I guess it's about time to update my ol' blog. My Grandmother Holland says she keeps checking it and there's nothing new, so here you go.

I had an eventful weekend, you could say. Well, I'll back up a bit. Last week our family had a terrible time with the flu. Baylea and Molly had fevers, chills, and vomiting, Cole had ear infections and bloodshot eyes, I got hit with the flu on Thursday, and Brett got it on Saturday. Only Connor esaped unscathed.

Friday night I took Cole with me on a trip to Missouri for my grandparent's 60th anniversary party. We planned to fly from Detroit to Chicago, then Springfield. I still felt pretty crummy from the flu but figured I could tough it out though my eye was getting a little irritated on the drive to Detroit. The plane didn't even get to the gate until 50 minutes after the scheduled departure. Once we boarded the pilot tells us that they need to de-ice the plane. So we sit. . . and sit. Guess who has two thumbs and a screaming 18 month old on a crowded plane? This mom.

It was very embarrassing. I was trying everything- juice, crackers, books, cuddling. . .Cole was just tired and fighting sleep so he was throwing a fit while we all sat on the runway. I even called Brett on the cell phone and had him sternly tell Cole "No", which did work for a few seconds. Finally, he wore himself out and fell asleep. In the mean time, my eye is really starting to hurt. I'm thinking maybe my contact is inside out or I've got something on it, because I can barely open it. If I can just make it to Chicago, then I can take care of it.

Well, we finally land in Chicago. . .just as my connecting flight is taking off. We scramble over to a desk and try to find another flight to Spfd, but there was no time to make it. We've missed our chance to make it that night. We have to stay in a hotel. I'm starting to break down a little at this point, not because we have to stay, but because I feel absolutely terrible, my eye is on fire, and am carrying a purse, two coats, a diaper bag and a 30 lb toddler through O'Hare. We finally make it to our discounted room at the airport Hilton, which I must say is very nice. My checked luggage has to stay at the airport, so we don't have our toiletries or changes of clothes. It's about 10:30, so I ordered room service-a burger, kid's plate hot dog, and two drinks=$31.00. We lay down and try to get some sleep, but my eye is in so much pain, I can't rest. Around 2:00 am, I raid the mini-bar and purchase the first aid kit with 2 Tylenol in it for $4.75. It helps and I rest until morning.

We make it out of Chicago without a hitch. Cole does pretty well on the plane. He liked to look out the window and loved the air vents shooting on his head. My eye was feeling better so I was able to put my contact back in. Dad picked us up and we headed to his house. I couldn't believe the amount of trees affected by the recent ice storms. I feel for everyone who has gone without power.

The anniversary party was held at Highland Springs and was fun for the family. It was good to see aunts, uncles, cousins, and their kids. There was a DVD playing of my grandparents through the years, and the room was decorated very nicely (good job, Mom). Afterwards, we headed out to my grandparent's house for more 'togetherness'. My eye has gradually worsened again, so I take my contact out. It looks really bloodshot, gross, and painful, and I can only open that eyelid halfway. I'm sure that will be lovely in all the pictures that were taken.

Sunday afternoon we all get together again for more food and fellowship. My flight was cancelled, so I got to stay another day and flew out on Monday. It was difficult at times, but I'm glad we got to pay a visit. I missed the other kiddos and Brett while we were gone. I saw the eye doctor and got some antibiotic drops, which are helping. No contact for a week, so I'm kind of one eye-sighted. I have some pictures in my camera that I need to post, which I hope to do tomorrow. Anyway, long post for a long absence.

Baylea at our Christmas Party

Molly lost one of her two front teeth last week, the day we got back from Missouri. The other one will probably be out by Christmas, so we all know what she really wants for Christmas . . .

A few days ago she told me that now that her tooth is missing, she can't say her ffth's or ssth's. Which is really funny because Molly always had a lisp even with all teeth accounted for.

Five Best & Worst

I love Christmastime and almost everything that goes along with it. . .the remembrance, the worship, family, excellent dinners, parties. But probably the one thing that sticks with me throughout the whole month, day in and day out, is the music. And since the local radio station that switches to Christmas only music at this time decided that November 17 was not too early to start, right about now is when I start to get sick of the songs I normally love.

