up two carseats at a garage sale, saving us at least $100.00!

Thank you to our pediatrician, Dr. Peitso, for referring us to ENT so that Tyson could get his tubes before the end of the year. 

Thank you to all of our family members who are always there when we need someone to babysit, pick up at daycare, etc.  

We are lucky people!

Christmas Letter

I had trouble deciding whether or not I should include a "Christmas Letter" with our Christmas card this year.   In the end, I decided to skip the letter for this year.  Mostly because it is December 14th, and I don't even have my cards addressed yet, and because it took me about 100 attempts at getting a picture of my boys and I was still unsuccessful, so I ended up using their JCPenney picture (if I end up in the slammer for this, please say that you'll come visit me).  Anywho--we're sending just the photo card, no letter.  BUT----
If I would have written a Christmas letter, this is what it might have said:

The past year has been an interesting one in the Frericks household.  Life has been VERY busy.  We put our house up for sale last December.  We bought land from my parents and will eventually build a new house there.  We aren't in any real hurry to move, we just want to be moved in time for Kayden to go to Kindergarten in the Albany district. 

Mike is still working at St. Cloud Refrigeration, where he's been since college.  They keep him busy, and they treat him well. 

I am in my 3rd, and probably final year teaching 4th grade at St. Mary's School in Melrose.  I spent my summer months working part-time at Kids Company, and more recently went back to working every-other Thursday night at the Albany Bowling Center.  With our busy work schedules, we thank God for our wonderful daycare and very helpful parents and siblings.

Our boys keep us busy every day.   

Kayden turned three in February.  He is an excellent big brother and usually, a HUGE help to me!  He spends his days playing dinosaurs, building, climbing, throwing, running, riding, shooting, chasing....you know--boy stuff.  

He goes to pre-school on Monday evenings and loves it.  He loves to tell people that he goes to school.  

Tyler is our BUSY toddler.  He has really changed over the past year.  He went from being our baby, to a walking, talking, running, throwing, wrestling, cuddly, tornado of a toddler who really needs his first haircut.  He is a completely different kid than Kayden, but he is SO fun!  He really keeps us on our toes. 

Our littlest present from God joined our family in April.  7 pound, 9 ounce baby Tyson John was born on April 20th.  Yes, that makes him and Tyler just 11 months apart (insert your comment here--we've heard it all) ::okay, maybe I wouldn't include that last, kinda snotty part in my Christmas letter if I were sending a real one::  He is a healthy, happy baby, and fits perfectly in our little family.  He just recently had tubes put in his ears because of recurrent ear infections.  Now, if we could just get him to sleep at night....

As you would assume, our lives are busy.  We are extremely blessed to have our very helpful families so close to us, and for them to always be willing to help us out when we need it.  

We look forward to 2011 and the many things that will surely come with it.  Challenges, life changes(this does not include babies), milestones, family time--the list goes on. 

Wishing you all a blessed holiday season, 
The Frericks Family:  Mike, Sarah, Kayden, Tyler, Tyson and Maya (the dog). 

Something's brewing....

Tyson woke up at his usual, 1:00ish.  I tried to let him cry for a while, but since he wasn't giving up, and I was tired, I went to get him up.  ::usually, a 15 minute process at most.  change his diaper.  feed him.  hold him until he's for sure sleeping.  put him back in his bed::  Not this time.  Soon after I got Tyson out of his bed, I heard Tyler whining in a sad, scratchy voice.  I went to tell Mike that if he didn't quit whining in a few minutes, he'd have to go get him up.  (We would usually just put him in our bed or rock him, and within minutes he'd be sleeping again.)  Next thing I know, I hear Kayden and Tyler's bedroom door creeeeeeeeeak open.  This tells me Kayden is now awake too.  ::or Tyler activated his go-go gadget arms to open the door from his crib::  

So, I head to our bedroom to tell my snoring husband that he needs to get up NOW, because we now have all three boys awake.  So, he rolls out of bed.  Makes what seems like a 5 minute pit-stop at the bathroom, and finally makes his way into the boys' bedroom.  I hear him talking to Kayden, and finally they come out.  Kayden heads to his pillow on the living room floor, while Mike rocks Tyler, and I feed Tyson.  

