I would like to dub Christmas Eve as “the most wonderful time of the year”. Christmas is the best, but with our traditions and time spent together, I think Christmas Eve is my very favorite. (Plus, it is the anniversary of when I got engaged, or the “tale of Christmas greed” as my husband likes to call it.) Moving on…..
This year’s Christmas Eve was nothing short of perfect. I was in charge of the Christmas message, and I had different grand kids help me take each character from the nativity scene and explain them and their significance. (I guess the noise of 14 nieces and nephews didn’t make it “perfect”, but it was pretty close.) Afterward, the cousins did cousin presents. Cade had Scout, and with Megan being Cade’s mother, they didn’t disappoint. They basically took everything from Scout’s Christmas list, and bundled it up as one huge gift.
Scary Witch Mask ….. check.
Croutons ….. check.
A santa that went “green poop” (Scout’s favorite saying with his cousins) ….. check.
And his number 1 item ….. pills and medicine just like Nonnie ….. check.
Is it scary that he was this excited? Hopefully because he just saw a load of candy, and not because he is a future addict. And because me sister does not like to do ANYTHING half way, she gave him a huge bottle of “refills”. On the front, she wrote the entire prescription that was absolutely darling.
After Scout got his present, he gave Cade his present. (This year they got each other.) With me involved, I don’t go all out the way Megan does, but if my name is attached, I do like to get something the kid will love. So Cade — our little red head — has been wanting to get a shirt that reflects that he is proud to be a ginger. (An obnoxious term that kids are using to be mean to red heads. The good news is, my nephews love their red hair, and want to proudly show it.) So when I didn’t find anything great on the internet, I found a website and made a few for him. And even a matching mini one for Scout.
I am proud to report that Cade is going to wear his shirt the first day back at school.
Afterward, we all opened our pajamas. Scout loved his, and Icka’s were a bit too small. No worries, I had already made her a “1st Christmas” outfit, after my sisters were complaining that she didn’t look Christmasy. Too bad that her Christmas outfit was too small too. (Or maybe her thighs are too big?)
As tradition goes, everyone opens P.J.s. But ever since my husband came on the scene, he has kindly explained to my mom that “no guy wants P.J.s”. So we have tried to change it up these past few years. One year we did work out shorts. Another year, we did funny P.J’s. This year, Megan, my mom and I all made custom T shirts for all of the guys. They were the total hit of the night. Each was cracking a joke about them, and they were really funny. Nathan’s was about fantasy football. B’s was about UFC. Seth’s was about diversifying your assets. Micah’s was about P90X. Brook’s was about gap insurance. And Ryan;s was about using the dictionary. They were classic, and I bet we started a new tradition.
After we get all of the kids P.J.’d up, we send them to bed to have our adult gift exchange. This year I had Megan, and got her a Cricut Expression machine. Don’t ask me how she doesn’t already have one of these??? But since she is going to be in charge of every party I ever have, I figured it was really just an investment. She was so excited and told me she has wanted on for a while. Perfect!
Too bad I hadn’t given it to her three months ago, because when I got my present, I realized that she could have definitely used it. She gave me the best gift I have ever gotten. She made me about 25 homemade family night kits. They consisted of the lesson, the game, the craft, the activity, the EVERYTHING! Not only did it completely FILL one and a half portable filing cabinets, but she gave me about 6 games that correspond with lessons, and an entire other filer that had everything I might need to use for object lessons, crafts, or games. She is OUT OF CONTROL. Mind you, she cut everything by hand, everything is laminated, and everything is completely organized perfectly. She has lessons on everything from gratitude to prayer to being an example to the sabbath day to being happy. I was beside myself when I got it, I have already gone through it tons of times to just see the work she put into it. According to Bryan, she laminated for about seven hours. Talk about one lucky recipient! And to top it all off, she said she has about six more packets she is working on for me, but just couldn’t get them done in time. Sweet!
We ended the night with the boys heading out to Harbor House, and the girls organizing the presents and each opened one gift. I say that the “girls” organized, but I take credit for this masterpiece. I am kind of a Nazi when it comes to the display. I like to have it look perfect. Not bad….huh?!
When Nonnie went into her bed, she found these kids all nuzzled in her bad. Too bad there was no room for her.
Yet again….
The Thacker/Denison Christmas Party was a total hit. We made it a little different this year, and held auditions to come. There was an application process where everyone had to submit a video to their favorite Christmas song in order to be invited. The results were phenomenal.
So first off — the theme this year was Silver and Gold. Thank goodness Scummy came through for me with the outfit. I had been looking for silver or gold P.J.’s (my yearly outfit, no matter the theme), and busted out. Apparently WalMart had the above night shirt and some nasty scarf I dubbed as a headband, and I was in luck. On the other hand, Micah ordered his outfit a month before the party, and was stoked on it. That was until he tried it on the day before and realized that it was so ridiculously tight, he would have to cut it in half, and don some suspenders. In the end, he still looked like a silver dream.
But I have to admit that the award for best outfit definitely goes to the Bunkers who got these awesome stars that I am totally jealous of. You know I am googling those for myself!
We started out with the movies. I have to admit that all of the stress that everyone was under ended up being worth it. The movies were classic. Micah’s version of the Grinch was awesome. (He now wants to stash some cash and look into acting because everyone told him how great he was. Sweet! I have always wanted to be married to a somebody.) The Bunkers version of Feliz Navidad was the best - hysterical! There were tons of other greats, including my sister and Gary’s “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, but the total winner in my book was Andrew Lark’s gymnastic number. I laughed so hard the entire time! Talk about out from left field!
