Early Christmas Present

There are some Christmas presents that simply have to be opened and used before Christmas.  (Such as the new, super-awesome kitchen appliance from Dad and Susie that is sitting in my closet as we speak.  I haven't opened... yet.  But it is so very tempting...)

Anywho, I found this darling coat on sale at Target the other day and immediately knew that Tess had to have it. Yes, had to.  I mean, it's bright red, covered in ruffles, and has a flower!  Had. To.

I had every intention of saving it for Christmas, but on Sunday I couldn't bear putting her in her old and comparatively ugly parka while she was wearing her cute church dress.  So I pulled it out and she squealed in delight and hugged it immediately and I knew I had made a wise choice.

I tried to get a good picture of her in her coat today, but she didn't want to have anything to do with holding still.  Or keeping her barrette in her hair, in case you're wondering what she's doing.

Oh, and excuse her lovely red face.  As she's learning to walk she keeps bonking her face into things.  And, just like my other kids, she gets weird rashes and such when the weather turns cold and dry.  Poor kiddo.

Lance is out of town right now, which means I have very little incentive to make dinner since he's the only one who doesn't protest my cooking or throw food at me.  So I took the brood down to McCallister's for dinner tonight. (Even though the kids all voted for McDonald's we went where I wanted to go because 1) my vote is worth 5 votes, 2) I was the one driving, and 3) I'm the one with the money.)  I ordered my very favorite sandwich, the Orange Cranberry Club (heaven!) with a side of macaroni and cheese with the idea that Tess would eat that.  No dice.  As soon as my attention was diverted to helping the boys with their dinners she grabbed part of my sandwich - including a good portion of the turkey and half the bread - and gobbled it up, cranberry sauce and all.  Apparently Tess has very mature tastes, as she fussed and whined about me not giving her the rest of my meal.

She then charmed the staff by chair dancing to the Christmas music blasting in the restaurant and stealing her brothers' sodas and taking large gulps.  This earned us a free giant chocolate chip cookie, which won her the respect and admiration of her brothers.