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!