I was super busy our entire break, unlike anyone else I'm sure. But I do want to show what all happened while we were off of school, so I decided to do it through pictures. But my mother has informed me that sometimes the pictures I send to her don't make much sense without some explanation. So I'll provide as brief a description as possible.
While trying to make some Christmas gifts I sat at a different place at the school table than I normally sit at. It's kind of hard to see, but one of the daughters had carved several things into the varnish. One of which is the word "Mom". Since #1 admitted it was her and that is where she sits when I teach her math, I'm about 97% certain that "Mom" was not written with love.
The parental units came to town which meant date night for Hubby and I. I even wore heels. It was momentous enough to warrant a picture.
Grandpa was also here for Christmas and his chosen activity with the girls was seeing how high they could build a domino tower. #1 came in second to my Mom. If you're wondering if they quietly took down all the dominoes you don't know my Grandpa. Or my Mom. And you probably don't have children because that is a silly question when you have kids. It's amazing how sound carries when your entire house is tile.
My Mom has this huge collection of Christmas earrings. Which I give her a hard time about because some of them could be worn to tacky sweater parties. She brought them all. And corrupted my girls by letting them wear some. And then she made me wear some also. And my girls loved every second of it.
Now that we've finally been let in on the secret of Coffee Call, we take everyone who comes to see us there. We were smart this time and got the beignet fingers. Still good and 10 times easier to eat. Also notice the sippy cup. The three older girls all came down with a fever, one right after the other. Nothing too terrible, just a general not feeling well. Thankfully everyone was well before Christmas.
I am finally good enough at playing 42 that I feel comfortable playing with my Grandpa. So we did. I always forget that the way old men play includes gripping about every hand, but I remembered rather quickly! I really do think that every older gentleman I've ever played with has played that way.
Christmas morning. This is as close to a posed picture as I cared to try to get.
Yay! Presents!
#1 and #2 got Kindle readers for their big gift. No way were we getting them anything with internet access or something to play apps on, but we figured that we travel enough that an e-reader made sense. And Hubby pointed out that if we only got one for them to share that they would have to be constantly working out a system of what was fair and who got it when. I thought it was an excellent point, so they each got their own.
And this is where she immediately went to start reading!
Hubby got me a new phone for Christmas. Well, it was a used one, but new to me. He knew I would not be happy to have him spend $400 on a phone for me. Anyway, the first thing I did with my new phone was take a picture of him!
I also got a Cricut Mini which I love and am super excited about! This was the first "sample" project you can make with it. That says thank you if you can't read it.
We finally got our cuckoo clock put up. It's really my in-law's, but they don't have a house to put it in so we got it so they can see it when they come visit. We'll get it to actually keep time correctly one of these days.
I used my
new sewing machine A LOT to make different things for people. It was fun!
I finished my cross-stitch piece for my new nephew. It ended up being bigger than I wanted since I came up with the patterns myself instead of buying one, but other than that I thought it turned out well. I have a nice sister-in-law who puts my creations for her kids up without saying anything, even if she doesn't really like them! I'm most proud of the badge in the upper right corner--it looks a lot like his Daddy's badge.
Our first fire in the house for New Year's Eve
Putting the ornaments on the tree is my favorite part of decorating for Christmas. Each one holds a memory. Putting them up isn't too bad either. Mainly because I love figuring out how to get all the different boxes to fit in the container. I might have a little bit of OCD. Or just love Tetris--either one.
We got to meet my nephew CD. This is the only picture I have of him because I was holding him most of the time! Love babies--especially my nieces and nephews.
No special significance to this picture, they're just all so cute. Stinkers--but cute!
#3 turned 7. We were traveling on her actual birthday, but she got to go to her favorite Mexican food place once we got to my parents'. She requested the hat and singing this time. Sometimes I feel bad that we almost always celebrate #3's birthday around our extended family's Christmas, but then I remember that at least she gets to be around family on her birthday. The other girls rarely have that. So don't feel too bad for her. She usually rakes in more gifts that way too!
Uncle M taught us cool things like how to make a mask out of a slice of turkey and put it on our face
Aunt U makes up for Uncle M by playing picnic with the little girls. Because she's cool like that!
Uncle M is not the only one who corrupts in our family. I taught my niece the joy of sticking olives on your fingers and eating them off. And her Daddy can't do anything about it! Ha!
My child already knew how it was done!
We brought my niece, who is 6 months younger than #4, with us to my parents house for a few days before her parents and brother joined us. I got a small taste of what it would be like having twins. I have not stopped thanking God for giving my girls to me one at a time since!
It was so cold this day, but we bundled up and walked down to a little frozen pond to see if we could break through the ice by throwing rocks. Amazingly enough, a piece of gravel, thrown by a 3 year old, from several yards up did not break the ice.
Uncle M and Aunt U are awesome because they help the kids climb down to the frozen pond so they can get closer to try to break the ice. When that doesn't work Uncle M holds their hands and lets them get out on the ice. I did not take any pictures of those moments.
Getting ready for our annual scavenger hunt. Dad did it by himself this year without Mom's help. Let's just say the clues were interesting! And there was absolutely no cheating! Like sticking the envelopes under a log where they couldn't be seen. Because our family does not act like that at all!
This, friends, is just one of many reasons being part of a large family rocks. There were almost this many on the other side of the tree.
The gift from all of us to Mom and Dad this year. A friend at church who can actually paint painted the trees for me and then each of our families used our fingerprints to make the leaves on the trees. So the first one is my older brother and his wife, the second one is my family's, the third is my sister and her husband, etc. And yes, that one lone leaf on the orange tree is supposed to be there. People who know my family can figure out which kid that is and they'll knowingly nod their head. Wouldn't have him any other way! :)
So that was our break. We were busy and started school a little later because of traveling to see family, but it was totally worth it! I'm so thankful for the time we got to spend with everyone. But it was good to get back too. We're looking forward to getting back in the swing of things!
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