15 minutes later, Tyson is sleeping, so I put him in his bed, go back to carry Kayden to his bed, and then I head back to bed myself. Within minutes, Mike and Tyler join me.  Tyler lays with us for a few minutes before he is squirming, and whining.  "Wah-er".  He wants water.  So, to the kitchen I go.  He has his water.  Still awake.  So, him and I go to the living room to rock.  I attempt to put him in his bed twice, and he wakes up both times.  Finally, at 3:02 a.m, he's sleeping and I'm able to put him in his bed.  Remember what time I got up with child #1?  1:00ish.  It's now 3:00ish.  Ugh.  

Now, the reason I worry about what might be brewing:  We were with Sydney and Karsyn this weekend (Mike's nieces).  They both had miserable colds and coughs.  Karsyn went to Urgent Care to find out she has an ear infection and the start of pneumonia.  It's coming.  Tyler sounded terrible when he woke up last night.  His throat sounded like it hurt.  Bad.  He seemed fine this morning, and I texted Sharon at lunch, and she said he seemed fine.  I just wonder what's going on, because he NEVER wakes up at night.  We'll see. 

It's exhausting being a kid

"Moooooommmmmmyyyyy!  I'm just whining because I'm so tired!".   This is the cry of my exhausted almost-four-year old on a Thursday afternoon on the way home from daycare.  We had a long week.  

Thursday night was our first evening at home all week.  

It's times like this, that I realize how important routine is in kids' lives.  

It's a busy time of year for us.  November is full of deer hunting and all that goes with it, and Thanksgiving, and then we're pushed right into December:

Christmas is approaching.  

It's basketball season. 

Tyson has surgery.  

I have my school Christmas program.

We need to process all the venison from deer hunting.  

I need to shop, wrap presents, bake, and shop some more.  

Life is nuts.  I struggle, because there's so much I want to do, but with 3 kids under 4, it's not always that easy.  

My sister plays basketball.  We took all three boys to her first game this year.  Mistake.  The games don't start until 7:00 or later, so by half-time, we've lost Tyler.  He's ready for bed.  He's crabby.  He doesn't want to sit still (well, he doesn't EVER want to sit still).  So, I decided that whenever possible, I will get a sitter during basketball games for one, two , or even all three boys.  So, there will be games I miss.  There will be games where, we'll try to take all three boys again.  We'll see. 

I'm looking at my planner for next week.  There are basketball games on Tuesday and Thursday night.  I asked Amazih which I should go to, if I can only go to one.  She says Thursday.  Rhonda is available to babysit during either one, but, I don't want to over-use her either.  Monday night is pre-school/volleyball night, so Mike will have Tyler and Tyson......and the cycle continues. 

3 for 3

Well, we're 3-for-3 when it comes to tubes in our kids' ears.  

Kayden got them at about 15 months, Tyler was about 9 months. 

Tyson went in yesterday morning.  We were supposed to be there at 5:00 a.m.  I say, "supposed" to be there, because, well, for some reason, my alarm never went off, and I just happened to wake up at 5:02 a.m.  In a slight panic, I told Mike that we needed to get up, because we were supposed to be there "right now!". So, I quickly threw on some clothes and went into Tyler and Kayden's room where Tyson was sleeping (Kayden and Tyler stayed at my mom's), flipped on the light, got him up, and while I had him on the changing table, getting dressed, I called the surgical center to let them know that we'd be late, but we WERE coming.  Within 15 minutes we were out the door, and in the car. 

By 5:30, we were at the surgical center, and by 6:00, he was in surgery, I think it was about 5 minutes later, he was out, and by 6:30, we were in the recovery room with him, and by 6:55, we were on the road, heading home.  

The whole process is so quick, and as far as I know, painless.  With Kayden and Tyler we were in the room when they "put them under", but this time, the Anaesthesiologist just took Tyson back, and said he'd just hold him and rock him until he was asleep.  

I know there are LOTS of people who think that tubes should be a last resort for the wee ones, but I am all for them!  My kids have constant ear infections, and once the tubes are in, it's like some kind miracle---no more infections, or any of the crap that goes with them:  sleepless nights, fevers, crying....it's all over. 

