Things you do for your kids.

You know those stories about people standing in line for 72 hours to get their kid a toy or the latest gadget. There is no way you can get that concept until you have kids. I couldn't wrap my mind around the things that you do for your kids...until you actually have one...or two.

Like, assemble a gingerbread house with a husband who just so happens to have a Building Science degree. Takes it to a whole new level people -- precision and pain staking preparation like nothing you have ever seen. You would have thought we were building the Taj-Majal of all structures.

Oh yeah...the bag of icing exploded. That was fun too.

Who actually reads the directions? Who measures and preps the "walls" and shaves off excess to ensure a flat surface? Dan, that's who.

Then, there is the subject of our 5 year anniversary. We debated on what to do. We decided to make a quick family trip up to Busch Gardens and the Zoo afterwards to meet up with some friends. Oh the romance. (In our defense, we did have an anniversary dinner, take out of course, of steak and lobster).

Finally, we cannot leave out Chef/Uncle Kyle and the Sugar Cookie Bonanza of 2010. Highlights from the day: Kyle to Riley: "Quality, not quantity." and "Don't be afraid to use another color besides red."

Now, if you will excuse me, I have to supervise the children while Dan puts yet another coat of white paint on his Christmas creation for Riley. For three weekends, Dan, with the help of his Dad, has been working on a window seat for Riley's room -- to go along with her new, big girl bed.

Merry Christmas!