christmas

Tuesday last week was the last day of school for the kids before Christmas break. I went in for the kid's parties and also to a Christmas sing-a-long the whole school had. As the students and parents walked into the gym the 3rd graders played songs they had been practicing on recorders. Wow, it sounded a lot better than when Isabella first brought that thing home several months ago. The 3rd graders all played together and did so well. Here is Isabella with her friend Jadyn.
After school was finished we were on with the start of the Christmas marathon. On Christmas Eve we were at my Aunt and Uncle's house for brunch, supper and a day of fun. After brunch my uncle brought out some antique wooden Lego's he had as a child. My children call him Grandpa because of the close relationship we have. It was so cool to see how into my children he has become. They played for hours with these wooden Lego's.

They also have a piano....So Jack pounded on that for a while, until mama requested peace and quiet.

After brunch, naps, laying around and relaxing, the games began. I love the tradition of playing cards with my family. We usually sit around for a couple hours learning and playing new card games. This is my cousin's wife, Jane.

Then came presents. Lots of presents. Presents in stockings, presents in boxes. Lots of fun.

Christmas day we spent at home. Just our little family of 6. Since the previous day we opened gifts youngest to oldest....on Christmas day we went oldest to youngest. Isabella wanted me to open my gift from her first. A gift she made in November, wrapped and had waiting under the tree for over a month. It was this soft, fuzzy scarf her grandma helped her make. It was so fun to see Isabella's joy in giving. One of the perks of your kids getting older.

Suzy opening her gift.

This year we got one gift for all the kids, but wrapped it up individually. We got them a Wii. Isabella & Jack were pretty floored by it.

For Christmas we did something a little different and new to us. We had fondue. I had it one time at a friends birthday party a couple of years ago, but have never made it. It was a lot of fun.

Here is the dessert portion of our dinner.

It was a little tricky with young kids. Jack and William both needed help...which was a little crazy. But Isabella and Donovan could do it all by themselves. :) If I have any requests for the recipes...I will post them. It was super good! But for now I need to run. We have another Christmas this afternoon.

Quote of the day:

Suzy is crying because she is hurt because she fell on some ice in the driveway flat on her back.

Jack wants her teddy bear she is holding while crying in pain.

Jack: "She is not thinking of her brothers. Why can't I have that bear?"

Donovan: "Really? You are asking for the poor girls bear who is hurt? What are you doing -trying to get the quote of the day?"

Clearly we are lacking in compassion. We still have MANY areas we are still working on in this family.