We have been busy getting ready for Christmas along with having several birthday and Christmas parties to attend. Baylor has had three since Thanksgiving as well as Finley. Briley had two white elephant parties, and we had a cookie exchange, book club, 40th birthday, and a cul-de-sac party
We also adopted a child through Red Bag this year along with donating to the red bag child that each of the kids adopted in their classes. I like this program because it is children who are orphaned or in the foster system, and everything you get goes straight to them. The list has the basic needs that everyone must buy, and then they have their wishes that you buy extra. We wrap each gift and put them in a a big red trash bag with their name on the outside. We delivered them a few weeks ago.
I got my egg nog made three weeks ago, and it should be ready for Christmas. Atticus was a great helper for me.
We also had Finley's Christmas program at school. It was short, but very sweet. I have always missed the kids not being in Christmas programs like we were when we were young. Finley was very excited about being on stage of course.
Last Friday Atticus had Polar Express day at school. He got to wear his Christmas pajamas, and they had the school decked out. As we got out of the car the Polar Express music was playing on the speakers outside of the Church, and he got his ticket at the door from the conductor. He had the biggest smile on his face. Such a fun day for him!
That night we had a fancy dinner on the plaza. We ate at Rye down there, and then walked to a few stores. I love so much that we can finally go to places and the kids behave or at least most of the time. They loved seeing the lights, the horse carriages, and people playing music on the street. Finley especially was in awe of it all. We took Ward Parkway home so that they could see the fun streets that all do their Christmas lights together.
Saturday night Andy and I had a 40th birthday party to go to. The party was from 8-2a.m. and Andy and I left at 11:00. Turns out they really did close the bar down. I couldn't believe they stayed that long, but there was an intense game of Jenga going on when we left.
Baylor ended up getting sick on Sunday. I sent him to school Monday, but they called me around 2 saying he was sick. It was just a cold, but I kept him home Tuesday although it meant I had three kids home while I was trying to get ready for my book club party. I thought it would be a small crowd since we had the Christmas party on Saturday, but that wasn't the case. Seventeen people ended up coming. I think it is partially because it was a good book to read (Beneath the Scarlet Sky), and number two I have not hosted before so everyone felt they should come. It turned out well, and Andy got home from traveling 30 minutes before the party to whisk the kids away.
Two Sundays ago was Breakfast with Santa after Church. This is a well run event where you are handed a ticket as you go down, and while you wait for your group to see Santa you eat a pancake breakfast put on by the Knights of Columbus. The kids always look forward to to it each year.
This past Friday we took the kids to go check out the Christmas lights at Deanna Rose. It is always quite a show, and they seem to add something new each year. We also went through the neighborhood Christmas Place, and then on for home.
Briley had a game on Saturday that they won! She was so excited and was the leading scorer of the game. Baylor had a birthday party at a painting place. The mom told me she hoped they used their creativity and didn't just follow exactly what the instructor did. Baylor's is definitely an original piece of art that I now have to find a place to hang.
There was a mother daughter Christmas party with her friends Saturday night. It was good to talk to the Mom's, and the kids had a blast playing several games and opening presents. She has found such a great group of friends since we have moved.
Briley was an alter server on Sunday at Church, and then we went to Finley's dance recital. That girl loves to get out there and dance. I really do think it might be something she sticks with longer than Briley, but we will see.
Monday was Atticus's Christmas program during the day. He was the cutest up there. He was happy to get his time in the spotlight like the other kids always have I think. We stopped at McDonalds for lunch after he was done.
That afternoon I took the kids to Union Station when they got out of school. The holiday express train was there so we went through that, and then walked around a bit. It is always so pretty at Christmas time.
We finished the night with a Grinch themed dinner of green pancakes and watched the movie. Always a night the kids look forward to.
Andy left for sunny California on Tuesday, and the rest of us made cookies for the cookie exchange during the day. The party was Tuesday night, and we all had a good time. One of the ladies in book club always does the party and she looks forward to all of the kids coming over to it.
Thursday night we had a cul-de-sac party. Andy and I didn't know how it would be because it is such a mix of ages and people, but everyone came and it was a lot fun. I talk to a lot of them because I'm home during the day, but Andy often times does not get that opportunity. It was nice to be able to get to know some of them a little more.
Friday was sleep by the Christmas tree night. Atticus was so excited to be able to actually join in this year. We watched a movie, and they went right to sleep. The kids always love this night.
In other news:
Finley learned to tie her shoes last Wednesday. She is so excited about it, and now all of a sudden her eight year old brother has taken interest in learning to tie. He almost has it, and has been working with his OT at school also.
Briley also got her first boyfriend, so that has been entertaining to watch. He won her heart with a bag of Skittles when he asked her out. His name is Connor and he lives at the end of our cul-de-sac. She comes home each day, and heads out to play sports in the yard while she waits for him to get off the bus. They exchanged gifts the other day while playing basketball. He gave her a soccer bracelet and Twix, and she gave him a Chiefs water bottle. 6th grade love is a funny thing.
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