Christmas Ornament Countdown-5 Days Til Christmas
December 19, 2011
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| Gingerbread House Night! |
- Anderson slept well on our bedroom floor and it was a restful night-until 5 when Anderson got in bed with us, Keaton woke up to eat and while Robby was getting her bottle, Graham came walking down the steps. And before 6, we heard Campbell on the monitor. I don't like mornings like that!
- We still managed to hang in bed long enough that Anderson had to eat breakfast in the car. I tried to offer him a healthy and nutritious breakfast but he saw a can of peanuts and that is what he wanted. So that is what he got along with another cup of milk.
- Robby took Anderson while the rest of us stayed home. It didn't take too long for Graham to find his favorite gift from last night-his socks. He has always wanted long socks like his Daddy so he had those on before breakfast-along with a tshirt, shorts and a cowboy hat. Keaton woke up to eat as the others were having their breakfast.
- Campbell was pretty adamant that she wanted to take a shower with me this morning so I gave her the ole' slipperoo and tip toed into the shower. When I came out of the shower, she had been working on putting on her clothes and no, she hadn't found my underwear.
- Reagan and Anderson usually play together the most/best and sometimes leave Graham out a bit. But since Anderson wasn't here, Reagan and Graham were inseparable. They played most of the morning long. Reagan did take a little break to work on her quilt. She just knots the little ties to make a quilt-it will take her forever. She can do it but I do have to give her the next two pieces to knot every time. It will take a little bit of work but she can get it done-hopefully before summer when she doesn't need a blanket!
- Before too long, it was time to go and get Anderson. As we were getting in the car, Reagan said "It seems like he just left for school." I was thinking the same thing since I really didn't finish my morning list (yes, I have a morning list, afternoon list and evening list)
- When we drove up to school, I pulled in the line-only car in the line and then I started seeing lots of kids leaving with goodie and treat bags. Christmas parties-I just thought it was the MWF classes since I thought Anderson's party was tomorrow (their last day-would make sense). Anyway, when he walked to the car with Ms. Stacy and he had big kool aid stained lips, I knew I had missed his Christmas party.
- Anderson didn't care at all that I wasn't there but since I was the only parent in the pick up line-I must have been the only parent in the school that wasn't there for the parties. Seriously, how did I not notice that his was today. I should have caught that his and Graham's had different dates. Yes, I would have taken all 4 of the other kids to his party and been there with my camera. Oh, well, Anderson had bags of candy and was tickled. But I will be at the next school party-Robby too. I may even bring all of the grandparents.
- Anderson did say that Santa was there. Reagan was pretty insistent that he was lying. But he continued with his story and I might even believe him. He said they didn't get to talk to him but they did take their pictures with him and this happened before the other mothers got there. So who knows-maybe he saw Santa, maybe he didn't.
- But he did come home with 4 candy canes. Hmm, 4, you think he might share but no, he told Reagan he was not going to share. The girl then fell onto the floor sobbing. Seriously, rolling, kicking, screaming and stomping. Reagan is good but she sure would have never shared her candy canes-well, she would have broken one in 3 pieces and shared it with them. And Anderson is the child who will give anyone anything but not today-he said he wasn't going to share and I didn't think he was going to change his mind. I don't think I should make him share-it was his, they don't need candy and I have candy canes to offer. He did later say that he would share and did. I probably should have not let Reagan have one after her fit.
- When we walked in the house from school, the neighbor girls asked if they could come out and I said maybe later. So after lunch and school (we are just doing a tiny, tiny few things about The Grinch-today we read the book, answered some questions, compared the characters and made a timeline) they decided to go outside. I let Campbell take a nap (she wasn't pleased).
- By the time they made it outside, neighbor girl was not around. They hollered for her until I finally had to tell them that if they can't see her then she can't hear them. So they decided that they would hang a note on the fence. I wrote it out as requested on a post it note and they went off with the tape to hang it up. A few minutes later, I heard the door open and Reagan said that Anderson though the note was too small and she couldn't see it. So I had to re write the note on a larger piece of paper.
