Go Figure...

Our last night in Beech Mountain, we all watched National Lampoons Christmas... of course, it was the kids first time seeing it.  They laughed a lot and I wondered what would stick with them... the cat getting electrocuted? Clark almost falling off the roof?  the tree?  the sledding?  Maybe the squirrel??

So...yesterday, on the way home from school... I learned what stuck with them as they started talking about the movie amongst themselves... laughing Chase says, "Wasn't that funny... the shitter was full."  Claire chimes in, "Yeah... the shitter was full."  Giggling ensued.

I should have figured that was what they would remember.

(Special note:  I talked to the kids about saying "shitter" and let them know that "pooper" is probably a better choice of words for them ;) )

Piercing (Ears)

For the past month, Claire had been talking about getting her ears pierced.  She even went so far as to ask for earrings for Christmas, but was quick to say that Santa couldn't pierce her ears while she's sleeping.

So...Saturday-- after lunch-- we took her to "Claire's" to get her ears pierced.  As we walked down Main Street, she was visibly nervous and wouldn't let go of my hand.  Once we got into the store, her grip got tighter.  When it was her turn, I sat her up on the chair... clenched to me, I had to say, "Claire, if you don't want to do this... you don't have to."  She was adamant that she wanted to have her ears pierced.  The girl cleaned her ear lobes... "Ugh... that's stinky."  Then held up the little earring guns to her ears... snap... and a shriek that pierced my ears...

"That's a new one." said the Claire's employee (as the others nodded in agreement).

Before she could even finish her words, Claire's tears started flowing.  She cried and she cried and she cried.... she wouldn't look in the mirror and then she wanted them out.  Her pleads almost convinced me that it would be easier to take them out than to listen to her in pain.  Moments later, she calmed down.  We went about our afternoon with little whining, but she didn't look at her ears until just before dinner.

Days have passed and she's so excited about her ears that she's started pulling her hair back from her face-- this my friends is a Christmas miracle ;)

She's happy with her pink daisies.

Christmas Surprise

When we got home from a quick run to the grocery store, the kids and I noticed a package at the front door.  Of course, they were SUPER excited because they knew that Mémé was sending out their Christmas gifts.  They all rushed to the front door, grabbed it and started inspecting.

I asked, "You looking for a name?  Look it says, 'Danielle'."

Immediately they said, "But who's is it???"

"I'm not telling.  If I tell you won't have a Christmas surprise."

Chase continues shaking, Henri is standing by.

Claire tells me that she doesn't like surprises and that she'll forget what I told her by the time it's Christmas... so it was OK for me to tell her.

"You will remember, I'm not telling you."  I insist.

She goes on and says, "I forgot to tell you something."

"What was it??" I ask.

She replies,"I don't know... I forgot.  See :)"