We managed to pile in quite a few activities leading up to Christmas, which made the countdown go more quickly (for me at least), which may or may not have been a good thing. It also made the time pass more quickly until we got to see Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Mark!
The Discovery Center of Idaho invited Santa to make an appearance and we made the most of the opportunity to take our family to the new exhibit, meet up with the Stewarts, and have dinner at Five Guys. Spencer wasn't about to sit on Santa's lap - or anywhere near him for that matter - but he liked the candy cane and was more interested in the tree ornaments than saying "cheese" for my camera. He loved the giant bubbles and the girls had a good time. It was a good way to spend a family home evening. We enjoy spending time with Erin, Dan, and their daughter Ginny.
We had two concerts to attend - the first grade presentation at school and a ballet performance at an assisted living facility for Mallorie. I love the sweet sounds of children's voices and enjoyed Morgan's concert. It was heartening to see the gym crowded with parents, siblings, and others to enjoy their songs. I've decided that there are few things cuter than 4-5 year olds dressed in pink leotards dancing to "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" The dance instructor hosted a party for the little dancers in the studio. Even Spencer figured out to belly up to the pad for some cookies. That boy is obsessed with sweets.
On the first Monday of break, Nancy and Steve hosted their annual "Christmas Workshop" for the grandchildren. We kept Spencer home with us as he's still a little young to appreciate the activities. He missed his sisters, though, and was stuck to my leg most of the morning! Chadwick and I took advantage of the time without the older children to wrap presents, listen to Christmas music, and get a few things done around the house. We had dinner with the rest of the family that evening and acted out the Nativity. Several individuals had multiple parts to play.
Chadwick was running from one side of the living room to the other, hopping on first one bench than the couch to play the part of angels.
Mallorie made the cutest little Mary and I did an admirable job as the donkey. Spencer spent the evening trying to cart around baby Jesus, which frustrated Mallorie to no end.
Morgan had been coming down with a cold and it caught up with her at dinner; she slept most of the evening and had quite the fever by the time we started the Nativity. Luckily, she bounced back the next day and no one else caught whatever she had.
That evening was the start of the sugar overload we are still trying to kick - it's hard to turn down cookies!
Tuesday morning we had the Taylors over to make (more) cookies. We created quite the mess in my kitchen and I'm still finding frosting stuck to parts of the table. It was totally worth the disaster and the kids had a great time. I had plans to deliver cookie plates to some friends and had been baking several days before this event. Unfortunately, life took over and the cookies never made it out the door. During the week of Christmas, we ate as many cookies as possible throughout the day in an effort not to waste the goodness. A small bagful of frosted cookies were donated to the Taylors chickens yesterday morning....
Wednesday was spent sweeping and vacuuming and dusting and cleaning frosting off the table, scrubbing toilets and washing towels to prepare the house for my parents. Due to the winter storms scheduled to arrive at the end of the week, they opted to leave Albuquerque two days early and arrived in Meridian Thursday evening! We were ecstatic to have them early and they got the chance to spend most of Friday with the kids as I was working that day. (Note to self: do not volunteer to work the two days before Christmas, especially when company is expected.)
The rest of the week was a blur of working both at Bench and Critter Clinic, chatting with my parents, putting the final touches on the Christmas prep, and counting down to the big day. And trying to stay warm - it hasn't been above freezing since the middle of December and the snow continues to pile up. It's a beautiful winter wonderland, though my mother stated that she may consider changing her mind about moving here after retirement. Boise is now known as the "frozen tundra" in her book. I informed her that we could buy her a good pair of boots and a warm coat, then she would be fine. I think she has her doubts....
And of course there are the usual shenanigans of the children and animals. Cleo loves to toast her whiskers by the fire. She was disappointed when we opened presents and removed her new perch.
I caught Darwin staring at the table after lunch one day, hoping this piece of bread would somehow take aleap into his mouth. He's such a goof. I'm not going to lie; I gave him the bread after snapping the photo.
Spencer loves to arrange and re-arrange objects. From shoes to toys to food items, the activity will keep him busy for many, many minutes.
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