Christmas!

The day after Christmas is so depressing. It is a holiday that nearly everyone looks forward to and spends hours and hours preparing for, but then 24 hours later, it is all over.  I think the day after Christmas is maybe my least favorite day of the year, followed by the day after my birthday.  At least I didn't have to get up the next day to go to work as many people did. 

Alena kept telling me about how excited she was for Christmas Eve so that morning, everyone slept in until 7:30 and we had a quick breakfast and got ready to head to Papa and Grandma's house.  We spent the day playing and Alena convinced Grandma to let her and her brother and sister open one gift.  After lunch, the twins went down for a nap, and the adults were actually able to play a game of golf (since children/grandchildren, our hours of game playing on the holidays has been cut short!). 

After naps, we all got dressed in our finest and headed to church.  It was a good reminder why we don't go to church on a weekly basis-it is hard with three little ones, especially when the two youngest want to get down and run around (and we even had two extra adults to help!).  Lauren loved the music and the clapping (although she usually clapped at the wrong times-like when it was silent!). She also left quite a few Kix on the floor to let God know she was there.  We survived the entire service, including the children's play, then headed to our favorite Christmas Eve location, The Mandarin.  It wasn't too busy when we got there, but during dinner, the place filled up very quickly.  The fish tank kept the kids entertained until our dinner arrived.  Everyone was so hungry and as usual the food was excellent!  Caleb even enjoyed some of Grandma's hot tea.  As is tradition, Jason called during dinner to join in on the fun.

We then headed back to Grandma and Papa's house to open presents.  As usual, they bought WAY too much but all three little ones took a turn at ripping the paper off.  During gift opening, we watched most of The Christmas Story before packing everything and everyone into the van for the trip home.  We carried the sleeping twins into the house and placed them in their crib while Alena picked out cookies for Santa.  She also left 8 carrots and water for his 8 reindeer and we checked the Santa Radar before heading up to bed.  Since both babies were already in bed, both Justin and I put Alena to sleep (we usually take turns).  We read the Night Before Christmas and the 12 Days of Christmas then kissed her goodnight. 

 

Alena picking out Santa's cookies

Luckily Santa had all the gifts wrapped so we just had to fill the stockings, place the gifts around the tree and get things prepared for breakfast the next morning.  The twins woke up around 7 and Alena was up at 7:30.  We opened our stockings first, then enjoyed breakfast before opening the gifts under the tree.  Later that afternoon, Grandma and Grandpa S arrived.  We watched the Polar Express, opened gifts, then enjoyed a marinated pork chop dinner, requested by Alena. 

It was a fun two days celebrating Christmas.  The favorite gifts were definitely the trampoline, the tent and tunnel, and the magnetic building shapes.  Although, I think I received the best present:  A new camera!  I am so excited to have a nice camera to take pictures with.  We will have many, many special memories in the future with our little ones and having a nice camera that takes good pictures is so important!  I make a photo book every year for each child, depicting what we did over the year, including pictures of other family members.  It's a fun keepsake that will now be even better because the quality of photos will be amazing!  Thanks Santa! 

Traditions

Who doesn't love traditions, especially around the holidays?  Everyone has their own special things they like to do to celebrate and many traditions have been started in our family.  I think it's important to not get overloaded with traditions though, which can be stressful and make you forget the real meaning of the holidays.  These are some of our traditions:

1.  The Tree - One of the first traditions of the holidays is picking out our Christmas tree. I love that our tree has been hand planted by my dad many years ago and shaped by his own hands.  It is so special going to Papa's house to tag our tree or cut it down.  Each year, we seem to get a bigger and bigger tree (we had to cut some of the top off this year to make it fit). Maybe our ceilings are getting smaller or my ability to gauge the height of a tree is WAY off!  I like to have the tree up in early December so we can enjoy it for the entire month.

2.  Ornaments - My mom buys the kids a new ornament each year. I keep the boxes of each ornament, labeled with the date to help keep them all organized. Justin and I also have our own ornaments from when we were growing up and before we had children.  The little ones love picking out their ornaments and I think they will be excited to put them on their ow tree after they leave home.  I was thinking of making a handmade ornament this year with every one's thumbprint, but I may not have time...

