We got the house all decorated for Christmas. We bought our tree a couple days after Thanksgiving. A huge thanks to Benazir and Mitchell who were kind enough to help us decorate it while Nathan laid injured on the couch after Carter assisted in popping his shoulder out of joint.
The kids love all the nativity scenes around the house. (Those are always their favorite Christmas decorations--and we have 3 in an effort to try to remind them that presents are not the reason we celebrate Christmas which I am not sure they are aware of despite our best efforts). The boys have already broken one of my delicate shepherd's staffs from the nativity my father-in-law brought back from Israel.
I have been to a Christmas party for the hospital board Derek sits on and his work Christmas party both of which I felt under-dressed at as usual but don't really care too much. We also went to a white elephant/ugly sweater party in the neighborhood straight from Derek's work Christmas party, so I was over-dressed for that party. We were luckily enough to win 4 goldfish as a white elephant gift. Luck for us, they all seem to be in pristine health and at no risk for dying any time soon. Our kids are thrilled about the new pets, and they have added an additional element of stress to my life as I am constantly needing to remind Camden and Carter that we do not stick our fingers into the fish tank and suck the water off because that is "yucky!"
I got the Christmas letter sent off! Wrote it in the form of a book report this year which seemed to work out quite well.
We've had some lovely weather this month. We have gone on a few walks and to the park last week.
One night we went down to Riverwoods and did their free carriage rides as a family.
Liv just had her school Christmas party.
At the exact moment that they asked all the preschool children to come to the stage to sing, Camden also took off. I grew panicked as I couldn't find him anywhere in sight, in any of the classrooms, or outside, and it seemed that no one had seen a little one run off. Then, to my surprise, I found him just standing among all the preschool kids on the stage ready to sing with them. I ran up there and grabbed him just before they began with him crying, "I sing too! I sing too!" Looks as though we have another one who likes to perform in the family. Santa was there.
The boys were so excited to see him as we waited in line. I asked Camden what he was gonna ask Santa to bring him and he said, "a present!" Duh! But then when it actually came time to sit on his lap, they were not so sure about it.
Last night, we had our ward Christmas party. Camden once again made his way to the stage when all the primary children got up to sing, but this time I let him stay. Derek (who doesn't love the stage) had a speaking part about how candy canes are symbolic of shepherd's staffs. Both Liv and Camden stood by his side as he delivered his lines. We got a second go at Santa's lap. Liv asked Santa to bring her some Maleficent panties and a maleficent doll. (Santa has his work cut out for him this year!) Camden was more excited this time, but Carter was not!
