is fast creeping up on us.  I am running out of time and ideas. 
My children, and what to get them.  Things that are out of the running...toys that make a lot of noise, toys that they already have 3 or more of, toys that rot their brain, candy that rots their teeth.  They have plenty of clothes, Logan more so than Tristan though.  They have tons of books.  I don't know.  I know they really don't care, and I know that Christmas isn't about presents, it's about the Real reason for the season, and about family and love and appreciating the things we have, but I still love the looks on their faces when they open a present and get all excited.  I want to get them things that are going to stimulate their brains and make them well adjusted adults in time.  We still don't even have our tree yet. Working second shift has it's benefits, but it also has its disadvantages.  I'm pulling my hair out by the roots and I need to just remind myself, to stop, breathe, and relax a little.  Let God's love warm me. And focus on what I can do right now.  I need to ask myself, is this something that you can solve in the next 8 hours?  If the answer is no, I'm going to stop thinking about it and focus on the good things going on right now.  

So, this evening we ventured out to the local shopping mall with my Mom and my Sister to attempt the annual tradition of getting a really over priced picture taken while sitting on Santa's lap.  I hadn't anticipated a problem with Tristan being afraid of Santa because he did so well last year, and he'd been begging all day to go.  When we got there though, he was being shy and flipped out, even when I tried to get him to talk to Santa.  He told Neena that he was being "a little shy".  Logan wasn't too big on the idea either.  He sat on the big guys lap but didn't look particularly thrilled about it, so we left and headed over to the craft store to get some supplies for home made ornaments.  We got to hang out a little bit with Neena and Aunt Val at the craft store and when he couldn't see her, Logan started yelling "NEEEEENA" it was so cute.  He's picking up new words every day.  Cory kept asking Tristan how Santa was going to know what to get him since he didn't tell him.  I kept telling him to stop picking on the kid.  But then, shortly after my Mom and Sister left, with about 5 minutes till the closing of Santa's castle, he decided that he definitely had to sit on Santa's lap.  I stayed at the craft store to check out with our purchases while Cory sprinted to Santa with the little ones.  By the time I caught up, the pictures were taken, the Christmas wishes whispered to the Jolly old soul, and the only thing left was to purchase the over priced photo.  There's a few of Tristan and Santa, and a few of both of the boys and Santa, but Logan was not having any solo time.  Apparently he was only brave enough to sit with Santa when his big brother was there to protect him.  The bond that they have is so awesome.  So, with out further ado,  pictures...

This one turned out perfectly.  Ah, the power of the lollipop.

  Ah, I'm going to escape...

  I want a race track this big...

  Alrighty, maybe this guys not so bad.

Can't get him to stop talking now.  I love it.
No Santa, I don't want to let you go!

Children are a most amazing phenomenon.  What is the most kid-friendly of all kid-friendly foods?  Peanut Butter and Jelly (That is for children without nut allergies, anyways).  My kid won't eat it.  Spaghetti?  Won't eat it.  Actually he will on some days but that's only if there is no sauce on it and it's exactly the right texture.  Chicken nuggets?  Only if he's in the right mood.  Long story short, my son is extremely picky about what he will eat.  Extremely. 
What is he walking around eating right now?  A celery stick.  What kind of kid won't eat Mac and Cheese but will request Broccoli and munch on Celery Sticks?  Mine.  That's what kind.  Meanwhile, his younger brother is a miniature human garbage disposal and will eat absolutely anything in sight.  *sigh*
I've been decorating for Christmas over the last few days and running into a slight problem.  Since we downsized into an apartment approx a third or less the size of the old apartment, I have no idea where to put all this stuff. LOL.  At the old place I had two fireplace mantels that I could cover with decorations.  Here?  Not so much. Plus the littlest thinks that it is his God given duty to eat every decoration I put anywhere remotely near his grasp. 
I love the way that the boys are really starting to interact, and play with each other.  It is a very precious sight.  They chase each other around the house, or play in their playroom together with their animal toys making animal noises.  They snuggle in bed (they each have a bed but they prefer to sleep together, for the time being that's okay with me.). And Tristan makes it clear that he is the protector of his little brother Ogaly Bogaly (Logan). 
I think I am finally starting to adjust to my job.  Most days I get extremely frustrated with people being rude or inconsiderate or condescending, but I'm learning to let it roll off my back and not bother me.  I'd almost venture to say that I am getting better at work, but I'm not sure.  My stats are improving but it's hard to sell something when a customer calls in with a complaint on their account.  Cranky people don't usually like hearing a sales pitch, it seems. 
Things are settling down at home.  Cory's sister moved out, so we rearranged rooms and made the biggest bedroom into a playroom/spare room.  It gives the kids room to play without me hollering because I'm stepping on toys every other second.  And it makes it easier to shut off the tv and make the kids go engage in some creative play, which is something I've been wanting to enforce for a while now.  Logan will mimic just about anything you say which is quite adorable.  His vocabulary is growing day by day and now if I am teasing him, he say, "sssstttttooooooooopppppppp" in his  whiny/laughy little voice.  It cracks me up.  Tristan speaks little a little adult.  We were shopping the other day and Cory and I got seperated.  I assumed Cory had Tristan and Cory assumed I had him.  When I realized that was not the case, I sprinted through the store to find him and I heard myself being paged over the PA system.  When I got up to the register the ladies told me that he had said, "I'm Tristan with a T, and I need my Mommy".  Needless to say, I was so relieved I cried, and seriously considered digging out his leash.  (Before I get angry comments about how leashing a child is cruel, consider this...  If you put a child in a stroller, what purpose does that serve?  It limits his movement and keeps him with you. A leash does the same thing.  At least on a leash the child has the opportunity to explore in a safe way, limited to near you.  Also, I've only ever used it in very crowded and potentially dangerous situations such as holiday shopping, or high traffic areas.  He has an aversion to handholding and turns his little fingers into butter to slip out of the tightest grasp.  When I am shopping by myself with him and his little brother, who is still stroller bound most days, since he's still so small, I would rather get dirty looks from judgemental people and know that my toddler is not going to run off while I am putting Logan's boot back on because it fell off for the 473rd time, than risk losing him  or having him kidnapped or injured in traffic. *getting back down off my soap box now*).
This was supposed to be a short post but is getting longer by the minute. LOL.   I really must go now and attend to my home made turkey soup that is bubbling.  Have a great day all!