Final Advent Gifts and Church Christmas Program

We started our marathon Christmas day with our final stocking gifts.

Parker got a glowing t-rex, Esme got a Barbie and math activity book, and Jimmy got M&Ms popcorn and a new bottle of Poo-Pourri.

The kids have been practicing a couple songs to sing at church since the beginning of November and today was the big day.  We normally go to the 10:30 service, but came early so they could sing at the 9:00 service.  We grabbed a spot to set up my tripod and Parker gave me this adorable smile.

They gave me a great pose by the Christmas trees as well before checking in with the Kidventure team.

We sang one song, then the kids came in to perform.

They learned some actions and sign language for it and Esme did such a great job.

I was impressed with how much parker participated as well.  His buddy Emma has been such a great help this year.

Here is the video of their performance.  If you listen closely at the beginning, Parker says the name of the song (His Name is Wonderful) when the music starts.

After the first service, we got a picture with Ruby since her and Esme were twinning in their red sequin dresses.  It was our children's director's last week on staff, so there was cake to celebrate in between services.  Shawna has been such a huge advocate for all of the kids, but especially those with special needs like Parker.  We are all sad to see her go, but their family will be moving soon.

Jimmy and Parker went home to finish prepping for him immediate family Christmas while I stayed with Esme so she could sing again at the second service.

First Time Sledding and Vikings Comeback!

We finally got out on Saturday to go sledding.  Esme has been asking to go for a while, but timing and weather haven't been in sync.  The cold was coming in soon, so this was our chance.  

Unfortunately, there hadn't been much traffic since it snowed, so we had to make our own tracks.  This really frustrates Esme, so we didn't last long.

On Saturday afternoon, we watched the Viking game.  Down by 33 at halftime, they made a triumphant comeback to win 39-36.  The biggest come back in NFL history!  Here was our celebration of the victory!

The kids and I visited Grandpa and Nana Saturday night to give Jimmy a break before our jam-packed Sunday.

Week 3 of Advent

This is the only weekend of the holiday season that Jimmy had to work, which was really nice.  The kids didn't want to wait for their stocking gifts, so we opened them before church.

Esme got a scratch art book and Bluey coloring sheets and stickers.

Parker got a Mickey Mouse light up fan that worked for all of 5 minutes before dying.  New batteries didn't help either.  I guess that's what I get for picking up a clearance stocking stuffer from Walgreens in August.  I got a new head lamp which was intended to assist with cutting Parker's nails late at night, but it might be too bright.

Esme had nearly all the stickers placed before we left for church.  Jimmy opened his when he got home from work. A new wind resistant butane lighter.

Squishy Lawn on a 9 Degree Morning

Tuesday was an exciting day for our street.  As I was walking the kids out to the bus stop a neighbor called out to me.  I couldn't hear him, so I started walking closer and stepped in some squishy mud which seemed off on a chilly December morning.  He asked me if there was a water main break since water was running down the street.  

I looked up the non-emergency number as I continued walking up the block.  It was only 7:30, so no one was answering.  I was about to call 911 when a white truck started approaching.  I thought to myself, "it would be nice if this was a city vehicle."  Sure enough, it was!  He had already driven past by the time I saw it, so I started running after him, waving my hands hoping he would see me.  Break lights soon followed and he backed up asking what was going on.  I explained the situation, gave him our house number and watch him drive over to check it out as I waited for Esme's bus to arrive.  By the time I was walking back, he was already gone.  About 15 minutes later another truck arrived to inspect things.

I was crossing my fingers it was the city's issue and not ours.

I knew it was getting serious when the Utility Response Vehicle showed up.

I got a knock on the door and the bell rang about 9:30 with a water shut off notice which was good news for us!

They got all the repairs done over the next few hours.

I had to meet Parker's van at the end of the block and got to watch the large excavator drive away.  I wish Parker was home to watch it all.

There ended up being another leaky spot up by the bus stop, so they came back yesterday to fix that one.  The dirt from Tuesday's fix acted like a dam for the second leak, so it's an icy mess in front of our house.  The cones will probably be up for a while which should be interesting for snow moving forward.

Trek for a Tree (Failure) and Church Christmas Party

We open our second week of stocking gifts on Sunday.

Parker got a football and Esme got a giant coloring sheet that we hung on the wall in the laundry room.  I am guessing it will take a few months to finish.

Jimmy got a hot sauce sampler pack and I got some candy and a mini Vikings calendar.

I decided to do our annual trek for a tree before church since Parker has been asking about the Christmas tree so much.  As he was pulling Esme on the cart, she said "Parker, you can go faster, You're 11 now!"

As we were approaching, I wasn't seeing an trees, only wreaths.  I walked inside to ask and they gave some "supply chain" line, which probably means someone didn't do their job by ordering them in time.  Ownership changed this last year so that's my best guess.  Parker was pretty bummed.

I found another tree lot on the way to church, so we drove to St., Louis Park after church to get one.  We've usually bought a balsam fir, but I saw this canaan and it called my name.

Parker helped prep the stand for me while i carried it in.

Our chruch's annual meeting and Christmas party was Sunday night.  I made gingerdoodles with a festive decoration for the cookie contest.

These fancy iced gingerbread cookies were the winners!

All the festive sweaters came up front and winners were chosen by applause.  Carol and Clark (right side) were the winners.

I had the living room switched from birthday decor pretty quickly.  Lights and star on the tree by that evening.

Esme helped me decorate the tree Monday night.

We had one casualty this year.  Parker's 2019 ornament from Grandpa and Nana Buxton took a tumble and it was not savable.  I will take it considering Esme's bright idea for seeing which ornaments were breakable was to drop them on the ground.  Luckily, I was able to stop her before any went flying.

I am feeling a little lazy, so I might not get the houses out this year.