A Santa-Skating Birthday Special

My 13 year-old and 8 year-old...with Santa...neither one really "sitting" on his lap...my how things change...
Up early--but Nick wasn't! He woke up late for work--with a quick Happy Birthday to me...got Brittany off to Spanish class, where they were having a little party as well...errand time--library to return some books, post office to buy stamps and mail Christmas cards, swim class to pay for next 3 months, and home to eat breakfast from Sonic with Austin...cleaned up a little...grabbed the change of clothes for kids...picked up Brittany and was off to the mall...first to change (oh, did I mention the yucky rainy weather!) and get in the 5 minute line for Santa...of course, Brittany thinks she's too old, but Austin wanted her in the picture...the one above is with my camera--I bought a nice one from them (they don't even let you take them with your own without buying theirs)...then it was time to ice skate--for like 2 hours! My ankle and toes started hurting...it was Austin's first time, and he didn't do to bad...he would get right back up if he fell, and he even went across the ice, with no rail, without falling! He really didn't want to go, but we needed to eat lunch, and I wanted to rest too...off to McDonald's in the mall--McRib! :) Then, at least it wasn't raining anymore, and we were home to rest. Mother-in-law had flown in around 10:30 a.m., and Carolina had picked her up...she was staying there today...mom came by and brought a red velvet cake...I tried to rest a little...didn't totally work out...the kids and I wrapped some presents...Nick made it home, and then we went to Chinese buffet--yummy! Then, it was cake time...mom got regular candles, re-light candles, and a 2 and 9...trying to be funny! Anyways, the re-light candles were fun--Austin helping me get them all blown out...then the kids had each made me a nice card, and mom got me a new winter snowglobe and a Lodge Logic 10" dutch oven--very nice...she had to order it and everything...Nick had already given me a new camera and the Daughtry concert in San Antonio; so, now on to more fun...as we enjoy a break from school and Christmas in a week!