Great Big Everything Post

It started Thanksgiving. Well actually, for me it started back in October? I'm not sure anymore its been so long. We have been S.I.C.K . Like never before. Honey mentioned her ears hurt Thanksgiving weekend. Biscuit chimed in with the same complaint a few days later. After a week I called the doctor. 3 infected ears. Runny noses, sore throats, goopy eyes, head aching so badly I couldn't see straight, we all got hit hard.

My Bean baby so congested I had to sleep sitting up on the couch with him, and do 3am steamings. For over a week.

But we still managed to make merry. Kidlets stamped Christmas cards this year.

We took multiple attempts at a decent photo to send out.

Someone

is

ORNERY.

We have had massive amounts of snow, February-like weather in December.

And were to sick to go out and play.

But chocolate helped those long days.

As did decorating cookies.

Yes, that entire spoonful was dumped in one spot.

Biscuit won the award for more sprinkles on his plate than on his cookies.

And then, Sunday the 19th, fever struck Muffle-Puffle.

Fitful sleeping and clinging to Mama. She's lost weight, my little pudgy girl, from no appetite.

More nights on the couch for me.

But we trudged on, making gifts for Biscuit brother.

For Daddy

Cinnamon sugar almonds

Toffee

Headbands for big sisters

And crayons, melted down and remolded for the baby sister in the family.

Muffin, Beans and I missed Christmas Eve at my grandmas. 2 hours of sleep for me, pieced together, and hallucinations(?) for Muffin at 5:30 in the morning. I ran her up to our room and woke B. up to pray over her. She calmed down instantly, and snuggled in between us for a few minutes of sleep. B. took the older two for the day to my grandmas. We who stayed home baked and did laundry.

Christmas morning, after sending the kids back to bed at 5:15 am, I got up at 7 and made scones and put the coffee on.

Children listened wide eyed and wondering as the events around our Saviors birth were once again told. Childish deep questions were answered.

And then, the joy that comes of passing out little gifts of handmade love. Waiting breathlessly while your creation is unwrapped then yelling "I made you that!". Just so they would know.

Sweet Beans, only one gift but oh does it feel good to those sore little gums!

We kept it VERY simple this year, what with the swing set we bought in the fall.

I made the girls new aprons, and Biscuit pajama pants. Pictures to follow at some point.

They also got an orange, a crazy straw, and ribbon candy. Just a tiny bit, because when you don't give your children anything with red dye in it regularly, when they do have some, they go bonkers. At least mine do.

And then we went to my parents for the day, and feasted ourselves full, and opened more gifts.

Monday, after a week of fevers and 2 days of ear tugging, Muffin went to the doctor:

ear infection. She is much happier now with an Rx.

And we, I think are all with the exception of Muffins ear, finally well. I have a good feeling that we finally kicked it. I hope.

School is filling up our days, and hopefully before the week is out I can start Spring Cleaning. Yes, I know its not spring, but a jump start never hurt anything.

I have gotten *3* seed catalogs so far. I'm itching to garden plan!

Not trying to sound whiny or anything, just statin' the facts of where I've been, and what I've been up to.

Tootle-Lootle!