I've compiled list of some of the best and worst songs of the season. The list doesn't necessarily reflect my favorite songs, but rather the renditions of the songs that I love/hate to hear on the radio.

The BEST:

5. It Must've Been Ol' Santa Claus- Harry Connick, Jr., 1993 This isn't your traditional Christmas carol, but I can't sit still when I hear it come on in the car. It's a fun, rousing tune with a catchy rhythm- Happy "Ho!Ho!Ho!" to You

4. Last Christmas- Wham!, 1984 This song is really cheesy and dated, but it reminds of junior high, Battlefield Mall, and sending Santagrams to my friends at Cherokee.

3. All I Want for Christmas is You- Mariah Carey, 1994 Another one of those guilty pleasures. It's addicting and catchy, and I doubt anyone else could sing it like she does.

2. Do They Know It's Christmas?-Band Aid,1984 This song falls into the 'it's so bad, it's good' category. The African famine relief anthem sung by British performers inspired American musicians to follow with "We Are the World" a couple months later. If you listen to the lyrics, they'll depress and shame you, but it embodies the 80's sound so well, I turn up the dial a little when I hear it come on.

1. O Holy Night-Celine Dion, or Josh Groban I always loved this song, so far no artist has ruined it for me. Although it tends to be oversung like the Star Spangled Banner can be, when you have the pipes like Celine or Josh, it sends chills down my spine when they hit that last high note.


The WORST:

5. Sleigh Ride- Debbie Gibson, 1992 It's not so much Debbie, I mean Deborah, that bugs me. It's the annoying backup singers chirping-Sleighride! Sleighride! that drive me batty.

4. Santa Claus is Coming to Town- Bruce Springsteen, 1975 I don't know how this rendition is still getting airtime thirty years later. He sounds out of tune and he can't even finish the never-ending repetitions at the end without laughing. I think Bruce even knew how bad he sounded.

3. I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas- Gayla Peevey, 1953 This song was maybe cute the first time I heard it, now it's grating on my ears. That voice is so deep and throaty I thought it was an adult made to sound like a kid, but I just read that it was a ten year old girl that recorded it, which might make it even wierder.

2. Santa Baby- Eartha Kitt, 1953 In conjunction with the above song, 1953 was not a good year for Christmas singles. This song is just creepy to me. Something about a grown woman singing in a baby voice trying to seduce Santa is just wrong on several levels.

1. Feliz Navidad- Jose Feliciano, 1970 The Spanish-speaking population really need another song to hit mainstream airplay. I can not listen to this song the whole way through. As soon as I hear it play, I switch to something else but you can bet I will be singing that little ditty for the rest of the day. And now that you've read my list, so will you.

What's your best/worst song of the season?

Progress

What was I supposed to say?

It's true, kids say the darndest things. It's just the parent standing by that wishes the ground would open up and swallow them whole.

I picked up Connor from pre-school and we went to a Wendy's drive-through for lunch. He was sitting in the passenger seat and I drove up to the first window where you pay. The employee lets me know how much it is so I started digging through my purse to find my money. I hadn't even looked up at her, but noticed out of the corner of my eye that Connor was leaning forward and looking intently at the girl. As I'm digging, he tugs at my sleeve and says, "Mommy, she's missing a tooth." I shush him and tell him to hold on a second.

He says it again as I hand her the money. I'm praying she can't hear him, but I noticed that she is obviously keeping her lips closed. My guess is that she has a gap between her front teeth, which often runs in certain families. No big deal really, but Connor has observed his two sisters lose several baby teeth over the last year, so he was just curious. As she gets my change, I think I might be moving on before long. Connor, not satisfied with my non-answer, takes it into his own hands, and says really loudly, "Hey! Did you lose your tooth?"

I meekly hold out my hand for my change and put on the brightest, sweetest smile I possibly can. She did not return a smile to me.

Have your kids ever said anything that totally embarrassed you? What is the best thing to say in those situations?

Connor's Preschool Halloween Party

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Connor had a blast at his pre-school halloween party. You'll notice that one particular girl seems to be at his side in most shots. Her mom came up to me and asked, "Are you Connor's mom?" I said yes. She said all her daughter talks about is Connor. I told her, well it's nice to meet you because all I ever hear about is Josie. Then she tells me that Josie has specific preferences when picking out her clothes to wear to school based on what Connor likes. Wow, he's only four.