Yes, this is one of those long posts that doesn't really say anything, rather just lists our December activities. And this is the moment when any and all readers realize that we use our blog as a family history tool. Which explains why I must add this entry - so when I print the thing, we have some record of our life in December. Thanks for being patient with us :).
December was filled by the following:
Mel comes home for a visit. We all have a chance to catch up and take some family pictures (you'll have to come to our house to see the picture of the whole family). We host as many as can make it for dinner so our kids can get to know their Aunt better since she doesn't live here. After dinner one of our daughters says, "You know, I really like Aunt Melissa." And we say, "We thought you would :)."
I attend 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with Mary and her preschool class.
Charlotte plays her last basketball game of the season. The team loses, but Charlotte makes two baskets so we're happy anyway.
I drive Charlotte and her friend, Joy, to the Humane Society so they can donate fleece blankets and chew toys for the dogs and cats there. We adopted Jackie, our beloved cat, from this chapter, so it felt good to give back. Charlotte and Joy also made scarves which were donated to a Women's shelter. The whole idea of making items to donate during the holidays was completely Charlotte's idea, thanks to her American Girl Magazine. She and Joy did all of the work as well. What an example Charlotte and Joy are to the rest of us!
I attend Hansel & Gretel with Laurel and her school class at the Old Log Theater. At the last minute, theater staff move our row to the open front row. Talk about great seats. And I conclude that I prefer the Old Log Theater company to the Stages Theater company (Mary's play) - simply a matter of better acting.
Jacob, Jared, and Reed's popsicle-stick bridge withstands the weight test. I'm the only one who is nervous when the weights are placed, but the bridge holds and we all cheer.
Charlotte designs, produces a prototype, and markets her invention "The Clean-up Killer" which sucks up toys and places them in the appropriate bin or on the right shelf, leaving your room sparkling clean!
Winter Break begins. We have big plans to swim, watch movies, go bowling . . . Laurel gets sick with the stomach flu . . . Mary gets sick with the stomach flu . . . Everyone seems fine so we spend the day wrapping gifts and running last-minute errands. I assure Jacob we'll do something fun tomorrow . . . Charlotte gets sick with the stomach flu . . . Everyone seems fine again - I'm an optimist - we're out of the woods now - so I take the kids swimming at the community center. We feel smug for having survived the stomach flu and getting it all done before the holidays . . . Jacob gets the stomach flu on Christmas Eve. He feels lousy the whole day and evening. The rest of us read Luke 2 about Christ's birth and share our talents (a family tradition).
I take a much-deserved nap in the late afternoon while David and the kids build an amazing snow fort and "guarder" snowman in the back yard.
We enjoy more Christmas cheer with our extended family: playing Barbies at Grandpa's house with our cousins. The girls literally squeel with delight all day.
We finally have time for the activities we intended to do last week and cram them all in:
The Princess and the Frog
Bowling
Tubing - what a blast!
Mini Golf
And New Year's Eve party with our fabulous friends, Michael & Stephanie.
Great post. Loved all the pics, especially the snow fort! HOLY COW! That thing is impressive! Also think it's so sweet that Charlotte and Joy came up with those great services projects. Their willingness to give definitely taught me something today : )
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing snow fort! and snowman and everything you did and I especially love the pic you took of the baby jesus. I lvoe peeking at your blog. :)
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