December Daily 2012: 17-19

Monday, December 17th:  Tyson "cleaned" his room and did his morning chores quickly so he could have time to play before school.  I started to make some packing lists for our upcoming Christmas trip.  We said goodbye to the sisters as they left town in the morning.  Bye! :( Jack and I did a grocery store run.  For FHE we wrote letters to Santa-- Tyson was very specific in the things he wanted :)  So fun when they can write the lists themselves.

(I left the journaler empty so I can write on the photo before putting it into the album)

Tuesday, December 18th:  This morning brought lots of sorting and tidying--mostly of the craft room which tends to be taken over by Christmas miscellanea.    I had a nice chat with Dusty's Mom as we talked about the family party and what goodies we would be bringing.  I taught piano lessons (Tyson's favorite part of the day, he loves the twin boys) and we had breakfast for dinner as per Tyson's request. The evening brought buckets of snow and turned into one of those magical nights when the sky is warm-colored and bright and makes you feel like you are living in a snow globe.

(I love how the Christmas tree is reflecting in the window)

 

Wednesday, December 19th:  Today was cold.  The snow had settled and we had to venture out into it.  Tyson got a piano lesson today and was able to move into his new set of books.  During Jack's nap I did a lot of Photoshop research/experimenting/practicing.  So much fun!  Dinner was cornbread and Taco Soup.  Dusty thought we should all bundle up and take a little drive around looking at Christmas lights--which we did, while we listened to John Denver Christmas and a Windham Hill Christmas Album. 

Thursday, December 20th:  Lots of packing and loading happening today.  We are so excited to get to spend the holidays with our families! Elf on the Shelf is still a big hit.  Ours doesn't happen to be a particularly mischievous one (I think we got lucky) but he does find clever places to watch us.   I did some errands/shopping for my Mom and for us before the big day hits.  Tyson is getting super excited!  Left overs for dinner since we are clearing out the fridge.  Dusty and I talked and relaxed together watching a documentary.

December Daily 2012: 14-16

Friday, December 14th:  After getting Tyson to school, Jack watched Oswald.  We had left-overs for lunchtime.  I helped Tyson wrap his presents for others.  The sisters came and studied for finals.  I tried my hardest not to bother them.  :)  Dusty and I took the boys on a little walk to see the neighborhood Christmas lights.  It snowed!

Saturday, December 15th:  After getting up and cleaning a bit, we met the sisters for some breakfast.  We all enjoyed some Hobbit food.  Dusty's work had booked the theatre for a special showing of Arthur Christmas.  It was so cute! We all enjoyed a relaxing afternoon.  I baked Pumpkin Bread and for dinner we ordered Tyson's "Book-it" pizza.  Later the sisters came over and we watched a movie.

Sunday, December 16th:  A nice church time today.  Joie came to see us.  After church, we watched Sissel and the Mormon Tab. Choir DVD.  Dusty went hometeaching and I went visiting teaching.  Later in the day I delivered Pumpkin Bread to friends.  Dusty and Tyson read stories.  Before bed the boys played with their Polar Express Train.  (and may have had a hard time sharing the remote)
 

December Daily 2012: 11-13

Tuesday, December 11th:  The first thing Tyson did this morning was look for his Elf on the Shelf.  Jack was acting very clingy today--so might not be totally mended from his ailments.  Tyson has been requesting Gingerbread cookies for awhile and today we made it happen.   Lots of piano lessons today and Chicken Taco Soup in the slow cooker.

Wednesday, December 12th:  Early morning, after Tyson is ready for school, he reads and reads.  Jack plays/hangs around.  Jack and I go to the grocery store.  It's early out day for Tyson which means piano lessons for him.  He is almost done with his first set of books!  I got a little scrapbooking done today and made Butternut Squash soup (dairy free, and just as yummy).  In the evening, Tyson and I went Christmas shopping for gifts for Daddy and Jack from him.

Thursday, December 13th:  Tyson wasn't feeling super awesome today and after much debate he stayed home from school.  He got to stay the morning in his bed (not by his choosing), reading or drawing .  We are moving along on our traditional Advent Calender (passed down on my Mom's side).  Overall, it was a relaxing day.  The sisters dropped by in the afternoon and we chatted about blogs and photography.  After dinner, I taught piano, and Dusty and Tyson when Christmas shopping.

