If we just spend the next 18 months digging

So, as Hailey would tell you, yesterday, Cooper goded to China. That's go-ded. Like the past tense of go.

Goated. Maybe that's better. Maa-Maa. Or goaded.

Anyway. I've taken this too far. He went. Very far indeed. But she doesn't like to say went, even though she knows that's the correct word. She told me so. Like it was really important information, this preference she's got for goded. He goded.

We watched the live tracker all day, and compared it to our own globe, as he flew over the North Pole and into oblivion. Brrr.

He'll be gone for 18 months, and by then, my guess is she'll be saying went, and all sorts of other interesting things to go with it. And so will her sister. Keelyn is about the same age Hailey was when Coop left for his second half of Peace Corps volunteering, and she will be about the same age Hailey was when he came home then, when he comes home next time. (If that makes any sense whatsoever. Go on. Read it again). Thinking of it that way makes it seem easier. Like we've done it before. Plus, this time he'll have a computer (as well as a working sewer system), and we can talk more regularly...even Skype (but not while using said working sewer system. Eww, no).

He's done a semester in Spain, a summer in Mexico, more than two years in Bolvia, and now a year and a half in China begins. I have been at the airport to bid him adieu each time. We will miss him. We will miss his silliness. His endless ability to entertain the kids. I will miss having my brother here. A drive away if necessary. But it's so exciting. He's doing so many exciting things. And it's already exciting to think of him coming home. Sometime, in 2011.

And when you think about it, 2010 is like, the day after tomorrow, so it's not that long at all.

And also, I can very clearly remember being young on the ride at Epcot where you see the "future people" using the phone where they can see one another, and very distinctly thinking I would not like that because they would be able to see what ever you were doing, so you better not be using your sewer system, if you know what I mean (and of course you do). Good thing us future people didn't create a webcam that sees 360 views, or we'd all be in trouble.

Christmas Wrap Up

It was certainly the first year we as parents experienced the true adrenaline that can potentially course through the veins of a child on the eve of Christmas. Let's just say, potential was exceeded. I swear there must have been fire crackers shooting straight out of the top of her head. Smoke coming out her feet. It was like someone slipped her ten cups of espresso and laced it with extra caffeine. Like a bouncy ball, you know the ones, the super balls.

That was her. A bouncing super ball, tripped up on Santa's Starbucks Special with a side of peppermint ice cream, topped with sparklers.

And it was singing Christmas carols to boot.

As we sat in the front row of the balcony at church, we watched Hailey's eyes twinkling with excitement, peering over the wall to see other children depict the story of the birth of Christ. I'd like to think it was the story that excited her, but my honest heart knows that was only half...the other half involved the clear knowledge that this meant there were just a few hours between her and presents.

I think the fact that this year she could actually remember what it was like last year, had a big impact on her level of excitement.

In the car on the way home from dinner, Keelyn's excitement began to grow as well, as the enthusiasm bouncing off her big sister's body was infectious. Hailey was squealing in the back seat of the car, hitting pitches we've not heard before. Keelyn, competing for air time, did the same without understanding just why. But she was excited just the same.

Hailey would say, "Santa's comin', Kiki! We go to bed tonight, and then in the mornin'...," and Keelyn would say, "No, want to, No!" Hailey GOT it. Presents were coming. Keelyn on the other hand, could only see as far into the future as the strange man who would be entering her house that evening. She'd tell you Santa was bringing presents, but also that she'd like him not to come. She must have figured he could deliver them another way. He is magic, you know.

As the kids fell to sleep, Santa's elves began the daunting task of MUCH assembly, accompanied by a similar amount of frustration and laughter. The energy of little children filled the house in a way it never had before, even as they lay sleeping.

Christmas morning was perfect. The kids crept down the stairs just as you might imagine they would. Just as you might remember from your own childhood. Hailey, racing down (sliding, to be exact), Keelyn a bit timid, watching first, calling to Hailey for reassurance. They hit the floor, looked to the fire place...and...just stood there. Neither of them knowing what to think. Santa actually brought them bikes. He really did it. Just like they wanted. And more impressive to Hailey than that, Elfie remembered to also tell Santa to add a new hat, scarf, and gloves to the list, and those were delivered as well. Pretty freakin' incredible.

