I think I ended up snapping at them and just throwing the lights up as quickly as possible! I felt like a major grump and apologized to the kids and made a mental note to next year put the lights on the tree the night before so we can just jump right into decorating. And next year Jay will have to help me control the chaos of two clumsy kids grabbing breakable ornaments!
The week after Thanksgiving, I had four photo sessions, which was fun but also added a lot of pressure to find time to do the editing. Now that F and J don't take naps at all, it is very hard to do any computer work during the day. I usually have to wait until they are in bed, at which point I am fried and often stare blankly at the computer screen, making very little progress. We also had preschool 2 days; spinning class for me 2 times; dance class for Faith; basketball lessons for Jonathan; Jay was in Kentucky for two day; I had an Alzheimer's Advisory Council meeting; women's Bible study and we went to the Science Center with my friend Allison and her two boys, Nathan and Aaron.
On December 3rd, Faith and Jonathan along with cousin Natalie went to see Disney on Ice with Baba and Pappy as an early Christmas gift.
The next week (December 5-11th), we had 3 days of preschool (and I helped at the Christmas store); 2 days of spinning; Faith got measured for her dance recital costume; I had a doctor's appointment; Bible study; a YoungLives fundraiser at California Pizza kitchen (yum!); Christmas concert at church; girls night out with Megan to celebrate her birthday (Cheesecake Factory, browsed Sur La Table and drank coffee at Crazy Mocha); I took Faith shopping with me at a new antique/junk store and she loved it; Science center with Jay and kids; visited Hartwood Acres (with A. Deb & Nance) for the first time and waited in line for 1.5 HOURS! Just to get in to see the lights! We were at such a standstill that I let F and J sit on my lap and take turns driving at 4mph, which they thought was the coolest thing ever!
The next week, December 12th-18th)I had spinning class plus our annual gift exchange. I got all of my photo packages in the mail (whew!).The kids had preschool 3 times and "lunch bunch" once (where they eat a brown-bag lunch with their classmates before school starts.)We had a Christmas party at Bible study; I got to hang out with two of my college friends; had our couple's Bible study at our house and then at midnight Jay picked up his mom from the airport. Maureen, aka Mimi or Meems was here for 10 days and she left for California on Christmas day. On the weekend, went to Market Square (previous post) and Jay and I got to go on a date thanks to an early Christmas gift from Maureen. We went out to eat with our gift card, and saw Sherlock Holmes II. On Sunday, we went to church and then gathered at my grandma's house to eat pizza and visit with our family so Maureen could see everyone.
The week leading up to Christmas (December 19th-25th), Jay and the kids (and now me!) got sick with an upper respiratory virus. That slowed us down some, but not much! 2 more spinning classes for me; both kids had their Christmas party at school, and Mimi and I helped with Faith's. Basically, all I had to do was read a story, provide paper plates, cups, napkins and candles. Other than that, the other mom had it all under control and I just assisted her where needed. I cleaned out and organized our office (it still needs to be re-painted and decorated, but this was a start.) We went back to Wildwood Highlands with our buddy Luke (see previous post); Faith had dance class and I got to have a lot of help with the kids because Mimi was here. And the kids got to have one-on-one time with Mimi as they took turns going on a date to Dunkin' Donuts and then to the dollar store to buy each other's stocking stuffers.
And finally, some pictures!!! My dear friend Megan MADE these gingerbread houses and we got together at our house to decorate them.
Waiting for Toby and Taylor to arrive...we were also making sugar cookies and I asked the kids to hold up the cookie cutters they picked-note how Faith is smiling and Jonathan is...
...very pleased with himself for licking Faith's ear! She was NOT happy with him.
My job was to supply the decorations for the houses. I sorted them in muffin tins to make the process run more smoothly.
Posing with their house (before).
Taylor and Toby with their un-decorated house.
Toby working away!
Taylor really liked decorating, but she liked eating the candy even better.
Megan, Taylor and Toby.
Faith really loved this project, and would have continued placing candy on the house indefinitely if Megan and I hadn't started to clean up!
Working on the chimney. When we saw the gingerbread houses on display at Market Square, Faith noticed a house that had lollipops sticking out of the chimney to look like balloons in the movie "Up." The chimney and balloons were the only part I helped them with. Other than that, my one job was to apply icing where they directed me.
T & T's finished house!
(an aeriel view)
The next batch of photo's are of F & J's finished house.
Faith did this side by herself. She broke up bread sticks and added them to the chimney. She also was very intent on making her side neat and symmetrical.
Faith's front door.
The back side they worked on together.
(aeriel views)
Jonathan's side.
This was such a fun memory to make! Thanks Megan! And for comparison, here is a link to see the gingerbread houses we made 3 years ago.
This was such a fun memory to make! Thanks Megan! And for comparison, here is a link to see the gingerbread houses we made 3 years ago.
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