Before And Aftermath

We picked Logan up on the 20th for Christmas. It's been nine months since his last visit. Nine months is a long time to go without seeing your eleven year old son! I tried to embrace our differences this time. I tried really hard not to try too hard. And it was such a nice visit. Sam and Zoe are smitten with him although they don't understand that he's their brother. They call him "Friend Logan" and that's okay right now. They're too young to understand what Joe refers to as my "scandalous past"...


Zoe puts her "finishing touches" on the tree before we go to Joe's parent's house on Christmas Eve. She's been very helpful...


Mammaw put up a new tree up in her kitchen. Zoe was very "helpful" with it, too.



Sam did his part by blowing out all of her candles. I think he's going to be a fire marshall when he grows up.



Then it was on to the present opening extravaganza. They received lots of things with lots of pieces. Oh well....



I've already posted a photo of Joe working diligently to assemble for Santa. Logan stayed up forever! He wanted to discuss the fact that he no longer believes in Santa. I don't push the Santa thing. I decided to make a joke of it. He is almost twelve years old. I put out this blonde afro (complete with pick) and a card that read, "Because your faith in Santa is beginning to slide, he decided you must wear the Christmas fro while opening all of your gifts on Christmas morning. Sincerely, Santa's Helper."


You see how much he loved it :o)


Zoe was a little freaked out by the talking vanity but she warmed up to it after Sam tried to move it into his room.


Speaking of Sam, his favorite gift was the Spiderman costume. He's been in it now for days.


Logan's favorite gift was the flying helicopters. They were extra special cool. We all played with them...


See? They were a big hit and only $7.97 at Goodwill!


Friday night, I took Logan out to eat, shop and to see a movie. It was a lot of fun but odd. He's as tall as I am now and we were a little nervous out together. It was very much like a first date. I took him to eat Chinese, then we saw "Bedtime Stories" (yes, God help me, it was a Adam Sandler movie) and visited Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream afterwards. On our way to the car, I took this picture of him at the fountain. It had bubbles and bright, shiny lights in it. We couldn't resist.



Yesterday, we took Logan back to his dad. I'm going to do my best to keep busy and try not to worry. So, I decided what better way to keep busy than take down Zoe's crib and put her in the daybed. I worried the first night would be a doosie. Her first nap was spent under the daybed rather than on it. But as you can see from the pictures, she went right to sleep!



And she slept just like this all night long until 8:30 this morning. All I've wanted for Christmas for some time now, is for my children to sleep in their own beds. Maybe I got my wish this year?


That's about it. Christmas is over.
I'm glad, I admit it.
Now, let's get on with it!