A few seconds later, they seemed all warmed up to the idea, and lots of present opening ensued with speed, precision, excitement, and ample thank you's, hugs and kisses, tryings on, jumping, and running from room to room. Gifts included a baby doll station, a doll house, lots of doll clothes, dolls, and every other girly thing you can possibly imagine. It was all around delightful. I couldn't have asked for a better gift than to have my family all there warm and cozy together, smiling and appreciating the day.

So, Christmas lasted a few days as it always does for us, across a few houses, and with a lot of people...and I'm going to let the pictures show the highlights as usual.

Enjoy.

Merry Christmas

We hope your Christmas is filled with as much love as ours!! Merry Christmas!

And a video to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Catch-all, Catch-up, Catch-a-Reindeer

Truth be told, we've been extremely busy, and apparently a juggler of two big kids and all things Christmas I am not. Or at least not also including a blog entry here and there. This should have been about seven individual blog posts. Had I been a responsible blogger. A reasonable blogger. One who doesn't expect you to sit at your computer with your precious little tired-of-holding-your-credit-card-and-shopping-till-you-dropped-all-weekend hand at your mouse while you scroll.

Scroll for days.

And nights.

Of which there are only five to go. Five, ya'll.

So.

That does not allow for seven entries about all things Christmas tradition and otherwise Plunkett Holiday Season Fabulousness. Hence, a really freaking long post made mostly of pictures...and...you must scroll.

See? I was busy.
And we have cute kids to be busy with. Watching every single Christmas special ABC Family has to offer. In fact, we upgraded our satellite package this month after running only on basics for quite some time. Andrew would tell you it was for bowl season. I think it was Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and the Island of the Misfit Toys though.

Christmas lights! Outside!

Two little red-nosed reindeer, smooching.

Hard at work, diligently unfoiling kisses...and only eating a few.

Oh, and we were busy with Grandma, who we miss VERY much. She was here for about three weeks, and it's a real bummer having her gone now.

She has a good lap, and lots of energy for story times, as you can see.

So, we decorated the house, as I displayed here. Hailey was a huge help this year, and quite opinionated about how things should be.

Keelyn mostly serenaded us from her post here in the living room. She plays the roll of Cindy Lou Who quite nicely.

We made a gingerbread house, which lasted only two days before it was completely dismantled for eating. Keelyn barely made it through decorating a cookie before having a panic attack at the sight of all that sugar she could not eat at that moment. Right then. Now. Sugar.

Once again, Hailey took the job seriously...

...and did quite beautifully.

At some point way back at the beginning of the month, packages arrived from Grammi and Mike containing what has enhanced our Christmas season fun so much...a Little People Christmas Village.

See? Hours upon hours of play.

And at one point, I found all of Santa's reindeer, some village people and Santa himself lined up in front of the manger. Upon asking what was going on, Hailey explained, "They are playing peek-a-book with Baby Jesus!" See him back there?...Peek-a-boo!

Then of course we made cookies at Nana's, and I have so many pictures of this I can't narrow down any further...so here they are...

And last, a letter to Santa...complete with stickers, and glue, and coloring too.
And a drawing or two.
The final word was not so final. Since this letter, Hailey has visited with Elfie on a daily basis to go over the things she would like to add to her list.
Hailey is quite concerned about how that Big Man is going to fit down our chimney, since, well, we don't actually have one. She's thinking he'll just walk on in the front door. She's also a little nervous about going to sleep on Christmas Eve, and who can blame her? What, with the prospect of a strange man letting himself in the front door at who knows what hour of the night?

And.

Keelyn thinks a snowman is coming too. Ask her if Santa is coming, and her response is something like: Yeah! Pes-sets. Socking. Ma-an. Getha.

Christmas with kids is the best.