Ellie performed one of her jazz dances at the half-time of the high school girls' game. She was pretty nervous about it because they hadn't known it for too long. They did get one more practice in before the performance and I thought they did a great job. She kept making silly faces throughout the performance though.
In the midst of all the Christmas activites, we got an email that Jackson had been chosen as the Middle School Optimist Student of the Month. He was recognized at a breakfast the Wednesday at Pancake City at 6:30am. He and his siblings were pumped to have to go that early. There were a couple other kids recognized from MI, Faith Lutheran and Brashear. The guy handing out the certificates asked each kid quite a few questions and Jackson did a great job answering them. Then they read some quotes from his teachers about Jackson and handed him a certificate and $25 check. His teachers had wonderful things to say about him-made me tear up a bit.
Throughout the week, I helped out with Christmas activities at school. From providing food for lunches, to helping watch Lincoln's class while his teacher went to lunch and running the twins' Christmas party. That was a breeze because I kept all my supplies from their party last year and just had a get a few items and we were set for their party this year. And even though they repeated the activities, they still had fun with them.
That night we changed up our Polar Express car ride (their weren't many lights around town this year) and the kids had the tickets on their beds when they got home from school. I let them know that we would be changing things up by going out to eat at Mi Casa first, dropping off bags of toys at Salvation Army and coats at the thrift store and then we went out in search of some lights.
The kids last day of school was the Friday before Christmas. We started the morning with the twins and their Reader's Theater where they took turns reading a couple Christmas stories which they did a wonderful job at. And then I went to Lincoln's classroom later that day for his party.
That night, while I tried to finish up a lot of Christmas baking, Lissy showed up and did her painted sugar cookies with the kids. It was later when they got started, but Lissy followed through on her promise to Ellie to do it with them.
My birthday was the next day. I enjoyed it by doing some more baking and cleaning the house while Andrew took the kids out to the ranch in the morning. Ellie left a pile of Butterfingers on my dresser that she said were my present. She got them from Lydia who got them for a Christmas present and said she didn't like them.
Sara and her family got in that day, so we went over there that afternoon. Charlotte made sure Ellie felt some love and Holly did the same for Andrew :-).
My parents made us a yummy fried chicken dinner topped off with red velvet cake. All so delicious. Andrew gave me a couple massage gift certificates and my parents gave me a house cleaning from Michelle. Then Bella came home with us for a sleepover and the boys stayed at my parents. Ellie and Bella worked on sewing the next morning. Ellie was teacher her how to make chapstick holders. That evening we had dinner over at our house. Amanda and her family got into town and they brought Hot Browns from a restaurant in Louisville. I made the sides and some brownies for dessert. It all worked out pretty well and got people out of my parents house for a little bit. Ellie continued her sewing lessons with Bella and added in Carolina.
After they all left, we cleaned up and then our sibling gift exchange. They were all pretty excited except for the twins. They weren't too excited about their Legos and wanted to the soccer training strap that Ellie and Lincoln got. When Ellie opened hers from Lincoln, Miles could barely contain his excitement that he had gotten the same thing for Lincoln. But then his attitude changed when he opened his Legos. A good lesson in being content with what you get...we're still working on that.
No comments:
Post a Comment