This was a week of 'all things Christmas'. The real countdown. Christmas events, finishing the shopping, wrapping every night, mailing Christmas letters, baking...the list goes on and on, as you know. It's a wonderful balancing act, bearing the stress while keeping the excitement and remembering what the season is really all about. At some point enough has to be enough. For instance, the gingerbread house that we bought never got put together. Oh well.
Monday, Dec. 16th
It was our last day with Mr. Milo. Double diaper change:
The kids were a huge help with him. We all did our best to keep him happy.
For the 3rd year, Northstar collaborated with C.A.S.T. and Summit Stuidos for an evening variety show as a Toys for Tots event. This was the first year Madison could participate since we didn't do Richest Man at church. In addition, Trevor made his stage debut! He's a natural and really enjoyed it.
A friend texted me this picture, "Look! Madison's all over Toys 'R Us."
Trevor made a bed on our floor. I cracked up! That's a fitted sheet he's cocooned in.
Date night for dinner and Transiberian Orchestra in Providence- an early Christmas surprise to me.
Friday, Dec. 20th
We drove out to Rhode Island to see my niece, Lainie, perform in the Nutcracker. The show was well done and all the kids seemed to be captivated. The theater is gorgeous and the costumes were beautiful! Lainie was the obviously leader of the four fairies, the others looking to her. She nailed it! (Thanks for the pictures, Lisa.)
I dropped Maddy off at Anna's so they could do their gift exchange and get ready for the Red Carpet party the youth was having.
Sunday, Dec. 22nd
We'd had Izaya overnight so Colombo took them ice-skating before we had to take him home.
I helped Izaya and Nathanael both make infinity scarves for their grandmothers (and Izaya made one for his mom). Both boys were naturals on the machine. They were so sweet about picking out just the right fabric that they knew would be perfect.
I finally got to filling the planters with greens. It'd been on the 'list' for weeks, but... While working on them, my bit-of-an-eccentric neighbor, who's been known to refer to other neighbors as 'morons', shouted across the street, "You're not decorating are you?" Yes, I know, but better late than never. And because I procrastinated, I got to use Bob and Jule's leftovers instead of hiking through the woods with my clippers.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
