Since Steve was still under the "no lifting" restriction with his back, I wanted to make sure we got a tree that the kids and I could get into the house. As we watched the tree lot guy hoist it up on the car single handedly, I thought it wouldn't be a problem. I was wrong. When we got home, we just let it fall off the car, then dragged it into the garage for the night to dry off. The next day, Olivia and I wrestled the tree around the front of the house, through the front door, and helped Steve get it hammered into the stand. My arms were sore for a week.
We headed into San Francisco to attend a "Red Egg & Ginger" celebration for the baby of a friend of ours. It was in the heart of Chinatown. It was quite an affair, with probably 200 people in attendance. The food was authentic Chinese, and most of it could not be easily identified. The kids did great, not complaining once, just politely tasting (or declining) each dish as it was brought to the table. Just as we were finishing up, Steve pointed to the platter of chicken still on the table. Who knew deep-fried chicken heads were a delicacy?
Jack and Grant thought it was hilarious. Jack picked it up and began to make clucking sounds as he bobbed the head around. Olivia and I nearly threw up.
Grant Avenue—sounds pretty Chinese, doesn't it?
We took a quick tour through the Fairmont Hotel to see the gigantic gingerbread house.
We had a Secret Santa, who delivered surprises to our house for the first 12 days of December. On the last day, we were greeted by our good friends, the Clubb's, as they identified themselves as our Secret Santa.
Jack and Grant both started basketball. We get to add two weekly practices and two Saturday games to our schedule for the next few months.
Olivia went to the school holiday dance with her BFFs.
Gotta love little brothers getting in on the picture!
Rocky, our "Elf on a Shelf" returned to keep an eye on things and report back to Santa at the North Pole. He got a little creative with his vantage points this year.
One morning, Rocky was found hanging upside down in the Christmas tree. Apparently, he didn't have a very good grasp on the tree limb with his legs, because right before our eyes, he came crashing face first down to the ground. It was quite traumatic for all of us to see him fall, and then just lay there helpless until we left so he could use his magic to right himself once again. From then on, he didn't try any acrobatics or position himself in high places!
The kids built a gingerbread sleigh. We had to throw it away after a day when the ants found it.
We attended our 9th Sunol Glen holiday concert.
Olivia had 7 performances of Puss in Boots. She played a cook and a peasant, and had one line: "It belongs to the Marquee of Carabas, your Majesty."
My mom and David came for a few days. Grandpa and Grant enjoyed a nap on the couch.
We got a letter from Foothill HS welcoming Olivia to the Class of 2017, and alerting us to the upcoming parent information night, as well as freshmen orientation.
I went back and forth between crying and feeling like I was going to throw up.
Grant and Olivia's class joined together to adopt a family through a local non-profit organization. The week before Christmas, we loaded up 4 cars and caravanned to the center, where we met the family and presented them with food and gifts. It was a touching experience for all, and good for the kids to have the opportunity to personally meet the family.
I helped out in Grant's classroom holiday party. We made a holiday train picture frame and played holiday BINGO.
The highlight was the "make your own snowman out of pancakes".
We had record rainfall in the month of December. This was the view out of our window most days.
We put together a 1,000 piece puzzle. We bought it at Walmart when we were out Christmas shopping. Steve thought it would be "fun for the kids". I think he was actually the one that wanted to do it. I had wrapped it up and put it under the tree . . . then a week before Christmas, Steve found it under the tree, unwrapped it, and started it on the dining room table! It took nearly a week to complete (Steve did most of the work, with me as assistant, and the kids supervised occasionally!). It was no small fete—so many pieces looked identical, and the shading was crazy. When we finished it, I wanted to jump for joy. In fact, I think I did.
We moved it to our coffee table on Christmas day so we could set the table for Christmas dinner. I can't bear the thought of tearing it apart . . . it may be on our coffee table for a while!
We baked cookies for Santa. I'm still sweeping sprinkles off the kitchen floor.
The kids planned and performed their annual nativity reenactment.
Then they opened up their Christmas Eve gift — new pajamas (They think it's boring. I think it's fun!). Grant and Jack's pj's barely fit. I think they'll last about a week.
Santa brought a ping pong table for the family this year. I think Santa knows that we hope to make our house the teenage hangout in the years ahead.
Olivia inherited my iPhone 4. When I was 13, I wanted a dual cassette deck/alarm clock/speaker set. What a difference 27 years makes.
Jack got an iPod Touch. He can text our next door neighbor now to see if he can come out and play.
Grant got a motorized scooter. Apparently Santa has been keeping track and noticed it had been a while since our last visit to the ER. I'm sure we'll be fixing that soon.
All in all, it was a wonderful holiday season. I'm so thankful for a warm house, good food, and a loving family. Pretty much all I could ever ask for.
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