Bits and Pieces: Third Week of Advent

The third week of Advent--which is effectively the last week, since the fourth week lasts all of one day this year--came at a slower pace and with some lovely traditions for our family.

On Saturday, the children performed at their Christmas piano recital (click here to listen), followed by dining at a fantastic pizza place we discovered.

On Gaudete Sunday, we bought our Christmas tree and then, after Mass, visited Gingerbread Lane at the always-sparkling Ballantyne hotel, followed by dinner out with friends and driving to see Christmas lights.

Inspecting the tree

Potty-training toddler watching 11-year-old put up outdoor lights for Mama

Mama's favorite gingerbread house: St. Patrick's cathedral

You can't hear the 4-month-old wailing during the whole drive when you look at this photo.

Chris was out of town on business again, but God sent me a lovely lady who literally called me and offered out-of-the-blue to take my son to his monthly math club and altar boy training so I didn't have to haul around the younger set for two hours. Thanks, God! 

By Monday, we got lights and garland (hand-knitted by the children) put up on the tree . . .

. . . and everyone was becoming a bit more festive!

Christmas moose outfit

In addition to potty-training the two-year-old this week, I've been trying to get the 4-month-old on a sleep routine by keeping him awake longer than he wants so he will sleep more soundly and longer for naps.

Thomas' first time in the Exersaucer

Thomas' first time in the Exersaucer

I've got David sleeping beyond 4:00 a.m. now, which is good, but, unfortunately, it's mostly only until 5:00 a.m. This allows the four-year-old to have my full attention for dawn games of Uno by the Christmas tree.

Then when David passes out unexpectedly, at least he has a place to crash . . . not so much for Mama!

David asleep

Being off of school, the children have had more outdoor play time this week. One morning, I came upon this heartwarming scene of my three youngest playing joyfully in raining leaves, and I even took photos.

As I stood there smiling, my apparently very fatigued Mommy brain began turning ever-so slowly . . . Daddy is out of town . . . yet there is a ladder which belongs in the garage . . . and where exactly are those leaves falling from?

If you know my climbing kids, you can guess the answer . . . the 9- and 11-year-olds had obtained a ladder from the garage and climbed atop the roof of the sun room to create this game for their siblings.

Indeed.

All this fun leads to some fast sleep at night, which is always a blessing.

And you who are parents can certainly imagine how well the children slept after Thursday's festivities, when . . .

• Daddy took the oldest four children to  three hours of our annual homeschool ice skating trip, 
• came home for a quick pizza dinner and watching Santa drive by our house in an old red Mustang festooned by Christmas lights, and
• followed by Daddy continuing on to take the 11- and 4-year-old boys to a nighttime hockey game with another dad and son.

Friday and Saturday are set aside for Christmas prep cooking and decorating the tree. We'll 'see' you all on the flip side after Christmas!

From our family to yours,
have a blessed and merry Christmas!