Christmas, plus a gift no one wants

Well, Christmas 2011  has come and gone, and it was a really fun one around here. There's been too much eating, general spoiling of children (and mommy), and a whole lot of clutter in my house.

Let's start with Christmas Eve. Last year, we made our own rule that on Christmas Eve, and ONLY on Christmas Eve, you are allowed to touch your Elf on the Shelf. This started because last year, Ava was devastated to have to say good-bye to Simon, so I fake emailed a note from Mrs. Claus saying that we could hug our elf goodbye. So, here's Ava, saying so long 'til next year. And 'Peace Out', apparently.

Sleep came too late due to excitement, but the husband and I only had to stay up until 11:30 doing Santa. 

Santa did not disappoint: 

Davis was not all that into opening gifts, but he liked to gasp upon opening.

My little bookworm loves her dictionary. Could she be the next Great American Novelist?

This post-Christmas week has been good, up until about 2am this morning. I heard Davis calling for me and came in to find his crib filled with last night's dinner. Gross. I'll say this: I can handle just about anything except for vomit. Ava gets these crazy nosebleeds, and I don't bat an eye at the blood. Snot can pour from noses and I just wash my hands more and shower in hand sanitizer. But throw up? Oh my gosh. I just can't take it. One whiff and I want to run away screaming. I feel the need to douse the entire house in Lysol. And I just live in fear and anticipation of the next bout. Plus, I start feeling sick myself and wondering if I'm about to be down for the count.

Anyway, we had several more episodes through the night. The only silver lining is that Davis is quite the comedian, and he had Morgan and me in stitches with his running commentary about what was going on. 

So far this morning, we're all good, save for a low fever, but I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm sure Ava is next, then me. Morgan usually avoids these things. I guess that if I get it, I can maybe count on losing the weight I've gained from so much eating?