Christmas 2006

Christmas 2006 Newsletter

Hello, I had this great idea. I though since John and I were both feeling uninspired about writing a newsletter this year, maybe Gracie could give a good summary of the year for you. We finished a batch of banana bread, popped it in the oven and sat down to write.


Me, “ok, a newsletter usually says what we did this year.”
Gracie –(bouncing around)“ok, what did we do this year…..”
Me, “O.k., what do you think our newsletter should say this year? Do you need to use the bathroom? …..”
Gracie–(more bouncing and hanging on the computer desk.“No, Ok, tanks cot”
Me- “No, what did we really do this year?”
Gracie- “What did we do, Kay, “We went ta church, We went ta nursery, ahhh, we got hats and played, and had treats, and got our hats..”
Me-“ok, this newsletter should say what we did aaaalllll year since last Christmas….. hey don’t push on that you pushed the whole computer table over…… get that out of your mouth.”
John,- “Something’s burning isn’t it?”
Gracie, “I’ll go check”

Me, “ok. What else?’
Gracie “put your pinky up….”(smiling )
Me “No, for the newsletter Gracie, what did we do this year?”
Gracie “Um, decorate our Christmas tree. Um, trim the tree.. um…. Set up the tree I mean, weeee.. got our Christmas tree down?”

Gracie “We had so many days, I can’t remember. Just write everything down.”

Timer rings
Gracie “I better go check that”

Gracie and I go check the banana bread and come back.

Gracie Whispering “Let’s write about our best dad!”
Me ‘Ok what should we say about dad.”
Gracie. “He answers the telephone”
Me “what else?’
Gracie “uh, we made hats in nursery, Me, I mean my friends, That’s all we should write.”
Me –“We need to write about the rest of the family.”
Gracie –“Koko and Brit.”
Me –“o.k what should be write about them?’
Gracie – “Koko ate her breakfast.”
Me – “What did Brittani do in school and stuff?’
Gracie. “I don’t know because I REALLY didn’t hear about it.”
Me –“What about Emma, what did she do this year?”
Gracie –“She played for the rest of her life.”
Me- “What about Mama, you didn’t tell about me.”
Gracie- ok. You write about you.”
Me –“I don’t know what I did’Gracie- “I don’t know either…You worked…..”

Gracie finally surrenders to the restroom, comes back and hangs around the living room rolling around and doing the things a 4 year old does when she’s bored and tired.

Me “ Ok. What should I put for the rest of this newsletter?”
Gracie “NOTHING else, NOOOOOOOOOTHINg else.”
Me “Nothing?”
Gracie “NO”

So there you have it. Our year in a nutshell. John answers the phone, “Gracie goes to nursery, Emma plays really hard, Brittani does go to school but we don’t hear much about it, Koko ate, I did work though I often feel like I am starting back at the starting line by the end of the day, Kind of a interesting little cycle of insanity mingled with lots of giggles, tears, tons of drama, a few diapers, and finally a quiet, cool, pillow as a reward for the finishing of another day!


Ok, in real life….

John-Worked hard. It’s been a tough year for us with the loss of John’s dad and Brittani’s best friend in her accident in January. John’s been the strong one, taking over completely in the family business, and dealing with all the emotional strain and legal problems to do with the the accident too. He’s worked hard and enjoyed the business especially with the addition of his nephew David to the work crew.

Jackie – I’ve tried to keep a stiff upper lip, but it has gotten pretty limp sometimes, I have to admit. I have enjoyed this year though and have been very grateful for all the support I have had from everyone. I am very grateful for the faith my parents taught me to work at as it’s the only thing that gets a person through some of these trying times. I have had some fun with everyone though and Gracie is a good back up sometimes when I am feeling sluggish. “I’ll help you mom!”

Brittani – is really ready to graduate from High School. She was co captain of the cheerleading squad and cheered for the football season. She’s done really well to keep up things even when it’s hard. She’s counting down the days until she’s 18 too, ready to venture out, get a job, go to school, have some space! She’s had a lot of fun working for a wedding decorating/set up company. It keeps her really busy and there is even a motivating cute friend of the opposite gender who works there to keep her spirits and the corners of her mouth turned up!

Gracie – Gracie has had a fun year but does feel the stress at times too. When we talk we really have to watch it as she always has one ear cocked in our direction and is busily recording everything we say. She makes us laugh when she remembers what we said and uses some of the words later. “ACTUALLLY, I was going to play now mom.” Gracie loves to dance. I thought of putting her in a class but so far I think she enjoys her imaginary class with Emma and herself, with an occasional lesson in tumbling from Brittani!”

Emma – has really enjoyed herself as she has grown into her body. She’s tough and rough and enjoys running, jumping, singing, and of course following Gracie around playing babies. Her favorite word of the year is “hamburger” spoken with a slight European accent. She was surprised to learn what a hamburger really was at a football game but has really learned to like a good McDonalds burger.