Christmas is getting closer

Well actually Christmas has now passed but, I’ll write my blog as if I were a little more caught up instead of two weeks behind!

We had to take Mac to the doctor on the Friday before Christmas to make sure he didn’t have an ear infection.  He had a fever from Monday night until sometime on Saturday and although it was progressively getting better by late Thursday, I didn’t want to take a chance going out of town without confirming he didn’t need an antibiotic.  The doctor checked Mac from head to toe and even swabbed his throat for strep.  All tests came back clear so we headed to BHM with assurance that the “fever virus” should be gone within 4-5 days.  Since we were on day 4 I had high hopes for a healthy Christmas.  Boy was I wrong, but I’ll get to that later.  

The boys were great in the car and both enjoyed coloring with their no mess color Wonder markers. It was cold when we got to Birmingham and finally felt like Christmas (It had been 70 and rainy most of the week in Pensacola).  That evening we bundled up and headed to the zoolight safari.  I had told MAc on the way to BHM that we were going to zoo lights that night.  Based on a past experience, I also told him not to expect to see any real animals since it would be night and the animals would be asleep.  Mac promptly informed me that we could still see the lions because they are nocturnal and that means they hunt at night and sleep during the day! 

It was very crowded and very cold at the zoo, but we managed to see a few animals (no lions!) and a ton of lights.  We walked through the fake snow and took pictures in the Roll Tide booth all before Albi the second victim got hit with the stomach virus. (See post Oh No! )    Madeline and Mallory arrived the next day and the boys were thrilled.  Although Mac and Copeland play, show off, and love on both the girls, there seems to be a natural tendency for Mac to end up with Mallory and Copeland to be with Madeline.  I’m happy that they have older cousins to keep them entertained!   

Every year we are in BHM for Christmas Eve, we join my sister in law, Heather’s, family for their Christmas party.  Santa comes to the party with a bag of toys for each child and then the adults play Dirty Santa gift exchange with 40+ people.      Albi, the kids and I had to leave a little early this year, so we could make sure we were home and asleep before Santa came by.  Mac saw Rudolph’s nose up in the sky on the drive home, so he hurried to brush his teeth and get in bed as soon as got back to the house.  Based on all the toys by the fireplace the next morning, I’m sure the boys were asleep and Santa was able to come down the chimney to leave a few surprises!