So, here's to hoping for better sleep at night, a healthy household, and happy kids (which makes for a happy mommy).  ;)

This-n-that

We have a busy week ahead to follow up our busy weekend.  This morning, Tyson had his appointment at the ENT.  They scheduled him for tubes this Thursday!  I'm hoping tubes in his ears might help with his sleeping habits [have I mentioned before that he doesn't sleep???? :)]  BUT, I know from experience with Tyler---it probably won't.  We'll see.  I can always hope, right?

Tonight is preschool for Kayden, and volleyball for me.  Mike is still on call, so the little boys will go to my mom's while we're gone.  Which means that today I will drive:

From St. Joe to St. John's to drop of Kayden and Tyler at daycare.  

From St. John's to St. Cloud to take Tyson to the ENT.  

From St. Cloud to St.  John's to take Tyson to daycare.  

From St. John's to Melrose for work.  

From Melrose to St. John's to pick the boys up from daycare.  

From St. John's to Albany to take the little boys to my mom's before preschool/volleyball. 

From Albany to Avon for preschool/volleyball.  

From Avon to Albany to pick up the little boys.  

And, finally, from Albany to St. Joe/home in time to go to bed and get up and go again....;)

Tomorrow night (Tuesday), Rhonda is coming over to watch Tyler and Tyson while Kayden and I and hopefully Mike (if he isn't working) go to Amazih's basketball game.  

Wednesday night I have my Christmas program at school.  I'm taking Kayden with me, while the little boys spend another evening with Grammy.  Kayden and Tyler will actually spend the night at my mom's Wednesday night since Tyson has to be at the Surgical Center REALLY early Thursday morning.  

Thursday, Tyson will have surgery in the morning, and him and I will spend the day napping, cleaning, and napping.  

Friday night the plan is to head to Mike's parents to make sausage =)  Oh, the fun!!!! 

Traditions

As my boys get older, we are forming a few traditions.  It seems like we add a few things each year.  This weekend consisted of a few.  

*Saturday I had a day of shopping (and bonding) with my mom, Amy, my aunt Ruth, and my two cousins Holli and Tammy.  (Amazih would have joined us, but decided to work at a basketball tournament to make money instead).  We spent the day shopping in the cities.  We first hit up the General Store in Minnetonka, then headed to Eden Prairie Center.  We had lots of fun, laughs, and I actually got LOTS of Christmas shopping done.  I'm VERY close to being done!  Mike was on call (again) this weekend, so the boys spent the day at Grandma Doris' house with Rhonda and Grandma and Grandpa.  

*Sunday the boys and I headed to my mom's to do some Christmas baking.  We met Amy there, and we worked hard and made a HUGE mess!  Kayden loved it. He brought his tractor apron form home and by the time we were done, he was covered in powdered sugar, flour, chocolate, etc. from head to toe!  

*Sunday night St. Nick made a stop at our house while the boys were sleeping.  This was the first time since Kayden was born (I think)---mostly, because I have always forgotten about it. I actually kinda forgot about it this time too, so after they were in bed, I ran to the basement and grabbed a few little things out of the Christmas stash.  Kayden loved that there was a surprise in his shoes this morning, Tyler was just excited that  there was fruit snacks there.  He didn't care where they came from, who put them there, or why the heck they were in his shoes, he just wanted them open, NOW!!! 

Too cute!

Check out these cute hats!  Tyson definitely needs one!  OR, I know LOTS of people having babies----oh, the possibilities!  

P.S.  This is a blog that read regularly----so entertaining!

BOYS!

Being a mom of BOYS has taught me:

~pee doesn't always land in the potty

~there are 1,000,000 uses for a jump rope other than jumping

~boy clothes ARE cute and ARE fun to shop for

~you can never have enough matchbox cars

~no matter how many times I say, "Couches are for sitting and laying!", they will stand/jump/climb/run on it. 

~getting their first haircut is torture (for me). 

~pee doesn't always land in the potty

~November will, eventually, be a very lonely month for me (it might be nice, actually)

~"Quiet" is a thing of the past

~although monkey piles are fun, the baby should NOT be the monkey on the bottom!

~pee doesn't always land in the potty

Thankful Thursday

I am so very Thankful for:

*a pediatrician that listens to me

*a mom that takes off work to go with me to take all three boys to the clinic

*a husband who finally agreed to get a REAL Christmas tree

*10 sick days per school year---although, they are disappearing fast!

