In spite all of the mess of 2020, we sure have enjoyed ourselves this December. (Side note, I'm writing this on December 21, but not publishing till much later, as we engaged in some risky activities this month and I don't want to invite condemnation.) We continued our tradition of using the advent calendar I made back when Matt was deployed to put one fun activity each day to celebrate Christmas. Last year, some of the activities were things like Kids' Night Out Christmas party or packing meals for Rise Against Hunger-- things we usually do every year that aren't happening this year. Some of them were "go to Joshua's first basketball game/Gray's first frisbee game", but they weren't relevant this year either. So we repeated some of the activities, like story time, which the kids actually really enjoyed. They each chose a book for me to read out loud to them, which brought back a lot of memories for all of us. I really have a thing for children's books, so I wouldn't mind doing this every night! We did get to do some of our usuals, though, and we added in some new traditions too. Of course we watched a lot of our old favorite Christmas movies, but tried a few new ones too (Klaus on Netflix was really fun). We also did the traditional attempt to read an advent lesson every night and even in quarantine times, we fell behind as always.
With the beginning of December came restless, excited, antsy, impulsive children. Sometimes we got the above...
...sometimes we got everyone playing on the trampoline doing a new game Gray invented called "monstah ball". And then there were other times (not pictured for good reason). But we made it through the end of school and all are so relieved to have a break. Though I anticipate boredom setting in after a day with nothing planned.
Matt and I got to welcome in the advent season with friends watching Andrew Peterson's Behold the Lamb concert, which of course was a virtual experience this year. It was pretty nice sitting on the comfortable couch having our fill of wonderful food and drink and conversation while we watched, though.
The boys continued with lacrosse. They seem to come up with new ways to play every couple months. Right now Joshua is playing in a 7 versus 7 league and both boys are doing skills/scrimmages on Sundays. In addition, Joshua has started the pre-season Orange High lacrosse team and is loving the format of dividing the players into 4 teams that will compete over the next month in various ways for the coveted off season champion tshirts!
We've had some normal days too. Had to get a pic of this sweet baby playing basketball.
We did an oreo gingerbread house that was a hit.
And perhaps the most exciting pre-Christmas activity was our second annual adoption group Christmas party. This year the Mussers hosted and we enjoyed Chinese takeout, hanging with friends...
...playing around the house and basketball outside...
...team pictionary...
...sibling nativity scene building...
...and a white elephant gift exchange. We had sooo much fun and many times during the evening, I marveled at what a blessing it is to have these families in our lives and to be able to gather in spite of everything, all 25 of us, and celebrate together. We loved it so much.
We started a new tradition, the Christingle, passed to use from Constance and Oli in London. We loved this meaningful activity that points to Christ as the Light of the world. The kids definitely want to do it annually.
Another new favorite was playing Dreidel. The Mussers gave each of the kids a set and they had some intense games wherein lots of candy was lost and won. One time Matt sat down to play and Allie seriously told him, "Daddy, you have to bring your own candy." She proceeded to win it all from him.
I got to sneak out for a chilly Christmas party with some other moms. We did a white elephant exchange with beauty items, which was super fun.
I am so proud of Julia, who really hates the idea of people watching her, for signing up to be in the Nutcracker. Normally there are many soldier skaters, but in the covid times, sign ups were low and it was just her and another girl out there on the ice for their number. She was so calm and did really well. She is hooked on skating for sure now!
Only one parent could attend each performance. The first night I got to go and we had a viewing party for the zoom live feed at home with Nanny and Pa. It was a great experience for Julia and she can't wait to try a different role next year.
One of my most loved childhood Christmas traditions is making sugar cookies with Mama. I was amazed this year at how little help the kids need now. Joshua was there too (and Matt), but had to run out to a surprise birthday party.
We enjoyed a delicious dinner with the Bakers, just like old times. And it wouldn't be complete without a dance performance from the girls and a few games. Above is the candy cane game in which you try a candy cane that could be something tasty (blue raspberry) or nasty (dirty socks).
Our most recent celebration was our Christmas with Nanny and Pa. Another wonderful meal was shared and we enjoyed opening some great gifts together and relaxing with games/ football on tv.
The coveted hoverboard for Gray.
Our gift to Nanny.
Julia and her pogo stick.
Joshua was thrilled to get his requested box of snacks and a new lacrosse stick.
This portable balance beam was such a hit for Allie (and Julia!) and they were already giving performances by evening. Thanks for everything, Nanny and Pa!
I didn't get a picture of this, but the Saturday after school, I got a sweet delivery from the room parent and her daughter in my kindergarten class. There were a few gifts, a nice gift card, and lots of little cards from the kids. I especially appreciated the kind and encouraging messages from parents. This job has been such a blessing. I am really thankful for a break though. As I'm starting to relax a bit more these last few days, I'm noticing how much more patience I have and how I'm able to smile more and enjoy the kids more. Standing at my computer for hours trying to teach definitely takes a toll and I'm thrilled for a little break that will hopefully refresh me for more zoom in January. Our school will remain online for the foreseeable future, but Allie and Joshua supposedly will head back mid-January. We've already received orientation schedules. It will only be 4 days a week every other week, but I'm excited for them to have this change of pace and it should be a good time of learning and relationship-building with classmates and teachers since they will just have 50% or so students there. I hope it happens! Matt will also begin his VA job mid-January, so we will have all sorts of big changes around here. He has already received the first dose of his covid vaccine with no problems at all and I should be in round 2 of folks to get theirs. We know better than to expect the expected for 2021, but here's hoping there will be a big shift to normal life!