3.  Cookies - Since we've had Alena, we have made it a tradition to make sugar cookies with Grandma and Papa.  Papa is always helpful and makes the dough ahead of time (we use the same yummy recipe).  Each year, Alena has gotten more and more into making the cookies. This year, she pretty much rolled her own dough, cut out the cookies and frosted and decorated them without much help.  Lauren and Caleb skipped the decorating this year because they were napping, but they did get to enjoy their first cookie after their slumber!  They enjoyed it! 

4. Elf On The Shelf - I honestly had never heard of Elf on the Shelf until my mom bought us one the year Alena was born. It sounded a little weird at first, but thought it might be fun once she was 2.  I know some people use the little elf to threaten their little ones to behave.  We don't do that. Instead we have fun hiding him each night, or making him do naughty things, but we don't tell the kids "The Elf is watching you."  Alena gets a kick out of looking for him each morning and it's a great way to get her out of bed in the morning on school days :).

5.  Gingerbread House - This was a new one this year but I would say it was successful. Alena enjoyed decorating the premade gingerbread house with frosting and candies (I can't imagine doing one that wasn't already put together!).  I'm not sure if this tradition will continue-I guess it will be up to Alena and the twins. 

6.  Tour of Christmas Lights - We have "sort of" done this each year but it will be more fun when the kids are older. Alena and I will go out later this week in the evening for a tour of lights around our neighborhood. I think it would be fun to sip hot chocolate, but she doesn't like hot chocolate so I guess a little glass of juice will have to suffice.

7.  Christmas Eve - Growing up, my family always went to church on Christmas Eve, watched the play of the birth of Jesus, and went to the Mandarin for dinner.  My brother used to be horrified that we went out for dinner on Christmas Eve.  When we first started this tradition, we were probably the only people at the Chinese restaurant.  Wouldn't you know it, now a days, that place is hopping!  I'd like to think people realized what a great idea it was and followed in our footprints. Who wants to make dinner Christmas Eve, when you will probably be making a big feast on Christmas Day?  My brother still thinks it's crazy, but when he is back in Iowa, he can't deny enjoying his Mongolian Beef at the Mandarin.  "Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra...Ra Ra Ra Ra"

8.  Starting this year, I am going to allow each kid to open one present on Christmas Eve. This will include new jammies and a family movie we will all enjoy together before going to bed and preparing for Santa to come.

9.  Preparing for Santa - Alena sets out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots and water for his reindeer.  I know some people who go a little overboard making it look like Santa came (sleigh tracks in the snow, reindeer "droppings", etc). 

10.  Wrapping Presents - I grew up with all of our presents wrapped, including those from Santa and stocking stuffers.  Justin did too, so that is what we do. I do try and use special paper for Santa's gifts (ie paper with Santa on it).  The REALLY big gifts won't get wrapped because let's be honest, that's a lot of work for Santa and a waste of paper in my mind. 

As much as I love the holidays, I hate how fast they go by.  Alena is going to be really sad when Christmas is over this year and I'm sure for the next 12 months, we will  hear "when is it going to be Christmas again?" 

Twins-15 Months

When someone asks you, what is your favorite age of kids?  I would definitely have to say from 1-2.  It is amazing how much they learn in that little span of time.  They are still too innocent to have much of an attitude, they still cuddle and they let you carry them around, and they are eager to learn.  I love how 1-2 year olds start mimicking adults and turn into little people.  I sometimes think if I was a daycare provider, what age of children would I want to have?  I think 1-2 year olds would be perfect.  Lauren and Caleb's teacher, Molly, also taught Alena and helped shape her into who she is today.  As a daycare provider, it would be fun to see these little "infants" come into your room when they turn 1, learn how to walk, run, talk, color scribble, eat with utensils, and interact with others before turning 2 and moving on to the next room.  Molly is loving, but firm.  The other day she was instructing a friend to sit back down at the breakfast table if he wanted to have another drink of milk. He was not happy, but rules are rules.  We are so excited to have her teaching the twins.  I strongly believe that this is such a crucial age for development and having someone who will show love and affection as well as instill rules is important. 

I remember when the twins were infants and I would see other mothers of twins when I was out and about with them.  Many times these moms would say to me "it gets easier."  Now that I have two toddlers, instead of two infants, it is easier, but also harder in a different way.  They are m-o-b-i-l-e!  I still haven't been brave enough to take them into a store and let them both walk.  I'm sure I'd spend 90% of the time, chasing after them and 10% shopping, (guess that would limit my spending!).  The other day, the girls were out at the mall and I let Lauren out of the stroller.  She moseyed in and out of the women's clothing sections at Younkers, (I think she was shopping for Grandma), having a ball.  Soon after, she started following her older sister and laughing.  It is so crazy watching two little ones walk around like little people.  They are so small still that I would be scared I would lose them amongst the racks of clothes or in a crowd of people.  And those backpack leashes make me cringe...

