Week 41

Merry Christmas! It was a good week. It has been wonderful having my parents here and Josh has been off all week and no school for the kids so it has been relaxed and fun and busy with Christmas activities. Tuesday we baked lots of cookies and watched my girls' virtual ballet Christmas show and then that night we took treats to a few people and sang some carols to them. It was a sweet experience all around. 

Wednesday we finished the baking and made cinnamon rolls (ok, my mom did, not we) and that night we watched White Christmas while Josh was doing church stuff since he doesn't like that movie. We also all ran some Christmas errands and made a few trips to various grocery stores.

Thursday, being Christmas Eve, is one of my favorite days of the year. Josh and I snuck out for a quick Christmas errand and it was thrilling to be out alone together, even just for half an hour. I got the turkey, rolls and Jello going and then we watched Noelle. Then it was cooking and eating our delicious Christmas eve dinner (turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, broccoli/cauliflower with cheese sauce, winter salad, raspberry jello, rolls, and stuffing). I always make my kids get dressed up and we use a table cloth and fancy dishes and drink Italian soda and it is all very fancy. Then we did a little nativity play, my kids played their Christmas piano pieces for us (and did terribly and I was NOT happy. I reminded them so many times to practice and be ready to play for their grandparents and they biffed it. It felt so disrespectful and lazy to me and made me pretty upset) and then we read some Christmas stories. Normally we sing too but I was too annoyed to suggest it. There is usually such a revernt, spiritual feeling to our evening and I felt like they ruined it and then of course my grumpiness only made it worse, but we pushed on and got over it. We ate a ton of cookies, put all our presents from the piles in the dining room into their spots on the couch where everyone would be sitting and left some cookies out for Santa. The adults then watched some Christmas shows and then my parents went to bed while Josh and I got everything set up. I was pretty worn out by the end of the day and was happy to get to bed. 

Friday was a very nice Christmas. I love having my parents here and hope my kids treasure these moments with them.We've had lots of nice talks about memories and experiences my parents have had and I love it. Anyway, kids were super excited and everyone loved all of their gifts. Emma got the doll she was so hoping for and the boys LOVE their RC cars, Lily was a bit diappointed that her Santa gift was a coat (Santa leaves them out unwrapped) but then she saw the box that looked like a Cricut and she was so excited, which is big for her because she usually stays pretty calm and cool on Christmas. Brandon got a scooter and Legos, Emma got a bunch of Barbies and a simple kid camera, Curtis got a suit and books and Lily got clothes and books. I got Josh a longboard which he said was perfect and he was really excited about it. He got me a new bike! I was very surprised and excited and then he surprised  me with another gift he had hidden under the couch and it was some beautiful sapphire earrings. He normally only gets me one gift but since my gift from last year and from my birthday didn't end up working out, I guess he felt he had some making up to do. My parents gave us money for a trip next summer and encouraged us to make memories, which I am ready and excited to do. It was a fun morning, then we had breakfast and talked to Josh's family. We played games, ate leftovers, watched The Nutcracker and did some puzzles. It was nice and so magical because it actually snowed! We haven't had snow in forever and certainly never on Christmas so that was fun to watch the big, fat flakes fall down.  

 

Saturday we didn't do much. The kids played with their stuff, we played one of our new games that was fun. Josh tried out his long board and ended up falling awkwardly and hurting his ankle badly so that's been interesting and he was on the couch all day (and pretty sad about it). Mom and I went to a drive by baby shower and to BJs and then we had dinner and watched Soul, which got mixed reviews. 

Today was a nice Sunday. My dad blessed the sacrament for us and then Josh spoke at church while we watched at home. We played more games and talked and.....I never finished writing this post so that is why I am posting it 10 days later!