Is it Hanukkah already?

With Maison's illness and her looming surgery tomorrow, Hanukkah snuck up on us this year. We squeezed in lighting the menorah right before Maison's early bedtime.

The 5:30am departure tomorrow will be here before we know it.

Surgery is a go...

We just left Dr. Huang's office, or Japanese "Wong" as we call her so she won't be confused with Maison's ped, Dr. Wong, and Maison's surgery on Wednesday is a go. We had high hopes that her ears got better while we were in Atlanta and the surgery wouldn't be required, but they are still infected. Since she still has c-diff, there are no other treatments at this point so we will be proceed with the ear tube placement/adenoid removal surgery.

Can't Miss Out

This morning was Maison's school Christmas party. We let her go despite her c-diff and ear infections...poor baby can't miss out on all the fun!

Mommy and Maison working on the Christmas craft, making a stocking ornament. Mommy may or may not be sizing up the competition...

Maison eating the only sugar free treats: turkey and cheese croissant

Checking out the book from the book exchange:

Maison eyeing someone else's gift or the Sponge Bob gift bag:

The "juice thief" wasn't there today and the "drama boy" (not to be confused with the Drummer Boy) was low key since his dad was there. Oh well, it was drama free but fun just the same!

Atlanta Vacay Day 8 ~ On the Road Again

Because I never have anything nice to say about road trips, especially those that are upwards of 3 hours, I will just say we left at 5:30am EST (read 4:30am our time) and we got home in 14 1/2 hours.

As Forrest Gump said, "And that's all I have to say about that."

Atlanta Vacay Day 7 ~ High Tea

After our star studded affair yesterday, we couldn't wait to attend another event at the St. Regis. My brother invited us over for high tea before he had to leave to return to Dallas. We did not have any celeb sightings this time, but we had an exquisite time. Maison was so excited to have her own 3-tier service of tea sandwiches and treats. The teas were amazing! My mom and I had the Mad Hatter (of course, my mom did since this is her nickname from my Aunt Gail). My dad had the St. Regis peach which is only served at the St. Regis in Atlanta. It was literally some of the best tea I have ever had.

It was truly a wonderful afternoon. I just wished I had pictures to share but the battery was dead in the good camera and the new small one apparently needs a memory card. Oops! Only I can bring two cameras and neither of them work...bummer.

Atlanta Vacay Day 6 ~ A Star Studded Brunch

My brother hosted a brunch this morning at the St. Regis hotel in Buckhead; a last family event before Shari and Adam flew back to Dallas tonight. We had high hopes that we might see Santa Claus while we were at the hotel because they were having Holiday Tea with Santa. What we didn't expect was to see real celebrities...

Maison was having one of her 'I can't sit in my own chair without throwing a class A fit' moments, so Adam took her to the restaurant lobby to calm her down. Who did he see waiting on a table with his daughter? That would be Vince Vaughn. Maison pretty much accosted his daughter so Adam got to have a short chat with him.

When Vince got seated, a short little lady in a sock hat, scarf, coat, and glasses ran over and gave him a hug. Who could it be? That would be Bette Midler.

Let's just say when Santa finally made it to our table, I wasn't exactly star struck especially since Adam had another conversation with Vince after brunch. He said how cute Maison was and wished them a Merry Christmas.

Mais is still a little reluctant of the man in the red suit:

Maison 'fist bumping' Santa:

Sorry to report my paparazzi skills suck, no pics of Vince or Bette, only of Santa.

Atlanta Vacay Day 5, Part 2 ~ A Family Affair

I don't remember the last time that my parents, Shari, Bubba, Adam, and I were all in Atlanta at the same time. My Aunt Lou-Lou decided to host a family dinner tonight since we were all here. I haven't seen this many members of the Ellington family together unless it was Thanksgiving or Christmas...

Maison with our cousin, Charlsie Grace:

Maison displaying her snowman "dooley boppers" for our cousin, Mardell:

Aunt Susan, Aunt Lou-Lou, Cousin Cathy:

Cousin Cindy, Uncle Jack, Dad, and Nannie:

You're probably wondering why all the pics are in black and white. It was not an attempt for me to make them look old. I actually took them with the infrared setting on the camera because the room was dark so the kids could see the Christmas decorations. Seems to be a trade-off...they seem grainy but at least you can see who everyone is!