Nativity Costumes to be HomeMade?

Note to self: Do not go to Wal-Mart or other shopping-type stores on the Saturday before Christmas! I was clearly NOT thinking today. I ran in to get a few things-for Christmas Day dinner, and it was so packed! And with the heavy turkey, diapers-huge box, wipes-huge box, Diet Dr. Pepper case, etc. my cart kept pulling severely to the right! I was having quite the workout, which is great since I wore my new Nikes and cute workout clothes I bought in Atlanta last month (which have yet to be officially worked out in-I'm waiting on the wii). So I was quite exhausted and need of a snack-but geez! It took me 14 minutes to get out of the parking lot-I am not exaggerating. I had downed half a box of Raisin Bran Crunch before I got to turn onto a real street. Do not do this next year.
Since Ethan woke us all up at 6:40am (you know, from the climbing out of bed and visiting everyone...), (and I'd only gone to bed at 2:20am-partying and blogging are taking its toll!), I was so tired! We didn't make our usual 4pm Mass today. The kids went to Mom's-yay! and I caught a nap before we grabbed a pizza and the kids. We'll have to make the 10:30 Mass tomorrow, since we have Girl Scouts tomorrow evening! : ) We are visiting the Shiloh Health and Rehab to hand out Christmas cards...which reminds me-I still have to make 15 more cards! Anyone want to come help?? We'll work on those after church?
The kids are supposed to be in the live nativity next Wednesday evening, but I've yet to hear if there is a practice (yes, for a shepherd and an angel-well, they can always use practice being silent and angelic!) or when to go to get on costumes. We may be the late, inappropriately dressed angel and shepherd. I'm thinking I'll make Mary Claire a sweet, long and flowy white tulle angel gown (with pink sparkley Barbie shoes!) and Clay can wear a burlap robe thingie (is there a pattern for that?) My kids will stand out. (not necessarily in a good way). But we love Jesus, and he'll see us making an effort. : )
Ches is off to Best Buy again. (Did I mention I went there again today to get my brother a gift card?) And I thought I'd not be back for four more years. We've already racked up $10 in rewards on that nifty rewards card! I hope we don't rack up another $10 tonight....
Is there a good plan for how to get the kids to not wake up at 5am on Christmas morning? Seriously? After a long night of installation and assembly, 5 comes way too soon! Is there a good politically correct bribing system?
Well, I think shopping for gifts at our household is finished. Woo-hoo! : ) Let the wrapping begin! : ) and the rewrapping! (thanks to our intelligent 23.9-month-old!)
Happy things today: playing Bendaroos with my kids (I made a magenta dog/razorback animal!), scrumptious chocolate bday cake with fudge frosting, heated van seats, online bill pay, seeing friends at Wal-Mart-land-of-chaos, reading hilarious Junie B. Jones with the kids, comfy clothes and springy shoes that make me feel excercise-y, and a husband who likes to shop.