Secret Elves 12 Days of Christmas

Someone is giving us the 12 days of Christmas. Ringing our door at night and leaving a gift. First night it was Santa placemats. Second night was Sprite. Kids have enjoyed it, and last night they were quick enough to see the person running away. We have had candy, cookies, and an ornament as well.

Caramel and Myles

Caramel is Myles' bedtime buddy.

She helps him stay in bed and read to him.

And this is how Myles repays her while they are sleeping.

Fairwood Caroling

The whole family went to the Family Fun night at Fairwood Elementary. It was caroling around the neighborhood, in the pouring rain. The fire department was there to escort the massive group. One fire truck in back and one fire truck in front with officers walking with us. We only stopped at a couple house to sing a full song. Caramel and Rhett were with their friends, Camellia on Anthony's back, and Myles walking in the rain filled gutters (very satisfying) with me. After the loop around, it was to the gym for cocoa and cookies and the Book Fair. Caramel got a Dairy of the Wimpy Kid book and Rhett a Minecraft book. 

Dinosaurs Grammy's Family Outing

On a Saturday we picked up Grammy and drove up to Everett for the annual Grammy Family day. We saw the Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit. The kids enjoyed all the different dinosaur activities. And it was a great place to be with all the rain.  

Camellia and Myles liked sitting on the dinosaur. Camellia even cried and laid flat on the floor, she was so upset I took her off.

Rhett taming the dinosaur.

Myles double checking to make sure the dinosaurs aren't moving.

A little dinosaur ride.

Daddy and the boys. Caramel in the background looking at her fossils and gems. There was a little mining part where the kids wear helmets with a light to mine for treasure in 3 different dark rooms. Myles did the water one, of course, looking for treasures.

After the dinosaurs, we ate at Applebee's.

It was nice to see Aunt Andrea and Uncle Tim with Flynn. Don't see them too often. 

 

Back at Grammy's house we decided to cancel the outside festivities and watch The Christmas Carol with some cookies and hot cocoa.

I want to go to KFC

I got a new game on my phone after the kids handled it for awhile. It was naming restaurants by their logo. Myles saw the KFC one with the older guy on it and won't stop asking, "What is it?" I explained it was a place you eat chicken. Myles kept saying he wanted to go to KFC. So I got Myles and Camellia ready on a weekday and took them to KFC for lunch. It was the first time I have taken just the two of them to lunch. It was rather nice and calm, and I explained a lot to Myles. We were the only ones in there. It was fun and I think we will have to do it more often just the 3 of us.

Kentridge Dance Team Clinic and End of EDE Cheer

Caramel finished EDE cheer for the year. She has decided not to continue in the new year. Their last performance was at Liberty High School during a basketball game. Her group was the half time show and they did a great job. However with the song choice Caramel learned what censored means.

Rhett had to bring our rubbery basketball. I thought for sure it was going to roll down the bleachers onto the court with Myles on ball patrol but we lucked out. Myles and Camellia were going up and down the stairs the whole time. They liked the view from the top row best.

 

We don't go to sport events very often. It was fun to have the kids experience a basketball game. Sometimes the older kids complain they have never been to a Seahawk's game. When they got bored at the basketball game, I reminded them that football games are much longer. We didn't stay the whole time. 

 

Caramel also did a Kentridge Dance clinic on a Saturday ending with a performance. Caramel's group had a song from Teen Beach. We saw a couple of church and school friends too, which is always fun.

Yo Gabba Gabba

My Yo Gabba Gabba buddies. They will request these sweatshirts when they see them and want the other person to have theirs on too. Both were Caramel's when she was little. They enjoyed their photo shoot.

Garden Lights

A non rainy night, so off to the garden lights.

This event was very enjoyable this year. Everyone walked and enjoyed the lights and animals in the displays. No big crowd and good weather.

Caramel wanted to practice her camera skills and took some pictures of the lights.

Star Wars Gingerbread

Cami Wamies

Cami Wamies is quite the little talker and entertainer. She is particular who she likes but she does like being held by others now. If she knows you are listening she will take off jibber jabbering. She can repeat anything back to you. When I am holding her and I yell at the kids to do something she will yell repeat it. She is like my second head sometimes. She loves to follow her siblings. When I have Myles practice writing, Cami will get a clipboard and practice right along with him. She is very skilled at holding her pencil and making tally marks. Cami loves boots and car seats, I think because she always wants to go places and not be left behind. She even loves the potty and will demand sitting on it and wearing underwear. The odd thing that Cami loves is wipes. She wants a wipe in her hand all the time. It is her favorite think to request.

