Announcing Burke #4

That's right - we are expecting a fourth Burke to join our family in July 2009. We are still in the first trimester and it's been no fun this time around. John joked it's because I am older. He also thinks it might be a girl.

I would guess boy - we seem to have a track record established.

Anyway - more to come on baby #4!!

A Holly Jolly Christmas

We all had a wonderful holiday! The boys received many neat gifts and toys and were thrilled. Here are some pictures!

The pictures here show their favorites - the Indiana Jones set, the Super Sleuth Changing Tree and Bo's chocolate santa. We were watching the older boys open their toys and didn't see Bo grab the chocolate and open it. Silly!!

What I love about Christmas

1. Our family advent calendar - it's the same one we had when I was little and my grandmother made it. I still love it. I am still fighting to put the star on though - used to be with my sisters, now with my kids!

2. Having a cookie jar full of homemade cookies (although we have none now, I've been under the weather). I will be home tomorrow making thumbprints, cookie press spritzers and sugar cookies.

3. Making a gingerbread house. Again, slightly not well, so this will also happen tomorrow. This year, the boys and I are making a village. Jack wants to make a store and a house. Drew is still deciding. We're using graham crackers for theirs...

4. Watching how excited the boys get Christmas morning - waking us up very early... Last year, I think I still had my glasses on when they were opening!!

5. My absolute favorite is having family at our house on Christmas Day. I love to have people over and the more kids we have, I don't have parties much. Thanks to our terrific parents, they all come Christmas Day. Drew loves this too! He calls it our 'Christmas feast'.

6. Watching Christmas movies with the kids...

7. Getting ready for Santa with cookies and reindeer food.

8. Listening to my kids debate what is most important about the holiday season. We love Catholic school - they both say Jesus and being with family.

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Christmas is inching closer and closer... Drew and Jack are anxiously awaiting Santa Claus and the toys they've asked for. They have both asked for Clone Trooper helmets and blaster guns. Jack also asked for the Super Sleuth Changing Tree and Drew has asked for Indiana Jones things.

We celebrated my mom's birthday this week - HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA! The boys are home with John today. I look forward to being with them all tomorrow and through the holiday. Here are some pictures of Saint Nicholas' visit on December 6th and Bo's intense infatuation with Christmas lights.

I AM the crazy one.

Okay, I am quirky. I know that. I don't wear a watch. I like the blinds in my office at a certain angle and get very disturbed when one is off kilter.

Anyway, my alarm clock at home is no exception. It runs a little fast, so I got used to it being 10 minutes ahead (helps keep me on the ball). Then daylight savings time began and I didn't switch it. Two days in, I realized I liked it. When I wake up at night, if it says "5:15" - I knew to roll that back to 4:15 - in my mind, a bonus hour!

As I was laying in bed this morning deciding I had to use the bathroom regardless of how chilly it was (we have an electric blanket!), I looked over at the time and it said "5:30". Ahhh - another hour. Then John said his clock didn't go off and we had to get up. "What," I said... I proceeded to remind him that no, it was only 4:30.

That's when he revealed he fixed the clock for me yesterday. On one hand, a very kind thing to help me out. At the same time, daylight savings time hit me again this morning... Oh well.

The Guys

Top things I've learned about holidays from my kids

* Make plans for events and be prepared for them to change.
* Have them WRITE out (or do it for them) their Christmas list to avert last minute wants ("Sorry honey - Santa already processed your list!")
* You can believe in Santa and not elves - completely YOUR prerogative.
* It's easier to teach a dog to ice skate than to get that 'perfect shot' for a Christmas card. Seriously.
* Christmas trees are absolutely FASCINATING to a one-year-old.
* Said one-year-old will find a way to get to each and every ornament on the tree.
* No amount of advent preparation can compete with the man in the red suit bringing toys.
* This is the best time of the year because if they do something wrong, then OOPS, Santa just took one toy off the list.
* This is the worst time of the year because the Santa threat can backfire into whining and tears - FAST.
* You can watch Christmas movies every day and not get tired of them.
* You can get tired of your child's wish list very quickly.

Most of all - enjoy the season - the magic of Christmas a gift itself...