I'm such a bad blogger lately...

I mean, really. It's been a WEEK!! (Well, one day shy, but still!!!)

SO, what's been keeping me busy? ... Um ... now I have to think.

Michael got his holiday bonus, so we've been doing Christmas shopping. The kiddos are talking a little more. They take one nap in the afternoon. My mom came up to visit last week.

I've been getting a lot of my Christmas gifts from people early.
I've mentioned (as in "sung the praises") our Sonicare toothbrush.
(Seriously, folks ... I'm running my tongue over my teeth like crazy when I use that puppy. I heart it so much!)

My mom got us new cookware ... which we needed. I now have my Caphalon set. I used it for the first time yesterday night. And, oh, I have assured her that were I not a stronger woman, I would love that cookware with a love that dare not speak its name. Truly, this is great cookware. I can't put it in the dishwasher ... but it's BEAUTIFUL and NON-STICK and WONDROUS.

And THEN, a couple days ago, Michael was talking about how he wanted to hide my present, but didn't know where to put it. I was thinking aloud and I suggested the shop, since I don't go out there a ton ... but he didn't want to leave it there (since that's where it was stowed for maybe an hour). And so, since he wanted it inside and knew that once I knew what it was, I'd want to get used to it before Christmas ... so I got it early.

He got me a great new digital camera!! Yay! And it takes BEAUTIFUL pictures and it's so different to use that I'm so glad I have this week to practice with it.

Yeah, I'm such a lucky girl. I totally don't deserve him. Or the rest of my family.

IN OTHER NEWS, Bucket is picking up new words.

Her latest acquisition? Fork ... which she pronounces "fruck." She's also working on her colors. The default color? "Pink."

Monday night, when a sister from church dropped by ... she was leaving and Bruise calls after her "Bye!!!" (which is pretty normal .... then he adds) "See you!!"

Funny little boy. He makes me laugh.

Earlier today he wanted to use the potty. So he got to. Nothing happened ... but I gave him five anyways. It's pretty cool that he wants to use the potty. (I need to get on the ball with feeding them regular meals and the whole potty-training thing.)

Oh, and Bruise with that mechanically-inclined brain of his ... he figured out how to remove the lens cap on my new camera. I had to give him a spank, since he's not supposed to rifle through things on the desk ... but secretly? I'm rather proud of him. I'd just prefer him to NOT practice on my expensive not-so-easily-replaceable things.

And the other day --- kiddos were closed in their room playing with blocks (so I could get a shower and a breather). Bruise started calling out "Daddy!!" (Which is how he refers to Michael AND me, no matter how many times I tell him that "No. I'm MOMMY.") and Bucket responds, "Daddy WORK." ... She and I have had many conversations PER DAY that --- well, here:

Bucket: Daddy gooooooh. (And this is said in the most PITIFUL voice.)
Me: Yes, Daddy did go. Daddy's at work. He works so we can have this house and food. He will come home. Daddy will come back.
Bucket: Daddy gooooooh. (If it's possible, this is said even more pitifully.)
Me: Where did Daddy go?
Bucket: Daddy wuk.
Me: That's right. Daddy's at work. He will come home later.

She's a bright little thing.
Not that Bruise isn't. They're just smart in different ways. Which, to think about it, is how it should be. ^_^