You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch...

Holy cow, I can't even begin to describe to you how busy we've been this last week. I've barely had time to breathe! We're headed to Utah next week for Christmas and it has made the Christmas rush come a whole week earlier. On Friday, I officially turned into the Grinch for the very first time in my entire life. I absolutely love Christmas, it's my favorite time of the year. I love the music, the lights, the shopping, the cold, the decorations, I love it all! But trying to get everything done before we leave had it's toll on me on Friday. I have never felt so grouchy about Christmas before. I actually started wondering what in the world was wrong with me. I was mad at all the crowded stores, mad that I had to stop and get gas during the day, mad that my house was a mess, mad that my kids were driving me crazy...I even considered writing to Santa to inform him of some incredibly whiny children at my house. Mad, mad, mad! I'm almost positive my heart was two sizes too small. Fortunately I have since had a good night's sleep, Kyle's finally home from school and work, my house is a little cleaner than it was before, the Christmas spirit has since returned and things are back to normal. We're still running around like mad, but at least we're all happy about it again! The many activities we attended to starting Thursday included...

Throwing a preschool pizza/Christmas party:

A 3 hour rendezvous with Grandma and Grandpa Mammen at the Gaylord Texan Hotel during their layover from San Juan Puerto Rico:

Cleaning up major messes like this one:
(You can't see the floor very well, but there is yogurt and corn spilled everywhere around the perimeter of Spencer's high chair. You also can't see that he's holding a candy cane he snuck from the Christmas tree that he opened himself. My floor has NEVER been this messy before!)

A quick, but fun "Christmas" with my grandparents on Saturday morning:
(Spencer did NOT want to take a picture. He was perfectly content playing with Disney Dominos and watching the dancing Santa until we forced him into a picture!)

Trying to comfort a very sick 1-year-old who spends his waking moments saying "Owie" in a very hoarse voice:

And just rolling my eyes at my beautifully clean kitchen floor after Kyle's homemade marshmallow project. (At least they turned out really yummy!)

Activities not included in the pictures because I didn't have my camera with me or just forgot to take pictures even though I really wish I did:

• A one hour rush trip to Wal-Mart for last minute Christmas items on a Saturday afternoon. (I will never forget the feeling of utter despair as I drove around trying to find a parking space. Fortunately the Wal-Mart gods were looking down on as me as I was checking out and ALL the registers were open...just like the commercial)!
• My crazy last-minute Christmas sewing, art, and crafty projects. (Pictures coming after Christmas after presents have been opened!)
• Having the kids with me pretty much every waking moment all week while Kyle finished finals and worked a full week at the store.
• Another fun "Christmas" opening presents with my family Saturday night.
• Laundry.
• Singing at Enrichment in a quartet with Kyle and my sister and then again this afternoon at church.

Yeah. That about covers it. We've been busy, but it's just that time of year. We had some secret friends show up on Thursday starting the 12 days of Christmas for our family, and I can't tell you how special it has made us all feel. It's been so exciting finding little treats on our doorstep every night and marveling at how fast our little elves are at ringing our doorbell and running! It definitely has helped us remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Here are my favorite ways to unwind during the holiday rush:

• Listening to the Josh Groban Christmas CD (my mom gave it to me last night, and I LOVE it!)
• Hot chocolate...especially with homemade marshmallows!
• "Smallville"
• Bubble baths
• Turning off all the lights in the living room and looking at the glowing Christmas tree
  
• Kenny G. Christmas songs...Kyle hates Kenny G., but I think his Christmas music is very relaxing!
  
• Addressing Christmas cards...yeah, I actually really like doing it!
• Going to SLEEP and not staying up until all hours of the night doing Christmas stuff even though it's the only time to get it done while the kids are asleep.
• Watching "While You Were Sleeping."

What is your favorite relaxing thing to do during this crazy time of year?