Thankful Thursday

Merry Christmas Eve to all! What a wonderful time of year.  

I'm so thankful for this day to spend with my family.  

I'm thankful for these best early morning buddies. 

I'm thankful my kids have been enjoying each others' company.  The first few days of break, Kael spent the majority of his time with friends, outside shooting baskets since the weather was so nice.  Yesterday was so rainy, the kids and I just hung out together all day inside.  We baked bon bons, then the kids turned the bunk beds into a fort and played in there for the longest time.  There is nothing better than hearing their giggles and knowing they are having fun together (without electronics involved, I might add)!

I'm so thankful the rain *briefly* turned to snow yesterday! 

I'm so very thankful for Christmas Eve church.  Technically this year it was Christmas Eve Eve church for us.  But there is just nothing more special than seeing the kids faces lit up by candlelight while singing O Holy Night.  What a perfect reminder for us to keep the reason for the season at the center of our hearts. 

I'm thankful for some fun traditions we have today.  The kids always look forward to making a scavenger hunt for each other for their gifts.  We will also be enjoying some chocolate fondue tonight and everyone is so excited.

Wherever today finds you, may you and yours have a very merry Christmas! 

Weekend Wrap-Up

Christmas is in full swing around here!

Kase had his preschool program on Thursday.  It was really cute and he stayed up with his class the whole time.  He didn't sing or do the actions, but he looked pretty cute anyways.

Later that day I had the kids help me open all my gifts from my students.  People are so thoughtful and generous.  I truly cherished opening each and every gift.  

Friday was the kids' last day of school before break so I went to their school parties.  Always fun to see them in their element. After school that day Keith and Cindy came down and we spent the afternoon baking cookies then went out for dinner.  A great night!

Saturday we had Christmas in Sheffield with my dad's side of the family.  We are getting to be quite a big group! It was so fun to see everyone.

Sunday we had Christmas here with Kent's dad's side of the family.  We were so disappointed his grandma wasn't feeling up to coming but we had a nice time nonetheless. I spent the afternoon sorting and wrapping gifts.  I can't believe Christmas is so soon! I feel like I still have lots to do!

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful when Kent sends me things during the day like, "This song makes me think of you..."

I'm thankful for thoughtful gifts from friends and co-workers. Kylee had fun with some gingerbread play-doh that we were gifted!

I'm thankful the kids were so excited about their letters from Santa! Here Kase is showing his to Kent.

I'm thankful that when I dropped an egg on our kitchen floor the other day it was no problem to clean up. Kidding. It was messy and gross and I was so mad at myself for dropping it.

I'm thankful for each item I cross off my To Do list.  My goal is to have most everything finalized before the kids are done with school so that we can just relax and enjoy all week together next week! 

Weekend Wrap- Up

These December weekends are busy! I'm starting to feel a little anxious that Christmas is less than two weeks away! I still have lots to do!

Friday night the kids went with Kent's dad and mom to watch the Ottumwa basketball game while Kent and I got a little shopping done.  It was so nice to drag take him along with me to have another person to bounce ideas off of.  

Saturday morning Kent was at work so the kids and I had my sisters and their kids over to our house. The cousins all had so much fun playing together and we got a little work done on holiday gifts and planning. 

After Kael's basketball game that day, the kids and I finalized Christmas cards and neighbor gifts. They always have the best time delivering gifts to friends! 

Later that night we did our annual gingerbread village decorating.  Every year our elf delivers a gingerbread kit and every year we decorate them together, then let the kids dive in, literally.  They each have a couple bites right out of their respective houses and they just love this funny tradition. 

Kael's pointing to the fact that he went a little heavy on the frosting so his roof was starting to collapse. :)

Sunday morning, the kids sang in church, which is my second favorite service of the entire year, after Christmas Eve service, of course.  The kids looked so grown up standing up there, especially Kael.  Hard to believe that was the last time for him!

After church we headed to celebrate my grandma's Christmas.  This year we got together at a hotel and had a big conference room for the food, games, and gifts but we also had the added bonus of the kids getting to swim! What a fun day.  

All of my grandma's great-grandchildren (besides one who couldn't come that day). A pretty impressive group!

I couldn't have been happier to spend the day with family and was so happy the kids had so much fun. A big shoutout to my mom and my aunt Connie for making it happen- I know how much work it is for you guys! 

Back to the daily grind today- I'm so sad to report that both my dad and sister are sick.  Hoping everyone else can stay healthy for the holidays! 

Thankful Thursdays

I'm thankful that I'm  not the only mom who let her kid wear shorts yesterday. It was a little chillier than I thought! Kael has been wearing shorts all week, though and I'm not complaining! This December weather is awesome.

I'm thankful I'm feeling better. I spent all of Tuesday on the couch with a stomach bug. We've all had it now besides Kent so hopefully we will stay healthy for Christmas! 

I'm thankful my kids still believe in all the Christmas things- Santa, our elf, etc. It truly is the best time of the year!

I'm thankful for these cuties.

I'm thankful my kids appreciated these grinch kebabs after school the other day. Fun!

I'm thankful that Kent and I get a night out shopping this evening. The kids are going with Keith and Cindy to watch Kevin's basketball game.

I'm thankful our first Christmas celebration is this weekend!

Weekend Wrap-Up

What an up and down weekend we had! Lots of fun but...well, I'll just fill you in.

Thursday Kent passed his Series 7 exam after many, many hours of studying.  I'm so proud of him! He got home early on Thursday so he joined us to watch Kylee's performance at the library acting class.  The second I walked in the room I could tell something was up with Kylee.  Sure enough, she wasn't feeling great.  She still had a great performance, and even went to half of basketball practice later that evening before hurrying home just in time.  Poor girl spent the rest of the evening pretty miserable. 

So she stayed home from school Friday.  All her friends and even her teacher waved to her at their recess. We had a super lazy day here, and honestly Kylee was feeling pretty much back to normal by afternoon. 

Friday, Kael wore his tie-dye shirt to school.  All the fifth graders made them and I think they turned out so cool! He was so proud of it.

Saturday morning Kael had a basketball game and he had quite the cheering section! Kent's parents. my parents, my niece and nephews and one of my sisters.  So fun! We had lunch with Kent's parents at Tanner's to celebrate him passing the test!

Saturday night we had our annual neighbor Ugly Sweater party.  We had dinner at Ranallo's, then back to a friend's house to watch the Hawks (so sad).  We still had a great time and had our white elephant exchange which is always hilarious. 

Completely unbeknownst to me, my kids (who were sleeping over at my parents' house) had gotten sick while we were with our friends. Well, Kylee was fine since she had been sick earlier in the week but Kase and Kael had their turn to be sick.  By the time we picked them up the next morning they both seemed to be better but still, we had a pretty lazy day at home all day Sunday.

I'm hoping that means we have all our sickness out of the way for Christmas and everyone will be healthy then.  In the meantime, I'm feeling totally behind on all things Christmas- gifts, cards, etc. I'm hoping to get on the ball this week!!!

Thankful Thursday

I'm so SO thankful Kent passed his test!