Is it Christmas Yet???

No, but at least they will stop asking if it is!!! Now, they can go to school Christmas morning and Keith and I can enjoy that last morning of peace and quiet for 2 weeks!!!

No Suprises at the Sullivan House!

Gideon told us that he wants a red remote control car like Sasha has for his Birthday (AKA Christmas). ME, of course, then said, “I too, but pink!” (At Thanksgiving, Jill asked ME what she wanted kind of present she wanted for Christmas and she said “PINK!”) Yesterday, I was hiding in our bedroom wrapping the totally nice, all-terrian, red pick-up truck that we got Gid…when he walked in! His eyes got so huge and I told him, ever so kindly, to “Get Out!!!”

So, since this unfortunate turn of events, Gideon has been about ready to explode with excitement and I must not forget to mention…perfect!!! He has done whatever I have asked (no matter how silly or terrible HAHA) for fear that what he saw was really not what he thinks it is. I really hate for the time to come for Gideon to open his present and therefore bringing to an end Gideon’s perfect behavior. However, I am afraid that if we do not open presents SOON, Gideon might literally explode with excitement. His face has had a painfully huge smile plastered across it and you can feel the excitement oozing from him! Not to mention how I long for a moment of peace and quiet from the minute by minute questioning…”Mommy, how much longer until I get to open my present?!?”

Last night, I asked him what he had gotten me. He looked so shocked and frightened! He ran to daddy and said, “Did you get mommy a present?” Daddy told him, “Yes, a ___, but don’t tell mommy!” Gideon responded a bit too loudly, “A big radio!” And Keith mumble, “Shh, no a little one!”

Christmas Past...2005

ME's First Christmas

What is a Taco?

Have you ever thought of how you would try to explain a taco...the taste, spices...the entire Mexican fiesta that goes on in your mouth!!! This simple question lead us to invite Masha and 3 of her classmates over for tacos. They were so sweet and grateful for the opportunity. I can't say that they really loved tacos or want to moved to Mexico, but we all had a great time!

When people ask where we are from and Keith says, "New Mexico"...they often think we are from the country of Mexico. It is nights like tonight that I wish that were true! We made tacos, rice and refried beans. In the states, I rarely, if ever, made Mexican food. If I did, it would have been from packages, with a can of Old El Paso refried beans. I honestly did not even know you could make tortillas at home, until sweet Nancy cooked us Mexican food for the first of many times in Russia. The tacos were fine...since we found taco shells and had a package of taco seasoning. However, the refired beans, start to finish completely from scratch, were definately lacking something, even though they looked fabulous and totally authentic. The spanish rice...burnt and more like white rice with salsa! Oh, how I wish I was from Mexico...not that it would improve my culinary skills, since I have lived in Russia more than 5 years and can not make one Russian dish!

Christmas Past...2004

...in front of the Skinner's Christmas Tree.

TGIF...Bah Hum Bug!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas...but not really in Russia!!! The Sullivan gang is all gathering at Keith's parents today and spending the entire weekend together!!! I am sad that we were not able to be a part of the craziness this year and will be spending the weekend doing the same ole' same ole!

It has been sooo hard for me to get into the spirit this year! If I had not put our Christmas tree up in November, I doubt I would have put it up at all. I have had the shortest Christmas "To Do" list of any past Christmases. This year, I did not buy any family gifts (sorry family). The only gifts I did buy (with the exception of Gideon, ME and MYSELF...how terrible is that!!! I am buying myself Season 2 of the unmentionable TV seres that I started and am planning on spending as much time as possible over the break being a couch potatoe and living in my PJs!!!) were calendars for Gideon and ME's teachers and a few people at the Church. How totally easy is that!!! With this year's minimalist approach to Christmas, I still have yet to finish our traditional Christmas card...which is rapidly becoming a New Years card or better yet, a Russian Christmas card (celebrated Jan 7th)!!!

Well, Sullivan gang, have a great time eating biscuits and gravy and fighting over the remote control!!! Don't forget the traditional trip to the Java Loft!!! Love & miss you guys!!!

Pictures are from last years celebration.

Christmas Past...2003

Our First Russian Christmas Tree...borrowed, decorations too!!!

Olga, our friend who so generously loaned us the tree!!!

Gideon & his Great-Grandpa during a Christmas visit.

Christmas Past...2002

...in front of Granny's Tree.

...at a Phillips' Family Christmas Celebration.

Gideon...

Please pray for Gideon (and mommy, too)!!! Gideon has been throwing-up all night. I went to bed at 11, after getting ME asleep and then Gideon woke-up covered at midnight, then again at 6, 7, and 8! Please pray that he would feel better soon and that I would get some rest, laundry done and beds made.

On a funnier note...Gideon's prayer last night, "God, help me not irritate mommy and not poke her in the eye, like this"...as he inserted his finger into my eye! We were all so shocked, we burst out laughing!!!

Christmas Past....Christmas 2001

...in front of our Church's Tree.

...in front of Granny's Tree.

ME...

ME has been on the naughty list more often than not this month with our battle of the wills, but it is difficult to stay mad at a face like this. After carring on and on about something, right before I think I am going to lose it, she will say, "Mommy..." "What ME?!?!" "Mommy, I love you!"

