As all normal American families did (or at least the ones in my city), we spent last evening at Buffalo Wild Wings up to our elbows in barbeque sauce and wings, our eyes plastered to the big screen. It was the big Packers/Cowboys game. Even our children could feel the excitement and were yelling up at the screen, "Go Pack! Go Pack!" and Cate would cheer when she saw that one of the guys in green had the ball. She was only half watching though- she had brought along markers and paper and was keeping herself quite happily entertained with her pictures, stopping every once in awhile to look at the TV or ask me how to spell something. Joel was quite content to sit there and eat for three hours. Of course we all know the Packers lost, but it was a fun time anyway. And I'm sure we'll be back there in a couple of weeks despite the 45 minute wait and the deafening noise.

We just recently took our dreaded (by the parents) annual trip to Chuck E. Cheese. Thankfully the pizza is tasty and there are "shoot 'em up" games for the husbands. Actually, it always ends up being fun and we get such awesome prizes as eyeball rings, tootsie rolls and friendship bracelets. There's no better way to spend $50 and a half hour of your time.

Christmas is my favorite season. I love all the decorations, the smell of cinnamon, the sound of Bing singing "Have yourself a merry little Christmas...", the taste of eggnog and setting up the tree- which we've had done for over a week. Christmas means I can do some guilt-free shopping (my favorite pastime), and wrap gifts. My children will behave under the assumption (or maybe threat) that Santa Claus doesn't visit naughty little children. They make me giggle with their requests for a refrigerator, a car, and a baby sibling. Such things that they will not get. Happy holiday season to you all!