Week 51

Now that Christmas is over, it's time to catch up on the blog!  The last week of December is historically quiet(ish) for us.  It's a very welcome respite after a frenzied couple of weeks.  After getting home from Maine, the kids got right to playing with their new toys, building new puzzles.  Tonight we made homemade pizza and Colombo took the two oldest and their friends to the movies.  At some point I'll de-decorate.  It feels good to sit with fingers on keys and just sort of chill.  

But for now, I have to go back to before Christmas.  Back to the beginning of the days that if I wasn't moving, then something was falling through the cracks.  

Monday, Dec. 15th

Only picture from the day...stuffing my planters with greens.  

Tuesday, Dec. 16th
I emailed the church to ask if I could have candles and communion for our at-home candlelight service. Since Lisa couldn't be in public risking germ exposure, Tim planned to bring the service to her!  I was so touched by Marilyn's prompt and warm response to me.  Through this cancer journey, even the tiniest details have blessed me.

Trevor had dance.  They basically goofed around to Christmas music.  This is a jazz meets hip-hop and I love how at the very start of the video you see he and Maddy high-fiving.

Wednesday, Dec. 17th
First ever high school varsity game for C.  He never touched the ice, but I think he may have been a little relieved to just take in the first one.  They lost to the #2 team, 5-2.  The play is a HUGE step up.  There were 200 people there and there cleaned the ice in between periods.  The big leagues!!!

Thursday, Dec. 18th
Juliet had spent the night.  Whoo-hoo!!!  Gramma and Bobbi came up to take the girls to dance and lunch.

My helper unwrapped candies for peanut butter cup cookies.  I worked away in the kitchen all day making batter for my annual cookie bake with Kate.

Later, Juliet and Maddy did the jelly bean challenge.  The box comes with 2 of each color, but one is yummy and one is nasty.  So, for instance, 2 yellows...Maddy ate one, Juliet ate the other.  One got butterscotch and the other got vomit.  Other nasty flavors included rotten egg, smelly socks, and skunk. There was bucket close by.  They tried to the get the little boys involved.  That went south quickly with gagging, tears, and 'why would you do that to me'??!!!?

Kate came and we baked til 11pm.  She and I have been doing this for about 12 years now.  (She's my best friend from high school.)  Usually Lisa is in on it, too, but she wasn't up for it :(  Stupid cancer.  When Kate walked in, she had made and brought one of the kinds that Lisa does every year.  Those are the little things that bless me!  We split everything into 3's without hesitation.  But, man, did we miss having her there!  VERY mad at myself for not getting a picture of Kate and I.

Friday, Dec. 19th
Kiki picked up the girls to help at her Christmas tea party at one of the nursing homes.

 I went to the church to help set up for the youth group's red carpet Christmas party.

Later on, C4 let me take his picture before he left for the church.  Both he and Maddy had unsaved friends go.  Thankful for a church that provides such opportunities and for kids who take advantage of them.

Renna had spent an hour or so at the Essick's and had seen their tree surrounded by wrapped presents.  When she got home, she took the wrapped gifts I had stacked in the dining room and carefully lined them up under the tree.

Saturday, Dec. 20th
Emily Brolin came up the the afternoon and evening.  Naturally I beat her at Pick.

Sunday, Dec. 21st
Nick and Katie came to town for the holidays.  We both got sitters and enjoyed a lovely adult evening out together.

Week 50

Yikes!!  Week 50!  Can you believe it?  Time just marches on.  Defiantly, irreverently, but exactly as it must.

This was a week full of Christmas fun for the D's.  Decking the halls, toy drives, Christmas concerts...  It's the most wonderful time of the year, as they say, and though we've been busy, we've definitely enjoyed the festive things we've been busy with.  As a result, there are way too many pictures for one post, but it's happening anyway!

Monday, Dec. 8th
It's the only picture from the day and I took it to text Colombo.  Recently, four new signs appeared at Crossfit. "Reserved for Owner."  #1 Ewww.  What a horrible statement.  #2 All four owners are NEVER there at the same time.  #3 Really?  Superior athletes need to reserve the closest parking space?  #4 Ewww!!!

Well, Monday I pull in to see one owner's car parked illegally right in front of the doors, steps from 3 empty owners' spots.  Really?

Tuesday, Dec. 9th
C4 loves my morning peppiness.

I got to meet up with Lil on her birthday for lunch.  It's rare that we get time just the two of us.  I love her so much!

When I got home, I found these guys!

 We finally made some headway on the tree.

Wednesday, Dec. 10th

Library with Mrs. Essick

Northstar, C.A.S.T., and Summit Studios held their annual toy drive Holiday Showcase.  One unwrapped toy is all you need to get in.

 This would be Renna pre-show:

Maddy and Trev's combined dance was "All I Want for Christmas is You."

Lyrical

Tap

For the grand finale...snow!!!

Thursday, Dec. 11th

After dance we went to check out a huge gingerbread house display at a local library.  Wow!!!

We had lunch at Ninny and Papa's and I took some pictures of them.

C4 had his Christmas concert.  Mad triangle skills!

Friday, Dec. 12th
My laptop wasn't working, BUT...fixed for free!  Just needed to empty the trash to free up space.  Apple has the customer service thing way figured out!

Love it when it snows and everything is white except the roads.

Saturday, Dec. 13th

Bright and early morning read through of Act I, Scene 2 of Brent's newest show, "Mystery."

Gingerbread houses!!!  Also known as 'two in the mouth, one on the house'.

After church, I took the little guys and Aiden to the place that makes me twitch.

Sunday, Dec. 14th

I took the kids out to Providence to visit with Tim and Beth and the kids before going to a friend's Christmas show.  I didn't take any pictures with the Bourquins, but the kids played happily on the Burger King playscape.  Then we went to Trinity Assembly of God to see the show that Stephen wrote and directed.

He played Cameron in "Lost in Vegas."  He and David are friends of LightsUp and I'd been wanting to get out to see one of their Easter or Christmas shows.  Their show was a 70's theme and his mustache freaked me out!

Christmas everywhere!!!  Fun to squeeze in so much meaningful fun!