Hair styled by Big Brother, Gideon.

Christmas Tour...

Welcome! BooMamma is host a Christmas Home Tour and there are over 250 halls decked and trees decorated!!! There are so many gorgeous homes and fabulous Christmas decor!!! It has been so fun visiting all of the homes and see all of the yummy snacks!!! After touring the first 30 homes (in my PJs!!!), I thought I would invite you all in to see our fun Christmas decorations and meet our kiddos-but I will not scare you with a picture of my PJs!!! I hope you enjoy your visit! If you would like the grand tour of our home...please feel free to make yourself at home! Thanks for stopping by and we hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Reindeer!

An Early Christmas Suprise!!!

Granny sent a package and noone (including mommy & daddy) wanted to wait until Christmas. Gideon looked at each and everything, giving each suprise equal time. ME went right for the candy and chocolate!!! Thanks Granny!!! We love you (& you too, Grampy)!!! And yes, Gid is still wearing tights!!!

Sunday, Once Again...

The kids looked so cute in their coordinating outfits, I had to take batteries out of the remotes to be able to photograph them!!!

Mommy Day!

Today, I bribed the kids with candy to get them to dress-up and take Christmas pictures. Getting them to listen, be still, pose, smile and look at the camera at the same time is soooo difficult!!! After our photo session, we went for a walk and then came home and made brownies. Instead of napping (skipping nap time is a big mistake for ME), we made a little bed out of all of our pillows and watched Daddy Daycare. I love Mommy Days!

ME

Since we have stopped giving ME her bottle, she has had a really hard time falling asleep. She has not asked for her bottle, but wants all of the lights one (and will cry until they are all on). Then wants water, which she inevitably spills on her PJ's, which requires a complete change of clothes. She was so exhausted last night (she skipped her nap, making her even more miserable), but for 45 minutes cried and made demands and changed PJ's 3 times, before finally falling asleep...only to wake-up numerous times in the night crying. Please pray that this drama at bedtime would stop and we would have wisdom to know how to help her through this phase.

Battle of the Wills, Part 2

ME has been having a terrible time going to sleep. She demands to sleep with mommy, except when daddy is unavailable and then she wants to sleep with him. We put her (usually requiring force and much drama) in her bed and then she wants all of the lights to be on. We say our prayers (ME must go first) and settle in, which requires ME to change position at least 100 times. Just when I think she is about asleep, she declares that she must go potty, taking another 20 minutes (I so badly just want to say, "You are wearing a pull-up, just pee!!!"...but what mom would actually encourage her child to pee in her pants!). Once back in bed, begins the process all over again and includes a period of time in every bed in the house and usually ends with me yelling, "ME just go sleep with daddy!"...requiring me to return her to her bed and pray that she stays there the rest of the night!

One day, she cried the entire way to school and home from school, "I want daddy! Where is my daddy!" Once home, daddy says, "Its time for bed. I will go lay with you." ME says, "I don't want to sleep with you, I want my mommy!!!"

And yes, we have put her in her bed and told her to go to sleep alone...she screamed and cried for over an hour and in the end she only stopped screaming when I finally laid down with her. I think this is one battle she is winning!!!

TGIF!!!

I am soo thankful that today is Friday. After coughing all night, which is of course due to me being a terrible mother and not dressing ME properly (declares ME's teacher), ME woke-up exhausted and begging not to go school. Since she usually loves school and they have not missed a day in weeks, I decided that skipping would probably be a good idea for all of us. They joined me at the gym and participated in an art class, while I did an exercise class and then we all went to McDonalds!!! By 1:00, we were home and in pajamas watching movies!!! What a great way to spend a Friday (and possibly Saturday too!!!)

The following are 2 of the movies we will watch...

ME Speaks Russian!

ME's teachers were so excited when I came to get her today. They said, "ME spoke Russian today for the first time. She spoke so clear and everyone was so proud of her!" She has said Russian words before, but today they said she spoke sentences. They told me she had said, "I want to eat. I don't want salad." Later that evening, I was praising her and telling her how proud we were that she was speaking Russian. I asked her how do you say, "I want to eat"? She replied, "I want to eat!"...in English! It was really funny.

ME has become so stubborn!!! While the kids were in school, I ran to the grocery store to stock up on the basics. So entering our apartment complex, I was carrying 4 bags of groceries, my work-out bag, pumpkin from the preschool and the kids school things. ME stopped just steps from the front door and said, "Carry me, mommy!" I said, "Honey, I can't because me hands are full!" This began the battle of the wills!!! She started crying and screaming "Carry me!" and I , with all of the patients I could muster, told her to come inside. She became distracted with the fact that it was snowing (not to mention freezing!!!) and started playing with the snow...moving no closer to the door! I think this went on for whet felt like forever...at least 10 minutes...while my arms are being pulled out of their sockets and I am feeling like those rubber stretch toys. Gideon and I are continuing to "encourage" (AKA threaten) her to come in and I am sure half of our neighbors are now finding entertainment in our little situation. At the last possible moment that my arms and patients could bare, Gideon managed to push her into the entrance door and then she cried whole way to our apartment, which upon entering I spanked her!!! Battle won, but some how it doesn't feel much like a victory!!!