Seminary Reunion Party

 At the beginning of November I asked my class of 2019 seminary kids if they would be interested in getting together after Christmas for anyone who happened to be in town. Twelve of my 18 babes were able to squeeze me into their schedules. A couple were on missions and a few families have moved away, but I was so happy to see their sweet faces and revel in their goodness for a few hours.

As I mentioned to them later, "I love you all so much!! Thanks for coming tonight. I fully concede not being the main attraction, but I am still so thankful to have you in my life if even for just a few hours! Continue to keep me posted on your lives!!"

Backrow left to right: Ashley, Brooklyn, Jillian, Natasha, Jordan, Calvin, Emily, Aimee, and Serafina

Front group: Matthew, Wyatt, and Caleb

I love these kids and will always think of them as my own.

Christmas Sunday

Last night we went to bed with the faintest hint of snow with the promise of less than an inch total. This morning we woke up to 4 or 5 inches of beautiful and magical winter wonderland. Church was cancelled which meant we did church with my parents at their house this afternoon. But this morning we reveled in more family bonding time.

After the kids had snowball fights of their own outside, Matthew and I joined in.

We went sledding down our perfect hill.

We enjoyed just being outside.

The kids enjoyed building a snow ghost and being buried alive while Matthew and I shoveled the driveway.

And then both kids indulged in bubble baths with bombs they got in their stockings yesterday. 

When we were clean and warm we headed back outside to walk to my parent's house for church. I charged the kids with either writing a talk about something they liked from the Living Christ Proclamation or singing a Christmas hymn as a solo. Both chose solos. Matthew I prepared very short remarks and my father ended with his testimony. I may have loved it all more than I do Christmas Sunday at real church (which is saying a lot). We played some more outside and inside and then ended up at home to learn and enjoy one of the games my sister Megan gave us for Christmas. Again, absolute perfection. The most perfect of Christmas weekends.

Christmas 2021

Now that we are all as protected against Coronavirus as we can be we have many opportunities to see family for Christmas traditions. Melissa invited us to her house for Christmas Eve and nativity. Matthew and I were open to going but when we put it to the kids they opted to stay at home. They reasoned that with all the social time they were getting that week they would need a day just for our family. I respected their decision and kind of loved it too. 

Dude asked for one of the simplest meals I make which elicited much cheering when I eagerly said yes (Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Pasta). We got a pie and some cider and decided to really enjoy our day together. Matthew and I especially loved that the movie we had elected to see at the movie theater ended up being on Disney Plus allowing us to stay in jammies ALL DAY. It was such a completely lovely day made so wonderful at joyful together time with my favorite people on earth.

Christmas morning the kids woke up bright and early at 6 but didn't come out of their room until 7:55 - the time they decided would be an acceptable time to start Christmas. Color me impressed at their intense willpower. Matthew and I were both well awake by the time they came to check on us (I had even showered).

The kids did an amazing job at being thankful for everything they received. We had a lovely breakfast and eventually made our way over to my parents' house for an equally lovely afternoon with them, Melissa, Jared and their families. Everyone was happy, food was yummy, and all was perfect in the world.

By the time we got everyone tucked in there was just the faintest hint of snow on the ground. Complete Christmas perfection. 

P.S. When I asked the kids what gift Christ gave them this year both said they were grateful He gave them the Covid Vaccine. Matthew and I agreed and then added we were grateful Christ gave Matthew a new job. 

Christmas Kid Dates

This is one of my favorite Christmas traditions we have. Each year Matthew and I take one of the kids for a date/shopping excursion. We go out to dinner with our respective child and buy a present for the other sibling as well as a gift for the other parent. 

Last year I had Dude so this year I took Luca. We quickly got her present for Dude squared away and then, after she rejected all other dinner options, I suggested we try out a section of town dedicated to food trucks. She was equal parts skepticism and curiosity. We looked at the 20ish trucks surrounding this indoor eating area before finally landing on a Crab truck for Luca and a Greek truck for me.

Luca was over the moon excited about getting her beloved crab for dinner. It took her the better part of an hour to eat the crab legs but for her it was all part of the adventure. There were many times the table in front of her looked like it had snowed crab but then she would consolidate it into a manageable lump and eat it. There was nothing she didn't love about the experience, except maybe that after so long of eating crab she still wasn't full. Good thing I couldn't get through all my dinner.

I don't have any pictures of Dude's outing with Matthew, but I will say that he was determined and adorable about what he wanted to get for her.

It's a good thing we don't do these dates until shortly before Christmas because they get way too impatient to exchange their presents. It was all we could do to have them wait just the one day.

