We've started out Advent Calendar/Bucket list again this year. Instead of wrapping everything like last year, which I thought took too much time and effort on my part, I saw an idea on Pinterest and decided to do something a little different. Just to let you know, it still took A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT!
The kids love it though and look forward to choosing a new card each day. One problem with this method is that I have an impatient little boy who keeps looking ahead...hmmm, going to have to tweak things for next year.
Now when I am posting this, we are already on day 10, so here are few of our activities just to break up things a bit and hopefully tempt you as much as my boy is tempted to see what's next!
One day was to take family pictures for the Christmas card. I tried to take them myself, with my camera and the timer...first tweak for next year...get someone else to do it for me!!!!
I tried doing that cute idea of everyone jumping...NOT a good idea, but really funny! Second tweak, no jumping in pictures!
We also went to the Toy Train Show in Glendale to support our sweet neighbor. The kids had a fantastic time! I wish I'd gotten more pictures. There were amazing displays of trains. One in particular was a whole 10'x10' lego train display featuring 6-8 different villages with characters and cars and buildings and trains and EVERYTHING MADE WITH LEGOS!!!! I could barely pull myself away! The kids raced trains down a track for prizes, visited Santa, got their faces painted and painted trains. I was skeptical heading up there, but there was no need. It will be on our list next year!!
Then of course is the school Christmas concert. The twins and Nate had theirs last week, Paige's is tonight. They all love singing and get so excited for this big night. Funny thing, Nathan and Cole were put right next to each other on stage! Neither had any idea until they got on stage! As luck would have it, they are both in the shadow and picture quality is very poor. Maybe Wendy got better ones!
Kate had no idea where we were, but how crazy is it that I got a picture that looks like she's looking straight at us and smiling!
I little bit of fun news. Each year the school has a contest with the students and each is invited to draw a picture for the concert's program. 4 students are chosen and their pictures become the cover. MEGAN WAS CHOSEN THIS YEAR!!! Our budding artist! (She gets it from her Grandmother Dunyon).
Another repeat from last year was the Tumbleweed Parade and Tree Lighting. Our regular parade buddies had other plans this year, so we grabbed some other unsuspecting victims and dragged them along. Even without the expert navigational skills of Brig, we made it up there in perfect time to get front row seats and enjoy donuts and hot chocolate before the parade. Our NEW parade buddies loved it (whew!) and are actually excited to go again next year! I can't wait! If you want to join, just let me know!! The more the merrier!!
Again, the picture quality and quantity is lacking...that may have to be my New Year's resolution this year...more and better!
We also went to see the Temple Lights. They were beautiful as always! This year, in our activities we've had a special guest with us. We keep dragging Kay, our sweet neighbor, to everything. She is so enthusiastic about everything we've done. I know she misses her husband, but I hope she knows how much we love her and consider her family too!
And lastly, we got an early Christmas present this year.
A piano, and while only ONE night's activity was to sing carols around the piano it has become a nightly ritual...I told you they love to sing!!! My piano teacher would be proud that I have not lost ALL of my playing ability, it's slowly coming back. The monkeys are excited to start lessons in January - not sure I'm excited for the extra noise and confusion!
14 more days to go!!!!
3 comments:
what a great idea! When your kids are grown, and mine are growing, can you give me all your fun crafts that took you hours and hours to make, so I can be as cool of mom as you are?! Please?!?! Love the piano, can't wait to play it when we come!!
The fun never ends at the Gray house. You never cease to amaze me. That will be fun for the kids to start piano too! :)
You are amazing! I have no clue how you come up with so many great ideas. My brains would fizzle out after like 3 days. :)
And in the future---Brig would be happy to take your family pics for you. He doesn't promise anything fancy but he can do a decent job and then you can just stand there and look gorgeous! ;)
Also, don't think you've gotten rid of us as parade buddies---once we hook our claws into you there's no getting rid of us.
Have a Merry Christmas and thank you for being such wonderful friends!
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