Mostly! After Christmas three of our girls needed antibiotics, our dishwasher leaked onto the kitchen floor and ended up needing to be replaced, and our Christmas tree fell over (we had it up for only eight days!). On the bright side the sickness wasn't GI or respiratory, we have a new dishwasher that is prettier and infinitely quieter than the old one, and at least I won't be taking off the lights and ornaments come January which I always find to be glum!
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This year I really relished having that week+ in between Thanksgiving and Christmas; it was so nice to put all the fall decorations away and have bare surfaces before slowly taking out things for Advent. I also felt like we had a good balance between doing seasonal things and opting out/ having free weekend days when we felt like it. This year Audrey got the Jesse tree set out (seriously probably made of the cheapest magnet material possible) and did it on her own every day. It was kind of great to just "let the chips fall where they may" on some things!
On the 1st we went to the local Christmas parade, which is something I *really* wanted to do. Every single year Tim had a work related event that always fell on the same day as the parade but since he switched jobs in August that no longer applied! It started spitting not long after the parade started, so we only stayed about an hour but all in all we were glad we went. :)
The next Saturday we went to the Knights of Columbus Christmas party for the kids, and the day after that the older girls and I attended "Madeline's Christmas" with my aunt, mom, sister, SIL, and two of the girls' cousins, afterwards going for pizza. I think that was one of my favorite outings in December! The play was really cute and it was fun to have a girls' day and to get time to eat good food and talk with everyone.
The last week of school before break Audrey and Heidi both had their school programs. Heidi was an angel in the Pre-K pageant and Audrey sang with her class in the evening program.
On the 1st we went to the local Christmas parade, which is something I *really* wanted to do. Every single year Tim had a work related event that always fell on the same day as the parade but since he switched jobs in August that no longer applied! It started spitting not long after the parade started, so we only stayed about an hour but all in all we were glad we went. :)
The next Saturday we went to the Knights of Columbus Christmas party for the kids, and the day after that the older girls and I attended "Madeline's Christmas" with my aunt, mom, sister, SIL, and two of the girls' cousins, afterwards going for pizza. I think that was one of my favorite outings in December! The play was really cute and it was fun to have a girls' day and to get time to eat good food and talk with everyone.
The last week of school before break Audrey and Heidi both had their school programs. Heidi was an angel in the Pre-K pageant and Audrey sang with her class in the evening program.
Heidi is so cute in her puffy bunny slippers |
On the 21st we all went to the Bethlehem Walk at a neighboring parish while my mom watched Cora. They re-create and act out what Bethlehem would have been like when Jesus was born and you walk through all the different "scenes". It was the first time Tim or I had gone and we were really impressed. I can't imagine all the time and effort that went into putting it on!
On Christmas Eve we went over to my parent's house for pizza and got a cousin picture with the girls all in their pjs. The next morning we opened some gifts, went to mass, and then hosted brunch for some of my family. It made for a nice, leisurely late morning/ early afternoon (and the mimosas didn't hurt either). After short naps we headed back over to my parent's for family dinner and a gift exchange. My sister suggested having a cookie exchange for dessert this year and it was a fun idea. Haha, Cora and her cousin twin also loved the idea, as the table was in perfect reach for them and in an area where the adults often weren't.
I'm not going to lie- I always like opening presents but I LOVE holidays with lots of good food. :)
This year one of my very favorite things was that Cora kept saying "Smis-mas" for Christmas and "tangles" for candles.
On Christmas Eve we went over to my parent's house for pizza and got a cousin picture with the girls all in their pjs. The next morning we opened some gifts, went to mass, and then hosted brunch for some of my family. It made for a nice, leisurely late morning/ early afternoon (and the mimosas didn't hurt either). After short naps we headed back over to my parent's for family dinner and a gift exchange. My sister suggested having a cookie exchange for dessert this year and it was a fun idea. Haha, Cora and her cousin twin also loved the idea, as the table was in perfect reach for them and in an area where the adults often weren't.
I'm not going to lie- I always like opening presents but I LOVE holidays with lots of good food. :)
This year one of my very favorite things was that Cora kept saying "Smis-mas" for Christmas and "tangles" for candles.
Have a very happy holiday tomorrow and cheers to 2019!