Magic Markers: Christmas Recap

This year, I traveled to KY with Evie several days before Christmas. I honestly could not wait to get there. I was looking forward to seeing my family, visiting with friends and celebrating the season. But, as often happens when you have small children, all of my plans changed. Evie got sick. She started with a runny nose on Saturday morning, but seemed to be doing ok. We went out to dinner with my parents and Shannon to Red Lobster and Evie did well. She didn’t eat much, but she was in good spirits. By late Saturday night, she was running a fever, had a horrible cough and was feeling awful. I felt so bad for my baby girl! It’s so hard when your baby is sick – I felt helpless and there are very few medicines that are safe to give kids. I read online that a spoonful of honey can help a cough in a child over 1 so we tried that. It just so happened that my parents has just run out of honey so my wonderful Dad ran up to Kroger at 10:00 at night to get honey and popsicles. It seemed to help a little and I was so grateful. While it was a little difficult to be away from home with a sick kid, my parents and my siblings were lifesavers because they distracted Evie and made her smile. I was bummed to have to cancel most of my plans for the weekend it wasn't all bad. I got to snuggle with my girl and watch Christmas movies, we helped Kiki wrap gifts, we hung out with Aunt Sha-Sha, ate buffalo chicken dip and watched the Bengals (between cartoons) and ate yummy Christmas cookies. Not sure if I mentioned yet, but Evie and I love hanging out with my family! My parents did watch Evie for a few hours on Monday night so that I could meet my good friend Julie for dinner and finish up some last minute Christmas shopping. It was nice to get out of the house after being cooped up for 2.5 days! Evie’s fever broke Monday night and she was on the mend by Christmas Eve. Not 100% herself, but so much better that she had been. Yah!

We went to church on Christmas Eve at St. Ben’s. Afterwards, Daddy arrived - boy was Evie happy to see him! We had dinner at Shannon’s apt. and Evie got to open her Christmas present from Aunt Holly – a homemade dress up box! It is so awesome – it has tutus, dresses, hats, crazy glasses, stick on earrings, necklaces and rings. It even has a chicken hat and beak! Evie absolutely loves it! I wish I could be that creative.

After dinner, we headed over the Klare’s house for a their annual Christmas Eve party. We always have a great time and this year was no exception! It’s been far too long since we had seen my aunts, uncles and cousins and I really missed them. We has so much fun catching up and Evie liked playing with Maria and Joseph. After an night of laughter and fun, we headed home to bed. We were exhausted!

We all got a late start on Christmas morning – 10am! Yikes! I don’t remember the last time we slept that late – I’m not sure Evelyn ever has – but we needed the rest. We all gathered in the family room to open gifts – Evie’s pile was bigger than she was – times 5! Santa Claus left a few of her gifts in Kentucky (or Tucky as Evie likes to call it) and she got spoiled rotten by her Kiki, Pops, Aunt Shannon and Uncle Adam. I think Evelyn was a little overwhelmed by it all and she couldn’t figure out what to play with first! Presents were followed by a delicious breakfast and then we all got ready and went to the Dorsey’s house. Evie hadn’t been able to see her GG Mitchell yet since she had been sick so we were excited to go. Evie lit up when she saw GG! Again, it was so nice to see family that I hadn’t seen in quite a while. Evie got spoiled again by her GG – she got doll baby and a tea set. She loves feeding her baby a bottle. And the tea set seems to be one of her favorite gifts this Christmas. I cannot even tell you have may tea parties we have had since Christmas! She even had tea with Kiki and Pops over Facetime!

After a long day, we headed home. We were all exhausted and while I wish we could have stayed in KY even longer, I was nice to get home and sleep in my own bed. The days since Christmas have been spent playing with new toys. Evelyn is cooking up a storm in her kitchen, taking her doll for walks in her shopping cart, playing dress up, having tea parties, coloring, reading, making music and just having fun!