A Visit with Santa and Other Fun

Today we accompanied our friends The Porter Family to breakfast with Santa at a local supper club. Despite the terrified appearance of the youngest member of our family, fun was had by all. We ate breakfast and then the girls visited with Santa and told them all their Christmas wishes. For Bella, this includes "A doll house, swimming lessons, a 'sweatpant girl' (don't ask) and a hoola hoop." For Iris, this means "Get me off this freaky looking man's lap. NOW!"

Mrs. Porter did get a nice photo of our family together, with everyone actually looking at the camera. Too bad I already ordered our holiday cards, expected to be put in the mail next week.

We've each been battling our own individual wars with being sick for the last month or so. Iris started us off with colds. Todd and I have both been down with never-ending sinus infections. And today Bella was diagnosed with double ear infections. Nothing warms the holidays quite like coughing and whining all through the nights.

Our biggest news is that Iris started walking last week. She took a few flailing steps on her birthday for the cameras, but hasn't done so since. But last week Bella and I got her walking a few steps between the two of us and she's been practicing ever since. She is so determined and proud of herself. She isn't a baby anymore!

Her newfound independence is already coming at a price, as she has begun to assert her position in the family dynamics. The girls have started fighting with one another over favorite toys and over being in mommy's arms. Iris is completely unafraid of her big sister and last night was trying to push Bella off of my lap. This is only the beginning of many years of Todd and I meditating the problems between these two strong willed little girls. Couldn't one of them be compliant? Just one?

We are all looking forward to the holidays and a week long vacation between Christmas and New Years. Hopefully Santa will bring us all health for Christmas!