Our Pretend Christmas

The day after Thanksgiving we flew home to Nana and Papa's house for our "pretend Christmas" as Jackson called it the whole time. The kids were angels on the two plane rides down and I thought to myself, this trip is going to be a piece of cake, I should travel with both of them by myself more often! Apparently they were just sucking up for all of the non-sleeping they were planning once we were there. Anna was the worst and once she figured out that I couldn't let her cry and wake up the whole house she was up every hour and would calmly lift her arms stop the I must be ready to die screaming and say up as soon as I entered the room. Aww, how quickly behavior is shaped. Once we were sleeping at my Mom's house three nights later and she had a good dose of cry it out, she was much better and slept to a nice late 5 am every day :)

We did have a blast at my mom's for pretend christmas making gingerbread houses, opening gifts on pretend Christmas morning, and playing with lots of cousins. Anna loved Nana and Papa and would yell for Papa anytime she heard him coming only to be picked up and held for an instant and then want back down. They did get in some good cuddle time when Mom and I went to the movies and she decided she wasn't sleeping in her crib. Jackson hardly said two words to me the first few days that we were there he was so busy playing. It was great to hang out with my family and sister, but only made me miss my family more. I'm still pushing the North Carolina is a wonderful place to live, but so far no one is biting.

Although we missed Daddy and were sad he had to stay at home (I'm sure he was too, all that free time and endless hours to sleep in total silence can be such a drag), it was fun to get to spend lots of time with two of my friends with out worrying about him being entertained. (Love you though hon) We spent the night with Stefanie Nilson and Jackson played with his buddies Micheal and Savannah, and Anna loved the dress up chest and endless supply of dolls. I also got to spend not nearly enough time with my dear friend Ella. Everyone should have a friend who you can talk to about nothing for 3 hours straight and then call back twenty minutes later with something you forgot to say that no one else would care about. She is that person and I hate that we live so far apart. Anyway, we tackled some sewing projects together and mainly watched our children while chattingMan, she really loves dolls.

Dressing up for the first time in Savannah's drees up clothes was a big hit too! She can play rough with Jackson, but she is definately a girlie girl.

It was a great trip and went by way too fast!!!