December 28 Game Night and Gifts

Saturday:  Jesse's kids and I have been trying to get together for Christmas--last weekend didn't work because there was another birthday in the (almost) family that couldn't be interrupted; so we decided upon TODAY. 

Everyone arrived at 3:00 as requested. We opened gifts first ... and actually, it was ME who got to open the first gift! Chris and Ella gave me a gift bag with THREE gifts inside: a cross-shaped plaque (navy blue--it goes perfectly with the colors in my main room) with part of Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you ..." which I can finish--"to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you a hope and a future." AMEN!  I have always loved that passage of Jeremiah! I neglected to take a photo of the plaque, but I am pretty sure I know right where to hang it. Another gift was a little white rock with a circular pattern on it--I love rocks! And the last item I pulled from the bag is a darling little lighthouse (see the last picture on this post) that actually lights up! Wow--good job, you guys!

After I was finished opening mine, I handed out everyone else's gifts to be opened however they pleased.

Koda received 2-pair of warm socks, and I picked out a Grinchy hot chocolate assortment for Ella. Emma was easy to buy for because she has a Wish List on Amazon that is easy to access and choose from. So I picked out a handy little cleaning utensil that is somehow motorized, some hair ribbon, a photo art board of some type, and a game box that has four separate games inside.

Chris asked for a game controller which was NOT guaranteed prior to Christmas, so I was a little bit worried; but it came even before last weekend! I also picked him up a little car vacuum--I am uncertain of the quality of this product, but it looked handy to have.

And Matthew received a battery of some sort that can be used on multiple tools, which Matt says he will use everyday ... AND one of those around-the-neck flashlights deals that are hands-free and good for mechanical work as well.,

Jesse received his gift two weeks ago--so he was without a gift to open--which always makes me feel sad, but I just have to get over it and move on!

Everyone around the table eating my first-time-ever homemade Italian meatballs, spaghetti, garlic bread, and jello salad. I think everyone had enough to eat. We also had lots of sweet snacks laying around to munch on.

I did not take any pictures of the first two games we played: "Worst-Case Scenario" and "Blank Slate". Emma played these games with us and we had a lot of fun laughing while we played. They are interactive games and get people talking and comparing, etc. I was really glad to spend the time together with these guys in this way--because they are all grown up now and I hardly get to see them anymore. It's nice to reacquaint myself with them at least once per year--I so wish it could be more often.

Jesse did not stay for the games because he does not like games! So he went home. Emma and Koda left after the first two games, but the rest of us were not finished playing yet! So I got out Battle Box and this other little game for everyone to play while I was searching for the legs, paddles and balls for my Trampoline PingPong game ...

Matt and I played one game of ping-pong, and then Chris and Ella played two games (I think). These two are extremely competitive and really a blast to be with. It is clear that they enjoy each other and are good friends. I'm so glad! They have been dating now for more than FOUR years, which is very remarkable especially considering they live in separate towns during the school year.

We also played a round of "Liar-Liar" which is always fun to play. Chris won! I have a terrible memory (which is quite crucial for this game), so I lost--but that's okay--I just enjoy playing games.

Here is the little lighthouse--a terrible picture of it, though, because I mis-focused and the lights are blotting out the entire top of the lighthouse. The lights are actually tiny little lights, about eight of them, that surround the upper part of the lighthouse--just like a real one would have.

Matt, Ella and Chris left somewhere around 7pm. I washed up the dishes and put most of the games away and dropped into bed at 8:30!!! I had so much for which to thank the Lord tonight as I was going to sleep.

PS. Kaity-Girl was very much missed tonight--she was out of town with her mom.

December 27 Our 2nd vacation Friday

Friday:  The kiddos are off school for a total of three Friday's (plus the other days in-between) due to the Christmas school break. Today was our second Friday to be together. We were busy today! Dylan told me the kiddos were probably a little more tired than usual due to company over at their house last night interrupting their normal bedtime routines. They did seem a little bit subdued, and didn't eat as well as they usually do; but otherwise, they were in good shape.

Mr. Cal challenged Brendan to a game of Battle Box ... however, he doesn't play by "the rules" because he so badly wants to win! Sometimes this is humorous; but other times, it can be annoying (depending how badly the person he is challenging ALSO wants to win). 

Brendan is very kind to Cal (always); but he could only tolerate two games of Cal stretching the rules to the moon and back ...

There are five years between Brendan and Aidan ... it seems like yesterday that Brendan was Aidan's age.

I bought a little set of 100 tiny magnets last week for the kids to play with. I've always been fascinated with magnets. Aidan enjoyed these a lot.

Cal enjoys magnets too! I have a bunch of magnetic toys around here.

I had lots of art materials out for the kids to use. They are an artistic little bunch. The only one of these kiddos who has not shown much of an interest in drawing or coloring is Cal; but he is young yet! 

Erin made a very pretty star/flower from my MagnaCubes today. She was very proud of her design. I think it turned out perfectly.

We watched a bunch of quick animal videos I had saved to show the kids, and we had a few snack times too; but then we drove back over to their house by 4:00. Aidan had been "cold" all afternoon at my house. I turned up my heat to 74 degrees, but he still struggled and I wondered if he was coming down with something. Dylan took his temperature when we came back to their house; and yes, Aidan DID have a fever. Dylan gave him some medicine and then Aidan went upstairs to rest in his comfortable bed. 

