My wonderful, wonderful friend, Rochelle, took all three kids for the day today.  (I take her daughter occasionally for overnights, but I’m just adding one more kid who entertains my kids.  When she takes mine, she quadruples her child population, so I am particularly grateful to her.)

With an afternoon to myself, I put on an audio book and started shoveling.  Actually the kids’ rooms didn’t look so bad, but I was determined to go through everything and get rid of all clothes too small, stained, ripped, or simply unworn.  I got rid of stuffed animals never played with, puzzles missing pieces, toys that liked to scatter but were never actually played with, and collected “treasures” that weren’t (scribbles on paper scraps, rocks, etc.).  I went through everything but the books, but I will do that with each child.   As I sorted, everything that didn’t immediately go into the garbage or recycling got tossed into the hallway. 

This is what the hallway looked like just before I hid everything in my room and went to pick up the kids. 

Most of it is bagged in the car ready to be donated or recycled or returned to original owner.  Some I’ve kept but have hidden in boxes.  They are nice toys, but I don’t think their absence will be noticed, especially with Christmas tomorrow.  I’ve attacked my own closets without mercy as well, so I’m not just taking things away from the kids. 

It’s not very catchy, but I’m going with “Less stuff in 2014!”

It was Wesley’s first ballet, so he put on a pink tutu over his button down and vest (with snow boots, of course!).  He really enjoyed 90% of the show, and then he fell asleep in my arms for the last few numbers. 

* * * * *

If you are going to see a community (not Pacific NW Ballet Co.) Nutcracker production, I have to recommend the Cornerstone Studio, mostly because of the breakdancing. 

I took my mom, aunt, the three kids and friends for both Kyla and Piper to the matinee performance today. (My dad and husband politely declined their tickets.)  The first half was fine, certainly different levels of abilities with lots of great costuming.  But the second act, with all Russian, Chinese, Arabian, etc., dances, was phenomenal.  The director used loose interpretations of the selections, and the Russian dance became an amazing break/street dance of a puppeteer and his “puppet” (a younger, fellow dancer).  The Chinese dance was both ballet and acrobatics, which was so entertaining.  I’ve never seen the Arabian dance done so perfectly.  The Nutcracker Prince had been dancing since he was two, and was easily one of the most graceful and fluid dancers on stage that day.  He also sported a Mohawk (mostly pinned down to uphold his deal with the director), so I am a fan.  I’d see this again.  

This is the best one can get with a lousy camera and 5 children!

For the second act, I found 4 seats in the very front for the girls, so they would be able to see better.  They got to show me how they could act like young ladies, and they were perfect!

And then the girls got pictures with my two favorite dancers, the Prince and the Arabian.

My brother, Brian, and his wife, Sandi, were able to come up for the weekend before Christmas so we could be together as a family for at least one day (Sandi is an oncology nurse at a hospital, night shift—not conducive to normal schedules!)

The next shots are only partially curated and were taken with a cheap camera that has been dropped too often.  What I’m saying is that this is only a post for the people who were there this evening and are trying to find a good shot of themselves or their children. 

Parker and Wesley had matching jammies (on accident), and looked more like twins than cousins.

It’s an annual tradition.  It is worth the late bedtime…once a year.

The Sugar Plum Fairy is new this year.

The kids get peppermint lollipops and we get more bubble-snow.  Kyla always tries to taste it.

Wesley was happy to just sit crankily in the stroller. Ironic, huh.

And then I had to put the camera down and just dance.  One of the reasons I love Snowflake Lane so much is that Dwayne will always dance with me!

Getting closer to a Christmas card shot.

The best that I could get before it all went south…
I’m never going to get a Christmas card out.

First, get a little sleep, and more importantly, let Mama sleep in.  Watch as many videos as you can, sweethearts.

Step 2, take all premade items out of Costco box.

Step 3, create, create, create!  (And part of “create” is “eat”).

Timmy Whitefoot has a good game plan for a Saturday afternoon, too.

Before (Single Pane, ill fitting, aluminum frame):

After (The antithesis of previous windows…possibly with a price tag to match):

Much, much, much cozier!

So I’ve had a few (justified) rants about children, and by children, you know I mostly mean Wesley. 

I did a few things to readjust my sanity. First, I put a lock on the secret hiding place to keep them from breaking more things.

Then patched and repainted the bathroom wall, and did NOT rehang the towel rack.

Piper finished cleaning her room and Wesley (yes, Wes!) vacuumed it.  The Shark was a good investment.

And I packed up a lot of toys that are now in the Value Village box.  The smaller the toy, the more quickly I tossed it.

The kids were a little happier…

or, better yet, sleeping.