Countdown to Christmas

This isn't your typical countdown (just don't say I didn't warn you). I thought of writing this post out to the 12 days of Christmas, but I'll spare you.

So, we've had our Christmas decorations up for exactly 5 days.

Day one, Case broke the Mickey & Minnie snow globe that I lovingly and trustingly (read stupidly) put on the shelved mirror in their bathroom. How'd he do it? By twirling with arms spread wide while brushing his teeth. When I put it in there I jokingly asked Chad to hedge a bet on how long it would last before Case broke it (he's notorious for such irresponsibility and destruction). Chad generously bid a week. Should have put money on that b/c I would have gone WAY less.

Day two, Case decided to walk past the Christmas tree and "bounce" a ball ornament up and down on a branch. It shattered. I actually felt bad for the kid since he'd just been lectured a mere 24 hours previously on making wise and responsible choices and not just going with his instinct w/o thinking. He stood there with his hands on his head, tears streaming down his face and said, "Oh no! I did it again!" Poor guy! I'm sad to say, though, that said ornament was not a replaceable one. It was one my parents brought back from a cruise for me b/c it had a turtle on it and that was my sorority mascot. I got a little choked up.

Day three, Case decided to try to open the door on the Noah's ark ornament on the kid tree in the upstairs bathroom. (Does this kid EVER learn?) The ornament came crashing down, and a pair of elephants and zebras went overboard. Fortunately, they no animals were harmed during the making of this tragedy and can readily be reglued back into the ark.

Day four passed rather peacefully (I think).

But no worries, we made up for our uneventful day today. I left to pick up Em from an afterschool club. Case decided to stay home while I ran to get her (Chad works from home, people, so don't be calling DCS on me). As I'm driving the mile route back home, Chad calls and says, "We have another Christmas casualty". Me: "What happened (sigh, eye roll, sigh)." Chad: "Pound Puppy was taking rides on the banister and landed on the wrong side. The Christmas tree side. He broke another ornament." Me: (laughing on the inside b/c of how Chad's deflected all responsibility to my childhood stuffed toy that Case has now hijacked as his own. poor pound puppy. who can be ticked at him?) "Which ornament?" Chad: "Your UNC ball". Me: "Seriously? Why couldn't it have been one of the generic stupid snowman that I'll probably pitch after this year anyway? Ugh! Another non-replaceable one.

But that's not the end people....

So, after dinner the kids are be wild....running around the house. And Emily is chasing Case with her stuffed kitty cat, complete with leash. The leash whips around as she is flying through the family room, and CRASH....the angel Gabriel lost his wings. I cried a little. Chad picked up the pieces. Emily profusely apologized. And I have to believe Case was feeling a little relieved (I know I would have been if I was him). In a small and maybe weird way I was glad Em broke something. She can be slightly prideful and just earlier today when Chad had called to warn my of Pound Puppy's destruction, Emily piped up when I hung up the phone and said, "I bet I know what happened." Me: "Emily, it is not your concern or business. Please don't stick your nose in this (trying to protect poor Case, I mean Pound Puppy)". Emily: "I'm just saying, I bet Case broke something else (poor guy does have a reputation). Well, Miss High and Mighty (I love the girl, but she can be such a nudge)....I'm sure Case will strike again, but just remember YOU went after one of God's angels! Yikes! :)