Christmas

As the holidays go, we had several parties to attend. Keaton and Cort's school parties were on the same day, Friday 12/18. Mark and I first attended Keaton's party in which his class gave a presentation of 'The Night Before Christmas'. Keaton did a great job saying his line that we had practiced the last few weeks. He knew it by memory and looked out to the parents. The majority of the other kids read their line and hid behind their pictures. I was very proud of his hard work.

I had initially thought I would not make Cort's class party since it was at 3:00. Mark had planned on going with Keaton who we signed out early. I ended up not going back to work after Keaton's party since I had made an eye doctor appointment. Surprisingly, I was also able to make it back to Cort's class for the end of the party.

Peyton, Cort and Evan

Keaton's class presentation

Keaton's class party

The following Saturday was my company, Corrugated Concepts & Packaging, Christmas party. Each year the owners hold a Christmas gathering at their home. Mark's dad babysat the boys so we could have a few hours out that evening.

I can't believe how fast Christmas came this year. (and now gone) My parents arrived at our house Christmas Eve morning. Mom had made homemade lasagna that we enjoyed minus Mark. Mark had not been feeling well the days before and was able to get a doctor's appointment that morning. The doctor sent him to the ER for tests, so Mark spent most of Christmas eve at North Cypress Hospital. All tests came back fine, so they sent him home and over the next few days he did begin to feel better. Maybe it was just too much holiday food.

Christmas Eve everyone, Mark's parents, Aunt Kerrie, and my parents, joined us for a candle light service at our church. Our family participated in the service by lighting one of the advent candles.

After the service we feasted on Rudy's BBQ and Blackberry cobbler at our house. After dinner, we settled the kids down, set out cookies and milk(soy) for Santa, and tucked the kids in bed. Surprisingly, they were pretty tired and easily fell asleep. Mark and I, on the otherhand, stayed up till midnight trying to get a peek at Santa!

Santa did not disappoint. He brought Keaton and Cort a new Basketball goal and remote control cars, as promised in the email he sent earlier in the week. He also brought basketballs, a new skateboard, and a kick flipper, ---a skateboard without wheels to practice your tricks.....(hoping to minimize injuries as my sons push their physical limits. More about this later. I am reading a new book, Boys Should be Boys), stockings overflowing and a sports pillow chair with matching blanket. The pillow chair and blanket have actually turned out to be one of the boys' favorite presents.

The boys slept till 7:00. Okay, well Cort was whistling in his bed at 6:30 but never ventured out until around 7:00 when Mark went up to get them.

The boys, especially Keaton, loves his basketball goal. At this point it is still in our house because the weather is so cold and wet outside. So far, nothing has been broken from all the slam dunks.

The kids thoroughly examined all their gifts from Santa and then we enjoyed sausage balls and candy apple cider for breakfast. I was surprised at how easy it was to convince them we were going to eat before we opened all the presents. After breakfast, we opened some presents from under the downstairs tree before making our way upstairs to the the next tree.

Keaton's Christmas wish list included DS, PSP, XBOX 360, PS2, PS3.....I think you get the point. Cort's wish list included the Devastor Transformer...price tag 80-100. Wellllll, don't think these things were in the budget. Not to mention, Mark has been against opening the door to video games. After much discussion, we gave both the kids hand held video games. Keaton got a Leapster 2 and Cort a VTECH Cyper Pocket. (With the idea they can share---it's like having two different games) They both have educational games that are age appropriate. In addition, we have discussed the responsiblilty of taking care of the games, not leaving them on the floor, to show that one day, some day, in the future we would feel they may earn a DS.

Our Christmas unwrapping lasted until after 9:00 when we hit the kitchen to begin preparing Christmas lunch. Mark's parents once again joined us and we feasted on a delicious ham with all the side dishes--in my opinion the best part. After being up late, getting up early, and stuffing yourself, nothing is better than a Christmas day nap. Friday night, we played Uno Attack next to a fire in the fireplace and watched Night at the Museum 2.

Saturday morning mom, dad, and Kerrie left to check out some after Christmas sales and then start home while we got ready for round 2. We headed to Nana's house for a Roberson Christmas.

Mark and all the cousins on the couch

Even though Keaton felt Santa didn't get his letter, WII knew better.....

Nana and Papa got our family a WII

Uncle Adam and Aunt Julie got us Mario Cart

So much for no video games. So far, we have enjoyed our WII as a family. The idea behind the WII is that it is something we can all do together, not like a hand held DS that the kids play by themselves. I have never been a big video game player so I am starting off at the same level of the kids. I'm sure it won't be long before they pass me.

Kids and Dads playing together

It's a good Christmas!