Christmas with friends & family

Q4 and A4 got along quite well at Christmas, even talking over the Skype after Christmas.



We had an evening with a LOT of second cousins and friends that I can't identify, and one with just two special second cousins.



After all these evenings with friends and families the girls really were exhausted.

Christmas Day, 2010

Santa, grandparents, and parents were all good to the girls.

For C6 it was a book year. We gave her books, Santa gave her books, Ninoo and Papa gave her books, and Meme and Pep gave her books. Most anticipated book was Magic Tree House number 41. But she's been pouring over the Peru stuff in bed since Christmas Day, and has read ALL of the Magic Tree House books once, twice, multiple times. And the knock knock jokes book. Oh, the knock knock jokes. The less said about those the better.
She loves all the books.


For Q4 (ahem, 4 and 3/4) her Christmas was mostly about princesses. Princess books, princess dress, giant princess TENT.



Q4 also got a spinny light thing that she brought to Louisiana, and was upset to find out that I'd taken it out of the luggage only to find out when we returned home that it was buried under C41's stuff -- in the suitcase -- the whole time.

Just a wee bit slow on the summary

So, this won't be extensive.

We flew to Louisiana. The flight down on Christmas ever was routine, everybody was good.


Since it was Christmas Eve, we decorated cookies (I like that tradition ... think we need to continue that!!)



C6 really got into the decorating. She decorated a lot of cookies, she did a great job.


And Q at the frosting. Look, she's even pointing to the frosting eating.


The brought the platter of cookies out for Santa with a Whiskey.




We put out carrots for the reindeer. I like this too. Those reindeer get a good workout overnight and I'm sure are glad for the carrots. At least it seems so when only the ends of the carrots are left the next morning.

Note the pyramid or tripod shape. I'm not sure what that is about, but C41 assured me it was the best way. Since he had the experience we deferred to him.

Pre-Christmas boxes

Just for fun, somebody gave us some big boxes, and put their initials on them. Good fun!!

A first

C6 stayed alone at home today while I walked Q4 to a friend's house around the corner. Yes, she called me on the phone 3 times. But that was OK. We just chatted about this and that. She was very pround of herself. As was I.

A Poem from C6

The actual poem had specific fonts attached to each line. But not here. Sorry. I like the "Fall is cool and crafty" line the best ...

I love Christmas! Winter is the best season!
Spring is fun! Easter is the best!
Summer is hot! Summer holidays are nice.
Fall is cool and crafty.

Nice days are loving and nice!

Christmas is all about love.

Q4's Christmas Pagent

Q's Christmas progam was Friday. The 2s carried stars, the 3s were shepherds, and the 4s & 5s were an animal, Mary, Joseph, or an angel. They didn't actually have a creche scene, but a Santa Claus telling the story of the first Christmas. This solved the problem of having the 4&5 year olds act.

First, the four faces of a sheep





It happened to be Q4s turn to light the candles in children's chapel, so we got that. This was nice, I'd wondered last year why whatever child got to do it got to do it. Just the regular rotation of things. Actually, J4 went up first until an adult remembered that she'd done it during Children's Chapel that week, so hey, it was Q4's turn!!



Much of the program I had two adults moving back and forth in front of me trying to get their kids on video. So, sorry about the big heads and hair and cameras when they get on screen!

The first song Q4's class sang.



Here is Q4 doing the wrong thing and being told to go back to the other area



You can't see much of Q4 here, but she is snuffing the candles. And somebody drops the snuffer on the alter.


And finally, Bells Are Ringing recessional song. And then school was over for the day!