Falling into place.

This is such a crazy time of year. Obviously most of it has to do with the holidays. However, because its the end of the year we have parent/teacher conferences, the start of basketball (you have to have something athletic to do during the winter months), and Riley will be three (!) in two weeks. This week is extra crazy because of all of that.

As I was saying, this is conference week. Yesterday, today and tomorrow are all half days at school. That in itself brings about chaos, because I have to get in my day before the girls get home early. Kellen and Jenna both had their conferences yesterday, so at least the pressure is off today. They both had great reports from their teachers. I can't speak for everyone else, but I am always so nervous before those meetings. You just have to hope that everything is going well at school and give up that control (which is REALLY hard for me to do). Jenna had a hard time settling in to school. She would much rather be there to socialize and play than to have to do any real work. It took her about two months to figure out that wasn't going to change. And now, the only "bad" report is that she talks. A LOT. Of course, I have no idea where she might get that. Kellen is having a FABULOUS year. She loves her teacher and so do we. He told us that she is doing excellent and she is also going to receive a reward on Friday for citizenship. (Shhh, she doesn't know, yet.)

On Monday, I had Brownies. Kyle usually tries to work from home, so that I can leave numbers 2 and 3 home. Unfortunately, since he was off three days last week, he had to be in the office. So...joy of joys...2 and 3 went with me. Maybe it was a combination of the post-Thanksgiving giddiness and pre-Christmas excitement and having a (almost) THREE YEAR OLD running around, but the girls were Terrible (notice that capital T). My troop is getting ready for the big Holiday Craft Fair that we participate in each year. It's this coming Saturday and I will be so glad when its over. We have been making crafts and planning and preparing for weeks. After the meeting, I came home totally frazzled and ready for a drink. Not pleasant.

Riley turns 3 in eight days. I cannot believe that my baby is going to be three! Where did that time go? As I have mentioned before, she has a severe speech delay and a slight gross motor delay. She has been receiving services from Birth to Three for almost two years now. When she turns 3, the school system will take over those services. Since her birthday is right around the corner, the school wanted to start this week with their program. So...we have been doubling up her appointments this week (and next), which has made this crazy week even crazier.

On top of these things, I was also in charge of ordering the shirts for Kellen's music program at church. That has been one long hoop-jumping fiasco. I finally got that all taken care of this morning. What a relief to have that done.

Then, there is that major thing called Christmas looming over my head. Decorating. Making the Christmas lists. Shopping. Christmas cards. Baking. Finding those darn calendars with the chocolates in them just like I had when I was a kid because it's a tradition!!!!

Things are starting to fall into place and I am so glad. All of those things that were stressing me out are getting done. The shirts are ordered. The conferences went great. Riley's new therapists are wonderful. The craft fair will be over soon. As for the Christmas stuff? I am trying REALLY hard not to stress over that. Every year we have such grand plans and this year I want it to be easy-going, fun and focused on our family. I know that somehow things will get done. I want my girls to remember what Christmas is all about.


By the way, after going to six different stores I finally found the Christmas count-down calendars with the chocolates in them. Hmmm, so much for no stress.