Make 25 Days Count

At the end of November:

I did 3 things against my regular protocol. I went to the mall, stood in line and missed Chase's nap; all to see Santa! The last time Sadie saw an official Santa (meaning non-Christmas Party Santa) was in 2009. I really dropped the ball for a couple years. Sadie had such a long, wonderful conversation with him that she was sure he is the Real Santa (not just one of Santa's helpers).

 

 

In December:

-

 

I was making dinner and I felt a very chilly draft wafting into the kitchen I took a little walk and found this 2 year old doing the job of his 12 year old brother (with the door wide open - I might add). He was also wearing  my shoes for a quick get-a-way.

 

Some blizzard conditions blew in. Time to create a self imposed day off school. I found it rather humorous: The busses are not running, but school is.

 
 















The kids were asked to create a tree in a bag to give to the flood victims.

 

 

 And the most beautiful moment in my December thus far. I was called by a Mom (who's husband is fighting for his life in hospital). She needed to get to the hospital immediately because he was on another downhill spiral. I was fortunate enough to be called to care for these precious little ones. And when their Mom returned home I told her to catch up on some rest while I gave the twins their last feeding of the night. We started feeding at 2am and I returned home at 3:45 am. Seriously. Best. Night. Ever.

We've had fantastic weather for making snow drifts in our back yard. I titled this Tunnel Wonderland.

 School Christmas Concerts. The kids all go to the same school. In order to limit the number in attendance the school divides the school into two separate shows. Of course, we have enough kids to qualify for attending both nights. The twins and Sadie were Wednesday night and Will was Thursday night.

 Here's Will in his class presentation. Look! He's like an elf!

 

This is nothing extraordinary but we don't have hot chocolate every day. So it's extraordinary to these little people.

This is how I like to shop. Order online and pick-up at the border. Avoiding all traffic and lines in retail stores is heavenly. I also don't get sucked into nonsense attention grabbing items as I work from a list to achieve what we need. Thus allowing plenty of time for other, more exciting seasonal ventures.

 

We stayed overnight after picking up our online shopping. And we spent two days swimming in the pool. The kids had the time of their life. It felt a little like a vacation. :)

Here's the frothy goodness that goes inside those yummy chocolates.

I love outdoor pictures. We NEVER made time to get pictures before the cold weather arrived. But on Sunday (Day 15) it was gorgeous! So we packed up the camera, set the timer and took a couple pictures. So, when I thought we would never fulfill the tradition of sending a Seasonal Greeting....We did! I created it on Sunday evening with the material we acquired from our photo shoot. I printed it on Monday and Mailed it on Tuesday. Talk about efficient! (we needed to be).

 This is a tradition that Ryan wants to start with the kids because he really liked growing up with it in his family. If only the finished product tasted good. Then I would be more excited about it. I'll stick to purchasing mine thanks!

 

150 Printed: 60 mailed and 90 to hand out.

We will call this a Santa Inspired Nap. Even though it's really a pout.

 

 6 Days before Christmas I packed up in - 20 degree weather and drive to the exact opposite side of the city to decorate for this romantic event.

I returned home to make Chase some supper. But he couldn't wait. Oh so tired.

 41 boxes of 16 chocolates each.

 A family movie night mixed with some wrapping.

 The kids went over to Auntie's for some seasonal festivities. I wrapped while they were gone.

 I walked in to find Chase attempting to clean his spilled hot chocolate powder out of the carpet. He knew where he stood having left a mess like this.

 I looked over and dinner and thought to myself, "Can I offer this child any other drink. Like something other than the three he already has?" This boy is well taken care of with his Egg Nog, Milk and Hot Chocolate.

 

We attended a great Christmas Party....and we may have added some life to it.

 It was cold. But it was worth it!

Hosting a Cousin Party! was on the agenda for Day 23

Christmas Eve provided sweet family time.

 

Day 25:

Warming Up to November

November logically creates conditions demanding a change in routine. Outdoor play consists of getting suited up for 20 minutes, playing for 10 minutes and then putting soggy clothing away for 20 minutes. It is worth it. Especially as they get older, the ratio of times change to be more advantageous for Mom.

 

 

 One night, Logan walked in the door from basketball practice and said, "Here Mom, this is for you!" My response was, "Don't you like Popcorn?" His full bag was then handed to me as he explained he thought it would be nice to bring for me. I ate a lot of the bag before I decided to take this picture. What a gentleman.

 

Speaking of food!: I cannot keep any in the house. It seems like the shelves are always struggling to stock snacks etc. This may be the first awakening to my future of constant grocery shopping.  I decided to do a simple relief effort one evening. This spread didn't last long either.

 

Basketball is our life. A good healthy dose of indoor sports.

 Okay, maybe not a healthy dose. Maybe an overdose. Each child (except Chase) is enrolled in basketball. And Ryan coaches (or assistant coaches) all of them! Do the math: 5 kids - 1 set of twins on the same team = 4. But if that's not enough, Ryan offered to help with Logan's school team. Next thing he knows; he's assigned to the roll of Head Coach. So, the math then changes to 4 + 1 School Team = 5!!! 5 teams coached by one man, who has 1 day and 3 evenings available to fit it all in. Let's just concluded saying, this Father of Basketball players is all booked up. And he's a shining star too.

 
 

 

Ryan and Sadie attended a Father Daughter Gala. They danced the night away and as I tucked her into bed she said she was going to dream about her amazing evening all night long.

 

I awaited my responsibility to be the takedown crew of the event. And while doing so, I went out on a date with this fine young man.

 

And who would have ever thought we would get to this moment in time:

He is old enough to qualify for his very OWN card to access the lake and all other recreation facilities in our community. (And to think he was 4 years old when we moved into this community. Wasn't that just yesterday?)