Besides decorating, our Christmas season always starts with a Santa picture.
Our 9 year anniversary was on Dec. 13th, and we decided to take a long weekend and go to the mountains without the girls. It was our first time leaving Lauren. She was fine after the first day. She and Alli stayed with my parents for one night, then Alli went to GiGi and Pappy's house for the rest of the weekend. I didn't want my mom to be overwhelmed with them both!
We stayed at the Buckhorn Inn, a bed and breakfast we stayed at on our first anniversary. We hadn't had any alone time in a LONG time! It was nice! We went ice skating, hiking, shopping, and were just able to enjoy each other without the responsibilities at home.
On Alli's Christmas list was a Dreamlight, A Stuffy, and a sheep for Lauren...where she got this idea of a sheep, I still have no idea. Alli was really into Santa this year. Our elf, Maxi made it's grand appearance just after Thanksgiving, and even delivered a note from Santa to Alli. Basically, Santa's note said if she didn't change her attitude, she might be moved to the naughty list! The reminder of Santa's note worked occasionally. On Christmas Eve, Alli was so scared Santa was going to come while she was up and not leave anything. It was hysterical how serious she was about going to bed. Santa did come to the Sielicki house. He brought Alli a Barbie Jammin Jeep, a Dreamlight, a Tinkerbell DVD, Cinderella DVD, and some other goodies. He brought Lauren a stuffed sheep, an activity table, a dancing dog, and some other goodies. YES, Alli did receive her Stuffy...it came from GiGi and Pappy.
I was off of work from Christmas Eve-January1. We haven't been off for that long of a stretch at Christmas in a while. It was nice! Chris was off that time too, except the day after Christmas. We spent our New Years Eve with the Buzzell's watching the Clemson game (Peach Bowl). We toasted in the New Year around 7pm because we knew we wouldn't make it until midnight. Good thing we did! Chris headed over to The Richardson's after the big win to be "manly" and smoke meat for their New Year's Day party. We went over and had lunch with them on New Year's Day.
This week was back to reality...Chris and I went back to work on Wed., and the girls went back to school. At least it's a half week...a good way to ease back in.
I'll be teaching again at TriCounty Tech this semester. My class starts back on Jan. 16. Alli goes back to gymnastics that week as well. Looks like mid-Jan. will be quite busy.
Lauren's doing well. When we went in early Dec. for her 2nd RSV vaccine, she had moved into the 30th percentile for weight. I have a feeling she might be close to the 50th by the time we go for the 3rd RSV vaccine in mid-Jan. She had a slow weight gaining start, but has really caught up. What a relief! The flu has been crazy this year, and so have other upper respiratory bugs. We had a little scare right before Christmas. I was called at work because her teacher said she was sneezing, had a runny nose, and was running a low grade fever. I got the wheels turning by going ahead and calling the pulmonologist's office. They said to just watch her and see how she does. The next day, she was perfectly fine. I guess it was just a "fire drill." We've been lucky so far, and are praying that God continues to keep Lauren healthy. The longer she can stay healthy, the better!
