December Adventures

 

Christmas Mimosa (cranberry & OJ)

This Christmas season was very fulfilling. I am truly blessed!  There was so much to do in our area that kept us very busy. Meli really started to notice the whole Christmas thing. She would yell "kisstmas lights" anytime we passed a decorated house. One night, when I had taken the kids to an evening story time at the library, Will surprised us all with hanging lights on the front porch. Meli flipped! She could not believe there was Christmas lights on her house. I loved the surprise. I have not had lights hung up since childhood. I love my very sweet and caring husband.

In a previous post I mentioned our visit with Santa and the town tree lighting. It was a great way to start off the Christmas season and put us in the right mood.

A few of our friends' kids had December birthdays. Our children love going to parties. Social butterflies. Meli just had to wear a pretty party dress (even though the party's attire did not require it). Still...She looked absolutely adorable! Plus, it was that or going as Elsa or Aurora. The kids played some cool new games. Meli and Will had to design the tallest, free-standing marshmallow tower with uncooked spaghetti noodles. Meli won! Even though her job was mostly eating the marshmallows. Their supply was constantly being refilled.

Meli's tower

The parents even had games to play and homemade kahlua for our coffee (yummy). There was life size Jenga! It was so much fun! Crazy loud when it fell though.

Jenga pieces

This year Will was in the baking mood. Probably since he has been eating so healthy for the year. We made (all from scratch) shortbread, double chocolate drop, and chocolate chip cookies. We were supposed to make Snickerdoodles, but they kept getting shot down since there was no chocolate involved.  Stinkers. I love that kind. Will was in charge of the placement of the cookies...he possibly put them a little too close.

 

The kids started going to a children's church thing on Wednesdays. They love it! It is story time and playtime. It only cost 75 cents for 2.5 hours. Cheap babysitting! They also were able to go to a movie night at the church we have been attending. They featured a movie (Lego Movie) and games. All of the games were Lego themed. They even had people dressed up in character. The kids had so much fun. It was like 4 hours long. The church put it on so that parents could have a night of Christmas shopping if needed.

A Christmas Eve selfie with Mae

This month has been oddly warm. We took a walk the other day and did not need sweatshirts or jackets. The ducks were happy to see us with food. The temperature did drop enough that it snowed a bit on Christmas Eve,  but it did not stick. So sad. Colin and Will really wanted a white Christmas.

walking adventure

My mom and younger brother came up for dinner on Christmas Eve. We enjoyed a ham dinner. Meli got the cutest princess accessories. Colin wants to be an inventor and work with robotics. So, it was great that Uncle Greggie got him a telescope and microscope to help encourage his science aspirations.

The kids also got to open the Christmas Eve gift from us (pajamas) and a Christmas book to read that night. We set out a treat and milk for Santa and carrots and broccoli for the reindeer (Meli suggested the broccoli and cheese). Then she took a bite out a few of the carrots.

Christmas Eve

My babies

Christmas morning was so much fun with the kids and Grammie. Meli finally got her purple present. She loved all of the little purple things inside. She is learning present manners. She kept asking for more. It is the first year she really noticed gifts. Last year, I had to open most of her gifts.

We had a delicious Christmas breakfast. I had cooked apple, brown sugar, cinnamon and oatmeal in the crockpot all night. We woke up to a wonderfully delicious smell! We also had cheesecake dip with graham crackers. Yummy!

Colin got his Skylanders Trap Team for the WiiU. He was freaking out! It is so funny that all of this started with a book (with all of the characters) I picked up for .25 cents at a MOPS garage sale. He has been into Skylanders and Pokémon. He also got a Star Lord mask and nerf gun (from Guardians of the Galaxy - Will's new favorite movie), and several lego sets. Meli got her purple present filled with purple things, several Disney Princess Barbie-type toys (not sure if those are called Barbie dolls since they are not "Barbie" brand...oh well. Dolls, I guess), and a Jasmine costume. To name a few...they were spoiled per usual. We did good though. Majority of our shopping was done during the summer when we happened upon a 50% off the clearance prince. Great...Amazing deals!

Will and I wanted to do smaller gifts for each other this year. I would much rather spend the money on a trip sometime and we do not have any house projects going on right now ( I love having a new house)...but we are going to do some yard projects later. I think we want to add a deck or stone firepit. Will did get me an auto tuner for my guitar (we are going to start learning soon), a book about the history of Wonder Woman (very interesting story about feminism, etc), rain boots (that Meli picked out - I love them), and clothes. Will got some collector lego sets, comic books, some new board games (for us to play as a couple and a family), Men's Health subscription, etc.

That evening we headed south to have Christmas dinner with my dad and family. The kids had a blast playing with their baby cousins. Abel and Miles are both around a year old. They adored Colin.

We had another Christmas the next morning, a game night that evening with P-pa and Mi-ma, and then last night we had friends over for another game night. The kids have had so many late nights this week. Last night they went to bed around midnight. The B kids need early bedtimes. Meli had a major meltdown last night. It was not fun, but she had done very well considering the crazy, busy week. I think she was just beyond tired.

 

Today we are being lazy this morning. The kids are putting their lego sets together (so cute to see them work next to each other) and Will is watching Washington and Dallas play. It is Mi-ma's birthday so we will have cake and ice cream to celebrate later. I am enjoying some rest time right now.

 

We are getting so excited for our East Coast visitor next week!!!!

 

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season. I am so blessed to get to spend it with my sweet husband and rambunctious but adorable kids! Merry Christmas everyone!!