Christmas

Christmas Eve we had our friends over and the kids exchanged gifts.  They got Austin and Sydney laser tag game which they liked.  Then we finally made Christmas cookies.  We had been so busy we barely fit it Christmas cookies but we did just in time for Santa.  Then we went to church.  After church, we went to McDonald’s for dinner. We are continuing the tradition. 

That evening, Brian’s mom and Mike and my mom all came over to spend the night.  Brian’s mom was in town this year.  Also this year, things were all set which was so nice.  It was much less stressful.  The kids left out carrots for reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa.  They went to bed fairly quickly and Austin got up at 4am. 

He worked on his book report until he was able to wake up Sydney at 6am.  At 6am the kids went downstairs and opened their gifts.  Austin received a big drone, hot wheels car wash, pet penguin, game, and CD player.  Sydney got a new kindle (she broke her old one a few months ago), unicorn hair styler, and penguin.  She also got unicorn string art and Frozen lego set.  They had a great Christmas.  My mother and I made breakfast that turned out great.  I didn’t burn the cinnamon rolls this year.  After breakfast my mom went home.  The kids played with their toys.  Then we went down to her house for dinner.  It was a great day. 

After Christmas we had to get all the decorations down since we were leaving for a cruise on Saturday.  Brian took down the Christmas lights the day after Christmas because it was 60 degrees and we were leaving.  We didn’t want to leave them up while we were gone and have to deal with taking them down once we got back.  Brian goes to Las Vegas after we get back so it’s going to get busy once again. 

Christmas Activities

We went to a local farm and picked out our Christmas tree.  The kids always get to pick out the tree. It's their responsibility to cut in down and drag it back.  It's a lot of work for them. It also develops team work.  They found the perfect tree.  

We started our family Christmas activities with Lake Farm park.  We always enjoy doing the breakfast.  The kids love eating breakfast and it is less crowded than at night.  After breakfast, we saw Santa then the kids made their wooden toys.  All the wooden toys go under our Christmas tree each year. It’s neat to see them every year.  This year Austin made a frog and Sydney made an angel.  They really take their time with them painting them perfectly.  The kids rode a pony after their toy making. 

Also in the beginning of December Austin had his first basketball game.  It was so fun to watch.  They even won.  Brian does a great job coaching them.  Sydney has also started basketball.  She doesn’t get to play games yet but she’s really liking it too. 

The school had its annual gingerbread house contest. The kids enjoy making their gingerbread houses.  Sydney also had a piano recital the same day so we left the gingerbread house making early to take her to that.  Austin stayed at the school with some friends.  He hears her play piano every week so figured it was okay for him to miss it. 

Another fun night is when Santa comes to our house in a firetruck.  It’s always so fun.  The kids were outside screaming when they could see the flashing lights.  He even came early this year.  Santa even bought them a present.  Austin got building domino blocks and Sydney got a stuffed animal.  They were so happy. 

Austin and Sydney also performed in the school Christmas concert together.  It was great for them to be in it together.  It only goes until 3^rd grade so unfortunately this was the last year of that.  They each sang two songs with their class and then they did one with 2^nd and 3^rd grade.  They made sweatshirts this year to wear at the concert.  The whole class matched.  I helped with each of their sweatshirts.  It was cute. 

Brian and I each went out in December.  We usually don’t go out much together.  We enjoy spending time with the kids so we usually do things as a family.  A group of parents went out on a limo bus to downtown brewery.  It was a lot of fun!

The Cavs put on winter fest at the Q (Rocket Mortgage Field house)  each year for season ticket holders.  Luckily this year we could go.  We got there early so we could ice skate.  We know that ice skating gets busy.  We ice skated for a while.  The kids are getting good at it.  They are not as good as skiing but getting there.  Then we even met Zivic.  Then we had some dinner and made some cookies.  Austin and Sydney made an ornament for the tree as well.  It was a good night. 

I helped with Sydney’s Christmas party at school.  They played a game and did some crafts.  Then they decorated cookies.  Austin didn’t have a Christmas party.  They had a Grinch day which he liked as well. 

We went out to see a Kent State basketball game with some friends from basketball.  Austin and the boys enjoyed watching the game.  Sydney and the girls played most of the game. 

We ended all of our Christmas activities with Mr. Kringle’s Inventionasium.  We were bummed because the talking tree near it was not working.  However the Inventionasium did not disappoint.  The characters are great.  They have fun doing all the stations.  Sydney gets more excited about it but Austin still enjoys it too.  They even got to make a toy and bring it home this year. The problem with the toy was it didn’t stay together well.  They loved making snow.  And seeing Mr. Kringle is magical!  They got a stuffed dragon to bring home as well. 

After Mr. Kringle we went to a Cavs game.  We even got upgraded seats for this game.  They were probably the best seats we had.  They were 13 row behind the visitor bench.  It was even a good game and the Cavs won.  We truly had a magical holiday season!