I wasn't sure it would happen until this morning, but the kids will be going to school today! The predicted ice storm turned out to be just a bit of freezing rain that served to melt all the snow and then gave way to warmer temperatures this morning. Woo hoo!

Now my dilemma is that this is their last school day until January 5, and I have a whole lot to do. Christmas shopping, house cleaning, groceries, finding someone to watch the dogs when we go to Chicago, getting ready for Noelle's birthday party Saturday...and I sure would have loved to take a nap.

So I have to prioritize. What is best to do without the kids? What can I do with them home? I guess I'll start with Christmas shopping and go from there! Let's just hope no one calls for a showing today.

We were quite a sight this afternoon, I'd imagine. We had a showing from 1-2, so after cleaning the house the best I could with 3 kids at home, I loaded everyone into the car, dogs included. We are in desperate need of a mini van, but until we sell the house all 3 kids are in the back seat of my car, with Noelle in the middle. Both dogs sat in the passenger seat. The dogs were dropped off at our friend Robin's house for a play date with her dog, and the kids and I headed to McDonald's.

I had sort of thought things through about this trip to McDonald's, but when it came down to it, I just didn't have enough hands to accomplish everything! I asked for our meals in bags instead of a tray, because Noelle could carry the bags. Also, I learned when Evan was a baby that a Coke cup fits nicely in the triangle-shaped handle of the car seat, so that frees up a hand as well. Mason held onto Noelle's milk bottle. I still had to hold Evan's hand, though, because it was "CHRISTMAS!" in the store and he wanted to touch everything.

Inevitably we forget something the first time we head into the play area, and this time it was straws. I got the kids set up at a table and put Noelle in charge (!) for a second while I ran out to get them, along with the extra bag of apples I ordered but didn't get.

Thankfully Mason slept the entire time, there were only a few times Evan almost escaped out the exit, and Noelle and Evan only got hit in the head by the swinging chairs they insisted on playing with one time each.

When we were done I started the assembly line of shoes and coats and blanket for Mason, and we headed out, picked up the dogs, and made our way home. The people were still at our house for the showing even though it was 2:15, which I hope might be a good sign. Evan said "I tired" and wanted to go home. Noelle never would have said such a thing! We circled the block a few times and finally we were cleared to head home. Now the boys are sleeping and I have a moment to recover from a "simple" trip to McDonalds!

Noelle is watching a Christmas movie out in the living room. She had 30 minutes of quiet time playing with tiny things in her treasure boxes, then chose a movie to watch. I've been letting her watch movies during Evan's naps because there is nowhere to have quiet time other than the living room.

Evan is napping in his crib. He's been going through grandparent detox and new brother adjustments, and this is the first nap since all of that went down that he didn't scream for even a second. It would be awesome if he'd go back to his sweet natured, easy napping self!

Mason is napping in his swing in the dining room. I tried putting him in the bassinet, but I think his tummy hurts so he wasn't happy there. He settled into the swing immediately.

I am in the office thinking it would be nice to clean up in here. My "to file" drawer is near overflowing, the kids school bags and lunch boxes and coats and DVD's are strewn about, and I'm not going to admit how many candy wrappers I have on my desk.