Tis a year since last Christmas and all through the house
We've had chicken pox, pneumonia, lice, and a mouse.
The kids are oft' nestled snug in our bed,
A knee in Phil's groin, a foot under my head.
Despite hours of trial and error, we've concluded our life doesn't fit into a poem, so back to the prose it is...
Kristen is six and all grown up. She's busy with dance, theatre, first
grade friends & foes, and teaching us all how to use this new computer. Willie is begging for karate classes, eats candy as if it were...candy, and has decided that being younger than Kristen isn't so bad, as long as he's older than Kevin! Kev runs around the house singing the theme song from Alexander & The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day: 'If I could be an only child...my Mom and Dad would treat me like a king' between dire threats that "anyone that don't pee in der pants...dey can't come to my birfday party". Nicole is 16 months old with the temper of a 16 year old with a curfew. She is proficient at clicking on the tv, karate-chopping like the pink Power Ranger, pulling out every pot in the kitchen, while simultaneously turning on the stove, turning off the dishwasher, and throwing my shopping list in the garbage disposal.
Phil is a trooper and has gotten used to the fact that dinner is often burnt, on paper plates or nonexistent. He works from dark to dark, dreams of long summer days with a cold beer and a hot putter, and is wrapped around the fingers of both little girls while continuing to provide wrestlemania - style entertainment for the boys. As for me, I've bought stock in Maxwell House, can drive Route 9 with my eyes closed, and often feel like the Grinch railing against "all that noise, noise, noise"!
Actually, we have a lot to be thankful for this year: the speedy recovery of Phil's dad following a heart attack in January, the joy of watching Nicole grow, walk babble (and karate chop) despite her continuing battle with asthma; the overwhelming outpouring of love, support, and research funds for our niece, Betsy; and the prospect of having our whole family together again for the holidays this year.
For X-Mas I'm asking Santa for a full night's sleep, a child-proof VCR, earplugs, and (Phil are you reading this?) a car phone. Phil would be happy with a single household appliance that worked the first time he hooked it up, a flight that was on time...and that he made in time, and a chance to finish his round at Cypress Point.
As for you, we hope your year is filled with hope, health, peace, and joy!
With Love, Gretchen and Phil, Kristen, Willie, Kevin, and Nicki
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