We’ve had so much Christmas fun this year. We attended our annual ward Christmas party. That was a lot of fun. About half way through dinner Matt Hansen comes up and asks Scott if he could play Santa. The original Santa hadn’t showed up and they weren’t sure if he would. So Scott took on the job, wouldn’t want to disappoint the little children. Boy did he do a good job! Our kids all stood around him. Jaime and Alix knew right off. Milo was pretty sure but Niah and Afton just stared. Eventually they figured it out too. Afton still goes around proclaiming that her daddy is Santa Clause. Anyway, Scott did a good deed and I think he actually enjoyed it! I’d love to post some pictures, but of course I don’t have any. I didn’t expect to need a camera. O’well. Some other people took pictures and when they send me some copies I’ll post them. Anyway, the night was really fun. We sat at a table with a new member and her mom. So nice. We had a great time getting to know them better. There are some old Chinese ladies that live down the street. My kids just love them and they love the kids. We invited them to the Halloween party and gave them a ride. They asked for a ride to the Christmas party too. It’s so nice to be around people who are kind and loving and just plain nice. These two Chinese ladies don’t know much English and so our communication is mostly with signs and simple words, but they are just the nicest people. We are so blessed to live on this street and know so many wonderful people.
We are so blessed to have Scott home for the next two weeks. His last day of work was December 19 and he goes back on January 5. Because of his time off I decided to take advantage of his help. He so willingly became my right hand man (literally!!). We made a schedule and everyday from 9-noon he takes off with the little kids while I do school and other things with just Jaime and Alix. It has been awesome. We have gotten so much done and learned so many things. It’s nice to teach without being interrupted or having to talk louder to be heard over the playful sounds of my dear children.
Monday Jaime invited a couple of friends over and we had a cookie decorating party. The girls baked and decorated sugar cookies and ginger bread men. After that they made plates of cookies and we went around delivering them and caroling. The girls had so much fun. They included Alix without complaint and even the little kids got a chance to do some baking. It was such a fun time. The girls thought it was great.
One girl, Maranda, stayed for dinner. We made a comment about how loud it must be compared to her house (she is 10 and has one younger sister who is 1). She said it was definitely louder but she liked it. Never a dull moment and we are always happy, that made her feel happy inside. What a wonderful compliment from a 10 year old. It made our whole day!
Tuesday, December 23 (my birthday), was a fun but busy day. We did our morning routine of school. At one I took the kids to the Dalrymple’s house. Cindi had called the week before and offered to take the kids for a couple of hours for us so we could finish up any last minute things. The kids wanted to ride their bikes to the house so I followed slowly in the van while they rode. It was fun and the kids were pretty tired out by the time they got there. I went home and Scott and I spent a couple of hours just deep cleaning. We didn’t get as much done as I wanted to but it still made the house look better. We wrapped as many presents as we could before we realized we were running out of time. We ran a couple of last minute errands, picked up some Chinese food and dropped me at home. While I prepared brownies and white rice, Scott went and picked up the kids. Roberta and her family came over and enjoyed Chinese food and brownie sundaes with us. They got me some pajama bottoms that are made out of the softest flannel ever. I LOVE them! They are comfy and warm and just so fun to snuggle in! After all the festivities we put the kids to bed, cleaned up and did more wrapping. It was a very fun birthday. It may not sound like it to some people, but a clean house, no fighting, Chinese food and brownie sundaes……it was paradise for me, really! I had a wonderful birthday and thanks to everyone who helped make it wonderful. Especially Scott! I love you babe!!
Happy Birthday!! With all the holiday festivities, I completely forgot. Usually someone mentions Joseph Smith’s bday at church and it’s my reminder, but not last week!