December 2018

Pennypickle's annual Winter Wonderland event was fun, as always! The kids hopped on the trolley, made candy sticks, made crafts, plyed with sensory stuff, pet alpacas and played games!

 

 

 

We had a great time decorating the house for Christmas!

Landon, again, was excited to wrap presents. So much so that when he finished his presents he started wrapping his own books and toys to give to his friends and cousins.

It seems like Landon has been extra sweet lately. A few times when Brooklyn had been having a rough time, he's been very gentle with her and tried cheer her up, bring her a favorite stuffed animal of his or say, "When you're ready I'll do something funny. You're going to love it, but you tell me when you're ready." One day we were talking about Grammie, and I said I think she's the best mommy in the world. He responded with, "Mommy, I Grammie's not the BEST mommy in the world. YOU are!" and gave me a big hug! I'm sure he must have been buttering me up for something at the time, but I chose to believe he really believed it.

We took our last trip to Legoland of the year. Landon loves holding the map and walking around like he knows where he's going!

 

 

 

 

We had a fun afternoon walk, doing exercises along the way.

 

Landon's school had a Crafts, Cookies & Cocoa night. The kids had a great time crafting!

The advent calendar also had us decorate a gingerbread house. Someone may have eaten just as much as she decorated!

 

Uncle Matt Matt visited us from Germany this month. We had a great time while he was here reading books, playing at the park, biking, doing school drop offs and pick ups (he's way more exciting to be picked up by than Mommy!), their annual Christmas shopping spree (this time at Barnes & Noble) and all sorts of fun stuff.

Landon and I attended a Jingle Bell 1K Fun Run.

Landon made "A list for Santa to me. A whole bunch of Shopkins, but not too many...and Shopkin Buildings, but no baby Shopkins."

Giggles and Gluesticks held a holiday performance and party. The kids sang and danced to "Winter Wonderland," "Frosty the Snowman" and freestyle danced to "Can't Stop the Feeling." Brooklyn carefully mimicked Ms. Jen doing all of the actions with a very concentrated face. When it came time for freestyle dancing she wasn't too into it. She watched Zoe for a while then started copying her moves until the song cut off.

 

 

 

We visited Bainbridge Circle to see the Christmas lights a few times.

Brooklyn started MyGym at the end of the month. She did great and loved her first class!

 

The Rancho Kindergarteners had a Polar Express parade (in PJs) around the school. Landon and Daddy made Landon's train car a simple red with black wheels (and tried flocking some designs on it, but it kept falling off), then they added red suspenders, a steering wheel and train sounds (from a "Thomas the Train" book).

Brooklyn wanted to wear her coordinating PJs when we went to watch the parade. They still love matching!

 

We had a couple of playdates with Landon's buddies from school: Tristan, Christian and Koa (who has since moved out of state), all of their little sisters and moms. They're a fun bunch!

That afternoon we headed to Mission Viejo. We began the Christmas celebration outside the Mission Viejo Civic Center.

 

 

Of course we made our annual Christmas Train trek to Irvine Regional Park Railroad to see Santa. It was a great night with games, Santa and friends!

 

 

 

After the train the Zims, Goods and Kelepouris' went to Antonucci's for dinner. Landon started to not feel very well and fell asleep in my lap twice at the restaurant.

The kids put together their new Crazy Forts in a couple of different ways and played lots of backyard soccer.

 

They also helped Papa sell See's Candy for Kiwanis. Landon wanted to stay longer and helped Papa sell the remaining boxes.

 

 

We celebrated Christmas Eve at Grammie's house. I started to not feel well, and Daniel, Grammie and the kids went to Pavion Park. Brooklyn started not feeling better that evening. We ended the day with cheese and chocolate fondues with exchanging gifts in between.

 

 

After celebrating Christmas Eve with the Zimmermans we drove home and quickly put out cookies & milk for Santa and glittery oats (on the lawn) & carrots for the reindeer.

 

Christmas morning we all slept in! Then we came down to open our presents from Santa and to/from each other before heading over to the cousins' house to exchange gifts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brooklyn's favorite gift: headbands

Landon's favorite gift: Snap Circuits

 

The kids gave each other umbrellas for Christmas, and they have used them practically every day since, rain or shine. Landon helped Daniel build the basketball hoop on the side yard. I think that makes the side yard complete!

We went to Peter and Amber's for Christmas dinner. I didn't last long before coming home to sleep, but they had a great time playing Left, Right, Center after a yummy meal!

A few days later Landon woke up in the middle of the night with his first ear infection. :( 

Pappou and Babcia came to visit, and we had them, the other Kelepouris', the Fenwicks and the Rogers over for New Year's Eve. We played a short game with the kids, counted down with them at 8:30pm with poppers and noise makers, then we counted down again at midnight after a few rounds of Blackjack. This was Landon and Brooklyn's worst night of getting to sleep since they were newborns (or possibly the worst ever). Landon was the last to fall asleep about 10 minutes before midnight.