Student of the Season

Caramel and Rhett both got Student of the Season. I didn't know what it was until they received it. Parents are invited to a special assembly for just the Students of the Season. The students go on stage and received their certificate explaining why they desired it. Then treats and socializing for a bit. Caramel received it for always working hard. Rhett for helping others with school work and when they are upset. Pretty funny they both got it at the same time.

The best part was probably Myles' huge melt down for not getting more than one cookie. I had to leave early and slowly with Myles crying all the way to the van. Camellia even gave him a hug on the journey to the van.

Santa Visit

Santa picture, yes we did that this year. I think we take one every other year. It is pictures like this one that make me think the $24 wasn't worth it. Last year, I tried to take a picture of the kids in their Christmas jammies for the yearly photo. It turned out worse then this.

 

This was actually a big deal for me. I never go places that are not routine with all the kids- all by myself. The girls had cute outfits, so I wanted to go before school vacation started. Anthony's  work schedule was super busy, so I had to go by myself it I wanted it done. The line for the Factoria Mall Santa was short, but took forever. The kids were good waiting, playing by a restaurant and watching a barber shop. I didn't bring anything to entertain them.  

 

Camellia cries when you hand her to anyone so that wasn't a big surprise. Myles didn't want to be placed next to Santa but at least stopped complaining quickly. Rhett was helpful and ready to smile no matter what. Caramel, a true smile, only because of Camellia's reaction. Caramel assumed Santa's beard was going to be fake.

 

Yes, promised ice cream was delivered at the end of all this.

My 1st Thanksgiving turkey

I was excited to cook my first turkey.

Grammy Pam helped me keep the turkey nice and buttered.

Anthony took the kids to visit GM while we watched the turkey.

All the food turned out great.

Nice holiday with Grammy Pam and Grandpa Dan to shared dinner with.

 

Sibling Service

Love it when the older kids can help with the younger ones. Caramel helping take care of Camellia.

Myles is so proud when he wrecks the couch making his domain.

Caramel and Rhett often get the task of bringing the couch back to normal.

Costumes and Halloween Night

Costume picture before school on Friday. Caramel decided to go skeleton style (this is her signature costume- skeleton) and Rhett stayed with the ninja. I attended Rhett's class Halloween party in the afternoon. I was in charge of the leaf magnet station. They also did cookie frosting, fishing for prizes, and bean bag games. To end the party, they enjoyed their cookies with fruit and apple juice. 

Here is Caramel and Camellia Halloween day, the decided to be skeletons together.

Getting out all the costumes there was lots of changes in costume decision. I was excited to find Caramel's dance recital costumes. Camellia was totally willing to try this one on. She was loving the photo shoot. Later she would not put the dress on for an audience which was interesting. 

 

 

Myles, during the Halloween season, enjoyed pretending to be like Frankenstein. Such a funny little boy putting Q-tips in his ears and Camellia tried to follow this example.

 

On Halloween night, we went to a friends house for dinner and trick or treating. The kids had mummy hot dogs and adults enchiladas. When trick or treating time came it was pouring rain. Camellia stayed home with other moms. Anthony went fast with the older kids, skeleton Caramel and Mario Rhett. I went slow with Myles. Myles refused to put any costume on, so he just wore his coat that has a dinosaur as the hood. Myles and I did maybe 12 houses. He really got into it and talked me into more houses. Everyone was soaked when we regrouped.

 

When we got home Anthony, Caramel, and Rhett trick or treated on our street, the rain had stopped. Myles and Camellia were distracted with Yo Gabba Gabba and bedtime.

Joyschool

It is my turn to teach Joyschool for Myles and his classmates. My theme is Community and Safety. First class we talked about the letter I and number 9. For the theme we focused on crosswalk and sidewalk safety and schools. They enjoyed taking turns being the crossing guard.

The next class was letter J and number 10 with the hospital and helmet safety. These kids were great, we went on an imaginary bike ride area the community. They sat on the couch, pretending to petal fast and slow up and down hills. We were extra careful, so we wouldn't have to go to the hospital or ride in an ambulance. It was very entertaining for me so cute.  

School Pictures