I wasn't intending to take the kids to visit Santa Claus but there we were at the mall and they were getting tired of being dragged from store to store and I thought a little diversion might be needed. The plan was for Joe and I to meet up with Chris and Pam and for all four parents to go with all the kids. That way no one was left out and everyone had the chance to witness the momentous occassion.

Lily asked first, reminding me it was almost Christmas and she still hadn't told Santa what she wanted. I reminded her that they'd all written letters to Santa with Chris at the beginning of the month but that wasn't good enough for her. And when she gets back up from her younger brother, look out Mommy!

Especially when Conn points out the obvious. "Mommy, Bella doesn't remember sitting on Santa's knee last year cause she was still little." Bella perked right up at that.

A quick call to Joe and I'm asking if he minds being present when his two see Santa. He hems and haws and finally aquieses when I promises photos galore. Then its into the line and a quick prayer to the elves or Mrs. Claus or whoever's in charge around here, that we make it through to see the big guy without any tears or tantrums.

Okay I admit there are some benefits to having kids with your ex. There are weekends when the rugrats are with him and you get to spend a relaxing day doing whatever the heck you want to, whenever the heck you want to do it!

Take today for example. Chris and I slept in until a deliciously late 10:30 but..ahem...by the time we actually rolled out of bed it was closer to 11:30 (but we won't offer up any further details - wink!) It took us another hour to decide to go to a movie at 4 so that left the afternoon free.

I managed to get my hair washed but I spent another two hours wandering around the house in PJ bottoms and a bra, with Chris commenting I should wear that kind of outfit more often. (he's incorrigable ain't he!)

It was a toss up between seeing Casino Royale (Chris' choice) or The Queen (my choice). Guess who won?

The elementary school Christmas program was today and of course there was a moment of sheer panic. At breakfast this morning Lily mentioned something about an elf costume and Connor started looking very sheepish.

You got it! This was the first I'd heard about him needing a costume! A flurry of phone calls to Louise and then to Pam solved everything. Luckily Pam knew about the costume and was already prepared but I had to remind Connor that its always nice for Mommy to know what he needs too.

But one thing none of the kids could complain about was lack of support. They had a whole row of family cheering them on tonight. Hank, Louise, Logan and his new girlfriend and Craig joined me, Chris, Bella and Joe and Pam. We were like the press corp covering one of Chris' premieres with all the cameras and camcorders.

All of the performances went off without a hitch and it was adorable to look over at Chris during Connor's class' song and see him leaning forward, eyes fixed on Connor, mouthing the words to the song as he sang his heart out. His class performed to Harry Connick's 'The Happy Elf' and I swear I'm going to have that song running through my head for a few more days.

Lily's class sang 'Jingle Bell Rock' complete with a little routine. She's getting to be quite the little ham - must be all the time she spends with Chris. There's a born performer in that girl.

Katy's group sang a couple of Christmas classics and I admit I wonder how Mel can miss moment's like this in her daughter's life, but she's trying very hard not to make it too confusing for Katy and there's no denying that Katy couldn't love Pam any more even if she was her birth mother. The cynical part of me wonders if things will stay the same once Pam's baby arrives but that's a thought for another time.

Right now its time to go listen to Lily and Connor run through their songs once more before bed. They're convinced Isabella wants to hear them again.

And there's more congratulations for Chris - the Golden Globe nominations came out this morning and we got a call at 5:45 from Simon. Chris is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for 'Comedy of Errors'. Wow, I'm so proud of him!

I had an interesting conversation today - with my mother-in-law. I finally couldn't resist the urge to call her, even though Chris kept hinting I should wait for her to call us. But I wanted to know how she was doing.

And it turns out she's doing just fine. I tried hard not to pry but one thing that's become clear is that her and Roger were living two separate lives. He had his interests, she had hers, they really didn't even share the same circle of friends and as a result always seemed to be away from one another. She told me she will always value him as a friend but a platonic relationship just seems to be best for them. One comment she made caught me completely by surprise. She said Roger was never going to be a grand passion from her and that at her age, she probably should probably be looking for companionship instead of the new love of her life. Then she said that was hard to settle for whenever she was around me and Chris.

I almost laughed and reminded her of all the fights Chris and I have had in the past twelve months, but before I could respond Chris walked into the room. And I admit the minute I saw him I felt that familiar little tingle I always feel when I look at him. We might fight, we might disagree, we might get on each other's nerves, but we love one another. And I can't imagine life without him. If the last year has taught me anything, its reminded me how much this man means to me.

And how much I want to keep him in my life.

Mr. Grinch.

Yes, tonight was a chance to watch The Who's in Whoville and that green mean Grinch. It was the original cartoon, not the movie. Dinner was finger food and the kids thought that was the greatest, especially since we ate in front of the television. We piled blankets and pillows on the floor in the living room and turned all the lights off except for the ones on the Christmas tree and on the garland around the fireplace. Chris started a fire while I was slicing pepperoni sticks and cheese and pickles and rye bread so it was nice and cozy and very very relaxing. Something we seem to have forgotten about over the past forty-eight hours.

Chris and I had quite the talk last night, both of us were pretty floored by his mother's announcement but we both realize we can't let it affect our relationship. Her and Roger might be getting a divorce but we aren't.

Chris tells me he has just the solution to get the holiday back on track but he won't tell me until tomorrow. Looks like I'm going to spend another night wondering what's going on. But I have a feeling I'm going to like what I hear this time.

We got a call tonight.

Chris' mom called from California to tell us her and Roger have separated. The news came as a total shock and hit me like a ton of bricks.

Chris too. Obviously.

He loves and respects his step dad and the thought of Carolyn and Roger not being able to work out whatever it is tearing them apart....

Lets just say it scared.....scares both of us.

Our own marriage hasn't exactly been on rock solid ground for the past year. And an announcement like this just makes you wonder. Wonder if despite everything you're destined to wind up the same way.

I'd like to say something positive and try to put this all into perspective but its a little too early for that tonight.....

I think I know now why I'm not a vet.

Since the kids weren't home and there was a hope I could get Indy to cooperate, I decided to trim his nails. The actual nail clipping went well, he was pissed off but for once he didn't try to leap away as I trimmed. But oops, I trimmed a couple of them a little too short and of course they bled.

The dog really was being generous to me today. He actually stayed still until the bleeding stopped and everything was fine and dandy until the afternoon when Chris let him out in the yard. He came back in a little while later and kept doing laps around the kitchen -I was making lunch and he was looking for a handout. When I glanced down at the floor I almost had a heart attack.

Everywhere the dog had stepped there was blood. Guess the snow and all the romping around made his nails start bleeding again. Chris corralled the dog and got him to lay down on an old blanket giving me the evil eye the whole time, while I mopped the floor.

That'll teach me - next time Indy is going to the vet and he can be the one giving me the evil eye.