Candy making day

I had lots of help today making candy and cookies for Christmas dinner.  We each made something. It went really fast.  Although to utilize this method, ideally I would have a larger kitchen!   I am thankful that all the kids were willing to help, and I had a lot of fun!  

There have been so many years where I was nowhere near ready for Christmas, even on Christmas Eve.  Today I got most of the wrapping done, the cooking that can be done early is done, I am completely done shopping.  It is just weird.   My inner procrastinator is disappointed.  .  

Blizzard?

Second day of break- winter weather warning,, wind chill warning, blizzard advisory.  I told my maintenance man I was working from home.  I told him he could take the day off if he wanted.   I wasn’t leaving home.   As it turned out, we only got about an inch of snow.  What we did get was COLD!  I’m not sure how cold, but I believe I saw wind chill of -27.  Good day to not go out. The kids did a good job of keeping the chores done.  I spent the day in my happy place- cooking.  Cameron second guessed visiting in the winter time.  Luckily it is only supposed to last a couple of days before warming back up.  Still too early for this- makes me wonder what we are in for during the actual deep part of winter.   

Saige went out to feed her rabbits.  She came back in almost crying because her hands were so cold, even with gloves on.  She came back in with the bowl she set out to catch the snow though, wanting me to make snow ice cream.  I explained that when you are cold, normal people go for hot beverages.   She was sure she wanted the ice cream.  I made it, but rightly informed her she is crazy!   She then asked if she could go snowboarding.  Negative child.  

Lauren got to go to Florida to visit her mom for a few days.  I know she has not seen her mom for several months, and I am so happy she got to go!  She sent me a few photos from her trip and I must admit, I miss the sun, the warm weather and bright blue skies.   I am a small bit  jealous of the vitamin D she is getting!   Love you Lauren, bring us home some warm weather please!!!   

Breakkk!!!

We made it!   I am so excited to have a few days off from the school schedule.  Of course, I am not completely free, but at least we can sleep in a couple hours later!   

My mom gave me this giant rooster for Christmas.  I love him. Preston helped me mount him on the deck.  He looks amazing!  

Evie had her birthday at school.  I asked her if they sang the birthday song.  She looked at the ground and through gritted teeth said yessss!  I can’t figure out why she hates the birthday song so much, but it makes me laugh.  

Today she had her preschool Christmas party.  She said “we got all sugared up!”  Kid never misses a thing.  

The weather is predicting a blizzard or blizzard like conditions for later this week.  I am glad we are out of school!   Tomorrow we are going to do the kid’s annual shopping trip.  Thursday we are planning blizzard activities.  Friday we are doing holiday baking day.   It’s going to be a fun start to the break.  I am thankful we won’t have to wait for the district to call off school.  I am thankful for having the kids home.  And finally, I am thankful that when I called to cancel the dentist appointments so I would not have to drive in a blizzard, they were happy about us cancelling, as they were working on getting the day cleared off so they could also stay home.  

It is going to be a great (and probably too rapid) break!   

Christmas with the Lang Gang

We started out this day at church.  After mass, we helped decorate the church for Christmas.  I was amused with how the older guys at church were pretty happy to let Preston climb the ladder, and then let Colin and Cameron lift around the big trees and get the lights working. I am super happy my boys are willing to help because I don’t want to do the stuff they took care of!   

After church, we traveled over to my brother’s house for Christmas lunch.  We have tried to take an annual photo of all the grandkids.  Although they are bigger than they used to be, I’m not convinced we will ever get a decent photo of all of them!   We tried.  

We had fun eating, opening gifts and trying to win the lottery.  Unfortunately, there were no big winners and we all have to go back to work tomorrow!  

First Christmas of the season

Tonight we had our first Christmas celebration with Jim’s side of the family.  It was a really nice evening.  I was happy to have all 8 of our kids in one place.  We missed Josh and his family, and Spencer and Lauren!   Thanks for Steve and Heidi for hosting!   

Last night, we picked Cameron up and he’s home for a few days which we are excited about!   This morning, Colin was here.  They helped Jim hang my new microwave (again- the other one blew up).  Colin ran us a new outlet.  I’m crossing my fingers that this one lasts a lot longer than the first time around!  I do appreciate their help. 

Harper is 13!

Today is Harper’s 13th birthday.   She got all her favorites- lasagna, chocolate cake and ice cream and homemade crazy bread.   She’s an easy girl and I love her for it!  

Harper loves being home, skipping out on events, reading, messing on her phone, and did I mention being home?   She is an awesome help when she wants to be. Nobody does a more thorough job, but she has to be in the mood.   She is great about making sure the after school chores get done.  She loves her animals. She is a great kid.  She is also sarcastic, great at zinging insults, and sometimes is so blunt it is scary!   We love her amazing ways.  

Also, we sang to her without candles because someone has stolen all of my lighters (again).  Guess I know what to get Jim for Christmas.   

Anyway, happy birthday Harper!  We are blessed to have you as our daughter.  

Last concert

Preston had his last Christmas band concert tonight.  The band was amazing.  This is also our last concert for the month.  Feels like we went to a lot. I really enjoyed this one.  The high school band always impresses me.  It’s like all the parts finally come together, and they make amazing music.  I am a huge fan of our band program.  I’m sure I’ve said that before.  

I’m proud of all the time - years actually Preston has put in.  Good job buddy!  

The auditorium - an expensive place that the district built that, in my opinion, was a giant waste of money.  It’s uncomfortable, crowded, inconvenient, and the lighting is awful.  Too late to change it now, but I will continue to grumble about it anyway because that makes it better.