Adventures of December

Where to begin for the month of December...I think maybe I'll backtrack on this one.
Christmas was great!  Santa brought us Disney passes (YAY!), and I did not go overboard on gifts this year.  I think because we had just moved, I'm still in purge mode and don't want to add anymore clutter.  Plus, my kids have PLENTY!  But it was good just the same.  Eli totally enjoyed opening presents.  He had a hard time leaving any wrapped present alone.
We had 3 visits for  pictures with the jolly old man.  And the third time was the charm.  Eli walked right up and let Santa pick him up.  When asked if he wanted to go take pictures for the second time Eli said ""NO!" But when I told him "Santa brings you presents", he couldn't put on his shoes fast enough.  But still just sat in front of him for that one.  And this was the first year that Evi didn't cry!

pretty boy Eli

ChaCha dressed up as Santa and came to the door at my mom's.  When we opened the door, before Charlie even spoke, Eli said, "ChaCha's Christmas!" ... Turkey!
We also have one of those Damn Elf on a Shelf.  And I say "Damn" with the utmost affection because Evi has enjoyed that damn Elf, which she named Kelf, so much.  He "magically" moves each night in order to keep an eye on the kids to report back to Santa, and she loved looking for him first thing.  Problem was, Kelf's magic provider didn't always get good service in the house, and he would spend multiple days in one place.  

Christmas Morning

Christmas Eve in Florida!

On a sad note, Evi's kitty, Flower died this month.  We found out this summer, when she shrank to a tiny 3.5lbs that she probably had kidney disease, and would not last long.  But after we moved, she gained 1.2lbs in just 6 weeks, and we were beginning to think maybe it was all just stress related.  Then she lost her reflexes in her back legs for a couple of days.   She could walk, it was like her back end was drunk.  After an emergency trip to a vet, she was better. (no thanks to the vet for that improvement) Then we noticed she wasn't eating her food, and was hiding under Evi's bed all day.  Needless to say, we knew it was near the end.  The only time she didn't cry was when I held her, or she was in bed next to us.  It was very sad.  Scott told Evi that Flower was sick and had gone to the vet so that I could be there too to tell her.  One thing led to another, and we ended not telling her for like a week.  We were busy, and it was never a good time!  Cut me some slack here!

pooped

But finally I told her.  She didn't even cry!! She was too worried about getting outside to play.  But she has been sad about it.  Although, she has already asked if this means she gets to get a new kitty.  So don't worry grandparents, when you go, she'll just be ready to pick your replacement!  But really I'm glad.  She is too young to have to really understand the finality of death, and I hope she doesn't really have to for a long time!

Afro-buddy!

So...the same afternoon that she is informed that her cat has gone belly up after a "trip to the doctor,"  Eli ends up getting taken to an ER for croupe and she is abondoned by both her parents for a night.  I'm pretty sure she was a little worried Eli might not make it back either!

The ER experience was, well, honestly I don't know what to say it was.  Eli had had a cold and cough, and I had just taken him in to ready clinic the day before for an earache, and he had seemed to be doing better.  Then around 3pm I noticed his cough changed.  Scott and Evi left to visit family around 4:45 and by 5:15, he had gone down hill so fast I loaded him up and took to an urgent care near our house.  They, in turn, sent me to an ER.  At this point, Scott had left Evi with his mom and sister and met us there.  After a steroid shot and 3 rounds of breathing treatments, he hadn't improved all that much.  So Eli and I were loaded into an ambulance and driven to a children's hospital, which he loved every minute of. The saddest part was just before, when we had to help hold him still in order for an IV to be put into is poor little arm.  It was the hardest part of the whole night.  It was the only time I allowed myself to be emotional.  He just kept crying "carry you!"  which is what he says when he wants to be held.  It was hard.  But for the whole rest of the time, I just kept thinking about how many other people were in that hospital because their children were dying of horrible diseases...I could handle a little battle with croup, and be greatfull for it. 
He's doing better, and has shared his cold with us all and then some!  Luckily no more trips to the ER though!
Conversations with EVI:
EVI:  "I HAVE THE BEST GRANDMA, I TELL THEM BOTH THAT"
Mommy:  " That's pretty smart of you Evi."
EVI: "DON'T YOU MEAN THAT'S PRETTY SWEET OF ME?"