Micah used to wrestle with the kids every single night. And then body cast happened. But we revisited old times, and the kids were in heaven just like in the old days. This night, the focus was on balancing, and a little arm workout for Micah.
Scout was showing off his moves while smiling for the camera.
Navy, who lacks the finesse Scout has, was just trying to lock those little legs of hers, and then slam down on the couch.
And the cutest baby in the world….he just cruised around the whole time and took a turn when he felt like it.
I was so excited to show off something amazing to my kids that I ran into the house and rushed them to get ready as fast as possible. Because it was raining, the kids went to grab an umbrella. Too bad for Scout that Seth Hansen was too close when he opened his umbrella, because Scout became a bloody-nosed victim.
Good thing this double rainbow (which was MUCH more amazing in person — as it looked like it was drawn with highlighter pens) cheered him up!
As soon as he knew there was a pot of gold out there, he started plotting, and completely forgot about his injury.
Nothing beats an evening in the pool.
Especially when it comes directly after skateboarding and my kids becoming filthy.
And is in the hot tub with dinner on its way out.
The day after Christmas, our family got into a heated Boy vs. Girl Pictionary battle.
Scout and Navy even participated, and drew Santa Clause for this “All Play”.
Not bad!
Here is my picture on the right of “Spare Tire”, but as I was drawing, Micah started drawing on the other board. He drew some random picture to throw off the girls that were glancing at his board. Too bad the girls prevailed.
On Navy’s second round of drawing, she went to town. She was given the clue “Elephant” but instead, just drew and drew and drew.
But guess who followed directions perfectly.
And took his team to the next roll.
As usual, Christmas was my favorite day of the year!
Of course I arranged the presents the nights before, and was happy with the outcome.
I uploaded a picture of our tree/presents to this awesome website that puts Santa in the photo. When I showed this to my kids (that Santa got caught by my camera) they were in utter amazement. It was one of the biggest hits of the day.
Then I showed them that because we have a “Dash”, Santa must have let Dasher come in our house. They were freaking out!
When the kids got up, they got their stockings that are filled because of one really nice aunt. Megan was a little disgusted that I didn’t know where their actual stockings were, but bags did just the trick.
After we ate breakfast and the kids got their stockings, my mom did her introductions family by family. And of course sang a bit of Holly Jolly Christmas!
Scout and Navy got Big Wheels, but it was Dash who was on them the very most. He absolutely loved them!
Scout went shopping at his school, and got presents for Nonnie, Daddy, Navy, Dash and me. Nonnie was the proud recipient of some bubble bath.
Scout was a huge fan of these awesome hulk fists.
Navy liked Micah’s mustache set — even if it looks like a big caterpillar on her upper lip.
My kid’s big present was a bounce house. It is perfect. It is small enough to stay inside, but big enough to fit everyone.
Chloe and Bella took a mid day break to get everyone diet Cokes. We were loving those.
Dash spent a lot of his time on top of this blue chair. And like usual, every time he gets up, he waits for the applause before repeating again and again.
My mom got all of the grandkids packs of $100. Scout doesn’t stop talking about his. He hasn’t used a single dollar, but loves having a savings. He is just like me. I like money in the bank better than anything it can buy.
Navy was excited also, but money burns a hole in her pocket. I am excited they got these, because I love to teach my kids about saving money. But Navy is pretty sweet. Whenever she wants to spend any, it is ALWAYS for someone else.
One hit of the day was the calendar my mom got. Mostly because Mr. February is so hot and nice! Too bad the year is a little off. But I still think she should put it up!
The cutest baby in the world was also the happiest baby in the world on Christmas. He loved all of it. The presents, the action, the family, and even the boxes.
We weren’t sure if the kids were too young, but we got them the cheap skateboards from Costco. I was amazed that it might have been Scout and Navy’s favorite present. They love them, and ride them quite a bit.
And I had another I was going to return, but Micah and I gave it to Dash for indoor use, and he LOVES it! He stands on it and literally thinks he is one of the big kids.
Christmas was amazing — until next year.
