Pre-Christmas Eve

I think Jason and I were more excited for the boys to open their gifts than they were. They weren't even asking or touching the presents, but we decided to let them open all their gifts today... on Pre-Christmas eve. That way they get more time to play with everything on their break from school. Plus we feel bad they really haven't been able to play with other kids due to covid. Kaiden's big gift was his 4-wheeler, which he got before Christmas. But he also got a bunch of Lego's and some Star Wars lightsabers. Connor's big gift was his Nintendo Switch game system with 2 games. Plus he got a bunch of Lego's too, including a huge set with 1200 pieces. Jason also got them a VR headset which is pretty cool. Somehow Piper knew which gift was hers and tried to open it on her own.  She never touched any other gifts... just her stuffed dinosaur toy gift. I also bought her a dog puzzle, which she gets too excited to play. Oh and Jason got a little too competitive playing table tennis and fell into our tree.  He bent some of the branches, so we have a Jason size dent now. LOL

cookie time

 The boys and I made 4 different types of cookies- chocolate chip walnut, chocolate crackle, peanut butter blossom and sugar cookies.  Plus chocolate fudge. We had fun making and decorating the sugar cookies. We also let the boys open a Christmas gift early- a table tennis set.  Jason said he played table tennis at a friends house growing up and has fond memories of it.  This was the first time the boys have played table tennis. Kaiden loves it! Jason and Kaiden are really into it. The little die hards could play everyday! Connor and I like it too, just not quiet as much. I surprised the boys and made some hot cocoa bombs too. I saw them on-line and they looked so fun. The boys enjoyed them. I took plates full of cookies and fudge over to 3 of our favorite neighbors, along with a Christmas card. Then we let the boys open another gift- they each got a Lego Star Wars.

Christmas cards

I have sent out Christmas picture cards every single year since I moved out on my own at age 18. I think most, if not all of the cards that I have made consist of just one big picture of our entire family. I prefer using just a single picture because you get a larger photo to keep and it's sometimes hard to really see the people in the smaller photos when they have multiple photos on the card.  Plus I just like the simplicity of the single photo. I used to include a Christmas letter in with my cards, but stopped writing a Christmas letter years ago when I started making this blog.   Instead I let people know the blog name so, if they wanted they could follow along and see updates of our family.  This year I was way ahead of the game. I had decorations up the day after Thanksgiving.  Since we haven't had a professional family picture taken this year, I set up my self timer and took my own family picture.  I had my Christmas cards ready to go before December. My Christmas shopping was done before December. So, since I had free time I spent one afternoon writing a fun Christmas poem. I used to write poems all the time in high school. I haven't wrote a poem forever.  Anyway I wrote the following poem and included it with my Christmas cards that I sent out.  To my surprise I received a Christmas card from my aunt Gena with a short letter included and she added my Christmas poem to the bottom of her letter she sent out too.  The biggest form of flattery! It warms my heart to know my little poem brought a smile to someone's heart.  If you notice it spells Christmas on the left side and each line has rhyming words.

Christmas is a time for loving, sharing and giving. It's hope reborn again. For peace and understanding. 

Houses and trees adorn with lights that twinkle even brighter. Friendly hugs get just a little bit tighter.

Ringing bells and jolly carols, the sounds of Christmas joy. Stockings filled for every girl and boy.

In every city there's smiling faces, giving and receiving warm embraces.

Spirit of Christmas fills the air, as people show how much they care.

The spell of pies and cakes galore. With cookies and milk left thoughtfully for Santa by the door.

Merry hearts sing with cheer, as families and friends all draw near.

All because God's love came down, to light our way all over town.

So we celebrate at Christmas time, Our Lord and Savior, holy, divine!

ornament time

Top picture- a creation Kaiden made. The boys and I made salt dough ornaments.  Connor actually made a snowman decoration for Aunt Sue, a santa face for Aunt Frann and a silver hook which he put a magnet on the back for Grandpa.  Kaiden made everyone decorative tree ornaments. I made a bunch of snowflakes that I strung together and wrapped around the tree.  Bottom picture is my current office at work. Due to my shoulder injury I'm not able to work on 6S until it's completely healed. The nurses on 6S do full care, no NAC or aides, which means I need to be able to lift and move patients.  So, temporarily I'm working at Employee Health doing Covid calls and investigations. I spend my time either sharing an office with Emily (who is a hired Employee Health worker) or sitting at my own office in 120.  I'm liking working normal day shift hours! I haven't worked day shift hours since I was at Principal, 11 years ago.

pre-Christmas crafts

 Kaiden showing all his missing teeth.  He lost quiet a few recently. Then Kaiden showing us a magic trick he learned.  Some wooden crafts I made for our tree.  Kaiden and Connor both drew pictures on tiles for my Christmas gift.  I love to display their drawings on our entertainment center.  Chippy and Daisy (our Elf on the shelf) having a Nerf gun war.