Kelly was home from work soon after 5:30 and by then I was pretty tired so I came back home here. I have a little party planned for tomorrow with Jesse's kids; so I wanted to be sure and get things prepared for that. As it was, I merely cleaned up toys and did a sink load of dishes when I got home. I was in bed by 8:30! 

December 26 with KT-bug

Thursday:  Would you believe that Kaity did NOT come to my house today? When I spoke with her briefly on Christmas evening over at Jesse's, she said she just wanted to stay home with Jesse on Thursday. And what's more ... she also isn't coming over for our Saturday get-together with her siblings because she is going out of town with her mom; so I brought Kaity's Christmas presents over to Jesse's today and spent a little time with her over there.

Here she is opening her gifts:

I got this karaoke microphone for Kaity just because I thought she might have fun with it. She has a very fancy new computer and maybe she can use both of them together. Kaity enjoys music a lot.

Kaity had also mentioned wanting a really SOFT hoodie to wear, kind of like the pink one I have (only she definitely did NOT want pink); so I went online and found this navy blue one that is soft inside and outside too. It fits her very well!

I also picked out a super soft blanket for her to cuddle with!

I think she was pleased with her gifts! The older kids get, the more difficult it can be to choose a gift they will actually use--I think at least these last two gifts, Kaity will got a lot of use from.

December 25 Christmas Day

Wednesday:  I loaded up the back of my car with all of the presents, my camera, a crockpot with the ham and potato casserole inside and headed over to Dylan and Kelly's arriving at 11:00 on the button (the time we had designated). 

But NO ONE WAS HOME! Yikes.

I have a key to their house; but lately, the key has done me little good. Cal enjoys locking all doors in the house--there are TWO locks on the front door--I only have a key to ONE of those locks! I tried my key, to no avail, went back to my car and called Kelly. They were just leaving their Christmas service at church and were on their way! I actually slept in my car while I waited, which felt very good actually (I had the heat on full blast). They picked up Shane on their way and were soon driving into the driveway.

The kiddos were excited to show me all of the presents they had opened before going to church. They were all so pleased--such huge smiles! And then it was time for them to open the gifts I brought them ...

Actually, they brought ME their gift and I opened it before the kiddos opened even one of theirs. Look! It's a fruit bat PUPPET!!! Isn't it great?!?! The kids (mostly Erin) think I should call him "Bitty"; but I've decided on "Fruity" instead. Cal was very pleased to have this little puppet on his hand for a long time!

Shane handed out his gifts for the kids, which they opened right away. I believe Brendan received a video game (but I could be mistaken).

Erin received a very cool "Surprise Barbie" gift AND a "Hello Kitty" make-up box. She about flipped out!!!

Erin was completely enthralled with the Hello Kitty gift. I have to agree that it was exceptionally cool!

I failed to see Aidan open his gift from Shane--I was too busy watching Erin open hers! 

Cal got a very nice set of SIX dinosaurs and he could name them all correctly too! He was so excited. These dinosaurs are the perfect size too. Cal begged me to play dinosaur with him which was basically his KING OF THE DINOSAURS (T-Rex) beating up all the other dinosaurs ... over and over again ... and more still!

Cal liked his Dinosaur Magnetic tiles that I got for him too. It's a very nice set.

Here is Brendan opening a few gifts I got for him: a Minecraft LEGO set, a MINECRAFT design book, a Calvin & Hobbes comic book (which they already have, so I told Brendan I would pick up a book of his choosing this week), an Origami brain teaser book and another small solitaire game.

I don't have any pictures of Erin with her Moana 2 doll or Moana's little sister doll, but she really likes them! I got her a set of princess magnet cubes too.

I got Aidan a very special Pokemon card (very expensive), and a cool magnetic cube set too, as well as a Calvin & Hobbes book they didn't already have.

The kids got lots of nice gifts from their folks too. Here they are playing with some kind of magic sand--I forget what it's called; but they really had fun with it.

Erin asked if she could take some pictures with my camera; so I put the strap around her neck and told her under NO circumstance was she to remove it from her neck, and then I set her loose.

Erin's pictures: Their mantelpiece ...

Some of their beautiful art work hanging on the walls ...

One of their beautiful lights ...

Plus, Erin took a movie down in the playroom but it is too long to post. She did a good job with the camera and kept the strap around her neck the whole time. Good job, Erin. Then she returned the camera to me.

I asked if I could take a picture of our dear, dear Kelly-O, and she very kindly smiled. Kelly has a very kind heart.

Mom and daughter ... super sweet.

Erin showing me her muscles while lifting her Hello-Kitty make-up box.

We had a very fun time together, a delicious brunch, and lots of yummy treats. It was a happy time!

I left mid-afternoon and drove over to Jesse's place. Kaity was there! I wasn't aware she would be, but it sure was nice to see her when I wasn't expecting it. We sat and visited for awhile. I dropped off some Christmas treats for them too. I had already given Jesse his gift a few weeks ago. Kaity is invited this Saturday night with her siblings for games and gifts, etc. So I will give her presents to her then.