Christmas

Christmas was just as busy as every year, but I enjoyed watching the children even more than last year. Especially Jasmine, as I wrote in my last post. She is so enthusiastic about everything.

They are thoroughly enjoying their presents from everyone, which included games, puzzles, trains, cars, umbrella, purses, jewelry, clothes and various other things. It looks like it's time to reorganize their bedroom now. :)

Josh surprised me with my Christmas/Anniversary present in a note on my pillow. We're going to New Orleans for a weekend in January! I've been looking up restaurants and museums to see while we're there.

It should be a fun weekend! :)

Shopping with Jasmine

Jasmine and I went shopping today. She is an excellent little shopper...far better than her mother. I suppose on the "shopping scale" (that only exists in my brain), she's your average girl. I, however, sit on the lower end of that scale. I sit pretty close to where your average male would be. I DO take spurts of "shopping madness", but after about 2 hours of walking around, I'm over it. I like to go get what I have on my list to buy or look for and then I'm done. I used to love shopping when I was a teen. I'm not sure what happened between then and now, unless perhaps it's the 3 (really 4) kids I now have. Children do tend to make things more exciting on a shopping trip, but also longer...and this inhibits my ability to get in and out at a fast pace and be done.

For example, today is the Saturday BEFORE Christmas. I had to do some last minute Christmas shopping, which is unfortunate in and of itself because I hate waiting this long to finish. I knew Mobile would be busy. I tried to prepare myself for horrendous crowds and parking. I also tried to prepare Jasmine for the continual hand holding she would have to endure because of said crowds. She obediently complied, without complaint I might add. She enjoyed EVERYTHING. She loves Christmas lights. She loves balloons. She loves rocking horses. She loves wind chimes. She loves candy. She loves trains and carousels and jewelry and nail polish and every little thing we went by. She talked and pointed and touched and exclaimed to her hearts content all day long. It was a long trip...a long day...but I'd do it again. I love to see the wonder and excitement on her face over everything. All the world is a new experience to her and it's such fun to watch. :)