oh the days...

I took test number six last Thursday and found out this morning that I passed...yeah! So for the past few evenings, I have been able to enjoy a little bit of free time amongst the chaos that is the Christmas season. That will be coming to a quick end as books for test #7 are in route and due to arrive any day now. Then my studies will begin again but I am certainly in count down mode with only 2 to go!

Me, my mom and the trio went to visit Santa Clause last weekend; Gracie reluctantly sat first on his lap but didn't cry, only fixated her gaze upon him. Next was Sam and he too sat there nicely with no tears. Of course Haley went nuts. She would not sit on Santa's lap as, in her words, "he scare me mama!". She did agree to sit with me as I squatted next to Santa. When I asked them to tell him what they wanted for Christmas, no one answered. I asked again and Haley, through the tears bubbling up in her eyes, quickly shouted "I want baby clothes for baby" and she was done! It was so funny to hear her get out her wish in such a quick and timid manner, but she did it! Sorry, I did not have my camera and all Tootsie had was her 15 year old camera that still uses film. YES, I said film! So, we'll probably see those pics developed sometime in 2009. We did get some polaroids to capture the moment!

Haley still talks about Santa frightening her but we try to talk about how nice he is and how he loves boys and girls. I broke down and bought Dora's Christmas adventure over the weekend and they have watched it repeatedly; however, Santa is still scary. We'll see if he makes it to 706 Delaware on Christmas eve.

On Friday I went to a holiday open house at the Caddo Parish Special Services office where I was able to visit with Gracie's speech therapist. She, of course, adores that Grace Talbot and sees great potential in her. She reiterated what I already knew that Gracie is a very smart little girl and very curious and eager to learn. She does believe that she is completely capable of integrating into a normal classroom environment but she'll have to work a bit harder than the other kids to overcome her language deficit. As hard headed as she is, if she wants to succeed, she'll do it!

Sam has moved up to the next class at daycare and he is eagerly awaiting the reunion with his friends Zeke and Henry. His language development is just exploding and has lots to say all the time, just like Haley. His newest thing is to ask "what are you doin'?"...way cute! He is certainly learning how to annoy his sisters and has developed a fondness for hitting them, not so cute. He does it to get a reaction from them and it works. This is an issue I believe we will be encountering for the next several years - yikes!

Jason and I have jumped on the exercise bandwagon. We joined the gym and he has been going almost every day during lunch as one of the facilities is very near his office. We are going to run (perhaps walk some) in a team marathon with the Chaneys in March so we have some training to do. It will be fun and I'm glad it has given Jason the motivation he needs to get healthy and in better shape.

We enjoyed a fun Christmas party last Friday with our Sunday School group and look forward to some more holiday cheer this week with friends and family. It is a busy time, but times I wouldn't trade for anything!

(p.s. the photos of the trio are of bathtime when they used the bubbles to make Santa faces!)