- Anderson must be the explorer outside because he had apparently wanted to take everyone on Robby's new trail. But Reagan said that wouldn't go because she told him that he didn't know what "poison ivy grass" looks like. Actually, Robby and I don't really know what "poison ivy grass" or even poison ivy look like either.
- Graham came home with one less motorcycle men last night and has only asked me once about it (it may show up but if not, it isn't a huge deal). I talked to Grannymom today on the phone and he then told me that tomorrow, he wanted me to call Grandpa back. I explained that we would look for his motorcycle man at Grannymom's and it is fine if we don't find it. He said "no, I want Grandpa to come over and put my steering wheel on the tree house." Anderson piped in that he wanted his magnifying glass (telescope) hung up too.
- Most of the rest of the afternoon, they played in the toy room and watched a movie. Robby was home a bit late so we had already eaten and everyone was wearing pajamas when he arrived. They were all anxiously awaiting the making of the gingerbread houses.
- I had bought a kit last year that had 5 little houses in it and they were so excited to pick their own house. And it was really the best thing because no one had to fuss and fight over what to put where. It was even silent for a few minutes when they were all working (well, 3 were working and one was eating). Robby even got into the action making the 5th house. It is something that even though they are close in age, they have such different abilities/attention spans. Reagan could have worked for another hour and we had the kitchen cleaned before she had finished. Campbell started off interested and even put a few things on her house and then she just worked on eating her bowl full of candy. Graham and Anderson were some where in the middle.
- They all really enjoyed the gingerbread houses. So if anyway sees another kit like that one that has multiple houses (I guess you would call it a village) then buy it for me after Christmas. One family that we know, have older kids and they have a gingerbread house competition each year. What a neat tradition that is. We aren't there yet-the only competition so far here is who's house can remain standing!
- Our bedtime routine got a bit longer by one step for the next few nights. We are doing the What God Wants for Christmas box with a box from the nativity scene to open each night. That along with pulling Santa down, the snoopy doghouse, airplane, prayers, teeth and pottying-we now have to start bedtime in the afternoon to get it done by the read bedtime!
- Tonight, Campbell was screaming when we put her to bed. A few minutes later, on the monitor, I heard Anderson singing her a sweet little song. I couldn't hear all of it but he had "rest your little head" and "go to sleep Campbell" in it. Later he was heard singing "Go tell it on the mountain." And later, we heard Reagan holler for us that Campbell had taken all of her clothes and even her diaper off. Robby went upstairs with the duct tape to fix that problem (kidding) I just checked and all were sleeping-fully clothed.
Christmas Ornament Countdown-6 Days Til Christmas
For pictures from this trip, click the following links:
Day 1 - click here
Day 2 - click here
Day 3 - click here
Day 4 - click here
Day 5 - click here
Day 6 - click here
Day 7 - click here
Day 8 - click here
Day 9 - click here
December 18, 2011-Dennie Family Christmas
- I don't know how long this post will be but at least scroll to the end. I have a pretty good Campbell story. (If I don't forget it).
- So when I left you last night, it was 10ish and I was hoping that we had a good night and thankfully, we all slept well. We never woke up until Anderson climbed in our bed at 5 and then we all slept until 7ish. Keaton even slept all night long (woo hoo). At 5, Anderson wanted milk and I made him wait. At 6, Anderson wanted milk and I gave him some water. At 7, Anderson wanted milk and let him have it.
- He seemed much better this morning and started playing pretty early. Maybe just a bit sluggish but not too bad. He even had some breakfast but didn't eat too much (though we deviated from our new normal of Sunday donuts and had cinnamon rolls-and Anderson doesn't like too much change). Robby said he would stay home with Anderson so the rest of us started getting ready.
- Campbell still has her horrible cough (it was bad, gotten lots better and now very bad again). So we decided that she could stay at home as well. They all had a pretty uneventful morning-including doing some laundry, reading a book, playing with toys and Campbell busied herself pulling out all of the markers.