The Hemans were really missed, and BETTER make it next year! Luckily for us, they Skyped in to judge the videos. They gave it to the professionally edited Gary and Tristen number. The best was that Claudio (the editor) stood up before showing theirs, and gave a little speech with director’s notes. And after they took the win, he handed out a copy of the video to everyone. (He said he knew they would win, and thought that everyone would want to take a copy home with them — obviously!)
Can’t wait until next year!
Once my computer decides to start working properly, I will be penning my Christmas recap. Until then, I just want to see these little faces from some of our Christmas festivities.
Are you in love?
Because you should be.
It’s true. The joke is always on me when I think a family picture is a good idea. And forget Micah and me, taking a picture of both of my kids is even a joke. My sister Megan — the picture taking maniac — just said that taking pictures of my kids is tricky. My “non smilers” are either looking away, or more often, Scout is making a funny or stinky face. So when I had the bright idea of getting them to kiss in this year’s Christmas photo session, I was an utter fool. The first day of shooting was a horrible mess. I knew Micah was going to come to our rescue the next day, and he was literally holding Icka at the waist, as he was trying to reason — scold — and then threaten Scout into kissing Sweets. (I don’t blame him since Icka had a snoofy nose, and I wouldn’t be friends with snoofy nosers in my youth.) Out of many, many pictures, we had only one that was usable. So I am making an across the board announcement — when you open your mailbox to our Christmas card (yes, some may be arriving post 25th), blame the kids for a mediocre picture. Which in the end, unfortunately makes a mediocre card.
(Here is a family shot at the Dana Point boat parade, where Scout insisted on trying to undress in the 40 degree weather. Some things I get — that, I don’t.)
At 11 months, Ickity Dickity was just spotted by the house cleaners going down the complete set of stairs by herself. I didn’t teach her. I actually liked the fact that she knew that she was stuck at the top. It turns out the culprit is Skilly. Good for Skills to teach my child things, but if they can be things to contain her mobility, I would even be happier. This little girl is the busiest, and most-non stop little thing ever. I just checked back to see what Scout was doing at this age, and they are completely different. At 11 months, I took Scout to the farm, and he just sat nicely and fed the rabbits for 30 minutes. Once Christmas is over, I am going to test Icky at the same location. I can safely predict, that she won’t be sitting in one spot feeding some rabbits.
11 month fetes
-She can “mooo” and “ruff ruff” (we are working on meow)
-She can point at anything (but usually to the water to tell me she is thirsty)
-She eats anything and everything (let me emphasize the everything)
-She walks everywhere, and climbs up and down the stairs
-She patty cakes
-When she hears music, she bops up and down (and must have the best balance since she about folds herself in half)
-She is sweet and cute and leans over to give the ones she loves kisses
-She is a great sleeper (always has been)
-She made Christmas pictures an absolute nightmare on day one (Scout made them a nightmare on day two)
-She is a total mama’s girl, and I love it!
I have never paid for a picture with Santa, but this year, I gave in. Probably because I didn’t want to sneak my camera, and try to catch a picture of my kids with Santa without the “elf” helpers getting mad. Are you kidding me! Since when do you have to pay for a picture if I brought my own camera. Kind of rips off the meaning of Christmas.
Skylar is officially entering the “awkward phase” of life. She had her first zit a few weeks ago, and then I took her up to the world famous — Dr. Jorgenson — to get her braces put on. Icka joined in on the fun, and was a dreamboat the entire time. Possibly because I let her walk and crawl everywhere in the waiting room. I figured that the appointment was going to be long, so it wasn’t worth fighting her unsanitary urges. It’s funny how I look back at pictures of when I had braces, and I undoubtedly looked awkward. Whereas, she looks kinda cute with hers on.
Before
Skilly and her Namesake
During
Icka just occupying the time
After
I told the doctor that I might have a child who has perfect teeth, and we wouldn’t be needing future services from him. When he looked at Icka’s mouth, he said that she has the worst kind of teeth — really big so when the bigger adult teeth come in, there won’t be any room. What a rip!
Icka’s future adult teeth
I saw these photobooth pictures that Skylar took when we got home. Apparently, she was spreading the news. (This is the same face she made for the first four days because she said it was the only way her braces were comfortable — might have something to do with the vampire teeth that are coming in that have their very own braces.)
The good news is that the events of this day gave Scout a new idea for Christmas. he has now officially added “braces” to his list. Unfortunately, his desire for braces got the best of him when he was taking a nap and saw my retainer. He was “trying” it, when a hook in the back impaled his inner cheek, and he started screaming bloody murder. Micah went to see what was going on, and saw our little boy’s face covered in blood with my retainer sticking out of his mouth. Micah said it was like a fish hook, and had to get in there and remove it. Apparently Scout was really brave, and after sucking on some ice, never made mention of it again. Too bad, the little “incident” hasn’t gone away, because he woke up this morning with a red and warm cheek, that was visibly swollen. Poor guy.
Scout was beside himself that he got to ride the train ALL BY HIMSELF. He had so much fun, I let him go twice.
RoRo is new to town, and my kids adore him. Scout and he play together really well, and RoRo might be in love with Navy. (I think pushing and hitting signifies love at that age.) They were all playing at the mall playground, and were impossible subjects to catch on film. So enjoy the sides of their heads.
Thank goodness for creative and BRILLIANT people, like the people who came up with “Elf on the Shelf”. Scout’s elf (named Jingle) has been like his little conscience lately. Amazingly enough, Scout has been more polite, nicer, and much more responsive to me when I ask him to do something. I am wondering what can replace the elf on December 26th? Or maybe Jingle will be watching him year round. Overkill? We’ll see how he acts once Jingle goes back to the North Pole.
Two of Jingle’s hiding spots.
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