Lauren:  My little fire cracker!  We love your fun, loving personality.  You make us laugh so much.  You have really caught on to mimicking us and love to comb your hair (and your sister's), wash your face, play peek a boo, and make silly faces at us.  We have been working on animal sounds and you have quite the neigh!  Along with your silly personality, you also have a little attitude.  You do not like when we tell you no or you can't have something.  You stick your bottom lip out as far as it will go and the biggest tears roll down your cheeks.  It's so hard not to smile at that pouty face.  You also think you are much bigger than you are and often try to take your brother down (it's a good thing he's like a big teddy bear and doesn't mind).  You mastered walking before your brother, but he wasn't soon after you.  For a peanut, you are a pretty good eater.  I think your favorite foods now are corn, cottage cheese, any fruit, and yogurt.  You still are not a big meat eater, but hey who blames you when you only have two teeth!  I think your top 4 teeth are on their way. 

Caleb:  I knew once you figured out walking, you would just take off.  Pretty soon you will be running.  You love this new found freedom and walk around with your arms in the air making dinosaur sounds.  You are so excited for yourself!  You have actually said more words than Lauren and your favorite words are tractor and cracker (OK so they sound alike, but I do think you differentiate between the two :)).  You can impersonate a monkey, bark like a dog and meow-all things that will take you a long way in life :).  I know I have said this before, but you are all boy.  Some of it must be inborn because I've never shown you how to push tractors and trucks, but you have done it as long as you could crawl.  You are also a messy eater, which must be a male trait.  Lauren picks up one morsel of food at a time, while you grab a handful and try to shove it all in your mouth at the same time.  The other day at the mall, instead of playing in germ land, you wanted to walk around and around the two cars parked in the middle of the mall.  Maybe you were wondering, "why are there cars in the mall? or maybe you were really fascinated with the cars-all I know is we couldn't pry you away from them.  You are such a snuggler and hugger.  I love it and so do your teachers.  Miss Pinky loves when we come back to say "hi" and she gets another hug (she told another mom that you and Lauren have been her favorite little ones thus far). 

I'm looking forward to the next few months-watching you learn new things every day!  Please don't grow up too fast! 

Another One Bites The Dust

We were oh so excited to spend the week of Thanksgiving in Colorado with my brother, his family, and my parents. I wasn't really looking forward to the 10 hour drive with two 14 month olds but remembered we had made this trip less than 6 months ago without any difficulty. Alena rode with my parents in my moms car and arrived in Loveland about an hour and a half before us.

Our trip was very smooth. We stopped at Wal-Mart in Omaha to let the twins get their wiggles out, and walk around. (Sorry Wal-Mart for the $1.99 light up candy cane I'm sure my daughter broke as she repeatedly hit it on the floor). We also survived two meals out and they both took a decent nap in the afternoon. The last hour of the trip was probably the longest (for all of us), so I sat between them doing whatever I could to entertain them:  singing, listening to music, making silly faces, reading.  Finally, we arrived around 7:00 PM and encircled everyone in a hug.  That was when I realized Alena was wearing different clothes and there was a pile of clothes on the driveway wrapped in a plastic bag.  I should have known that was a bad sign.  Apparently, Alena got sick twice in the car, (I am so thankful for patient grandparents!).  My parents thought it was just car sickness as she acted fine the rest of the day/evening and ate a good dinner -besides looking white as a marshmallow! I knew better-this girl has never been car sick.  THIS WAS A GI BUG! 

The next day was Sunday, and Alena felt much better and we sort of forgot about the BUG.  Deaner, however, wasn't feeling all that great, but contributed that to the recent course of Augmentin she was on for a sinus infection.  We spent the day outside (it was in the 50's) and went to the Children's Museum in Fort Collins. 

 Experiencing hurricane strength winds

 

 Playing Music

 

Caleb wasn't so sure about the snake (me either!)

