I've been tagged!

Tammy tagged me to share 12 random things about myself that are Christmas related. Here are the rules:1. List 12 random things about yourself that have to do with Christmas2. Please refer to it as a 'hoopla' and not the dreaded 'm'-word3. You have to specifically tag people when you're done. None of this "if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged" stuff is allowed...then nobody ends up actually doing it. The number of people who you tag is really up to you -- but the more, the merrier to get this 'hoopla' circulating through the blogosphere.4. Please try and do it as quickly as possible. The Christmas season will be over before we know it and I'd like to get as many people involved as possible.
TWELVE THINGS ABOUT MYSELF THAT ARE CHRISTMAS RELATED:
1. I enjoy Christmas more each year.
2. When I was little I wondered why everyone else didn't have a Christmas tree up on their birthday (my birthday is December 9).
3. The older Libby gets, the more lights we put up.
4. I now understand how my grandparents' light display is no longer "tacky", but for the kids.
5. Christmas songs have so much meaning since having a child.
6. I don't understand the point of Chinese Auctions, even though they are fun. They seem to totally defy the meaning of Christmas.
7. I really like a star at the top of a Christmas tree. Ours doesn't have one, but I like a star.
8. It's funny to see the the different ways baby Jesus looks in the various nativity scenes.
9. Libby thinks Baby Jesus is in a car seat.
10. I like cold weather during the Christmas season.
11. This year, Steven and I won't exchange gifts. We bought gifts for a family that couldn't afford Christmas.
12. You can get too many Christmas dishes.

I tag Anna and my sister.

Look, He Has A Tail!

This is Steven on this post. Meleia felt like I should handle this one. NO PICTURE CAN BE POSTED!

This past Saturday we had our yearly tradition of family Christmas pictures. My mom was in charge of bringing the kids and matching outfits (what a "Grand" parent!). Needless to say, when Mom arrived with Chloe and Zach, everyone needed to change into their Christmas outfits. In a rush to not take up the photographer's time, changing occurred quickly in the closest room. Meleia was busy changing Libby's clothes. Chloe and Zach were getting their outfits on, too. Zach, who's almost 5, inadvertently removed an extra layer of clothing when he was taking pants off. This is the point where Libby exclaimed, "Look, he has a tail!" She couldn't see his bottom, but did see his front. They realized what she was talking about, helped Zach and she ran off to play telling everyone "boys have tails".

PEACE...in the Wal*Mart Parking Lot, Seriously

Da-Da: What'd you eat for lunch, today?

Libby: Hotdogs.

Da-Da: You said you ate a hotdog yesterday aaaand the day before. Are you sure you ate a hotdog today?

Libby: Yes.

Da-Da: Well, the menu says that you had chips and cheese.

Libby: Well, then, Da-Da, what'd I have for lunch?

--Update on 1,2, Swat: We went to Wal*Mart over the weekend and Libby was in her whine mode. We did the 1, "I'm asking you to stop whining." 2-"I'm telling you to stop whining." 3-"You are getting a spanking because you didn't obey." (basically, at that point she really had something to whine about) So, when we finally got to the car in the parking lot, we put her in her seat and shut the door so we could get in the front seats.....for a slight moment, an ever so slight moment...........PEACE, in the Wal*Mart parking lot. She was still whining, but she was in the car with the doors closed and all we had to hear were the Salvation Army bell, buggies, people, and traffic---it was so peaceful.

--Update on my cold: G-O-N-E! Yippeee.

More l8r.

I'm Touching The Presents, Mommy. I am.

Well, my cold is tapering away for the moment and it's back to work we go. We have the tree up and the beginnings of the season are so evident. We had a talk with Libby before putting the presents out and told her that if anyone touches the presents, they get "1-2-Swat". So, she continually approaches the presents and thinks that it's okay if she says, "I'm touching the presents, Mommy. I am." She thinks if she tells us she is touching them that it's okay. She hasn't opened any--yet. We put more lights outside than usual. Libby really likes to see the lights. Her grandparents brought some light up reindeer that have been put out since the picture. One, however, looks like it's under the weather because it's lights aren't quiet working.....Maybe it will fall prey to a hunter and get put away. Anyway, we are enjoying the season--she sure makes it fuller. More l8r.