 

Glad Jack is better.

Jack says "Have a Happy Christmas!"

December Daily 2012: 8-10

Saturday, December 8th:  Pancakes for breakfast again -Tyson's favorite.  We ran errands to the post office (needed stamps) and to the French Bakery (Boulangerie) for some yummies.  Tyson and Dusty went to play at the park when Jack napped.  I wrapped a pile of presents.  Later we treated ourselves to Cafe Rio salads/ salmon tacos.  Jack is still sick with fever/congestion.  Evening time we watched The Santa Clause.

 

Sunday, December 9th:  Jack stayed home with Auntie Joie while I went to Sacrament meeting to play for a musical number.  Dusty was at church from 7-2.  I watched the 1987 Julie Andrews Christmas Special with Joie.  We had choir practice and then went on a little drive because Jack insisted on my putting on his socks and shoes and "go"-ing.  Tyson spent a good portion of the afternoon decorating with Joie.  Later, the sisters arrived.  We chatted and then left the boys with Joie while we attended The Messiah, which was wonderful.  
 

 

Monday, December 10th:  Jack is much better today.  Back to school for Tys.  Our wrapped-book-pile is dwindling. As of today, I am all finished with my Christmas gift list!  Dusty popped home for lunch and worked on spelling the names of the states with Tyson.  (he was pretty good at it too)  Tyson played with our Fisher-Price Nativity set.  We sang Christmas Primary Songs for FHE.  We put the boys to bed early, but Jack talked/sang in his crib for at least an hour before succumbing to sleep.  There seems to be an inappropriate amount of Wassail drinking going on around here.

December Daily 2012: 1-7

Saturday Dec 1st:  We had pancakes and cleaned the house.  Dusty went to a funeral and we watched a movie.  Later in the day we went to the Creche Festival and topped off the night watching Lord of the Rings:  the Two Towers.  We also started Elf on the Shelf again;  named "Nativity" but nicknamed "Nate" for short.

Sunday December 2nd:  Dusty off early to meetings.  Church from 9-12.  I accompanied some musical numbers in Relief Society.  Lunch then naps. Choir practice, both Dusty and I went.  I had previously wrapped Christmas books to be opened each day of December- some were new and some from earlier years.  We read the second book today.  A Sunday drive around the city, full of Christmas lights.  More Lord of the Rings after the kids were in bed.

Monday December 3rd:  School for Tyson and lots of laundry done by me.  Practiced a song with a friend to sing/play next Sunday.  Did a good amount of Christmas music playing on the piano today and made these collages of some of my favorite Christmas piano books.  Gave Tyson a piano lesson.  Sue brought some turkey breasts by for me to bake for the party this week.  FHE reading the Friend.

Tuesday December 4th:  Went to the grocery store with Jack after getting Tyson to school.  Lots of photo-editing and uploading happening today.  Also watched Holiday Inn with Tyson while Jack was napping.  Taught three piano lessons and made chililicious.  Tyson could not stop playing the piano today--almost to the point of getting in trouble for not doing other things he was asked to do.  :)

Wednesday December 5th:  A lovely ordinary day today.   Lots of tidying and book reading.  Baked some Turkeys most of the afternoon.  Picked up Tyson from early-out school.  Sorted out Christmas presents in the craft room and Tyson played with Legos.  Went to our Ward party.  Tyson was a shepherd in the Nativity and we all sang Silent Night together. 

Thursday December 6th:  Jack woke up with chest congestion and a runny nose.  Yea.  Tyson took his book Olive, the Other Reindeer to school for a book report.  Later we watched the Polar Express and drank hot chocolate.  Tyson told me "I am going to keep my listening ears on when I'm sleeping so I can get on the Polar Express when in comes."  I wrote and stuffed Christmas cards.  Jack continued to get sicker throughout the day.  102 fever by night-time.

Friday December 7th:  Jack still very sick.  Very high fever, but his breathing still sounding relatively normal (for him).  We received emails from Santa in the North Pole.  Both boys enjoyed watching their video.  Tyson is on the good list and was reminded to always help with his chores when asked.  Jack is on the good/watch list and needs to remember to eat his vegetables.  :)  Tonight we had Kiki tend while we went to a couples' party.  We laughed and laughed and said goodbye to some good friends who are moving.  Jack slept well for her here at home.