The Hoildays are starting to take their toll on the kids

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

There is a downside to getting the Christmas Tree up, and getting all of those presents wrapped and other things. It means that the routine of school Monday through Friday, regular bed times, etc. have all flown out the window. In the past couple of days Daniel and now Emily are definitely getting more touchy.

Daniel has needed some extra TLC at bed times, regressing as far as needing someone to carry him to bed.  He has also been a little more touchy when we tell him he can't do soemthing, or he has to eat something or whatever. And he has become attached to some stuffed animals, carrying themaround, or at least wanting them at bed time. All of this is pretty unusual behavior for him.

Emily has also been a little more touchy. Sunday, when Kim told her she was going shopping, and she was supposed to saty with me, and Em just broke down. Then on Monday the cousins were over, and when it was time for them to leave, there was another round of hysterics. And apparently today she had a breakdown at Dad's, with no prompting.

James at least has handled it all fine, one of the perks of getting older. We just have to suck it up, take a little more time with them, and be a little more patient.