Celebrating Christmas

We celebrated Christmas as a family prior to heading back to Cincinnati.  It was fun to exchange with just the four of us and eat yummy appetizer foods for dinner.  Abby gave Alex a Wii game and he gave her the Disney Princess Castle (supreme garage sale find from over the summer).  The kids were both healthy this year at Christmas and for that we are thankful!  Alex and Abby made Daddy a travel mug with pictures on it and gave Mommy gift cards to her favorite places.  Apple TV was a fun family gift that everyone can take advantage of and use all year long!

Is It Spring?

One unseasonably warm day was all we needed to get the downed tree limbs out of the back yard.  We were able to get them cut up and wrapped up for yard waste.  The kids may have been outside that entire day playing and soaking up some Vitamin D!  It was good to get a few exterior things cleaned up and enjoy being outside without 15 layers of clothing.

Alex's Class Party

This is what a holiday party over at the public school looks like.  Our schools are a melting pot of denominations being so close to our Nation's capital.  Alex's teacher is Jewish and there are many Jewish students in his classes.  There's little mention of Christmas per se, but rather an inclusion and education of all faiths.

It was just a little different than the adorable Baby Jesus lovefest at Abby's church preschool.  Alex and friends decorated holiday cards for troops overseas, wrapped each other up like snowmen, and made picture frames using fun stickers and tape.  They decorated gingerbread cookies and ate snacks.  It is such a calm, well-behaved group of kids, I love volunteering in there!  The kids enjoyed having parents present, but didn't really need our help...this may be the first year that has occurred at a holiday party.  They were very much able to listen to instructions and run with it.

Abby's Christmas Program

Abby and her favorite teacher, Mrs. Kiely

In her afterschool class, Christmas Crafts, Abby and friends made the table centerpieces.

Abby and Celia

Little Abby had her last preschool Christmas performance, ever, in December.  That means Brad and I have attended our last preschool Christmas performance, ever, for our children.  It actually didn't hit me until that morning that this was what was occurring, at which point I called Brad in a panic and he dropped what he was doing to hurry right over to the show.  Luckily, we don't live too far away.

How did this happen?  How did we attend 4 preschool Christmas shows already?  And this year's show did not disappoint!  Attending church preschool, with chapel as a very integral part of the class, has been a good move for Abby.  Abby adores church, everything about it.  It's really sweet.  The kids sang Christmas carols and each class did it's own "finger play", sort of a dramatic reading with hand movements.  It was just the right length (as opposed to the dreadfully long park district preschool shows we used to attend with Alex) and was followed by cookies and punch in the Discovery Center.

Making Cookies

Alex was responsible for making two dozen cookies for the December Pack meeting and did a fantastic job!  He made Cherry Cordial Kiss cookies that tasted delicious.  So delicious in fact that Abby and I made a second batch the next morning to ensure we'd have enough for the party.  It is good for both of them to see how much work goes into the food they eat and to learn how to prepare some things themselves.  Lately at dinner, when I get the usual "but I don't really like that", I've been correcting them with "I think what you meant to say was, thanks Mommy for making this food for us".  Eventually, they will get the hint.

Ice Skating with the Scouts

The afternoon following the holiday party we went ice skating at Mt. Vernon Rec Center with Alex's scout pack.  Even though Alex hasn't had skating lessons in a few years, the lessons he did have in Illinois made a lasting impression.  Brad and I took turns helping Abby around the ice and by the end of the hour she was making strides by herself.

Work Christmas Party

We have enjoyed living and working in Virginia, mostly because we have a lot of friends who are also working here that are similar in age.  Friends from Houston and new friends as well.  We have a good time together, especially at events like the Christmas Party, hosted at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in D.C.  Sadly, many of our work friends are due to move away in the next few months.  I'm sure our paths will cross again!

We are lucky enough to have Aunt Jackie and Uncle Scott living around the corner from the hotel so the kids enjoyed having a slumber party at their house.

Yahtzee! and Swimming

Alex taught Abby how to play Yahtzee one morning.  He's a good big brother, always willing to play games with Abby and teach her new things.  He taught her how to play Minecraft on the ipad too, and now they like to play that together on the weekends.  After school one day we drove across the street to the rec center pool to get some exercise.  They are two peas in a pod and happily played together without other kiddos around to join them.  She's always happiest when Alex is home!

Gingerbread Houses

The Costco gingerbread houses came pre-assembled with all of the decorations in the box (icing too).  This was definitely the way to go and the price was right.  We had a snow day early in December and broke these babies out to work on.  After about 20 min they both lost interest, but it was fun while it lasted!

Meeting Cinderella (again)

Upon returning to Virginia, Abby had attended a birthday party at her friend Katelyn's house.  It was a princess party and Cinderella even made an appearance!  Abby is convinced this is the "real" Cinderella.  Abby even asked her if she remembered having met her at Disney World over dinner one evening.  Of course, Cinderella said that she remembered, as she had just the right answers to all of the girls' questions.  The girls all dressed up in their favorite princess dresses and made crowns with jewels on them.  All in all, one of the best parties ever!

Grandma Dot

My sweet Grandma Dot passed away on December 1, 2013 at the ripe old age of 93.  She was awesome.  She adored her Great-Grandbabies as much as she did her Grand-daughters and Daughters.  She made it no secret that getting old was the pits.  Up until shortly before her passing, she was able to live at home with my Mom and we all take comfort in that.  She passed as we were getting ready to drive back to VA following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  I'm so glad that Brad and I were able to visit with her that week.  She will be missed dearly!