So it's been forever...I know.

Jesus: Since the buffalo that he used to feed have all been sold, he has had to adjust to actually punching a time card at the start and end of each work day. He misses the buffalo but has made the adjustment quite well and the folks at the main office now get to see what a truly hard worker he is. He has also enjoyed showing off his birthday present -- lots of new clothes from my mom that look really good on him. And he knows it. :P

BethAnn: Nothing new here. Same old weekend job. I've been sick with a head cold -- nothing serious, just enough to make me not want to go anywhere. I will also be enjoying my Christmas present from my mom & stepdad: a membership subscription to AWHONN, the national association for OB/GYN/Neonatal nurses.

Daniel: By far the most exciting member of our family. Wakes up every morning bounding out of bed and shoving our bedroom door wide open and yelling "MOMMY! PLAY!" Their preschool is out for Christmas right now; he missed their Christmas program and the last day due to an illness that his PNP thinks could have been strep or bronchitis. He's on Amoxil (aka "yummy medicine") and Albuterol (aka "yucky medicine") and seems to be doing better. He also has greatly enjoyed Christmas presents from Yaya & Pappy. A Tickle Me Elmo, several books, Elmo slippers, a Thomas the train tote box to carry either train paraphernalia or matchbox cars, and a loaner flashlight from my mother.

His newest thing is to use one of his toys -- preferable an Elmo (one of the many he has) or his flashlight -- to hit his talking teddybear. At which point he growls in a crescendoing voice "Elmo!!" (or "flashlight!", as the case may be) and takes the offending character to a spot in the hall designated as the time-out chair. He stands watch until said toy has completed its stay in time-out, then picks it up, gives it a hug/kiss, and it may return to playing as long as it can be a "good boy." I think it is a great way for him to remember the consequences of certain actions without him being the one in time-out.

If we don't meet in cyber-space before then, have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Or as they say south of the border, "Felíz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo!"