Christmas 2014

December 23rd: Startower and a holiday lights drive around the neighborhood.

December 24th: wrapping gifts, playing at the park, baking cookies, eating homemade Mexican food (our Christmas Eve tradition),  reading "A Visit from Saint Nicolas" before bed, then exchanging stockings with Scott and helping Santa set up Christmas once the kids went to sleep.

December 25th: gifts, lunch with Josie's family (so much delicious Filipino food!), games, family time, and lots of relaxation.

#32

My birthday was last Sunday, and it was an easygoing, nice day. We had church in the morning with a beautiful Christmas service. I took a long nap once we got home. Then, Scott prepared dinner (teriyaki beef and pineapple kebabs!), we stuffed our faces full of cake, and I opened gifts.

Christmastime is always pretty hectic, so dedicating a day to relax and spend time together felt absolutely perfect.

Thespian cafe

The third grade classes wrapped up their Greek unit with mythology plays and a party.

"Orpheus" (Ben's the narrator in the purple toga):

They did great! The plays were so entertaining, and the kids all spoke clearly.

Ben's papier mache Greek pottery: 

The saga of dirty Bo

On Monday, we saw this guy limping down our street as we drove the boys to school.

He was still there when we came home. Since he looked exhausted and confused, I pulled over. The dog had clealy been wandering for some time, so we brought him to our house.

We soon learned his name, but this was his only identifier. Bo had no tags and, as the vet discovered, no microchip.

He scarfed two bowls of food, drank a bunch of water, and crashed asleep for hours.

I searched, posted notices, and gave Bo a bath; he was STINKY.

For the next two days, Bo was my shadow.

And Libby adored him.

By Wednesday, we heard no response from the notices we placed at lost & found sites, the local vet, and shelter. And Bo's anxiety was causing him to lash out-- he growled at the kids, bit me, and relentlessly went after Leo. We were sad that we couldn't do more, but we knew the shelter was now a better place for him to reconnect with his family.

Good luck, Bo. You're a sweet boy, and we hope you find your way home soon.

Gingerbread class parties

Celebrating Libby's birthday

Happy birthday, Libby!

Dear Libby,

Today, you turn 5! You bring so much sunshine into our lives, and we are grateful each day that you are part of our family.

You are affectionate, imaginative, confident, big-hearted, and enthusiastic. You absolutely adore everyone you meet and are always eager to make a new friend.

 When a person or animal is hurting, your heart hurts, and you want to help in every way that you can... especially if that involves kisses! You are so very tender and so very strong. 

And also really silly.

At 5, you love drawing, writing books, talking, helping out, feeding ducks (especially Olaf, the white duck at North Lake), playing with your brothers, swimming, dancing, going on walks, singing, cuddling up for storytime, baking, building blocks, and digging for bugs.

Happy birthday, sweet girl! Thank you for the beautiful light you bring to our home.

Cocoa & Cookies & Caroling

First grade singers:  

 Waiting for another group of carolers:

 

 Third grade singers (Ben's hiding in the back; he gets pretty nervous performing in front of crowds):

 

 We met at the outdoor amphitheater next, where all the grades danced to "Ay, Ay, Ay, It's Christmas." That was hilarious! My phone won't let me post videos, and the file is too large to email. Hopefully I can figure it out eventually... and also add videos of the kids' caroling. They really did a great job!

Anyway, we heard sleighbells, then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived! We headed to the gym for cookies, cocoa, an art display, and photo ops with the Clauses.

Ben's piece is the yellow hand with the green & black striped background:

 

 Santa and the missus:

 What a fun night at Estrella Mountain Elementary!