The Holiday celebrations began at the Ward's Primary Christmas Party. The RS was having an Adult only Christmas Party, so the Bishop put on a party for the
kids. They had craft times, and he read them the book, "He Took My Lickin" for Me". Then they got to visit with Santa. While Sophia was waiting in line, she couldn't resist dancing to the Christmas Songs played on the piano by the Primary President. She had a great time. Boston was able to come for the last half hour, as he had a soccer game that morning.
This Holiday brought us a "white" celebration for the first time, as it began for the kids with "snow"! In the middle of the ward adult party people started going outside. When we went to see what all the excitement about, we saw that it had hailed and the whole parking lot was covered in white, including our cars. When I called Aubrie to tell her about it, they hadn't gotten any of it. That was CRAZY since the way the bird flys we are only about 2 miles from the church. Later, they got a bit in the front yard, but it didn't stick. The next morning at chruch, the kids were a few minutes late to sacrament meeting because they had to enjoy the snow in the front of the building for a few minutes!
Boston's field trip was the next holiday thing on the list. His classmates spent the month earning money, and then they took a fieldtrip to the Arrowhead Mall to pick a Christmas Angel. I went on the field trip, and was over Bostons group. They chose a boy. We ended up getting him three board games, a basketball, football, and soccer ball. The kids were excited to get all these things for him, and were running around trying to find the best deal, so they could get him as much as possible. What a great opportunity for these kids to get a glimpse at how blessed they are and how they can help someone else.
I also had fun torturing Boston on the bus, as I sang to the Christmas music the bus driver was playing. It was a little payback for treating his sister poorly that morning. He promised to be nice to her, if I would stop embarrassing him. His friends thought it was funny, especially since he sings all the time in class.
The next thing on the Holiday list was their Christmas piano recital. It was a little stressful this year, since Aubrie didn't have enough time to practice. She ended up having time for only one song. She did "Let It Snow". One of my favorites.
Ethan played three songs. "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", Jingle Bells (which he added a bottom hand to) and "Jolly Old Saint Nicholas" duet with his Teacher. He did really well, and seemed to like it. When I told him to just quit piano today, he said , "NO! I like the recitals and cookies!" LOL
This is an awful picture of Boston, but I couldn't leave him out. He had the hardest songs. He played "Joy to the World" out of the Hymn book!! I tried playing it and I couldn't. He also played a harder version of "Santa Clause is Coming to Town". He made a few mistakes and went outside afterward and started crying. That was the first time he messed up at a recital. Aubrie cried the first time she messed up, too. Now she is over it and doesn't care. Boston is such a perfectionist, I'm not sure he will ever get over messing up. I was proud of his hard work and determination to play the harder songs!
Here are some pictures from Ethan's school Christmas party. I couldn't go because I had Sophia. My friend took these pictures for me. Guess this is a reindeer relay race! They ended the party with some "snow"!
For his party, Boston made gingerbread houses, stockings, glass ornaments, worked on recipes, and made reindeer food. That was after a big breakfast that only their grade had, in the Cafeteria, which included donuts, muffins, fruit, bagels, and hash browns.
Aubrie didn't have parties, but a few of her teachers let them watch movies the last couple of days, and Aubrie passed out gifts to her good friends (which she bought herself), and baked treats to all her teachers, and student advisor.
It's funny how when you have multiple kids, you repeat the same events. For us its an every two year cycle since they are all two years apart in school. This was our second Gingerbread Musical. Ethan was HILARIOUS! Wish I could put the video on here. He started off doing nothing but making frowning faces. Then he really started hamming it up. He is such a character! When it was over, we socialized a bit, and Aubrie and Boston played wall ball with their friends. Aubrie had fun seeing all her old friends ago, and spending time with Olivia.
This year the kids are really getting into the giving spirit. Aubrie and Boston spent A LOT of money on each other, and their other siblings. Ethan spent all of his money at the Jingle Bell Shop at school getting random gifts for everyone, including Rango and the Cats. Sophia even used her Christmas money from my Mom to go to the dollar store and get everyone a gift. I can't wait for Christmas just to see them open one another's gifts.
With this post, I'm officially caught up with everything on my "Christmas to do list"! All the treats are baked, presents wrapped, and food purchased for Christmas Day. Now I just need to get over this awful cough I have been carrying around for 3 weeks now. That would be a great Christmas gift...no coughing! Hope to be back soon after Christmas, but not counting on being that on top of things. We are headed for lots of fun and vacationing! Merry Christmas! I feel so blessed with so many TRUE friends, Family, and a Heavenly Father who care about me. Who can ask for more?
