Simply Selby: Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas 2018!

So Christmas 2018! What sweet memories. We have decided since coming home from the hopsital with Mallory as a baby on Christmas Eve, that we would try our best to not run around on Christmas and just enjoy family at home. This has worked so well for us and it really does make things special. But with family members aging and appreciating more and more the value of family, we may have to change that in the years to come. As nice as it is, I think I am ready to add the crazy back in just to enjoy the company of those we love a bit more. There are just certain things that you can't get back and time with family is one of those. So watch out Christmas 2019...we may be getting CrAzY...and could be the next time I post on this blog. (lol)

Mallory was sure excited this year. She had several things on her list and a kitty was at the top. I sadly ran over her cat back in the fall and she has been wanting one ever since. Mick wanted one indoors, I did not...so the kitty debate began. I WON...for now...We went to Facebook of course and Micks' wonderful cousin had EXACTLY what we were looking for. So Mick snuck out on Christmas Eve and retrieved the kitty. Mallory had no idea. As far as she knew and what we discussed was that there was no way we were getting another kitten and that it wasn't going to be allowed.

Christmas morning when she went downstairs, the little sucker meowed right when she walked by. I thought she had heard it but she kept on going. (later she told me she had). The girls proceeded to open their gifts and Toys R Us could have reopened in our living room. It's still a disaster. (other items at the top of her list was a bracelet maker and a rubix cube...lol!) After all gifts were opened and she was starting to play, Mick went out and got the kitten. She heard it meowing as he came in and she lit up! She was sooo happy! I may or may not have teared up....BUT that moment stopped pretty quickly when Morgan FREAKED out....she was TERRIFIED of the kitten. Like shaking, screaming, look of terror! NOT AT ALL what we were expecting from her. Maybe she had flashbacks of me running over her other cat!?!?

I kid you not, I do not think Mallory played but ten minutes on any other gift all day long. She played with that kitty and was happy as could be. We didn't turn the tv on all day long. It was so nice.

Morgan received many gifts as well but her favorite (not the kitty) was a baby doll. She was so sweet with it. The baby can cry and she would get a look of "OH NO" when it would cry and would hold it close, pat its back and bounce the baby in her arms. It was super cute to witness. She also got a dancing Elmo that she was pretty fond of. We also got her a "roller coaster". She LOVED it. Anything with speed and danger....

Overall, a very nice day celebrating the birth of Jesus. I was a bit concerned the night before as Morgan had a few vomiting episodes but apparently didn't lead to anything as she acted fine and was fine all day on Christmas.

Now, to rat on myself. I had two funny mishaps this Christmas...you all know I couldn't go without one of these. First, was one of Mick's gifts. Last year, North sent home shirt order forms for spirit wear. He kept talking about how he wanted one of the hoodies. I thought it was ridiculous that he would actually want a sweatshirt from North Elementary so I didn't purchase one for him. He talked about that sweatshirt ALL YEAR LONG. I thought...no problem...I will just order one that comes out this school year. NOPE....they were not as attractive and he didn't like this year's design. So I decided I would just order last year's for him for Christmas. I searched and searched for the order form from last year. Finally, got a list of several designs. Picked out the "right one". So tried to get the printer to print....couldn't...had to order more than 6!! Nope...don't need 6 North Elementary hoodies...probably don't even need one. So back to the drawing board....finally found someone to print it. Super excited for him to open....opens it and "likes" it. Later tells me.....I ordered the wrong design....UGGHHH!

I tried so hard....he laughed, I laughed harder...and I will be printing ANOTHER North Elementary hoodie that I'm still pretty confident that he will never wear.
Second mishap....I typically make ham, mashed potatoes, vegetable, rolls, salad, etc. for Christmas Eve and then we have left overs for Christmas and don't have to cook anything. This year...I thought I would attempt a turkey again. I tried this several years ago....and it was a FLOP. Not sure what I did but I cooked it forever and it was still raw...we threw it away. So I saw that you can buy the turkey in a bag....it says FAIL PROOF on the bag!!! So I followed the directions to a T!! T as in turkey! Mick pulled it out and started to carve.....somewhat cooked on one side...completely raw on the other!! WHAT!?!?! It was FAIL PROOF....nope I managed to still screw it up. So we tried to salvage and continue to cook but then I overcooked it and it was the exact scene from Christmas Vacation....loud hard chewing and tossing it over your shoulder....yep....we threw it away again. I am doomed when it comes to TURKEYS! The cookie baking was delayed since we were using the oven for the turkey....just a mess. So then....didn't think in advance that we wouldn't have left overs for Christmas Day...thought we would have turkey for days! So after realizing no one was open....I cooked again....chicken alfredo! The perfect Christmas Day dinner. lol!

We captured Santa peeking at our ornaments.

Christmas morning

That tongue...

She was so excited about her ELMO!

When she was ready for another present...she would walk up to the tree and do this and say MORE....too cute

This little gal was excited too.

BUT this was the BEST surprise of all! She plays with it every second she can. That kitty is going to be SPOILED like Mallory.

Pathway Festival of Trees

This pic pretty much sums up how Morgan felt about Santa. She LOVED him from a distance and would talk about him all the time....just hated him when she was too close.