December 8-13

I have unashamedly switched around several of our 25 Days of December activities to better accommodate our schedule. Ryan is too smart for his own good, trying to read the cards before handing them to me, saying, "Day 10...wait, Mommy. Today is Day 8. This is in the wrong pocket!"

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Day 8 - Load the kids into the car in PJs with warm cocoa and drive around town looking at Christmas lights. This was my not-so-good day. I was not in the Christmas spirit, but put on a happy face for the kids' sake. I gave the kids the new PJs I bought them last February on clearance and they were beyond thrilled. Then, even through my bad attitude, it warmed my heart to see Mike run upstairs to get his rarely-worn slippers to drive us around to look at lights. And when I tried to take a picture of Ryan and Kaylin, he shouted, "WAIT!" and grabbed Baby Jason to add him to the picture saying, "He'll be a part of this tradition from now on - why not add him to the photo now?" Such a sweet daddy.

Day 9 - Go to the $1 Store and let the kids pick out anything they want. Ryan found a remote control airplane that he was thrilled with. Until he realized it is attached to the remote with a cord and doesn't fly. (I mean really...it WAS from the $1 store!) Kaylin roamed the aisles and was very careful with her selection. Nothing was just right. Until I forced her to make a decision because we needed to meet Mike's family for dinner. Under pressure, she chose a Christmas tree plate. That will take up space in my cabinets and be a menace every year. Not a toy that will break or a craft supply that will get good use...a plate. That's what I get for rushing the dear child into a decision after 30 minutes of wandering around.

Day 10 - Family Movie Night. We ended up squeezing in the cartoon version of The Grinch because it was a school night and we got started way late. But we did do popcorn and hot chocolate, even though I was out of cocoa mix and basically warmed up chocolate milk. Kaylin watched most of the movie from the kitchen table while trying to finish her dinner so she could have popcorn. That girl is so incredibly pokey!

Day 11 - Make homemade Christmas cards for teachers and family. This was a project that spanned a few days. Getting the kids to sit down together to finish their cards took a ton of encouragement. Normally they enjoy making cards, but this time was a challenge. We finally finished them today.

Day 12 - Go to the Train Park. We relocated our train day to a park closer to home. I found out about it at a birthday party on Saturday and quickly switched the papers in the Advent calendar before the kids pulled it out. Unfortunately, because the train was so rickety, I wasn't allowed to bring Jason on, even in a front pack, so I missed the whole ride.

(above: on the bench, waiting in line)

(above: Mike and the kids on the train. Yes, Mike and Kaylin are straddling their "seats.")
Day 13 - Take the kids shopping for Christmas gifts for each other. Ryan's school had a "store" last week where they could buy gifts for family members. I sent him with $6 and instructions for him to spend $2-4 on Kaylin and $1-2 on Mike and me. He came home so, so proud of his purchases. I gave him boxes to put each gift in and he made tags. He was trying so hard not to smile...the pride was spilling out of him. After that, his gift for Kaylin was taken care of. This afternoon, I took Kaylin to Hallmark with my $5 off any purchase coupon and after scouring the store twice over, she was thrilled (as was I...because I had convinced myself that she'd never find anything for him!) to finally find a gingerbread house ornament. It's perfect! I am SO glad we're already starting the tradition of them buying a gift for each other. What better way to teach thoughtfulness?