Kid tested, Santa approved

Somehow today is when I decided to get into the Christmas spirit. I've been trying mightily to be a happy busy bee, but somehow in the great attempt to wipe the stress out of my mind I also wiped out the joy. I was a sourpuss. That changes today! Ha! We'll try!

Anyhow, I made cookies tonight - fruitcake cookies for my dad (with a whole lotta brandy in them) and tagalongs for um ... for me? Let's hope not just me - there are 2 1/2 dozen. I saw them on Lauren from Texas' blog and had to have them for my very own. I already had a ton of whole wheat Ritz (BOGO at the Publix) and reduced fat peanut butter, so why not dredge all that low calorie stuff in chocolate?

The jury's still out on the fruitcake cookies. I might have to get a taste-tester who likes uncooked alcohol in their cookies (a la rum balls). But they look pretty and festive, and my dad loves fruitcake, so I'm excited to give them to him for Christmas.

After baking I even took the time to read How The Grinch Stole Christmas to Spencer. Have I mentioned how much I hate reading aloud? No? I really hate reading books aloud. I read so much faster to myself that I'm not usually any good at reading to my son - I lose interest and then he loses interest. Or maybe he loses interest and then I lose interest. Somehow I kept my head in the game and we both enjoyed it this time! Hurrah!

I was far too hasty in my declaration that Henry was sleeping well in his crib. It turns out it's very hard to implement any form of CIO (I'm a half-hearted supporter) when your children share a room. Also though, I found out tonight that my older one might actually sleep better when trying to block out the screams of his brother in his sleep. It's like white noise if white noise came from an angry infant.

My Christmas shopping is officially done, and I think that my husband may have completed his as well. I don't ask, I just wrap. I just this minute decided to gift some of those tagalongs to my FIL (a huge fan of peanut butter) and my brother, and I think tomorrow I'm going to make Oreo Truffles and package some of those up for the women in my family. Easy making, big impact. This is my grown-up Christmas wish.

My holiday is going to be so very busy. I'm actually looking forward to Christmas Eve, because there is nothing going on. How sad is that? I plan on putting chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker for the day, and then we are restarting the tradition that the kids get to open one gift and we (parents) get to open all of our gifts. Christmas morning all the grandparents are coming over and my brother and sister are too, for breakfast (egg casserole, hashbrown casserole, biscuits and gravy and bacon) and presents (that's breakfast for 10). Then everyone leaves my home and later we're going to my in-laws for dinner (I'm evidently bringing the broccoli, this was my mission and I've chosen to accept it) and more presents. Sunday we're meeting one of my closest friends for lunch (with a bunch of her other friends, but she's low on time this visit), and then jetting down to Bradenton to stop in on my mom's mom to say Merry Christmas and so she can meet Henry and then to my dad's mom's house for the last Christmas gathering which I also arranged and have to bring two side dishes and a dessert. And presents. We've (I've) also organized a white-elephant gift exchange with them, and I'm not entirely sure they all get it. It may be interesting.

Anyhow, I hope you all have a marvelous holiday, and don't forget to stay happy! Keep the joy! Damn the man! Save the Empire!