The Busiest Season of All!

Birdie has just totally stalled out. I really, really thought that if she hustled, she could be walking by Halloween. Then, we just knew that it would be happening by Thanksgiving. Without a doubt, by Christmas. Welp, here we are still--to much of a chicken to just let go and take a step of faith with only 11 days until Christmas. :) She zipped right through the other stages but we're lingering on this one.

In other news, she pulled the bloody Christmas tree over on herself! I was horrified. We were having a play date with friend and her baby. I was trying to be a good hostess and get the mom a drink and get lunch in order. Birdie usually stays away from that corner of the house because the fireplace is over there too. But while in the kitchen, I hear a tremendous CRASH with lots of tiny clinks. The other mother felt so bad because she kind of watched it happen because they let their daughter play with the tree. I just thought I was going to throw-up because of all of our treasured ornaments. I was trying really hard to play it cool in front of this girl because I didn't want her to see how neurotic and reactive I am--we're not that close yet. I was completely relieved to find that not one of them was broken! I was telling this story to a friend and for some reason, she was hung up on if Birdie was ok. Weird. :) Yes! She was.

This time of year is way too busy! Why can't we have some of these parties and events in April??? I just don't get it. I was relieved when the weekend was over just to get a second to breathe. I, honest to goodness, don't know how I did all of this last year--working and about to pop with Birdie. I know that my house was a wreck a lot and I guess I just had one 4 year old to take care of after work but still...it seems crazy.

Sunday morning, I was getting Beatle and her best buddy (yes, there was a sleepover in the mix) ready for church and I pulled out this old-fashioned green and red plaid dress that someone gave us for Beatle to wear. She was starting to turn her nose up at it but then said, "Ok, I'll look like I'm a baby doll." Her friend jumped into her black velvet dress with a brown faux-fur jacket and leopard shoes. Beatle's face fell and she said, "You look like a fancy baby doll and I look like an orphan baby doll." bahaha. I love that girl!

An elf called us this weekend! I had signed up for something called "Santa Switchboard" here in town; where Santa calls kids up and talks for a few minutes. We never got a call! Beatle was telling me how "everyone" in her class got a call from Santa, Mrs. Claus or an elf. So, I called in a favor from my Uncle Damon in New Mexico, who does great voices and usually reserves them only for pranks. He did a wonderful job as Snowy the Elf! I'm told that on the other end, he panicked a little when Beatle was telling him she wants a hound dog for Christmas and started asking to speak to Mrs. Claus. :)

As y'all know, Beatle accepted Christ last July at Summer Camp but we wanted to wait for baptism a little while so she, at her young age, could recognize the difference between the two. We both agreed that she's waited long enough and she's ready for the next step. The Sunday after Thanksgiving, Beatle went forward to announce that she had made that decision in the summer. We were in the receiving line after church and Brent made a wise move and just let me stand with her so it wouldn't be about "the minister's kid" but all about Beatle. I think we're going to try to do a twofer for our family and have Beatle baptized on the weekend of Birdie's 1st birthday in January so everyone can just make one trip to celebrate both big events.

I better get back to busy! We've got one week only (and a weekend that, frankly, looks busier than the last) to get ready before we go home for Christmas.