Week in Review ~ 12/8

I'm starting to think that it's no need to say it was a busy week like that's abnormal.  It seems like the busy is here to stay.

We headed to Richmond to see the Legendary Santa Sunday morning.  My parents came along for the ride as they have each year since Avery was born.  We were pleased to see a short line when we arrived.  I think I have two people watchers on my hands.

I was also very pleased to see Santa Dan on the TV screen instead of his backup, since he's one I saw frequently as a child.  Even though we had had some apprehension at the mall previously, Avery seemed ready to go.  She was jumping and happy to talk to the Snow Queen.  Things where going just fine until Santa called us over and picked her up on his lap before I could put Sam down and lift her up.  And then there was crying.

Despite his deer in the headlights look, Sam was just fine.  You would think the photographer would give the kids a minute to orient themselves after being thrown down.  Luckily we've written Santa a letter to go in the paper, because we got no words out.  We regrouped and got a few pictures together.  Avery is in a very odd picture stage, and an on-command smile ends up like she's looking at the sun.

We went to Panera Bread for lunch, and it was packed at 11:15, making it a poor choice when we all wanted to sit together.  We ended up with 2, 2-person tables with Sam on the floor.  After lunch it was a quick stop at the mall for a few things before we headed home.

Sam was a trooper all day, running on a 30-minute morning nap in the car and about an hour on the way home.  He should have gone to bed much earlier, and I didn't make it happen.  He then had such a hard time getting to sleep and was up every 45 minutes until 10 p.m.  That's so unusual for him and I know it was the day catching up with him.

Monday morning came too early after our busy day.  It was off to Bible Zone that night.  Avery got upset when I left but recovered quickly.  I got her sheep costume for the play, and I'm a little concerned whether or not she'll actually wear it.

I had a hair appointment Tuesday, and my mom picked the kids up.  I picked them up from her house and hurried us all home for dinner.  Sam did not care to be in the car at that time of day and let us all know it.  I had laugh when Avery still wanted to sing Christmas carols over the crying.  I took a night off from school work and addressed the Christmas cards that had been sitting untouched for almost a week.

Wednesday was dance night, and it was nice to have a little time for exploring and relaxation before we had to go.

Avery's teacher was not at dance, so the other teacher tried to do a combined class with girls that are probably 7 or 8.  It was rather comical to listen to.  The poor teacher finally came out and asked if we would mind taking our little girls home.  I worked hard to stay awake for the Duck Dynasty Christmas special after I did my school work.  Ned thought baking cookies would help, and since they were break and bake I agreed.  I was holding up great until I slide down a little too far on the couch, but I only missed the last 10 minutes.

Avery woke up with a cough Thursday.  She and I are both on our second round of congestion and cough, but I wouldn't say it's colds.  I had a "quick" meeting after school which put me leaving at 4 p.m.  When I picked up the kids, Avery was very upset about her hands being cold.  She was whiny on the way home, so I was glad Ned was eating dinner at home instead of the fire house.  We got home and could see progress on our sidewalks and patio that are finally being done. 

Avery awoke to find that Toes had brought her a tree for her room Friday morning.  It was an easy day at school with a Christmas concert in the morning and a carnival in the afternoon.  I was happy to see dismissal time arrive and headed straight to get the kids.  We ordered pizza to be delivered before the parade, and it arrived an hour later.  We ate really quickly then took Avery to see the Christmas parade.  Mimi came to watch Sam since he would be ready for bed.  We parked at church and enjoyed the parade from inside Ned's truck, even though it wasn't too cold outside.

The parade was pretty short but entertained Avery which is a great combination.  I enjoyed You've Got Mail after Avery went to bed, but I think I was asleep on the couch shortly after 9 p.m.

Avery woke up coughing at 5:15 a.m. Saturday morning and then cried because her tree was off.  I took her some water and told her to go back to sleep.  Then Ned got up to go hunting, and then Sam started stirring.  I gave him his pacifier, and I would hear him talk every now and then.  The next thing I knew, Avery was talking, Sam was asleep, and it was almost 7.  She and I got Sam up so he'd stay on schedule, and I found tooth #7, explaining the early mornings.  No Saturday morning is complete without Mickey, and we definitely have our 2nd fan.  I had 2 blog/Instagram friends tell me that their 2nd children had TV much earlier than their firsts, making me feel a little better.  He doesn't actually stare like this once it's been on for a minute. 

After Mickey, we decorated Avery's tree with ornaments that I used to use on my tree when I was younger.  One of my Avon ornaments still played music.  I got Sam down for a nap, and Ned came home from hunting.  Avery and I got ready for a girls' day out.  We headed to Colonial Heights, and in a very short time got our wedding rings picked up, shopped in Michael's, and had lunch at Panera.

Target was on our list too, and I was worried we wouldn't have enough time before our birthday party.  When I texted Ned that he suggested I get what I need and not browse.  Ha!  Avery and I managed a little of both and still arrived at the party with plenty of time.  We celebrated Mason's 3rd birthday at a bounce house/learning station place that was lots of fun.  This was Avery's first time in an inflatable, which is hard to believe since she loves to jump so much.

We were very excited to meet Camden, who moved to our town in September but we had yet to meet.  Camden is four, but she and Avery hit it off so well.  Camden is in need of friends since she's new here, and Avery is in need of girl friends.  We are very thankful that they are in our old neighborhood near Mimi and Grandaddy and look forward to lots of fun with her and her parents.  Mason and his family, who we love to pieces, will be moving into that neighborhood in January, so it will be lots of fun.

Avery and I left the party, and I thought a Coke from Chick-Fil-A would be a great idea.  I got a kid's meal so that Avery could have a small lemonade, and as I was fixing her cup I realized that we had really wasted a lot of time waiting in the drive-thru line.  Avery was still awake when we came by our favorite BBQ place, so we picked up dinner.  She took a short nap in the car and was ready to go once we got home.  Sam had a great day with Ned, and it was nice to have dinner together.  Since the kids have been in bed, I've done laundry, uploaded pictures, and finally put the bells on my tree in the living room.  I picked up a few more things to decorate with today, but I think I'm just going to make myself stop after a few more days and be happy with what is done.  With my helpers it's hard to get much done at one time, but at this rate I'll be decorating until Christmas Eve.  I'm now debating on making my grocery list or getting on the couch, and we all know what will happen if I get on the couch.