Almost ready for Christmas

On Friday night, we went on the Polar Express. Brian and Austin usually have basketball on Friday nights so we had to drop off the basketballs then go. It was cold but we didn’t have to stand outside like in years past. Last year, Austin kept saying on the train ride that it was not real. This year, we did not want that to happen so Brian talked to him about it prior. However we wonder if that was such a good idea since he seemed disappointed about it. It’s such a tough call. 

The train ride was fun. The kids sang songs and drank their hot chocolate and had a cookie. Sydney loved it! Austin was kind of indifferent other than he really liked cleaning the windows. He did enjoy talking to Santa on the ride back home.

On Saturday I went to Girl Scout Cookie training with another mom. That was interesting. There is a lot that goes into Girl Scout cookies. Then Austin and Brian had basketball. Austin had a friend’s birthday party at Zip City. That place is a lot of fun!

Then we had a family party where Santa comes. It was a lot of fun. The kids went off and played with other kids and colored. It was sad because my dad was not there. We would always go to this party together and I usually stayed by him. I am a shy person and didn’t go far from my comfort zone.

On Sunday, we went to their school for gingerbread house making. It is great because all the supplies are there. The kids have about an hour to make a house. Austin and Sydney really enjoyed it. Their friends were there too. Austin was a little sad he did not win but he did do a great job!

On Tuesday night Santa came to our house in a fire truck. That is always a fun night. Austin got a building set and Sydney got a mermaid doll. It was even snowing this year which added to the fun. It was a great night.

They had a snow day on Thursday. Luckily I was off. We stayed home and a friend came over. It’s nice to have our house done and to be able to have people over. The kids had a great time!

On Saturday, we went to Gingerbread Tea. We had tea upstairs prior to the show. Brian got good pictures of the kids. Then we watched the show. They even changed the show up a little bit this year. It is mostly all the same characters though. Their favorite is Mousie. It’s a cute short show. We really enjoyed it!

On Sunday we went to one of our friend’s houses and Santa arrived. The kids were so excited! They did not know Santa was coming. It was cute. They got a bag full of goodies too. The kids got to play with their friends and we had a great time!

The last Christmas activity we did was Mr. Kringles at Tower City. It is one of our favorites. I saved it for last this year. It was a bit busier than in the past but we still did our now tour. There were several stations for the kids to invent stuff. They had a secret message that each room had a word they had to fine. That was fun for them. They also got a special name in the beginning. However we all had a hard time remembering it throughout the tour.

Mr. Kringle is the best Santa! He takes his time and even knows information about the kids. They love it. The both got a polar bear from his workshop as well. Afterwards they went to the talking tree which is also a big hit. Then they chased the train around Tower City. We had to get to the Cavs game so they did not ride the train.

We went to the Cavs game. The Cavs won! It was a fun night! Now we are ready for Christmas!

Start of Holiday Season

December is one of our busiest months.  We do a lot of Christmas activities with the kids.  We started out with Breakfast with Santa with our friends at a local restaurant.  It was cute.  The kids had fun coloring sheets and eating breakfast. 

Then we went to Brian’s work for a Christmas party for kids.  They had Santa.  Santa even gave the kids a toy. Austin got a toy to put together and Sydney got a stuffed dog that she named Pup Pup.  They did a craft and got a balloon animals. Austin requested a nutcracker that was a bit challenging for the balloon guys but they did it.  Sydney got a unicorn. They had lots of treats for the kids too.  They got several cookies and candies.  It was neat to see where Brian worked too.   It was really nice. 

Sydney had a play with her Girl Scout troop so we left a little early. Brian stayed and showed Austin around his work more.  Sydney enjoyed the play with her friends.  We saw a Christmas Carol. 

On Sunday we went to Lake Farm Park for breakfast with Santa. We enjoyed breakfast.  The kids built a wooden toy.  Sydney built a Christmas tree and Austin did a Nutcracker.   Then we got to see Santa and the kids told them what they wanted.  Austin wants a Drone and Daddy’s car to turn into a rocket ship and Sydney wants a Flip A Zoo and Mommy’s car to turn into a rocket ship.  The kids played in the toy houses (which we learned they are almost too big for) and watched the train. 

On Sunday night, we went to see the lighting ceremony in our city. We were late getting there so we were last in line to see Santa.  The nice part was we didn’t have to wait too long.  The kids got some hot chocolate and a popcorn ball. 

On Tuesday night we went down to the Q for a Winter Wonderland for season ticket holders.  We got some hot chocolate.  Then the only thing the kids wanted to do was ice skate.  We waited in line for a while but finally got them ice skates.  They didn’t have Brian’s size so I went skating with them.  I am definitely not the best ice skater.  Austin got pretty good at it after a while.  They had a lot of fun. 

After ice skating we got some snacks.  We had nacho chips for dinner.  The kids loved that.  They played on a large light bright too.  It was a fun night down at the Q. 

On Wednesday it was my birthday.  I had to work. After work, we went to a place to see if it would work for Austin’s birthday party.  Unfortunately it did not.  Afterwards, we went to Steak and Shake for dinner. However Austin wanted to go to the Cavs game instead.  After dinner, Brian took the kids to Giant Eagle and they got a cake for me.  It was nice.