Our Santa Claus Photo

Do you notice someone that is missing from the picture? Where the heck is Santa Claus? Oh yeah, our kids were so freaked out by him that he left the picture. Ethan started crying even before it was our turn. He kept saying, "No Santa Claus" over and over. I tried setting the girls on his lap, and they clung to me with all of their strength. Everyone in line was laughing at us. So what started as a picture of our three kids with Santa turned into a very expensive but crappy family photo. Mike said it was the worst five minutes of his life. Hahaha. I got a good laugh out of it.

And, once again, I am the only one looking at the camera. Too funny! I asked Mike why he wasn't looking at the camera, and he said he was looking at Santa. Ethan and Mia were also watching Santa. I have no idea what Riley was looking at.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ethan and Mia!

I can't believe my babies are all ready 3. It's kind of bittersweet. I want them to be more independent but it's going way too fast. The years are slipping away from us! They've grown from little preemies to toddlers with minds of their own who will be starting preschool in two weeks. I'm so thankful that we were chosen to be their parents. I couldn't imagine life without them. We're so blessed to have been given these children!

Their party was very simple and laid-back. We ordered some subs from Subway. I made some taco soup, and my dad made his potato soup. The potato soup recipe came from my Great-Grandma Krause. She used to make it to feed her family during the Great Depression. It's very basic but very good. And, of course, we had a cupcake cake and ice cream. I thought we had made too much food, but it was about perfect.

I was able to get undertime on Saturday night, so I stayed home from work. It was so nice not being tired and groggy for their day! But that meant that I had to do the grocery shopping, cleaning, and cooking. Maybe I should have went to work that night! :)

Ethan and Mia were way more into blowing out their candles and opening their presents this year. I really don't think they knew that it was their birthday. They knew they were having a party but I'm sure they were wondering what in the heck was going on. They had a blast playing with their cousins, Uncle Nathan, and new presents.

Shrek and Donkey.

Completely wiped out.

Blowing out their candles.

Mia only likes to eat the frosting. She was taking handfuls of it when she thought no one was watching.

Ethan ate two cupcakes in a matter of seconds.

Uncle Nathan and Cousin Janai.

Riley bugging Jude. Jude did not feel well at all, and Riley kept pestering her. They got into a couple of fights!

A John Deere tractor--from Grandma and Grandpa Krause.

A gift from Aunt Sarah.

Toy Story 3--from Aunt Jenna.

Gifts from Aunt Sarah.

The hat set is from Aunt Jenna. The zhu zhu pets are from Grandma and Grandpa Krause.

Our gift to them--a wooden kitchen set. Uncle Mark bought them a food set and an ice cream set to go with their kitchen.

Happy 9th Birthday, Janai!

Here are some pictures of Janai's birthday party at Chuckie Cheese's. It's a pizza place with lots of games for kids. I had to work that night, so Mike took the kids. He had lots of help because my sister, Jenna, was there, along with my dad and brother. It looks like they had a great time!

Sarah is probably going to kill me for posting this picture. It was the only one of her. I guess I'll know when she reads my blog next!

About Ready to Go Insane

The kids got ahold of a black permanent marker. I don't think the pictures need much explaining. When I asked who did it, Ethan said, "Mia" and then he said, "Riley." When I asked Mia who did it, she said, "Ethan." They've all ready mastered the blame game! If I was a betting person, my bet would be on Ethan. Hands down.

A couple hours after this happened, Ethan got ahold of my eyeliner. He put it all over his legs. It was the kind that is supposed to last for 24 hours. I tried washing it off his legs, and it would not budge, even with soap. There's still some on his legs, and this happened a couple of days ago!

I caught him with yet another permanent marker writing on my dishwasher again. This time, he scrubbed it off.

Christmas Cards

These are the pictures I used for our Christmas card this year. You should be getting them in the mail soon! I would have liked to have taken the kids in and had them done professionally, but I ran out of time. I really want to get a family picture done. The last one we did was last Christmas (when no one would look at the camera but me. haha) My older sister is getting married in April, so that may be our chance.

Ethan and Mia turn 3 on Sunday! I can not believe my babies are going to be 3! We are not having a party for them this year. I have to work the entire weekend. Bummer! We had a Christmas party planned the weekend before their birthday and the weekend after is Christmas, so it just didn't work out. Maybe we'll do something later for them! I feel kind of bad. We're having a few family members over on Sunday for food, cake, and ice cream. I ordered them a Shrek cake since that is their new favorite movie. We'll make a party out of it.

My niece, Janai, is turning 9 on Friday. I have to work, so I'll be missing her birthday party at Chuckie Cheese's. (I seriously need to get a new job! I miss out on everything fun.) Mike is going to take our three to the party. My sister, Jenna, will be in town to help him out. It should be fun for the kids. They are really getting into playing games, especially skeeball.

Ethan's speech sessions are going much better since Mia is involved. I guess he just needs his little sister there with him. Since she now qualifies for speech, I'm not sure how the sessions are going to work. I asked Laura today, and she's going to get back to me. Each one should technically get 45 minutes. Right now, they're sharing the 45 minutes.

I can't believe Christmas is in a week. What's even more unbelievable is that I'm done with my Christmas shopping. Last year, I started a few days before Christmas. My mom came down and watched the kids for me for a day, so I got a lot done then. Our new oven is also our Christmas present to each other, so that made shopping for Mike extremely easy. We're planning on going to St. Cloud for Christmas, along with my entire side of the family. My sister, Amber, is hosting this year in her new house with WHITE carpet. Yeah, that doesn't make me nervous or anything! I all ready told her to take her Christmas ornaments off her tree. The kids take the bulbs and chuck them across the room. I guess they think they're balls. They were breaking them as fast as I was putting them on our tree, so I took the remainder and packed them back up!