Christmas

This year Christmas Eve was on a Saturday.  The past few years I had to work Christmas Eve but not this year.  We started of the day at our friend’s house allowing the kids to exchange gifts.  That was fun.  Then we came home and the kids decorated the cut out cookies they made the night before.  Austin and Sydney did all the icing of the cookies.  Austin even used a baggie and wrote “ Austin been good” on one of them.  He also used the writing icing to decorate Christmas tress cookies.  He did a good job. 

Then we got ready for church.  We all got dressed up.  Brian took a picture of us in front of the Christmas tree.  Austin fell asleep during church.  Sydney did not behave at all.  I was not happy.  She was laying on the floor.  Finally she started behaving. 

For the third year in a row, we went to McDonalds on Christmas Eve for dinner.  It’s become our tradition.  The kids play in the playroom.  They get chicken nuggets. Brian and I enjoy our pop.  We play with the kids.  I enjoyed playing air hockey with Austin this year.  Brian played the video game with Sydney this year.  Then everyone played some basketball.  

When we got home, the kids sprinkled the reindeer food in the backyard.  They talked to the North Pole.  We read some Christmas books and got ready for bed.  The kids were so excited.  I was really tried.  But we had lots of wrapping to do after they went to bed.  It was fun setting everything up under the tree.  It looked beautiful. 

Austin woke up at 3am very excited.  I convinced him to go back to bed.  He slept in our bed.  That usually never happens.  But I figured it was Christmas it was okay.  Then he got up at 6am.  We waiting for my parents to get there.  Austin was being a little loud and that woke up Sydney.  Then they both went downstairs.  They were very happy kids. 

Austin got his camera he asked for.  Another big hit was a BB8 stuffed animal from Star Wars.  He liked his cleaning set and connect 4 game.   Sydney loved her Anna and Elsa princess sleeping bag, flat penguin sled, Ariel doll, and hair clips and brushes. 

Austin got Brian and #1 Mom cup from Santa’s workshop.  I got a cup with a straw.  Sydney got a princess crown.  And I got a Mom pen.  Austin and Sydney got Brian (with my help) a Cavs shirts, Cavs gloves, and chocolate covered cherries.  The kids got me a basketball hoop to put their clothes in so they won’t be on the floor.  It’s been less than a week and clothes still end up on their floor.  Sydney got Austin a balloon making kit.  They both loved that.  They decided they wanted to be balloon clowns when they grow up. 

My parents enjoyed watching them open gifts.  The kids made them crafts and we got them a grandkids snowman they can put pictures in. 

Then we had breakfast.  Soon after breakfast my parents went home to rest.  We all took a nap too (except Sydney).  She refused to nap. 

We went down to my parents for dinner and for the kids to open gifts there.  They got a lot of craft stuff.  Sydney rushed and opened everything quickly.  Austin took his time.  They had fun!  We had a good dinner.  Austin and Sydney made a ice cream cake for dessert that they picked out a cookbook from the library. 

Then we went home and watched the Cavs game!  It was a great night!

Brian is usually off a lot during Christmas break.  He has taken them to Chuck E Cheese and the Science center.  We took down our Christmas on Monday since the pine needles kept falling off. It was nice to get our living room back.  We had a very nice Christmas!

More December Fun

Austin started a new basketball league and Brian agreed to be the coach.  It was cool watching Brian coach the kids.  Austin and Brian really enjoy basketball.  Austin has a few more weeks of the other basketball.  So on Saturday s, he has two basketballs for 3 weeks. 

In early December we are always so busy.  We took the kids to a local police station to have their picture taken with Santa.  We went last year for the first time.  The set up was so cool so we wanted to go back this year.  Then we went to gingerbread tea.  The kids had juice and cake before the show.  We watch a cute short play.  The kids went on stage and sang a Christmas song.  It was fun.  Austin remembered it from last year.  He wanted to make sure we went back.  That evening we had a extended family Christmas party.  It’s always so much fun.  There is Santa and lots of good food.  We all had a great time.  The kids saw Santa three times in one day! 

