December 2025 Part II

Christmas Eve was finally upon us! I was still too sick to go anywhere. Tyler took the kids to Kenney and Teresa's for their favorite traditions. 

I stumbled upon a sale at Old Navy and was able to get everyone a shirt in their Hogwarts House. It was part of their pajama Christmas Eve gift. We usually open them at night with cousins, but I asked to open them before they left so we could wear them. Then the took their pajamas to Nana and Papaw's for later. 

All the traditions were had. Gingerbread Nativities. Games. Good food. Nativity Play. And presents!

My kids have never been early risers on Christmas. They've always kept a reasonable time. Thank goodness Tyler was on top of pictures! Harry Potter Monopoly Deal has been played MANY times and we are looking forward to opening the geode!

I was really proud of the books I found this year. It makes me feel good when a good engaged reading session begins. Reading silence is my favorite silence. Giant Bingo HAD to be purchased when Tyler saw her a Costco. The metal detector and drone are already having some good adventures!

Money from Grandpa always comes in handy during yard sale season. 

All of us were finally well "enough" for church again. We made sure to get our matching Christmas dress up picture. On principle, of course. I sure love these people and our family is so incredible blessed to have what we need and MANY of the things that we want. 

Mitch and I conspired to find a bunch of Harry Potter LEGO for Emily. They made a trip to visit for New Year's and pick up some sets I found here. Guys, I was STILL too weak and sick t join the outings. Everyone went and enjoyed Cidercade and lunch as Cici's. Everybody, has a buddy. They are all at the best ages and lots of fun was had. 

After lunch, most people went back to Cidercade. Ender came back with Tyler and enjoyed switch time ALL by himself. And a Swig drink with Uncle Ty-Ty. 

 

The adults played a "fun" version of Catan. Half of us thought it was fun, the other half disagreed. 

Every get together means obligatory twin pictures. 

Until next time...

December 2025 Part I

We hit the ground RUNNING in December. On the 6th we had PTA Breakfast with Santa in the morning and Light the World for church in the evening. Light the World had "museum" type rooms to celebrate the birth of Christ. We were on the committee to helping set up the Nativity room(still not sure how that happened). We also supplied Santa for the PTA breakfast. AND my friend and I put together two musical numbers for the musical side of Light the World. It. Was. A. Weekend. 

Santa even had a quick chat with the school elf. Just to check in. The PTA kids are always up to something. Living their best lives while the PTA moms keep the world running. 

A new family "tradition" has emerged. I'm not thrilled about it, but there's nothing I can do to stop it now. "Pinkies out" is Tyler and the kids' version of flipping off. It's fun, it's feral. I love it. Not. It brings many people joy. Me, the least amount. 

"The de-santa-fication process has begun!" We are so lucky Tyler is willing to be Santa. The kids love it, they love him and it's so fun to watch him love and serve others! 

Lyla was the only one who got a picture at Light the World. My friend, Kelly and I, formed a group for two musical numbers. I arranged bells to go with each song. I led the kids for one of the songs and played Organ for the other. Grayson learned how to lead the bells and kept the kids on track so I could play the Organ. I also learned organ pedals for Silent Night for the first time in my life! It was a lot of work, but so fulfilling! I'm so grateful for music and it's power in my life to help me fill the Spirit! 

Musical night 2 of the month was Nolan's Honor Choir Concert. Love that he gets to sing with his friends! They did a great job! Ms. Bucklew really does know how to make them sound great! 

Musical night number 3 was Grayson's band concert! We've learned that you can only play French Horn in high school if you do marching band. I think his French Horn days are numbered. They played a few Christmas songs in minor key so they sounded "spooky". It was ..... a choice. That's for sure. 

Musical night number 4 was Nolan's Honor Choir singing at the high school choir Christmas Concert. They sang a cute song about hot chocolate and used cups to do some moves. NOT A SINGLE KID DROPPED A CUP! I was so proud of them. They did a great job! 

All of our people had a part in the ward Christmas Party. I did a quick trivia game before dinner and shuffled all the Primary kids around for the live Nativity. Grayson sang in the youth musical number and Tyler did whatever any of us needed in between. 

The family gingerbread house competition lives on! Tyler keeps getting cheap ones after Christmas and hiding them for the next year. Some were broken this year adn we had to buy new, but it was fun as ever. Grayson was especially proud of his "less is more" approach this year. I was really happy with my Chamber of Secrets suggestion to Lyla. Tyler was once again victorious! We'll get him one of these days!

Lyla's field trip was the last completed event before winter break! Her class went to the Planetarium at UT Arlington. Tyler was able to go. It was fun, but was also kind of a short lame field trip for all the to-do. Tyler did get me some Pad Thai on the way home, so it wasn't a total bust. 

At this point things got hairy. Nolan missed school on Thursday after starting a fever. Grayson was next. Lyla never had a fever, but they all had the WORST sounding coughs. We haven't had coughs like that since they were babies! I held out until Monday. I sang a solo as part of Christmas Church Sunday, so I was thankful to make it as long as I did. 

Only 3 of us made it to Christmas Church. 

Tyler helped serve "Christmas Dinner" to the employees. He's got a pretty good beard going on right now! I'm sure he'll decide to chop it off soon. Spoiler alert. 

There is a new obsession of candles at my house. Tyler and Lyla were enjoying time outside. We kept many windows open to air out the sick! 

We were too sick and didn't want to share our biohazard so we didn't make friend plates this year. Tyler grabbed some pre-made dough and everyone made a few personal cookies. It was a good thing too, they coughed all over everything. The. Entire. Time. At this point, I'm feeling pretty crummy with no end in sight. 

On the 23rd, Tyler turned 37! We had big plans, but whatever we caught has bigger plans. I was super sick and we ended up having to cancel our plans. Tyler took the kids out and about because he had all the energy after being cooped up with us. He was treated to a cheesecake and we will have to make the day up later! 

Until next time...