- Keaton, Graham and Reagan and I headed to church. I guess that I will dress Anderson and Campbell (well, and everyone else as well) up in their dressy Christmas clothes on Christmas Eve for church since two didn't get chances to wear them. Though, the three big ones have the exact same Christmas clothes as last year, Campbell would have worn an old Christmas dress of Reagan's and Keaton's little outfit was being worn for at least the 4th Christmas. I love that-how nice it was not to worry about Christmas clothes!! Speaking of clothes-Keaton had on the cutest little white bow today and I so wanted a pictures. We will next time but she was adorable and I really don't like bows so that is saying alot.
- I got all of the teacher goodie bags delivered along with Keaton and Graham to their classes and then Reagan and I went to big church. Grannymom and Grandpa had room by them so we squeezed beside them. Reagan busied herself drawing pictures for the entire Dennie family that would be at the Christmas Circle later in the day.
- After church, I took Reagan to class and then wondered around the halls since I didn't have nursery duty. There are lots of people to chat with in the halls and I stayed pretty busy until it was time to pick up everyone (I did pick them up a bit early).
- Graham was so worried about Anderson-no, not that he wasn't feeling great but that he might miss his presents at Grannymom's house. As we had pulled out of the driveway this morning, he hollered toward the house that he would bring the presents home (though one year a few kids ago, Robby did have to miss Christmas Circle due to the stomach bug and we did have to bring his presents home. That was the year that all of his presents had light timers in them.) I tried to explain to Graham that they would meet us at Grannymom's house but it didn't sink in because on the way there, he was still talking about getting the presents to Anderson.
- Actually, Reagan and Graham were worried about Anderson being sickly. Last night, during his event they had gotten out of the bed and were watching it all happen in the bathroom floor. I don't know how they knew to come running. They actually probably heard me and Robby repeat over and over "it's okay, it's okay" and really, whenever we tell the kids "it's okay" repeatedly, it usually really isn't okay at all. The first words out of Reagan's mouth this morning were asking about Anderson.
- We arrived at Grannymom's just a few minutes before Robby, Anderson and Campbell. We all had lunch (BBQ) and the kids (all 9 of them-Jenna doesn't count as a kid anymore) were very anxious to open presents. They did play for a few minutes and even sang a few Christmas carols while the grown ups were finishing eating.
- We started opening presents. The youngest always goes first. We all did get a good laugh because the first few of the kids gifts didn't really excite them. Anderson pulled out a robe (which he needs and will love since his rear end shows with his robe it is so small). Graham got a steering wheel for the tree house and didn't really understand what it was. Reagan opened up a gift card which excited her but really is that fun (right now). The gifts were all perfect and just what we had asked for.
- Here is a run down of gifts (the ones I can remember): Keaton-diapers, phone toy, swing for the yard (actually a gift for all the Dennie kids), state map to mark off the states she will travel to and passport stamp book for her future visits to national parks.
- Campbell-doll house pieces, a unicorn pillow pet, socks, a building fish toy, a set of horses and a birthday gift of a Dora doll
- Graham-a steering wheel for the tree house, train, a book, motorcycles, a penguin happy napper and socks
- Anderson-a robe, telescope for the tree house, socks, a dragon happy napper, army men and a birthday gift of Nerf guns.
- Reagan-American Girl gift card, money for American girl, American girl outfit and a make your own quilt kit
- Robby-remote weather station, rake, t shirts, safety glasses, propane gauge
- Tara-Target gift card, Ikea money, Ikea gift card, art calendar and labels for my label maker
- We all did leave with quite a haul and I laid the kids gifts out in the school room for them to see/play with tomorrow. Reagan is ready to make her quilt in the morning and I am pretty excited about that too. After we finished opening presents, all of the kids started ripping into things and playing with their toys-we played yahtzee, operation, headbandz, along with probably all of the other toys. We had a group picture outside and the boys and Campbell all played ball outside.
- Soon it was time to open birthday presents. Anderson and Campbell each had one and Les had a few for his birthday on Christmas day. Shelley's birthday was today and then we all celebrated birthday's with a few pieces of pie (or at least I did)
- They all played hard all evening and soon it was time for us to head home. Robby had a Kroger to do so he left a few minutes early. We loaded up (Robby had already loaded up one car load) and we headed off. The kids couldn't stop talking about the day. I truly hope that they realize (and I know they will eventually) that Christmas is not about the presents but about spending time with family. All the cousins really enjoyed playing together today. It was just a great day-love days like today.