I think my favorite part of Christmas is Christmas Eve. I love the thoughtful gifts we all exchange, and then there are the Christmas PJ’s, Harbor House, Gift displaying and our open one gift tradition. And the past two years, Micah has given me my gifts after everything is said and done on Christmas Eve. It is a marathon night, and we go to bed around 2 am, but I love every last second of it!
This year, Micah might have made it someone’s best night ever!
But before his moment came, the cousins exchanged gifts, and Dash got this awesome book that she read out loud to Dash on the book’s recorder.
Navy got a stash of similar books from Trey, and she loves them!
And Scout had to wait until the next morning to get his gift from Ka.
Then it was the adult exchange. Micah scored with some 6th row Clipper tickets were especially amazing since they are on a huge winning streak. Trilby set him up!
And then it was Micah’s turn….
He got the least wanted name….Patty Poo!
He thought it was rigged.
But as soon as he got it, he knew exactly what to do. My mom has been in the same robe for about 10 years. Not because people haven’t bought her other robes, but because she has a love affair with her purple, roast-smelling robe. She can’t part with it. But the holes and rips were telling the world that she needed to part with it. So when it went missing, at the beginning of December, she was in a panic to find it. Little did she know that Micah had stolen it to take to a seamstress to have it recreated.
(The company from New Zealand who made her original robe has been out of business for years, and there are no 100% cotton chenille robes to be had.)
We learned that they just don’t make the fabric she wanted anymore, so when Micah and I found a place out of Rancho Santa Margarita who had a bolt of vintage fabric, he was psyched! He bought tons of it, and crossed his fingers that it would be a good duplicate.
But before giving the new white robe, Micah returned her old — but newly-improved robe. He patched it up where it needed it.
My mom was totally excited to have her old faithful back. She immediately put it on and then wrapped her arms around the man who returned it.
But in the meantime, Micah slipped another box on her seat with the new robe. When my mom opened it, the entire room was cheering!
There was immediate trying on.
And a very long hug to follow.
It was a great surprise, and a perfect duplicate.
We spend Christmas at the Denisons on Christmas Eve day.
And my three — all sporting some darling Santa PJ’s, had the greatest time!
Besides presents and yummy food, they got to hang out with their cousin.
And grandparents.
But the reason I loved the day SO much was because this year proved to be the perfect year for my kids. Scout and Navy were genuinely excited about their gifts, and Dash just cruised all day long — completely self contained. Maybe I loved it so much because I turned off mom mode just a bit, and got to kind of relax and watch my kids experience Christmas!
And nothing beats watching your kid be genuinely excited and happy!
Because my kid’s happiness is my happiness.
Watching Scout made me happy.
And watching Navy made me happy.
And watching Dash made me happy.
So thank you Denisons and mini Denisons for making my Christmas great this year!
My kids and I are all major fans of reading Christmas books at night during December. This year, things got switched up a bit, because I got a hold of some of Santa’s real coat velvet and real fur, and had it made into a blanket.
Presenting our very own SANTA BLANKET.
Nothing is more fun than reading Christmas books with our very own Santa Blanket!
It’s also good for cuddling while watching a classic Christmas movie.
Some of our very favorite friends loved it almost as much as we do.
My kids –correction….my two oldest kids–could wrap themselves in it for the long haul.
But if there is something to climb — like our toy bin, Dash dashes.
Cause this little monster can’t and won’t hold still for even five consecutive seconds.
But does it matter when you are this stinking cute?
When I signed up to be Scout’s Room Mom, nobody clued me in on “Mandarin Style” Room Mom. What a joke! I have done spreadsheets, I have organized so many volunteers I lost count, I have been the teacher/parent liaison, etc. What ever happened to the room mom who threw the class parties and organized the teacher gifts?
But the good news is that Ms. Shih liked the idea of class parties, and even went against district policy to let me throw them.
So for Christmas, we did a snowman mask craft and then everyone got a chance to…
“Pin the Carrot on Frosty”!
Since I was running the party, I only had a few shots, and here is Scout pinning. Not bad for being the first guy to try it out.
But unfortunately, he was not the very closest.
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I am not too psyched about the other duties I have, but as far as the class parties go, I love being a Room Mom. And lucky for me, Scout absolutely loves me being the Room Mom too!
Doesn’t every season seem a little more merry with PEZ?
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