Christmas Break at Crown Center

Christmas Sweater Party 2011 & Sweater Mishap

This one snuck up on us a little. The goal is to add a little something to our sweaters each year. We missed the deadline for sweater changes, but I found some new accessories and Kev opted to pass on the dickie this year. Instead he went with a matching scottie dog turtleneck. We also felt compelled to wear matching khakis and loafers, which proved to complete the outfits nicely.

Kev was actually fortunate enough to wear his festive sweater twice this year. He had the opportunity to participate in the first annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Day at work. Unfortunately, his inability to match events with dates on the calendar got the best of him. He was a flamin' sight in red with black scotties as he left for work Friday morning. On the walk through the office, he noticed that no one else at work was partaking in the holiday joy. After a quick phone call to the holiday powers that be, Kev learned that the event took place three days prior, on Tuesday. 

Gym Update

With the winter break came the end of another gym session. Up next, Kendall will have gym with Madison in her class following the long-awaited (by Kendall, not me) dance class. Tap and ballet shoes have already been purchased. Max is also excited to be taking gym classes once again after what seems like an extremely long hiatus. 

Come Jan. 4, Wednes-day = Fun-day

Max's Christmas Program

Max is a pro at these now. He walked up, took his spot, put his hands in his pockets, and didn't miss a single word or action. Bravo, Max!

Kev's 33rd Birthday

This guy must be getting old. I'm not talking about the number, I'm talking about this being the most uneventful birthday ever. He didn't want presents or to eat out. The kids and I baked cookies, drew pictures and signed cards while Dad was at work. Adrienne came over for dinner, we had meatloaf... seriously... and cookies for dessert. That was that.

Happy Birthday, Kev! Hope it was everything you dreamed it would be :)

Play Date

Max had his first official play date. These two are the lone boys in a class of 12. Max kept requesting some "boy time", so I finally made the arrangements.

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{Max had been in bed for about an hour when we heard hysterical crying coming from his room.}

Kev: "Hey buddy, what's wrong, are you ok?"

Max: "I had a bad dream."

Kev: "You're ok, tell me what it was about?"

Max: "I got a new toy and I had to take it baaaaack."

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{after getting out of the bath}

"My fingers and toes look like they're old."

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max

{This post was written by Kev... I think it might be time to start sharing blog duty}

The scene opens in the car on the way to the visitation. Mom is on the phone and half listening to the conversation between Max and Dad.

Max: So, Dad, Grandma Tootie went up to heaven, right?

Dad: Yes, buddy.

Max: Are we going to ride an elevator up to see her?

(only hearing Max’s last question, Mom looks at Dad wondering what is going on)

Dad: Well… no, we won’t be able to visit her in heaven, that’s why everybody is so sad, we’re going to miss her.

(Max is looking out the car window, thinking…)

Max: So, are we going to see her on a TV screen?

(Mom glares at Dad, who, in her opinion, is not handling this very well)

Dad: Um… no, see… When Grandma Tootie died, her soul went to heaven and we can’t talk to her anymore. Her body is still here though.

(Max, thinking again…)

Max: She won’t have a head?!

(Mom, making hand gestures now, clearly not happy about how this conversation is going)

Dad: She still has her head, Max. Your head is part of your body too.

Max: Oh, okay.

(More thinking...)

Max: Dad, what's a soul?

(Mom gives Dad the glare that translates to "Stop talking now. Ignore him and I'll fix this mess later.")

Kendall's Christmas Program

We knew she liked to sing and dance, but....wow! You'll be hard pressed to find someone with more Christmas spirit than this.

(I think I made a bad decision by telling her to stand in front of the part of the tree Max decorated.)

(I had to divide the video of this song into 4 parts because it was too big to upload. Be patient, it's worth the trouble.)

Family "photo shoot"

This is as good as it gets at this stage, folks

Imposter

Someone snuck into her brother's room after bedtime again... this time she used him as the bed.

DEEP THOUGHTS by Max & Kendall

Max: "Mom, we took a picture of everyone and I sat by Spencer."
Kendall: "Spencer? What's Spencer like?"

Max: "Spencer? I don't know... he's Spencer-ish."

Thanksgiving and Grandparents

I am Thankful for Thanksgiving Day 2011.

Thankful for safe travels

Thankful for food on the table

Thankful to spend the day with family

Thankful for this picture taken on that day

and Thankful for my Grandma Tootie's last Thanksgiving, last day, last hours... because they were spent with all of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids.

I am Thankful that is how she was able to spend her final hours, and I'm Thankful we were fortunate enough to spend them with her.

She could be a wacky lady, but she was always fun. I learned many-a life skill from her

how to shuffle cards

how to crochet

how to gamble

how to deep fry french toast (all-time favorite food, btw)

how to deep fry everything else on the planet

and how to play 64 cards at bingo at one time

just to name a few

She always made me feel like being my Grandma was the most important thing in the world to her. When we were around, nothing was ever more important or something we were too little or young for. As a kid, you really can't ask for much more than that.

I will always be inspired by the sacrifice she and my Grandpa made when they chose to adopt my aunt, Debbie, and care for her in their home for 43 years.

Finally, I'm Thankful for Grandparents. After having lost all four of them in the last 4-5 years, I've realized how much they meant to me and how lucky I was to have them all... because I would have been lucky to have any one of them alone. I'm glad my kids' grandparents had such great teachers.

Rest in Peace

Grandma Del

Grandpa Fritz

Grandpa Dean

Grandma Tootie