 



Monday, Jason and Deaner both had to work so we had to play zone defense:  4 adults against 5 kids.  Mom and I decided to take the older kids shopping at the Outlet Mall while the guys played one on one with the babies.  Caleb was not a happy camper when we left with the girls, so he got to go on an outing to Jax with daddy and Papa all by himself (he is Papa's boy!).  By this time, we had forgotten all about Alena's little illness.

I went to bed Monday night with a headache and nausea, which I thanked the twins for because they were sleeping HORRIBLY!  However, early in the morning, the BUG struck another victim.  Trips to the bathroom, coupled with getting up multiple times with the littlest Schaacks made for a very tired mommy (and daddy).  The next morning, we learned the BUG attacked another victim-my dad. He stayed in bed until 11:00.  For those of you that know my dad, that is unheard of. He is usually the first one up, making breakfast or playing with the little ones-he takes advantage of every minute with his grandchildren no matter how tired he is.  We had planned on taking all the kids to the indoor swimming pool so we all got our suits on and were ready to head out the door when Lauren's dinner from the night before ended up in Addie's swim bag.  Another one bites the dust.  So the three sickos stayed home to rest and disinfect the house while the others headed to the pool. 

Later that afternoon, my mom was making some frequent trips to the bathroom and wasn't feeling all that great either.  Deaner continued to have issues too.  While I was out on a walk with Caleb, yet another victim fell ill to the BUG. I walked into the living room and poor Addie was lying on the couch, her hair wet from a recent shower.  Deaner also had to shower as Addie's lunch ended up on her.  By this time, I was ready to get in the van and drive home-we were so tired from sleepless nights and were scared the rest of the family was going to get this "deadly," highly contagious thing!  We were even second guessing having a Thanksgiving meal because who knew who would be well enough to eat!  Thankfully, my brother was able to see the positive side of this whole ordeal. He went out the next day and bought a 24 pound turkey! 

By the next day, we were all feeling better, except Deaner (she likely had c. diff from her antibiotics).  My dad was up early, baking the pies, preparing the pretzel salad, and getting as much food prepared as possible before turkey day.  I kept waiting for Caleb, Justin and Jason to get ill, but they never did. 

Thanksgiving morning, mom, Jason and I ran the 5K turkey trot.  I ran this two years ago and it is always such fun-the turnout is great and it is well organized!  We all ran very well (Jason got 2nd in his age group and mom got 3rd).  It's nice to start a day where you are going to gorge yourself with a little exercise :).  We loved having all the kids at the finish line to cheer us on.  Maybe next year the older girls can do it with us. 

We hurried home to help get the Thanksgiving meal prepared:  Turkey, homemade stuffing, real mashed potatoes and homemade gravy, homemade rolls with homemade strawberry jam, pretzel salad, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole with beans from Papa's garden, corn from Papa's garden, wild rice, and homemade cranberry sauce.  Plus pumpkin and pecan pie for dessert-it was all delicious and reminded me of why this is my favorite holiday.  I love spending it with my family and eating all the homemade food.  We were all so glad that Justin didn't get the BUG because last year he wasn't able to enjoy Thanksgiving, (he was developing a bowel obstruction after his hernia surgery). 

Their first Thanksgiving meal-I think the corn was their favorite

 



After getting all the little ones asleep, Deaner, mom and I went out for a little "Black Friday" shopping.  We got some great deals and were home by 11:30.  The next morning, we headed back home, following my parents and Alena.  We had all decided to come home a day early to have an extra day to get ready for the upcoming week.  It was a long trip home.  The twins did really well and we utilized the Wal-Mart in Grand Island this time to burn off some energy and have dinner before getting Jammie's on.  They slept the rest of the way home.  Wouldn't you know it, they slept the rest of the night after we got home-little stinkers! 

So, what have we learned from this trip:
1.  Also pack a "puke" bag and have extra clothes for everyone.
2.  No matter how much you disinfect/wash hands, the BUG will find you!
3.  No more family get togethers in the Winter!  (OK, that isn't possible, but seriously every family get together ends up with people getting sick!). 
4.  No more than 1 overnight stay per visit for the twins until they are 2 or are done teething! 
5.  Thank God for grandparents who watch the little ones in the morning, while the parents catch up on sleep!
6.  Once again, we are so glad we have our mini van. We had PLENTY of room for everything we needed, plus some extra stuff you never know if you will need.

Years from now, we will all remember this Thanksgiving and laugh about it.  Some wonderful memories were made!