We got a Christmas tree today, and I didn’t have to pay more than $75 for it!  Calista and I went out to Lowe’s today, because I had seen some 7.5′ pre-lit trees on their web site for $73.50.  When we got there, they had ones that weren’t pre-lit (after the last tree became useless once some of the lights on it died, I decided I’d prefer to string the lights myself) for $99, but 25% off.  Then, the cashier scanned some coupon he had at his register, and we got another $10 off, so after taxes, our tree was just $68 and some change!  Hooray!  We’ll probably set it up next weekend.

My other exciting news for tonight is that the boys SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT last night!  And I spent the whole night in my own bed!  They went to bed at 8 pm, fussed once around 11:30 pm but without any intervention fell back to sleep within 5 minutes or so, and never made another peep until 7 am.  Oh how I hope this continues!

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Before I tell you about Baby Boot Camp, I’d like to say that we are not too poor to afford a Christmas tree!  I’m not sure what all I said about not having one in previous posts, but apparently, it came across as us being too broke for a tree.  Oops!  That isn’t the case — I’m just to CHEAP to want to spend more than $75 or so on one.  :)

Now that I’ve cleared that up, it’s time to talk about Baby Boot Camp.  The boys are 13+ months old.  They do not sleep through the night (if you do not have twins, insert your comment about how so-and-so was sleeping through the night since 8 weeks; if you have twins, nod your head in sympathy).  Some days, I think they will never sleep through the night.  But dang it, I am trying my hardest this week to correct that.

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I didn’t think I’d be Black Friday shopping today, but it turns out I was wrong.  This morning, Skip said he’d go with me if I wanted, and we’d take the kids.  Then we had a call from our friends whose daughter, E, likes to play with Calista and they invited Calista to play.  We dropped Calista off at E’s house and headed out shopping with the boys.

Our first stop was Home Depot for the $49 7.5′ pre-lit Christmas tree, but we were too late.  That was a bummer, as it was the one thing we actually needed and it was a super deal (obviously, since they sold out!).  They were sold out of the trees online last night at 10 pm, so I can imagine how fast they went today.

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Happy Thanksgiving!  We had a great dinner tonight, cooking by my wonderful husband — turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, gravy, candied sweet potatoes, some carrot something-or-other (not a fan), sparkling grape juice and home made apple pie.  Delicious!!  We all gave our thanks and had a great meal.  Nater Nater Garbarator thoroughly enjoyed his meal and I believe Thanksgiving is his very most favorite day of the year.  The boy likes to eat!

Now that the meal is over and the kitchen (and bathrooms — I was motivated!) are clean, it’s time to decide…  to Black Friday, or not to Black Friday?

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Up until now, I have not been looking forward to Christmas.  For one, we are pretty poor right now, with medical bills we’ve been paying on, the loss of the van and everything else that’s come our way.  Not that Christmas is about the “stuff,” mind you, but for me, the shopping and the giving is a lot of the fun.

Also, the top of our faux pre-lit tree burnt out last year, and though I tried for hours, I could not find the culprit bulb.  The manufacturer did not offer a replacement top, so I gave it away to a woman who own a little boutique and would use it to decorate her store.  That means we have no tree this year.  Real isn’t really an option — I am allergic, the bunny will eat it and we’ll probably forget to water it and it would be dead before Christmas.  Therefore, I need to buy a new Christmas tree.  I think I am going to hit Home Depot’s Black Friday sale — they have a nice, 7-foot, pre-lit tree for $50!

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Yes, my kids are cute. I can admit it. Just look at them, all leaning on one another, watching a little Elmo before dinner.  What more could a mom ask for?

The Cronck Kids

Anyhow, now that I have displayed their cuteness for all to admire, I wanted to come and say that I’ve redesigned my blog (as if THAT weren’t obvious) and I am going to try to start blogging a lot more.  Doogie Howser style, if you will.  Or, for the younger generation, Rev Run style.  :)

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