2021 :: week 52

December 19

Sunday morning shenanigans. Things get extra wild on the weeks that I teach Sunday school, because usually I am doing some last minute tweaking to my lesson and Anthony is unavailable because he is in pre-church meetings. Pokemon has make a resurgence in our lives, thanks to a live-action game that Elliott and his friend Nicholas have been playing at the park after school.  

December 20

Miles and I have been trying to soak up the last few minutes of quiet time before the kids are off school for the next two weeks. Also, we recently got a new rug for the TV room. 

December 21

The kids got out of school at 12:30pm on Tuesday. Will's friend Porter is moving to Louisburg, so his mom arranged for an "unofficial" skate party at Skate City. Lauren and Elliott decorated sugar cookies with the Ules. Tony took his car in to the shop to get the heater fixed. His car has not been producing hot air since then end of last winter, and it hasn't been a problem until it started to get cold again this year. 

December 22

We had planned on going to see the trains and the lights, but bad behavior determined we were overtired and needed to reschedule. We stayed home and had a quiet game night instead. Clue Jr. is one of my favorite kids games. Elliott played on his own for the first time and did really will--with a lot of coaching/reminding from me to check things off. :)
 

December 23

It was a good choice to wait a day to go to Union Station. Everyone was well rested and had a great attitude. We walked through the photo-op exhibits, let Elliott and Miles ride the train, looked at the train exhibit and took a picture by the huge Christmas tree. There was a cool Lego display that had several scenes from famous Christmas movies, i.e. The Grinch, Home Alone, Elf, Christmas Vacation, Miracles on 34th Street, etc. After walking through Union Station we hopped on the street car and road to the City Market for a delicious meal at Pigwich. We then road back to Union Station and walked to Crown Center via the Skybridge. Miles loves the Skybridge AND the climb-on toys next to the Mayor's Christmas Tree. It was a really fun, Christmay-s outing. We went home and watched Home Alone 2 and I gave Anthony, Elliott and Miles haircuts. 

December 24

We spent the morning and early afternoon at the zoo. Last year Nana and Papa gave the kids a zoo membership for Christmas and it expires at the end of the month. We wanted to get one last visit in while we can. The weather was beautiful and we had fun interactions with the penguins, tigers and hippos. We road the train, sky safari, tram and carousel. That evening we went to Memaw and Pepaw's house for soup and a reading of Luke 2. This year we had a Mary, two donkeys and a sheep. 

December 25

We had a fabulous Christmas. The kids were quiet and didn't make up mom, dad and Miles before 7am as we requested. The kids were generous givers and gracious receivers. Our kids are at a great age for a magical Christmas!