So I figured out how to work the thermostat in the house finally. I was freezing all morning, but I just went over and pushed the up arrow on the little control box and now we're up to almost 78. I am thinking of filling up a swimming pool in the kitchen. It's absolutely balmy.

Last night there was a bit of a war of the wiener dogs, or more appropriately, of where the wiener dogs would sleep. The last mandate issued was that neither of them could be held hostage in anyone's bed, and all four of the giant squeaky toys (best 7.99 I EVER spent) were to absolutely remain downstairs. whether by force or choice, it may never be determined, but the dogs spent the night in Halle's bed, which, in an ironic twist of justice, resulted in her getting up three times in the night to take them potty. The first time I thought there was an intruder downstairs, and was headed down to show him where all of the marketable children were, but it was just Halle lurking sullenly by the sliding door waiting for cinnamon to finish her business, which apparently was quite pressing at three AM. Kudos to her, though, the little red dog. The renegade sister opted to stay in where it was warm and try to hide her business in the nearest pile of clean laundry to her hind end. I hope macKenzie noticed as she was getting dressed this morning...

You would all be so proud. I made my own coffee this morning. Of course I spilled both the old grounds and the new ones all over the counter and floor, and I ground the beans too fine, and wasn't sure about the bean to water ratio, but once I added the rest of the half and half it was lovely. I am not sure why I fell asleep on the living room floor after than, all I can think was it was a caffeine crash. But I woke up to Aspen watching Brittany Murphy and Ashton Kutcher going at it in "Just Married". Apparently "Robots" had ended during my nap. She wasn't too crushed when I switched her to jungle junction, but seemed thoroughly entranced by mr kutcher's bedroom skills.

Truck is trying to boycott the small dogs, but it's really hard to keep track of all four giant squeaky toys and the two nylon bones with two of the little urchins sneaking them off. I think he finally relinquished control on the cow because it has been as impossible to get bijour's mouth off of it as it is to get her mind off of mice under the floor. Cinnamon wisely waits for truck to fall asleep on his couch and then quietly drags the other three squeakers to a place that truck could not even imagine fitting, and gloats heroically until one of the kids finds the toys and ruins her cosmic take over. I think the girls are getting more mileage out of the toys than the dogs are.

Last night we wrapped presents, after macKenzie got the homework that was most assuredly going to kill her done. Wrapping presents with kids is interesting. They really think it is a physical impossibility to tie a ribbon knot without a sacrificial finger. So most of the event was aspen running hither and yon placing fingers on people's ribbons. Then natalee felt compelled to attach jingle bells to all of the presents. and dogs. and doorknobs. it's the holidays.

barely having survived the trauma of her homework it was almost more than kizzie could stand having to help wrap presents for other people that were clearly the things that she had wanted most and now knew she wouldn't be getting. what a wretched life she lives. Today we are going to finish up our christmas shopping. I already feel like I need another nap and we haven't even started. These days off are killing me. Tonight is the last basketball game, the holiday band concert, and... lord knows what for dinner. Tomorrow is work and COOKIES. I asked the girls to prioritize their most special and important christmas cookies and/or treats. They are as follows: Gingerbread houses (duh), gingerbread men (?), sugar cookies, caramel,gingerbread houses, fudge, russian teacakes, oreos (???), gingerbread houses and gingerbread houses. I think we'll just make oreos.