One of our favorite activities is Breakfast at Lake Farm Park.  Before breakfast, Austin and Sydney played in the playroom.  We ate a good breakfast.  That is the kid’s favorite meal of the day.   Santa comes around and gives the kids a little gift.  We take pictures.  Then go visit him in the theater.  Austin told him he would like a camera.  Sydney would like an Anna and Elsa princess sleeping bad and a flat sled.  After our visit with Santa, we go to the workshop were the kids build a wooden toy.  Austin built a Mine craft guy. Sydney made Olaf.  They painted and put lots of glitter on them.  We played for a little longer before coming home. 

Santa came to our house on a fire truck on evening.  That is very exciting for Austin and Sydney.  Last year it was warm out.  This year it was cold. Brian and kids played outside for a bit but I stayed inside.  However the fire truck came by the top of our street 3 times.  Each time we would run out there to see if he was coming down our street.  Each time he did not.  Finally he arrived.  It was fun for them.  We came inside and they opened their gift.  They were star wars and princess boxes they could put stuff in. 

Also in December we had our first experience with a snow day.  First they delayed school start for 2 hours.  That is so hard for working parents.  It was decided I was going to work.  The roads were horrible. I knew they were going to call of school.  Luckily our daycare never closes.  Brian took the kids there.  It happened to be Sydney’s Christmas party at day care that day.   It was weird thinking Austin wasn’t going to be there for it.  But has it turned out he was.  Sydney made a bell ornament.  Austin was a little bored there.  It’s crazy to notice that he has outgrown it there.  He likes is regular school better. 

Another one of our favorite activities was the Polar Express.  It’s  fun having the kids wear their pajamas for it.  We read How the Grinch Stole Christmas while waiting for it.  It’s better to have them to an activity instead of getting bored and then they fight.  Sydney was very involved in everything.  She wanted turn signing songs in the microphone.  She would go up the aisle and do whatever they asked.  Austin knew it was not the North Pole.  It made me sad to hear that but he still had fun.  They enjoyed their hot chocolate and cookie and listening to the story. 
They enjoyed signing the songs.  Santa came on board at the North Pole. We got to visit with him for a minute while the kids told him what they wanted.  The things always stayed the same.  Towards the end of the ride, Austin was really tired and almost falling asleep.  It was definitely a fun night. 

We tried something new this year at the Akron Zoo Wild Lights.  The weather wasn’t the best for the day we had tickets.  It was like a freezing rain.  Part of us really didn’t want to go but since we had tickets we went.  Brian had an umbrella so his camera didn’t get wet.  I had the kids in snow pants just because it was so wet.  We enjoyed looking at all the lights.  The kids had fun playing on the playground.  And because they had snow pants on they could.  After we went around the zoo, we saw Santa.  The kids wrote him a letter and mailed it to him there.  Then for a special treat we even let the kids get s’mores for $8.  Brian had me pack hot chocolate in the care so we had that too after we left.  We were glad we went but not sure we will do it again next year. 

We ended the week before Christmas with conferences at Sydney’s school.  We have also been stressed about the decision of when to send Sydney to Kindergarten.  With Austin it’s obvious.  With Sydney not so much.  If she was public she would wait a year but our private school allows her to go.  Many years ago, we thought we would just wait.  No need to rush her.  But she has always done so well in school. And does almost everything Austin does.  So we had conferences with her teacher, it was confirmed she believes Sydney is ready for kindergarten.  This wasn’t a surprise to us.  Just a little sad for she will be starting school soon!  Sydney was so excited that she will be starting kindergarten.  She thought she was going to start tomorrow. LOL. 

Austin had polar express day at school.  He got to wear his pajamas to school.  They even had yellow tickets and he made so art projects.  It was a fun day for him.  That night we went shopping with Meemaw and Papa for Christmas.  The kids had fun with that!  We even went out to dinner.  The kids even got a milkshake.  Special treat from Meemaw. Austin knew that would never happen with us.  

Start of Christmas Season

Austin had his first Christmas concert in early December.  It was on Thursday night so Sydney had gymnastics.  She has been extremely difficult and refuses to get ready.  She was actually late for it.  Brian took her.  My parents came over around 6pm and we went to school to drop Austin off in his classroom.  Then we got seats in the church.  Brian and Sydney arrived soon after that. 