School Friend Playdates

I was recently approached by one of the moms of Luca's school friend, via a message sent home, about getting all the girls of their friend group together for a Winter-break playdate. I was game, Luca was SUPER-game, and so all the moms planned an outing.

Meanwhile, Dude has recently gotten into playing Magic the Gathering. He saved up his money, bought some cards (which then inspired Matthew to buy his own) and learned to play. He took them to school for a few days and taught a few friends to play but was quickly squashed by a recess attendant. I guess students aren't allowed to bring in games and toys from home to make it easier for attendants who would have to continually monitor which activities were school appropriate and which items got lost (they do already have an over-flowing lost and found). I get it. But I was so excited for Dude to finally have his own thing to do and his own friend group at school since he really has no outlet in our neighborhood or at church.

But thanks to the example of the mom of Luca's friend I sent Dude to school with notes for the moms of his friends. One of the three responded and so we set up a playdate for him as well. 

I am happy to report that all playdates were successful. Kids had fun, everyone stayed safe and follow up plans are in the works. I am happy for Luca, but I am especially happy for Dude. 

Gingerbread Houses 2021

 

My kids look forward to making gingerbread houses every year. In 2020 we opted not to participate. This year since we were all recently fully vaccinated and boosted we felt ready to join in family events again. The kids were so excited to go, see cousins and decorate their houses. 

My brother Jared recently switched jobs making it hard to get away on a Monday afternoon to drive up to my sister Melissa's house - the traditional gathering place for all things gingerbread. So instead, we went to him. What a fun evening for everyone. I guess it's only been since this July that we saw each other but it feels so much longer, especially for Dude and Luca who have been pining for time together.

I especially loved the Angel Moroni Jared sculpted for his temple out of saltwater taffy, I also love the "birdhouse" Charlotte made, Sauron's all-seeing eye tower, and the replica of Notre Dame. I love that my children made diagrams Sunday night of what they wanted their house to look like which then dictated the candy I bought for them this morning.

On the way home both gingerbread houses collapsed. The kids were completely despondent until I told them it was actually a blessing in disguise since it meant being able to freely eat the house now instead of simply eating the candy they could pull off at any given time. It took a bit of convincing but when they took big bites out of their walls the next day, I don't think they had any remorse.

Total win. Thanks go to Melissa for making yet another year's worth of gingerbread cookies and frosting. And thanks go to Jared and Charlotte for opening up your home for such a lovely and much needed evening of together time.

Christmas Nativity

 

The kids opted not to go to my sister's to reenact the nativity with them like we normally do for Christmas Eve. They decided that with all that was going on the week leading up to Christmas they would need some time at home just us. I could appreciate and respect that so we let the kids have their way. But we still needed some nativity in our life, so the kids created their own manger complete with Tiger Mary, Bear Joseph, lamb baby Jesus, Minion Shepherd, and accompanying sheep and unicorn, Owl angel, and other miscellaneous adoring animals. I thought it was a pretty great and creative way to recreate our dear Savior's birth, and one, I think He would be ok with. I mean, do you see how loving that Mary and Joseph are with their sweet little Lamb?

Kid's Covid Vaccine - Shot 2

Yesterday the kids got their second covid vaccine and Matthew and I both got our boosters and a flu shot. So thankful to be done, so thankful that the second one went even more smoothly than the first.

Luca was still nervous about getting the second shot but did so much better at controlling her nerves. It helped that while we were waiting our turn a boy about their age was getting his. This boy was a kidney transplant survivor and was veteran at all things shots. His dad informed the nurse he would be watching a show on his phone during the whole procedure. So genius. We could totally emulate that solid plan. I quickly pulled up a compilation of cute cat videos and directed Luca's attention to it and away from her anxiety. No crying, no tears, she was a super champ. I couldn't believe what a difference it was from the first time around.

Dude was a champ as always, and then Matthew and I got ours. We celebrated with more Mod Pizza and Crumbl cookies. By that evening we were all complaining of sore arms, everyone except Dude. We took some meds and went to bed.

We promised the kids they could stay home today if they were feeling the effects of the vaccine but that if they were feeling well they could go to school and get a special treat for not taking advantage of a lazy day at home. In my mind it was a win-win for them. Dude opted to take a slow start to his day, but when it was evident he was fine I took him to school. Luca initially felt fine enough to go to school, but after a few hours felt awful and was sent home with a fever. Matthew and I both felt tired and not great for most of the day.

But that's ok, because we know that tomorrow we will all feel right as rain and then we can look forward to a bright future filled with holiday gatherings and new year extracurricular activities with so much less worry. Hooray!!