Baby Jesus Watch Guards

This past weekend we drove out to Winchester to find our Christmas tree, decorations, lights, etc. We were able to find most of what we were looking for and once I got everything up to the apartment, Max says, "mom you are really strong!"

Tonight for FHE, we covered the baby Jesus story. Thanks to a friend who shared a tradition with us a few years ago, I am having Max lay a piece of rafia in our version of a cradle / manger every time he does a kind deed. Then, when baby Jesus comes on Christmas morning, he will have a soft place to lay his his head, etc. After I got Max to sleep tonight, I came back in to the living room to find that the army guys were on night watch for baby Jesus! I love it. I'm so grateful for those who are on night watch in Afghanistan. May there be peace among the land tonight.

Walking Pace

I realize that I have not been working full time outside the home for several years now but, I truly believed that I have a decent walking pace. And, I very well may. BUT, the walking pace in Washington DC / Metro stops is incredible. I see people every day passing me up in high heels, military boots, sneakers, flats, slip-on shoes, etc. I realized quickly that I am not going to attempt the walk from garage to metro, metro to the office and back in heels so I'm either in sneakers or in flats. And yet, I am still getting passed up! I've decided it must be my stride afterall, I do have short legs! So here's to picking up the pace and burning a few more calories!

Spanish Speaking Max

Tonight I took Max with me to vote (always a privilege). Afterwards, we came home and as I was fixing dinner I heard him singing:

Buenos dias
Buenos dias
Como estas
Como estas
Muy bien
Muy bien
Gracias
Gracias

Sung to Frarijacka (sp?) ... I think the third line is muy bien ... but, he is still singing and currently in the bath tub. Love it! Soon I'll have no idea what he is saying!

Halloween & the ER

Sunday morning Max woke up with a swollen face (right side), crying in pain and a fever! So, off to the ER we went to find out what was going on. I figured there was an ear infection in there but, why was his face swollen? Sure enough, the ear infection was well on the way, his right tonsil was inflamed, and some lymph node in the cheek was inflamed and holding on the infection which was swollen and causing the majority of the pain. Just as the doctor was checking him out, Mark called so I was able to fill him in on everything that was happening. Thank heavens for antibiotics and Motrin to the rescue.

I had not planned on having Max go trick or treating since it was Sunday and really we don't need any more candy .... he was happy to put his costume on and answer the door. He must have asked me a dozen times, when are the trick or treaters coming mom? Finally between 7 and 8 pm we had about 15 kids come through. A little different from the 400 we used to get in Winchester.

Today I had to take the day off ... which I was bummed about because I am trying to save all my time for January when Mark comes home, to take Max back to his Dr's to see if there was improvement. Thank heavens the med's are helping. We'll be back to school and work tomorrow as he is not contagious! Despite pain, vomiting, fever, strep throat tests (otherwise known as the stick in the throat test) Max still managed to have some fun on Halloween.