Getting Back on Track

Oh man.  We are in full-swing Christmas mode around our house.  All of our wonderful, exciting, sweet family traditions are also in full-swing and this Momma is soaking up every ounce of Christmas this year.  The boys are so so so excited about Christmas.

It's magical.

Our tree has been decorated.  The ornaments taken off and on a few times a day.

 

Our Elf, Sammy, made his first appearance the day after Thanksgiving.  And, ever since then, he's been involved in all sorts of shenanigans!

The stockings are hung.

We have a new mistletoe.

 We saw Santa at Ottawa's annual downtown lighting ceremony (I love living in a small town!).

Parker made sure he knew he wanted a telescope this year...and afterward, Parker was upset about something.  He said that Andrew didn't tell Santa that he wanted roller skates this year!  So, Santa's been sent a letter about Andrew.  We hope he gets it in time.  Wink.  Wink.

Our collection of Little People, the airplane Santa, and all of our Christmas books have made their way out to the living room.

The Christmas lights are up and shining.  We've even added a few Candy Canes out there this year...gotta keep up with the Jones' (or the Whites' in our case).

And, there's a Christmas {pine} candle burning right at this very moment.

We even managed a little Christmas shopping slash date night for Brandon and I.  Dangerous.  The two of us at Toys R Us.

And, we can't forget our annual trip to Crown Center this past weekend...

 

We had a great time with Aunt Dani, Brock, and Aunt April!  Crown Center is a beautiful place this time of year...especially at night with the beautiful golden lights!

Yep, we are in full Christmas mode.  Two little boys {and one happy Momma} wouldn't have it any other way.

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But, even though we've had all of this excitement.  All of this Christmas magic.  All of this joy and (It's a Wonderful Life) happiness.  Somehow, this stinky, icky, sicky, 'blow chunks' kind of a bug made it's way into my house.

For six, yes SIX icky days, my boys have been battling this stomach turning bug.

We've watched countless hours of movies.  Hubby and I have cleaned up more puke than we ever though imaginable...the kitchen, Parker's bed, the 'puke bucket', the bathroom, a quilt in the living room...you name it and we've cleaned it.  Along with every other square inch of our house.  Just in case.  We've tried everything.  We've eaten crackers for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  We've outlawed milk.  We've laid sheets all over the house...strategically placed puke buckets all over the house....and, we've had some pretty darn good snuggle time.

And finally.  Yes, finally today, that mean ole bug left our house.



And wouldn't you know it.  Just like a light switch these boys of mine got their energy back.  Their smiles came back.  The color in their cheeks returned.  And...their Christmas cheer flew off the charts. (Along with their appetites.)

This Momma is hoping this bug is gone for good.  If he tries walking back into my house again...he better watch it.  Just sayin'.

We are officially back on track with Christmas and I believe this calls for a little singing and happy dance.  Which is just what I did during dinner tonight when I saw my boys return to normal.

I know that the sickies are a part of winter.  But, there's nothing that makes me happier than getting back on track and back to normal.

I wish you all the very best this holiday season!