This happened, more than would have been my personal preference, but I'm not in charge.
But that wasn't the ONLY thing that happened. And I felt LESS horrible in the mornings, and didn't get sick then, so we were able to do some fun things as a family. I've been documenting some of our shenanigans on Facebook and Instagram, but not ALL of them. And not all of YOU are getting those updates.
So, lets catch you all up, shall we? Seven Quick Takes style? Done.
1. Christmas
As with the Grinch, morning sickness did NOT stop Christmas from coming. It came. Even though I felt barfy, it came all the same.
So . . . we got a Christmas tree.
And despite all my high ideals and my blog posts and radio interviews about the virtues of a simple Christmas, it wasn't a COMPLETE success.
The big kids have neighborhood jobs, and they earn money, and they bought each other gifts, and those gifts were toys. *I* did manage to stick to my guns and the kids' gifts from Santa, and from mom and dad were activities and one group technology gift. And they were perfectly happy. But they got some toys from each other, and it was okay. I may try to talk them into going in on something together next year, or I may just keep my mouth shut and let them be generous to one another in their own way. Only time will tell.
Christmas Eve was new jammies and a group reading of a kids' theatrical version of A Christmas Carol. Anita really stole the show as Scrooge.
Christmas Day was Mass in our new duds, and the Nativity play, and my first Yule Log!
2. Also Christmas
The rest of the Twelve Days of Christmas included a boxing tournament for Boxing Day:
Plus Christmas cookie-baking, and Christmas movie-watching (but not until all the Santas are lined up properly).
3. New Year's
As is our family habit, we celebrated New Year's Eve a few hours early.
So we could hit an early Mass for Our Lady, and head for the Rose Parade.
The floats were impressive as usual: dragon, phoenix, trampoline guy, Jesus. The works.
My sister and her family have been in town visiting us. Anita and her cousin Emma are best of friends.
4. The Getty
The husband got some time off of work, which was lovely. He took the boys and girls on separate outings, while I lolled about the house. But one of the days I did manage to put my big girl pants on and head out to do some art appreciation' at The Getty.
We got to see a very Catholic, very counter-reformation collection of huge tapestries designed by Rubens, alongside the oil painting "sketches" he made to prepare for them.
Hey! Look out Martin Luther and John Calvin, here comes Time . . . and Truth . . . and a, um, Dragon? Oooh, that's got to hurt.
We also saw a collection of WWI propaganda art (this poster predates King Kong by two decades). And various lovely paintings, including this one, which I can only assume is what made the lullaby Rock a Bye Baby necessary in the first place. Doesn't look like a great plan.
And, since there's only so much art kids can look at at one time, we also let them run around like maniacs outside, and roll down the lovely rolling-down hill.
5. Epiphany
Epiphany also came, and the Three Wise Men left some treats in our shoes, and Anita found the ring in our King Cake and got to be Queen for the day. She requested pineapple pizza and root beer floats for dinner, and that's what she got.
6. The Beach
While the rest of the country is in the throes of yet another Polar Vortex (or so I hear on Facebook), the weather has been lovely since just after Christmas here in Los Angeles. We've been inspired to actually take advantage of it, since my sister and my two little nieces will be heading back to Iowa soon (brrrrr).
The beach. Really, you can't beat it.
7. And Frankie's Been Frankie
He didn't SAY it was a self portrait. But it's a pretty uncanny likeness. I gotta say, I know how doodle Frankie feels.
And that was that. I really have been feeling much better the last couple of days. I have an OB appointment next week, so we'll all get to find out about when to expect this little troublemaker.