Merry Christmas everyone! As this wonderful day comes to an end, let's recap some of the fun things we've done recently to prepare for the festivities. Even with our crazy schedules, we squeezed some fun stuff. Julia's kindergarten winter party was last week and as room parent, this was "my" party to do whatever I wanted with the kids. We decided to keep it simple in terms of food-fruit and veggie platters, cheese pizza, cookies and mini cupcakes. After chowing down, the kids all made holiday cards for a local assisted living facility here in town. I also made a poster (painted JOY on it with red paint) and the kids all signed their names. They had a blast and some of their artwork was pretty impressive. Like last month, our monthly girl scout meeting happened to fall on the same day as the kindergarten party. Since I already had all of the crafts from the kinder party, we decided to make crafts for the retirement home as well.
The girls cut ribbon and strung bells (silver, red and green) to make homemade ornaments and also made homemade cards. They decorated a poster that said "BE MERRY." Overall, it was a fun (albeit very busy) day! Yesterday, the kids and I (including Emma and my girlfriend Becky and her sons visiting from Atlanta) went to the facility and the kids handed out the gifts and cards. They were a hit! Julia and Emma introduced themselves to everyone, said happy holidays/merry Christmas and talked to everyone about what they wanted for Christmas. Luke handed out a few ornaments but the boys mostly ran around the wide open spaces. We brought joy to many faces and this is a tradition the Yamo family is going to continue with for years to come.
Last Friday, I decided to brave Houston evening traffic and take the kids to the zoo. It took us 1 hour 45 min to get there (normally a 20-25min drive) but we arrived around 6pm and barely anyone was there. We parked right up front, bought our tickets and walked right in. The zoo decorates for the holidays by wrapping the trees with lights. They also have a large train display (Luke could have stayed there forever), gingerbread houses, local high school choir carolers (the kids were dancing to the music, too cute), it was AMAZING. We will definitely go again next year, although we'll be sure to leave the house earlier and I'll remember to bring a stroller (I forgot one and my arms were tired from carrying around Luke..the little man refuses to walk).
Sunday we took the kids to the mall to see Santa. The line was long but the kids did great. I still need to download the digital photo but they were excited to see the big man and ask him for a pogo stick (Julia) and a new bike (Luke).
Christmas Eve was fun. Becky and her kids were here for the morning as well as Emma. In addition to the retirement home, we played outside a lot and baked cookies. The kids and I (along with Hannah) went to the park in the afternoon and then we had a wonderful Christmas dinner (ham, homemade mac and cheese, green bean casserole). Mmmm. Julia wrote Santa a letter, we left cookies, milk and carrots (about 15 carrots, Julia was sure the reindeer would be very hungry), read the 'Night Before Christmas' and the kids went to bed. Luckily Santa wrapped most of the his presents the night before so there wasn't too much for him to do last night. :)
As for this morning, Luke sneaked to the landing on the stairs and started shouting "Santa came and he brought me a bike!" When we went into the hallway to tell him to come back upstairs so we could walk down together, he slid onto his stomach and pushed himself down the bottom steps as fast as possible. Hilarious! The kids had fun opening their gifts and we spent pretty much all day playing with their new toys. Happy holidays everyone!! Also-I mailed our cards out Monday so you should be getting them later this week or early next week. Sorry!
Waiting for Santa at the mall: The Sad and Happy Faces of Luke
Hanging ornaments at the assisted living facility
Introducing herself and spreading holiday cheer
I'll post 'present opening' photos later this week. Most of the pics are on JD's phone.
1 comment:
Wish we had snagged more of us together!
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