Christmas Eve Eve

Sunday was a fabulous day! We went to church normal schedule, today was the Christmas program in sacrament. It was beautiful. Zach sang the closing song, Silent night. He's becoming quite a popular request. He sounds wonderful! I love hearing him sing. Sam leaned over during the song and whispered, "Dad, really does sing good." Sweet boy.

After church we watched A Christmas Carol. The kids were so frightened. Sam covered his face with his blanket, Michael kept asking to turn it off, and Olivia was so close to me I felt like a canned sardine. Every time a ghost would pop out she flinched. So much for my feel good family Christmas movie.

Aunt Biz, Zach's sister, is in the Air Force stationed in Germany right now. She has always been over seas or too far to see on a regular basis however she always sends the children Christmas gifts wrapped with cute personal notes attached. This year I decided to let the kids open her gifts early so they have some time to actually enjoy and play with them. We have so much family in the area that all the gifts ending up being lumped into one big memory. No one really remembers who gave what.

After the movie, the kids opened their Aunt B gifts.

Cara got an art easel. She was very excited! Obviously.

Michael a Cloud B starry night turtle. (a cute hard shelled turtle that lights different colored stars on the ceiling)

 

Sam has a spy net video watch.

 

Matthew got Leapfrog ABC's.

Olivia received a FurReal dog. That dog is so darn cute. It spins when you walk by and leaps up and "yelps" when you pet it. Right now it is sleeping along side her.

Isaac asked for money from most everyone this year.

Don't forget about my Pottery Barn collection that I opened last week because I was too excited to wait! Those were for Zach and I.

I am looking forward Christmas in 2 days. I know, I know, I seemed a bit stressed a few posts ago but now that everything has calmed down, my shopping is done, and the parties are over, I can excitedly await for Santa.

Thank you Aunt B for everything! The kids are always excited to receive from you! We miss you and hope you have a Wonderful Christmas in Germany!

it's official

I now am the Mother of a 7th grader...a 5th grader...a 3rd grader...a 1st grader...and a Kindergartner. Yes sir-ree...ALL 5 kids will be in school ALL day.
Some memories of this school year:

Isaac had 17 girlfriends (or so I was told)
Michael learned to read
Sam got suspended 3 times
Olivia made 115 Art projects
Cara ran her first 5K

The 4 younger kids had the privilege to be the first students in their brand new school. The first GREEN school in Delaware. I was just excited to not have large sweat drops coating my face while in the copier room due to now having air conditioning. It's a lovely school.

For dinner on the last day of school we always have ice-cream sundaes. It has been our traditional since Isaac was in 1st grade.

So how did the first day of Summer Vacation go? Not TOO bad. I would hardly call this Summer though. The temperatures this month have been below 80 degrees. The kids wake up wondering if they should wear jeans and a long sleeve shirt or shorts. AND definitely too cold to put on bathing suits to swim at the pool. Why did we buy a pool membership? I should of bought ski passes instead.
I only had one request. ONE! I do NOT want ANYONE to wake me up before 8 am. Didn't happen. Matthew woke up at 6:15 and wouldn't stay content in his crib. By 6:45 ALL 6 kids were nagging me, bickering, complaining and at 7:30 they were out back playing baseball. (Sorry, neighbors).

Honey's surprise birthday dinner

We took Honey (aka Zach's Mom) out to dinner for her birthday. But let me back up a few weeks to when I received a phone call from a 15 digit # that I reluctantly answered, thinking it was a telemarketer, which ended up being my sister in law who is stationed in Germany in the Air Force. She was making a last minute trip to Baltimore and wanted to surprise her Mom for her birthday. She asked that I gather the troops (haha! get it? the troops. Ahh. I crack myself up) for this special, surprising event. I made reservations at Cafe Napoli. It was a total surprise for everyone! As Zach and I were the only 2 that knew. Honey was beside herself.

There is a lot of Dillard's. (Vicki is on the left, she is a good friend of Biz's, then Honey, Grandpop, Me, Zach, Zach's brother, Alex, Aunt B, our 6 kids and 3 of Alexs kids)

 Cara and Aunt B

 Adorable Matthew

and lovely Olivia

Here is the picture we took the day before she left for Germany which was 8 months ago.

Biz has been in the Air Force for most of the younger children's lives (I think like 6 to 8 years). She does a great job keeping close to them. Olivia wanted to sit next to her at dinner and Cara couldn't hug her enough times while saying good bye, She always brings them some cool souvenir and makes sure they get a present from her for Christmas. She is a great Aunt and I look forward to the day she will be able to spend more time around us. But until then we enjoy seeing her on surprise occasions.