For this year's Christmas season, I took a different approach than in year's past. When the kids were younger, I made a list of things/events we wanted to tackle for that Christmas. We raced thru as much as we could do and had a ball doing it.
This year, I decided to pick less events so that we could appreciate more and focus on the moment at hand instead of crossing off a long list. The kids noticed and asked me from time to time, "When are we doing xx or when are we doing xx?" I explained that we may not do those items this year, but we will try to do them one year in the future. Overall, our season was more relaxing and as always, I hope it had more gratitude in the month.
We did the Woodrow Wilson HS production of the Nutcracker for the third year in a row. This year, Grace joined her brother as a little mouse and loved being up on the stage. Our babysitter, Anna, is a dancer in the show and encouraged Grace to join the cast. Palmer was so proud to have his sister with him.
Both kiddos had special school programs. Grace is the big gal on campus in the Pre-K class at Wilshire and got to finally have her big show in the sanctuary. I'm pretty sure she was convinced everyone in the audience was there to see her. She had a huge smile and a loud voice to match thru the entire program. I asked Palmer if he would like to skip out of school a little early to see Grace's show, but he politely declined. He didn't want to miss any of his class time. ha
Meanwhile, Palmer was so proud to be chosen as a shepherd in the nativity scene at his own show. He took his role very seriously (only one boy and one girl from each class were chosen to participate) and wouldn't tell me any details before the program. "Mom, you are going to have to wait and see what happens."
Grace and I had a special date to see Elf, The Musical one evening. We had fun dressing up and then snuck out at intermission without Grace ever knowing the difference.
We also adventured into a new sport, basketball. Palmer is participating on a school team for the quick winter season and enjoys the camaraderie of his fellow classmates. Most of the boys have been in the sport for three years, so there is some catching up to do in skill level, but we are having fun watching the games and getting to know new school families.
A little golf outing on a nice Sunday afternoon with friends.
Rick and I on one of our many December evenings on the party circuit:
Our playgroup participated in an annual sing-along and party for the residents of the Dickenson Center. The kids are getting more confident and gracious every year about serving the elderly party guests and love the singing and bell ringing at the party.
Visiting Santa... we visited on an early Monday afternoon and got a lot of attention from the big man as there weren't many other kids there. We were sad that Rick had to miss our visit, but glad for the low-key atmosphere. Santa couldn't believe that Palmer wrote his list on the back of a homework sheet- and then mailed that list into the North Pole via an on-site mailbox.
"What lipstick? I don't know what you are talking about!"
Our neighbors are so special. They love to have the kids over to make chocolate sodas. I loved spying their little interactions from my perch next door.
Plaid forever.
We love December.
-Bethany