*a girls-only shopping day

*my first snow day of the 2010-2011 school year

*a sister-in-law who is willing to watch one, two, or all three of my boys when I need her

*Target gift cards

my stinkin' camera!

So, when digital cameras first came out, Mike bought me one for Christmas.  At the time, it was the cream of the crop, the cat's meow.... 

This past summer, I decided to buy a new one.  I wanted one that was a little smaller, took better pictures, and had a bigger screen for viewing my pictures.   Plus, for some reason, I my old camera would connect to my computer to download pictures. So, I went to Target and bought a new one.  Nothing fancy, just a $100 little, red camera.  It worked wonderfully.  Now.  It won't connect to my computer to download pictures (it did at first, but now doesn't.  It's not just my computer either, it won't connect to others either.), AND I can't "review" my pictures.  What the ???????  So, I emailed Kodak.    They suggested I try a few things.  Take out the battery.  Put it back in.  Take out the memory card.  Put it back in.  If it still doesn't work---send it in to be fixed.  Oh yeah, and send the receipt with it for warranty purposes.  What?  I don't have the stupid receipt!  I threw it away, because the camera worked, and I'm trying de-clutter my life (again, a whole other post).  So, do I spend the money to send it in to be fixed?  Do I just deal with it, and not "review" my pictures, and go to my mom's whenever I want to download pictures?  Do I just buy a new one?  Dumb.  

I can hear my husband already--"I don't know what you bought such a cheap, piece of crap camera anyway".  

To that I say, "Because you tell me all the time that I need to save money.  I needed a new camera, so I bought a cheap one."  I'm stuck. 

So, this is my excuse for the lack of posted pictures in the past few months.  I hate it.  I want to post pictures.  I want to take my Christmas card picture and order it from home. 

An unexpected week-long vacation

I am back at work today for the first time since last Tuesday.  That's right.  I had a whole week off.  

I was off last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday for Thanksgiving.  Monday, my daycare needed the day off, so I stayed home with the boys.  We thought about having Mike stay home, but then I decided that I get 10 sick days per year.  If I don't use them, I can carry them over to the next year.  The only problem:  I am about 90% sure there won't be a "next year"--at this school anyway.  (That's whole other post).  So, I plan to use each and every one of my sick days so that I don't lose them.  So, Monday, the  boys and I stayed home most of the day.  They ALL had doctor appointments in the afternoon, so my mom met me at the clinic to be my assistant for the day.  Tyler had his 18 month appointment, and Kayden and Tyson needed their ears re-checked, and flu shots.  Overall, the appointment went well.  Tyson still has fluid in his ears, I talked the doctor into referring him to ENT so that we can possibly do tubes before the end of the year (we've obviously met our deductible already for this year).  That appointment is Monday morning (hopefully Mike will be taking him).  

After the appointment, my mom took Kayden to school, and Tyler and Tyson and I headed home.  I got supper ready, ate quickly, and then headed to volleyball.  

TUESDAY, I had my first SNOW DAY of the year!  How lovely!!!!  I got a call at 5:54 a.m. from my principal saying that school would be two hours late.  Around 8:00 he called again, to say school was, in fact, CLOSED!  So....I let Kayden sleep in, made breakfast, cleaned up a bit, then took the boys to daycare so that I could head into St. Cloud to get a few more Christmas presents and groceries before my 3:30 doctor appointment.  

By 5:00, I picked the kids up, we headed home for supper, and then went to Auntie Mazih's first basketball game of the year.  She is a 9th grader this year, and this was her first time STARTING  a varsity game!  She played well (although, she wouldn't necessarily agree with that statement), and they did win.  Kayden and Tyson did well, Tyler was a bear!  He did well for a 1 1/2 year old on the top row of bleachers in a loud gym, but, by about 8:30, his time was up!  It was his bedtime, and he wasn't shy about letting everyone in the gym know!  I'm thinking we'll have to make alternate arrangements for him when we go to some of the games in the future.  Auntie Rhonda???????????

Home games aren't so bad, because there is room for him to run where we usually sit, but when it's an away game, I just never know what to expect.