The old man is snoring!

I took the kids to Whole Foods earlier and on the way out we got caught in the rain. We each grabbed a bag (or three - thanks, Sebbie) and ran for the car. I had Vega wrapped on my chest, Clemmie's hand in one of mine, and a bag in the other.

As we ran, I exclaimed quite literally, "Isn't this awesome?!"

Sebbie didn't think so, but I still did. It's not often one gets "caught in the rain" here in AZ. So I enjoyed it. Did it bother me that my new boots were getting soaked? Yes, it did. But then I tried really hard to not let it matter, and just like that, it didn't.

Then we came home and ate soup.

And did laundry.

I tried to put Clemmie down for a nap, but that's not so easy these days. She's finally learned to climb out of her crib. Good for her. Not for me. As much as I love having her around, those 2-hour naps she took were a godsend. I could spend some alone time with Vega....or work on the computer, or even......dare I say.....read!

But it's her time. And now we need to look for a big girl bed. That will be fun.

In the meantime, I will enjoy watching her as she nonchalantly climbs into her crib to grab a forgotten toy. One leg up, the other one thrown over, and kerplop.

It must be such a liberating feeling for her. "The escape."

So now the boys play a game in the living room and Clemmie tries on her princess jewelry.

I should start cooking soon.

The New Year is just around the corner. I'm excited for it. Truth be told, I'm excited for now.

rain, my boys, my girls, the sound of the garage which means Bobby is home, watching LOTR with the kids tonight, my clean kitchen, the new books on my nightstand, the Twilight Zone marathon we'll watch all day on New Years, my step-mom's pozolé, getting organized. Or trying to.

The Christmas card photo.

It was a nightmare to take.

You can barely see Vega but by the end of this little photo session, it didn't matter.

I was just happy that they were all in there - any which way.

They could have been thrown in there, lying on the ground.

You had to be there.

Did I say nightmare?

Yes, because it was.

A bad one.

Merry Belated Christmas!