Austin was so excited and had worked really hard to know all the songs.  The first song was “Go tell them on the Mountain”.  He practiced it so much that even Sydney knows parts of the song.  It’s a really good song.  Then he sang Santa Claus is coming to Town.  They did hand motions and everything.  Then his class left to go back to his classroom and watch a movie while the even grades did their songs.   The entire concert was great!  Then at the end everyone came back and sang together for one song.   After the concert, we came home and had a cookie cake that Austin picked out after school.  He had it say “Great job singing Austin”.  He was proud of it.  Then it was time for bed. 

Austin now goes to Mass with the school.  Sydney and I try to attend when I am off.  Austin likes that we are there.  I enjoy being there too.  Sydney got to sit next to Austin’s friend.  She didn’t do the best a paying attention but Austin did a great job. 

On Saturday Austin had first basketball with the new program.  Brian agreed to coach but he wasn’t there because the president of his company was in town.  It was a mess because I had Sydney with me so I couldn’t really coach Austin’s team.  And none of the other dad’s really wanted to coach either.  Finally a few dads came down to help.  Austin doesn’t like it as much because they don’t play games yet.  He even got hurt doing drills backwards and fell down and scraped his back in three places.  He was fine during practice but when we left he was sad.  He did a good job with it though.  Then he went to his second basketball that is finishing up.  Brian met us there so he stayed for that one. 

Once we got home, Austin and Sydney really wanted to get our Christmas tree.  We decided to go get it.  We walked around for a bit and then Austin found the perfect one.  I was not a big fan of it but it grew on me.  Brian liked the price.  Sydney likes whatever Austin likes.  So Brian let the kids start cutting it down.  They did a good job with the saw.  They even dragged it all the way to the paying station.  It was uphill so they had to work hard to do it.  We watched the shake and bundle up trees for a bit.  Then the kids got some hot chocolate.  And the workers even gave them a Christmas pumpkin.  They were so excited. 

That evening we had dinner with Santa.  My parents came up for that too.  It’s nice because we go with our friends.  We had pizza and salad.  The kids colored and did a few crafts.  Then Santa arrived in the fire truck.  They were standing outside waiting for him to arrive.  Then they got their picture with Santa.  They played a few games.  Then watched Santa leave on the fire truck too.  Afterwards my dad made me a cake for my birthday.  We enjoyed cake.  

On Sunday after church, we went back to the school to make gingerbread houses.  Austin and Sydney enjoyed it.  IT was nice they had all the supplies and they got to create their own gingerbread house.  We even won a few raffle prizes.  They were happy. 

This week we also enjoyed one of our favorite Christmas activities Mr. Kringles. It’s at Tower City.  We enjoy going during the week when it’s least crowded.  We also pay for the private experience so we can enjoy it together.  This year was my favorite year.  The characters were great and everyone had a good time.  Austin and Sydney got to make puppets, paint pictures on the wall, make snow, and build with foam.  Austin’s favorite part was building with foam by wetting it on a sponge and putting together to build something.  It was cool. 

While we were waiting for Mr. Kringle Austin and Sydney built a large tower out of foam blocks.  They even had it reach the ceiling.  One of the workers knocked it down and Austin was not happy.  He later forgave her.  In Mr. Kringles office, Austin told him that he wanted a camera.  He doesn’t want it too big but a real camera.  Sydney wants an Anna and Elsa sleeping bag and sled.  They even got to pick out a toy in Mr. Kringles office.  Austin picked out the foam things to build with water.  Sydney picked up a pink stuffed animal.  She really liked it. 

Once it was over the talking tree was awake.  It seems like every time we go he is sleeping.  Austin and Sydney were so excited to talk to the tree. They even sang Christmas carols with it.  Then we walked around public square.  There was ice skating that Austin really wanted to do but we were not dress for it. So they climbed on statues downtown and slid down them.  It was a lot of fun for them.  Then we walked to our car and went home.

December is our busiest month but I have to say it’s one of my favorites.  Especially since it’s so magical for him right now.  Even our elf Kristoff is so magical.  He moves every night.  He likes our Christmas tree, zip lining from it, falling down from zip line and needing lots of band aids, and riding sleigh with reindeers pulling him.  It’s so much fun!