Christmas happenings + some other things...

Our elves were up to no good leading up to Christmas.  Isabella got a kick out of all of the mischief that they got into.  We're not 100% sure but we think that's a hershey's kiss the elf is squatting over... ??  they rolled the living room that night too.   

Another night, one of the elves strung up the other elf. 

 

As revenge, the one that was strung up, duct-taped the other to our glass door!     

We made preparations to get in the spirit of the season throughout the month as well - outside of the craziness that the elves were involved in.

Todd and Isabella set up Rose Marie's village that she passed down to us. 

Todd took Isabella to the church's live nativity one rainy afternoon too.

As a family, we drove through the "Lights of Life" at a nearby college.  We go just about every year (through the free part.)  We've done the other parts before - the pay parts -but they're pretty juvenile.

Our 14 year old was NOT happy about driving around / looking at lights, unfortunately. 

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We invited some of Isabella's friends (from swim team) over to help make gingerbread houses (out of graham crackers) 

It was a total mess, but the 3 of them had fun.  

We made Mercer participate... and he was not happy about being there either.  :(

See a common theme developing with the teenager?!

Mercer participated one day at the church to help out with the food bank mission.  He also went to a youth Christmas party / gift exchange.  He was the only boy and was grateful he did not end up with hair or make-up products!

I did get him to pose in front of the tree for a photo, though, so that we could make Christmas cards this week!

And - as far as I know - I actually got cards done / sent out "on time" - at least before Christmas!)  He was compliant maybe because the dog was taking some of the focus!

I (by myself) went to a church service called "the longest night" several days ago and said special prayers for friends and loved ones who have suffered loss.  It's sad and reflective, but such a powerful service.

We - as a family - went to the candlelight service Christmas Eve evening. We were trying to make it to the 4 pm children's service, but couldn't get there in time.  It worked out, though, because it seems like Isabella was enamored by the candles and the dimmed lights in the church (as well as the singing of Christmas carols in the service).

Afterwards, I - SORT OF - got the kids to stand for a photo "dressed up."   Yay - more pics in front of the tree!

Nope not this one:  "Noogie"

Nope.  "Face plant" into the couch...

Nada.  Back turned.

Close - looking at Todd instead of my camera.

And... finally: close enough.... ONE of them is looking my way.  Done!

Todd smoked a ham during the day.  He also made cookies. After church, we decorated them before turning in for the night - leaving some for Santa, of course.

Oh, what a long night it was.  Our little was so excited that she wouldn't go to sleep.  We finally cut off our lights around midnight (our room is across from hers and we kept hearing her open the door to check to see what had happened in the living room).  I was wrapping presents in our closet 'til past 1:30 and we set an alarm to both get up at 3 to finish the preparations.    oy!     

The elves departed, the stockings were filled, there were LOTS of presents under the tree and our little one was awake before us - of course!

We opened gifts and made (another) absolute mess.  :)

The teen got mostly clothes with a few things scattered in for fun (like a Bob Ross chia pet - the photo would have been better had Mercer just not gotten a haircut earlier in the week). 

He also got an anime character that I thought looked like him.  

And he got a display case to hold game balls and tournament rings.  

The little got some electronics (as her big gifts) including a chromebook - so she has her own device to play games and do homework on - instead of she / I sharing our home computer.  She also got an i-pod (which is a music player - but she can also message Todd on his i-pad.)  

She may be a little disappointed, because at first when she saw it... she thought it was a phone!  whoops. 

We cooked some more food - prepping for a Christmas dinner, then played one of the new card games that we got from Santa.  

(We used the "save the children" china - we've had longer than we've had kids... and... there are some more of the passed down items: green stoneware pieces and hand-blown glass goblets... Isabella felt very fancy using these "grown-up" water glasses!!  Oh - and using the blue gurgle-pot as well!)

Hip Hop got a real (dried) chicken's foot for Christmas.  No time for a photo, as he grabbed it and scarfed it down under the table!   crunch-crunch-crunch!

We finished the evening with some apple cranberry pie then went to bed tired, full, and grateful.

(The morning after empty tree, but still love the light and warmth!)

- - - - -

Some other things from this week: 

The kids made Christmas lists.  Isabella had already told Santa a few items when she saw him in person, but I talked to her about writing an actual letter - checking in with the big guy / see how he's doing.  Not just go in for the "ask."  She did... and she surprised me at how sweet she was towards her brother!

  

M brought his list down Christmas Eve morning.  Cute because he drew a photo on the front.   (oops... it said for Santa's eyes only.  I *may* have looked at what was inside.)  ha!  

Isabella and I dropped off the letters that day.  It looks like they pretty much got what they asked for  They BOTH have been pretty good / we've been proud of them this year.  (Behavior and grades for the little one.  Grades for the big one.)

They have both earned a movie / dinner out... to be "cashed in" perhaps after Christmas?  (Mercer may choose another reward for his good grades... t.b.d.)

Isabella had some money from her Florida grandparents for Christmas.  She used it towards the "Harry Potter Experience" that was here in Atlanta.  

There were items from the movies o n display + some information about the design of the sets / costumes and graphic design - that I found interesting. 

The most memorable part of the experience, though, were the hands-on components like casting spells and making potions - digitally, of course.

Mercer has not decided what to spend his money on / towards yet.

I wanted to make an orange cake for Isabella's birthday this year.  Didn't happen.  I wanted to make it for mine.  Didn't happen.  So I finally did so this week and used these cute candied oranges that I got suckered into buying... because they looked cool.  They were honestly too sweet.  The orange cake was good, but if I made it again - it would be without the candied oranges on top.

Our neighbor has a dead tree in their front yard.  This year, he decided to light it up!  (random, I know!)  Kind of funny to look at every night while doing dishes at the kitchen window...and we've done lots of dishes lately!

Mercer threw baseball practice with a classmate / did running drills in the cold, drizzly weather each day leading up to Christmas in preparation for baseball tryouts in early January.  (Which means I got to cart him back-and-forth each day... run errands / write Christmas cards in the car, etc)  :)

 

It was a great alternative to Todd having to throw with him during his lunch-time hour, though!   Although, during the work break (Christmas Day / day after / etc)... Todd DID have to throw with M.  Oddly, one day they went to a nearby baseball field and saw a spray of water at one of the county facilities. Reason I include that here - because we had DAYS of constant BELOW FREEZING weather.  (lots of warnings for frozen pipes!)  it was crazy cold here!! 10 - 15 degrees at night... 20-30 as highs during the day.  We - gratefully - stayed BUNDLED UP in our house snug as a bug in a rug! 

Before it got soooo cold, Isabella had a make-up horse lesson with a different trainer (her trainer's husband was out - again - for major surgery).  It was cold, but bearable- in the sun.  Glad to get it in before the cold snap!  Glory was a new horse that she got to ride.  

Glory likes to trot.  This trainer let her go for it after seeing her skill which was kind of cool!  (The trainer is in the arena... just a-ways away.)  Isabella was pretty happy!  

Parting photo from this week:  purple-blue hair in the morning light through the shades...