Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!  

Unfortunately a nasty stomach bug came home with Norah the last week of school and then Joel caught it so our Christmas plans kept changing day to day. 

Lots of snuggles though!

Colin was spared and all he wanted to do was open presents.

At first we were going to do our family Christmas on the 23rd and then head to mom and dads on Christmas Eve. But with kids throwing up we waited until the 24th to open presents and see how the kids were feeling. At that point we were hoping to go 2 nights without throw up before we headed to Blacksburg. Just to make sure we didn't bring any germs with us. So then we were going to open presents after church. Our church had services at 1,3,5,and 7. We missed the 1:00 service and then Brent and Colin were busy putting up a basketball hoop for the 3:00. And Joel was napping. And let’s say it’s a good thing Santa already had his sleigh filled because 4/5 of the household were in awful awful moods about having to wait until after the 5:00 church service. I mean the horror at having to wait a few more hours! 

Look at this brave big girl. Holding a candle. Cant believe its the same girl who would hide from her birthday candles.

We opened presents Christmas Eve finally and then headed to Blacksburg early Christmas Day. The one christmas morning we had to wake everyone up but I think they would say it was worth it. 

Milk and cookies for Santa.  Norah was upset we didn't make cookies but I told her he would appreciate it if sick kids weren't baking cookies. We woke them up early to see what Santa brought in their stockings. To which Joel complained that he didn't get the xbox money that he wanted. We saw TWO Santas this year and he didn't tell either of them what he wanted.  He said he thought they were the fake Santas and not the real Santa but I'm sure next year he will tell EVERY Santa we see exactly what he wants. Santa did bring him a stuffed animal squishy pillow that he loves so at least Santa got 1 thing right.

Peppermint

Our elf Peppermint is back and here are some of our favorite antics he did this month.

Norah wants a girl elf next year.... so we will see who comes back next year.

Busche De Noel

For French class Colin could make a busche de noel for a chance to win a gift card. We worked on that cake for an entire day. I had no idea how long each step would take.  He made a chocolate peppermint busche de noel and the inside was amazing. We all licked the bowl clean for that!

He didn't win but his was all gone before he got to his class, his teacher saved him a piece. So I told him sometimes that's more important.

And we might have stared a new Christmas tradition - or at least just to make the filling and eat it with spoons!

Glass blowing

This past weekend Norah got to make her own glass blown ornament with her girl scout troop.

It was all hands on and for someone who used to be terrified of fire, candles, fireworks I was impressed Norah did it all.  While she was waiting her turn she called me over and said she wanted to go home and that she didn't want to do it but I told her to try and if at any point she wanted the workers to take over they would.  She did it all and is so proud of her ornament. We are going to get an ornament stand and keep it out on her dresser all year.

not surprised

I'm not really surprised that these two ended up with broken bones

This is what I walked into the other day 

Norah JUST got her brace off and the green light to resume all activities and Colin was still banned from physical activity. He did his week get the green light after his thumb surgery to go back to PE but the doctor laughed and said that probably didn't matter based on his wrist.

Nutcracker

For Christmas Ant Ant got Norah tickets to see the Nutcracker. She honestly had no idea what it was and in fact was upset that she had to get all fancy for this event. Sorta sad because she used to be miss fancy Nancy every day. The more bling the better. But we she found clothes to wear and Ant Ant said once she was there and saw everyone dressed up she told Ant Ant that now she understood why she had to get all fancy.

She loved it and has been dancing around our house every since