This month, the girls’ school has encouraged the kids to be more active with a “Movement Calendar” of daily activities. If completed, the kids get a little prize. So, we’ve had daily activities (often, but not always, exercises). Every Wednesday is family fitness day, Jen and I join in as well then. Here’s Leah showing off some mountain climbers.
Leah again participated in the Bumble Bee spelling bee at school. Again, it was intense. Dozens of second graders spelling words out loud in front of a large crowd of adults. One mistake and you’re eliminated. There’s some serious pressure.
Leah was fortunate to randomly end up sitting next to friends (both sides and behind her). They clearly didn’t let the pressure get to them as they waited for the start.
Leah made it through her first 3 words, but got unlucky on the fourth word and was eliminated earlier than she expected. I must say I was so proud of how she handled it. Many of the kids ended up in tears (understandably), but Leah handled disappointment with strength. She was even comforting others who didn’t handle it as well and congratulating those who succeeded.
We had to postpone our initial plan to celebrate Aunt EA’s birthday with her as Charlie had a fever. A week late, we joined for presents and treats at Grams’s house.
Charlie’s a lucky guy. His mom shared her birthday dessert with him.
Looks like he wants some of Molly’s dessert as well.
Happy birthday Aunt EA!
Our Norway Spruce tree looked great, but it was horrible when it came to needle retention. This is what the floor looked like after we finished taking the lights off. Yes, all those needles fell from undecorating the tree. We even undecorated early because we didn’t want it to get any worse.
New Year’s Eve is a big day in our family, with it being Grampa and Aunt EA’s birthdays in addition to the holiday. We had celebrated with Grampa early (and we celebrated late with Aunt EA), so on that day birthday greetings were given electronically. The girls made this video for Aunt EA.
They talked to Grampa via FaceTime. Between Leah’s Sorting Hat and Molly’s one-piece owl pajamas, these girls have quite the outfits to wish Grampa happy birthday.
The girls requested to stay up till midnight on New Year’s Eve this year for the first time, and we finally agreed. We just stayed home, played games, and watched the ball drop on TV, but they enjoyed it. And they had no trouble staying up (no surprise).
As usual, I wanted to see the new Star Wars movie as soon as possible, but our schedule would not allow that. I managed to avoid spoilers for a couple weeks, and then we finally headed to the theater with Grams to watch The Last Jedi. And the movie was well worth the wait.
We celebrated Grampa’s birthday with him a bit early while he was in town. Happy birthday Grampa!
Christmas morning arrived with stockings and presents.
This Harry Potter fan was excited to get a Sorting Hat.
Grampa donned the Sorting Hat as well. He looks happy with his placement (Hufflepuff, I’d guess).
Molly got 5 supplimentary Harry Potter books.
The girls loved their new unicorn slippers that Jen found for them. Combined with their new pajamas and new earmuffs (and Santa hat for Molly), they’re very cozy.
The girls both love unicorns, so they were excited to get these fun unicorn earrings. Leah’s are extra special, as they are her first pair of dangly earrings (which she’s been wanting for some time).
Jen made these fun Grandparent shirts for G’Mom and Grampa.
And G’Mom always loves her calendar.
We then headed to Grams’s house for breakfast and more presents.
Molly was most excited about getting a Hatchimal. Actually, she got two, as the giant egg hatched with twin giravens (cross between a giraffe and a raven).
Leah was most excited about getting this Hermione plush (she got Harry and Ron as well).
After presents, we had a delicious Christmas dinner (with Christmas crackers) and enjoyed each others’ company. Later in the afternoon, things got exciting for Molly. The Hatchimal started to hatch!
They’re both out and ready to be raised.
Christmas Eve continued back at Grams’s house. These 3 cousins relaxed a bit and watched a small screen.
There were traditional Christmas Eve presents, including books and pajamas.
As she does every year, Jen made the girls Christmas Eve pajamas, as well as complimentary pajamas for their dolls.
Cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.
Then off to bed for a long winter’s nap.
Christmas Eve service was fun this year. It was a Super Christmas, featuring a band of superheroes (and Mary and Joseph). Molly was given the role of Wonder Woman. I was leading music, so Jen made me the perfect shirt to wear on stage.
Hulk lifted this boulder in the skit, but clearly Wonder Woman would have had no trouble with it as well.
And here’s the whole skit for you to watch.
Leah was too young to act in the skit, but did an excellent job leading the call to worship.
Sadly, she was too short to see over the heads of all the standing adults.
