Our month of December was busy and full with Christmas performances, shopping, decorating, enjoying the Festival of Lights, peppermint chip milkshakes, making gifts, watching Christmas movies, wrapping, baking, delivering, driving around to look at lights, and counting down to Christmas. Factor in a week of sick kids and Christmas came up really fast this year.
Adelie and Briggs performed in their grade school Christmas concert, each singing 3 or 4 songs with their grade level.
This was Adelie's last Davenport Christmas concert. Of the holiday performances and activities, this one typically ranks low on my list so I'm not feeling too sad about the end of this era for Adelie. Staley had a Christmas band concert scheduled as well, but it was while she was sick so she was not able to attend. It was the thing she was most sad to miss during her week of illness.
All 3 kids performed in a holiday piano recital at Ms. Louise's church. Since Ms. Louise only has 4 students (including my 3), it was short and sweet. Each kid played 2 songs and did a great job.
Adelie and Briggs were also participants in the church Christmas program. Adelie was a narrator and Briggs was a shepherd. They both did a nice job singing their songs. Adelie spoke very clearly during her parts, and Briggs knew exactly where to go and what to do as a shepherd.
Adelie had her last tumbling class at Velocity in Goodfield with Ms. Christy. Adelie has tried tumbling at a variety of places over the years and this was by far her favorite. We were both so sad when they decided to no longer offer tumbling.
I attended both Briggs' and Adelie's classroom Christmas parties the day before Christmas break. They enjoyed the games, crafts, and treats and were pleased that I was there.
Staley enjoyed a little dessert Christmas party after Penguin rehearsal one evening where Staley and Maggie exchanged gifts.
We got lucky this year with getting to have some Uncle Ethan festive time. He helped us decorate our tree while he was home the day after Thanksgiving...
and then also joined us for some cookie decorating when he was home again a few days before Christmas.
Our two days of winter storm weather was the perfect time to decorate gingerbread houses (and trains) from Uma. Although we had to use a little hot glue to make them stay together, the kids had a good time decorating them.
The countdown to Christmas is always a fun time of year.
Christmas clothes, Christmas treats, Christmas performances, and Christmas traditions get us in that festive mood.
Sometimes it gets hectic. Sometimes the to-do list feels long. Sometimes the joy gets a little lost in the full December calendar. But especially when the performances end and school is out, the time at home with family and the anticipation of get-togethers and Christmas day makes this one of my favorite times of year.
The countdown to Christmas takes up a full month, but what a fun month it is!!
