Saturday, December 12th and 17th, 2009
Decorations
We decorated our Christmas Tree with our ornaments. The girls really enjoy opening up their ornaments every year. I think it feels like a precursor to opening up their Christmas presents on Christmas Day.
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
School Christmas Parties
Little C had her Christmas party started before little D's party. I coordinated a collection of money from parents to buy a gift certificate to the teacher store as a gift to Mrs. Bellore and Mrs. Judi. Little C made special card for all the kids in her class. Her classmate Carlos didn't like his because it had pink in it. :( The teachers let the kids make candy jars to give as presents. Mrs. Judi made a beautiful bracelet for little C and Mrs. Bellmore got her a book.
Little D's school Christmas party
I also collected money from parents from little D's class in order to purchase a gift certificate to the teachers store for her teacher Mrs. R. Little D's party started shortly after little C's party so I missed most of her party. The teacher gave all the children in the class huge erasers that looks like a long piece of hard candy as a gift. She said she gave them this because they have an eraser eater in the classroom. YUCK! It's true most of the pencil have erasers missing. I make sure to tell Little D to only use the pencil that mom wrote her name on.
Saturday, December 19th, 2009
Crosslan Christmas
We had our annual white elephant Christmas party with the Crosslan's today. Unfortunately, little D got sick just before we left. Little D and daddy had to stay home the next day. We were very sad that they couldn't join us in caroling.
Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Christmas Caroling
Some friends of ours and their families went Christmas Caroling at a retirement home in East Lansing today. Kellie organized a production of Jesus birth. The kids dressed up in costumes that included the three wise men, Shepard's, sheep, angel, Joseph, Mary,and baby Jesus. The kids did an awesome job acting out their roles while Mark read the story. It was so cute I wanted to cry. After the performance all of us joined in singing carols and then walked around wishes everyone a Merry Christmas. I am so blessed to have such wonderful and thoughtful friends.
Monday, December 21st, 2009
Santa
The kids and I went with the Wallis kids to see Santa at the mall today. Z of coarse was too cool to see Santa so he got a hair cut instead. I didn't get my monies worth either because he only let them take a tiny bit off. The hair is still in his eyes! I like his long hair but I want to see his beautiful blue eyes. The kids wasted no time jumping in Santa's lap. I decided to sit in Santa's lap this year too. I had one of the ladies take a picture of me and Santa. I could not believe what I saw in this picture. I think Santa was checking me out. I don't think I will be doing that again anytime soon. One of my friends made a comment on my facebook page "I don't think that was a candy cane in his pocket". Blah. After telling Santa our Christmas wishes we walked down to the big Christmas Tree in the mall for a photo opt.
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve day at Grandma and Grandpa K13's eating a wonderful dinner and opening Christmas presents. As tradition would have it at the end of our time with the k13's we drove around town looking at all the Christmas decorations, Christmas lights and returned home to put out the cookies, milk, and reindeer food. Tuck the sweet children into bed and frantically finished wrapping the presents for morn. Our dear neighbors had a Christmas Eve party going on topped with teenagers standing on our porch screeching. Needless to say, I marched across the porch to inform them (in a very nice tone) that my children are trying to sleep so Santa can come. Luckily, they obliged.
Friday, December 25Th, 2009
Christmas Day
Little C woke up Christmas morning feeling sick. It was unusual to see a little one look so un-enthused to open presents. Luckily, she still had a good time opening them even though she had a bowl at her side. My precious and daddy stayed home Christmas day while I took little D and Z to Grandma S and Papa's. Christmas day was filled with a lot of emotions. Me, my mom, and my brother shed tears today for the loss of my dear sister in-law back in March. The first Christmas without her felt strange. I got my mother and brother special ornaments. My moms ornaments read:
I see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below,
With tiny lights like heaven's stars
Reflecting in the snow.
The sight is so spectacular
please wipe away that tear
for I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs
that people hold so dear
but the sound of music can't compare
with the CHRISTMAS CHOIR up here.
I have no words to tell you
of the JOY their voices bring
for it is beyond description
to HEAR THE ANGELS SING.
I know how much you miss me,
I see the pain inside your heart
for I am spending CHRISTMAS
WITH JESUS CHRIST this year.
I can't tell you of the SPLENDOR
or the PEACE here in this place
Can you just imagine CHRISTMAS
WITH OUR SAVIOR face to face
I'll ask him to lift your spirit
as I tell him of your love
so then PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER
as you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful
and let your spirit sing
for I am spending CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN
and I’m walking WITH THE KING.
All we could do is hold each other and weep then within seconds later feel happy while watching the children run around with laughter and joy. I will hold that moment in time close to my heart. The time I was able to grieve Beth huddled in a corner alone with my brother and my mother at last. I don't think they realize how much I needed to do that with them.
Friday, December 25th, 2009
Bronson Park/Christmas Card Lane
After enjoying time with my mom, papa, brother, niece, and nephews we went to my dad's house to spend the night. I make a point to go to Bronson Park and Christmas Card Lane every Christmas season. It reminds me of home as a child. The kids love walking through candy cane lane. The park is finally starting to look like it did when I was a kid. Most of the tornado damage has been replaced. The next day grandpa F and Grandma Jo treated us to a movie. The girls saw "Princess and the Frog" while the boys saw "Sherlock Holmes".
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG summary
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents the musical THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, an animated comedy set in the great city of New Orleans. From the creators of "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" comes a modern twist on a classic tale, featuring a beautiful girl named Tiana (ANIKA NONI ROSE), a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again, and a fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical bayous of Louisiana.
THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG marks the return to hand-drawn animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements, with music by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman.
Sherlock Holmes Summary
After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler. Written by The Massie Twins
