So what has our Christmas Break been full of? Mainly, doing puzzles, going on bike rides, soaking in the hot tub, and watching movies. Good thing we are getting a lot of bike riding in, because I haven't been diligent with working out EVERY day!
Saturday we hit the stores. The kids Christmas money was burning a hole in their pockets, and they wanted to take it to Tilly's. Boston was wanting a black pair of skinny jeans. Luckily they look good on him, because he is so skinny. He also wanted some purple shirts to match his shoes. We are getting used to them. Ha! Aubrie also picked up a few things there. When we got there we ran into our old neighbors, the Simmons. They were here visiting for Christmas. It was great to catch up with them. They told us we should be getting new neighbors really soon, because the house sold. When we were talking with them, I realized that my kids are the same age their kids were when we moved in our house. That made me realize how old Aubrie and Boston really are.
After our Tilly's run, which wasn't crowded at all, I thought we would take Aubrie's shoes back to the mall. Not a good idea. First of all, the parking lot was completely full. Ben waited and drove around outside while I ran in with Aubrie. The Vans store was PACKED! I've never seen that place slightly busy. After Aubrie trying on 3 different kids of shoes, that didn't fit her, we decided just to return her shoes for money. After waiting in one of the lines that went to the back of the store, the lady tells me I'm not in the right line and that the girl next to her is the manager and does returns. I'm like, "there isn't a sign or anything. How am I supposed to know?" They just said sorry and told me to get in the back of the other line. I was so bothered that the girl couldn't just do it for me, or that the person in the other line listening to my predicament didn't offer to let me go ahead of them. Guess Christmas is over! Bah Humbug! Oh well. We just left and decided to go back another day. Lesson learned. No mall shopping the day after Christmas!
Sunday was our last day with the 11:00 time slot. I'm going to miss it. It's my favorite. Well 10:00 is my favorite, but not an option in our building. Sophia will be missing her nap on Sundays from now on! When that happens, my kids naps eventually go downhill. Church was good. I helped in the nursery, and then gave a lesson in YW. After Sunday Stations, we finished this puzzle.
It was hard because it didn't have edges, but it was still a fun puzzle. Later that evening we headed off to the Temple lights. Our friend was performing there. He is in a quartet. The did really good, and I enjoyed the music. Afterward, we went inside the visitor's center to look at Nativity sets from around the world. There were tonz from the Philippines. The favorite of the kids was nesting Dolls from Russia.
When we got home, and were getting ready for bed, Ethan choked down a dose of Apple Cider Vinegar down his windpipe. He had a coughing spasm that lasted until 1:30. That meant Ben and I didn't' get much sleep. I think Boston didn't either, because he didn't wake up till 10:25. When he got up and I told him what time it was he said, "Really? Awesome. I just beat my high score." Which means that is the latest he had ever slept. Ethan slept till Noon, when I finally went in and rose him from the dead! That's no surprise. Boston is my early riser, but Ethan is my sleeping teenager!
Monday I literally started cleaning from the time I woke up, till 2:00 in the afternoon. Between the Christmas clutter, and the house just needing the biweekly cleaning, that kept me busy. That was my work out for the day! The kids even took part by cleaning their bathrooms, and doing other chores. There is a certain sense of gratification seeing your kids scrubbing the floors. Not a "hee, hee I have my own slaves" gratification, but knowing they are actually learning how to work and hope they learn to love it!
After we were done working, we opened up a new puzzle. This one had edges, but was 750 pieces. It's mainly my Dad, Aubrie and me that work on them. After spending some time on the puzzle, I took another bike ride. I'm LOVING the bike rides with the kids! Later that night we took the kids, minus Sophia, to see The Blind Side. It is a FANTASTIC movie. I recommend all parents to take their kids to see it. It teaches so many valuable lessons. Most importantly, it taught my children how blessed they really are. I think it hit Aubrie the most. She really had empathy for Micheal Ohre. She has been asking for the book, because she wants to know more about him. After the movie, I stayed up till 2:00 doing the puzzle. I don't know why I have a new addiction to puzzles. Maybe my brain is appreciating the exercise!
Tuesday morning I woke up and finished the puzzle. Can you see what's wrong with this picture?
Yes, a piece is missing! Funny thing is that Boston told us earlier on that that piece was missing. It's not like we believed him, because that's what everyone says when they are looking for a particular piece. Turns out he was right. Later that night we went and bought the same puzzle so we could get that piece. It only took us 5 minutes to find it.
We had the missionaries over for dinner. It has been awhile since we have had them over, because I never get the missionary calendar in Young Women's. The kids had a great time. They asked them tonz of questions. Boston asked them if they had girlfriends back home, like the missionary in The Best Two Years. Ha! After dinner, the missionaries had a fun lesson planned for us. They started with a fun game where you have to suck M&M's out of a bowl with a straw. The person next to you rolls dice, and when they get an even number, they have to pass the bowl! At the end of three minutes you counted up your M&M's. He said in order to win you had to have 10. No one had that. He compared it to the atonement and how we all come up short, but how he makes the difference. I really appreciated that the missionaries took time to prepare something, and something that was age specific to our kids. It really made me feel like they came to our house to teach, and not just eat! Not that I mind that. It's was just a nice gesture!
After dinner, and our trip to Walmart to get more puzzles (yes, I am a masochistic!), Ben and I headed to see the new Sherlock Homes movie. It was really good. Not as good as the Blindside, but it definitely was entertaining, and I LOVE mystery, problem solving movies and shows, so it was right up my alley! I love the Holidays, because they always release the good movies!
Today I just chilled at home with Aubrie and Sophia, while Ben was gone with the boys. He took them to one of his jobs. Ethan had a hard time, because he had to wake up before 11. He fell asleep on the way home. Ben stopped at McDonalds for lunch. Ethan was up one minute, and asleep at the table then next. I can't imagine what it will be like when he is in High School! While they were gone, I introduced Aubrie to the Price is Right! We then worked on a small 150 piece Disney puzzle I got for Sophia.
Then we opened up a new 1000 piece puzzle. I'm working my way up! LOL When Ben got home with the boys I worked out and then joined the family in the hot tub. Ben stayed home with Sophia and Ethan, while Aubrie, Boston and I went on a bike ride. They have been wanting to take a bike ride without Ethan, because he can't go as far without stopping and complaining. Ethan does pretty good, but his bike is much smaller, so he has to work harder than all of us.
Our bike ride turned into an hour bike ride. It was great exercise, and GREAT quality time with the kids. We played follow the leader. Every five minutes someone different got to be the leader, and choose the path we would take. They liked that idea. I look forward to the day that our whole family can ride bikes together. Only one more kid to go!:)