- Campbell was sound asleep by the time we made it home. But getting her out of the car woke her up so she had a shower. We were hoping the steam would help her cough and hopefully it did. While she was showering, Keaton was snoozing and Graham and Reagan were running around the house with their happy nappers. Poor Anderson had hit a wall and fell sound asleep on the couch. Later we walked in and he had moved to the floor. We have just left him there-we are sitting on the couch with our feet on the coffee table and he is laying under our legs between the couch and coffee table. He is just probably exhausted from last nights bug and the busy day. Who isn't?
- So, I guess you stuck around for the Campbell story. Campbell will be 2 on Wednesday but she is unlike any of our other kids when they were this little in that she can get her clothes on all by herself. She will change clothes during the day, put anyone's clothes on that she can find and is constantly changing her shoes and socks. So at Grannymom's house after lunch, Campbell had a wet diaper and I took her in the bedroom to change. I laid her on the bed, changed her diapers and when I was pulling her dress down I noticed something....she had on a grey and black striped dress but this was something white and grey around her waist. I lifted up her dress to inspect and what did I see....a pair of my panties around her waist. Remember I told you that they had worked on the laundry earlier in the day. Well, I guess she thought she needed some ladies underwear on-thank goodness she didn't go to church like that and her Sunday school teachers discover my underwear around her waist. We would have had to change churches. I can not believe that my 1 year old wore a pair of my underwear most of the day long! When we say Campbell is a mess, people really don't believe us. But trust me, we mean it-the child is a mess!
Christmas Ornament Countdown: 7 Days Til Christmas
December 17, 2011
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| Checking in on sis' |
- Everyone kind of had a lazy morning. We all hung out in my bed for awhile and then moved to the den just hanging out of the couch....until there was a knock at the door. I was going to be very upset if it was neighbor girl at 8:30 in the morning. But it was septic tank man so that was good (he doesn't know where the septic tank is, has a guess, told us he wouldn't even try to find/pump it until we had the new one in and ready to go since one that old could break just by him trying to find it)
- Soon Reagan was making a list and Anderson was making his by drawing pictures. Watching a movie must have been the first thing on their list because when I was sneaking to the shower, they were all lined up watching a movie. Robby, the outdoorsman, was picking up leaves, making a trail, moving rocks and picking up.
- Around noon, we were ready and headed out to do a few errands (a total of 8 mystery shops, a late lunch and one other stop). Don't worry, I didn't keep the kids in the car the entire time-we let them out for lunch. Everyone also got out for two of the stores. But every store that Robby or I went into, we would bring them back a treat so they enjoyed their time in the car.
- We made it home, the kids played and then I started cleaning up the toy room with them. Anderson started acting pitiful (which I didn't believe-should have). Then everyone ate but Anderson didn't want any and wanted to go to bed. While I was putting Anderson to bed, Reagan helped herself and made herself another sandwich. I should be proud but it makes me a bit sad!
- We later thought Anderson had fever and tried to get him to take some medicine. Can you guess where this story is going? Yep, he sprinkled our feet, and his pajamas, and a towel, and the floor....aaagh, why at Christmas time. Anyway, after his episode he felt better and we prepared him a pallet in our room (a very wide pallet since our carpet is still new).
- Hopefully that will be a one time occurrance for him and say a little prayer that none of the rest of us get it. Campbell's birthday is Wednesday (party Tuesday) and she had the tummy bug last year during her birthday. It was pitiful, she was laying in the kitchen floor right before her guests arrived. She now has a horrible cough and she sure doesn't need anything else.
- Anyway, it is nearly 10 and everyone has been asleep for at least two hours (except Keaton who is happily snoozing on the couch by me) so hopefully, we will have a restful night. Now, I have 6 mystery shops to enter, 20+ popcorn bags for Sunday School teachers (Reagan did stay up late and help me with them-and goodness if I forgot to take her picture), a baby to feed, 5 presents to wrap and a dozen cookies to eat before bed.
Christmas Ornament Countdown-8 Days Til Christmas
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