Staying home for the holidays

As one might suppose, we have no plans for traveling this holiday season. In fact, with the baby due any day now, we've made very few plans at all--our schedule has been almost completely clear. But I did sign up at the last minute to play some Christmas music for a mini-concert at Respite Care last Saturday. One kid was so excited to see my cello, he came right up and practically stole my bow from me.

Otherwise, we've just been home--accepting visitors from Illinois! My parents flew in on Sunday night and have been immediately put to work (and play) between my final nesting projects and the girls' demands for attention.

Jii helped the girls put together some miniature snowmen, scraping together what snow remained from the little storm more than a week ago.

 

 

  

He also helped me wash the minivan and clean out the entire garage.

On Monday night, we gathered together in the music room to play Christmas carols for family home evening. 

 

Ramona performed Jingle Bells again, and also Silent Night.

 

Baachan and Ramona have been busy making little paper crafts to decorate the dining room wall.

 

Tuesday evening, Paca stopped by on his way to Utah. He is going to help out as Connor recovers from his tracheotomy. It was a short visit, but the girls made the most of it and climbed all over him.

 

 

 

 

 

We finished off the night with some egg nog ice cream and strawberry ice cream.

The next day was cousin Connor's sixth birthday--sadly spent at the hospital in lots of pain. Here is the most recent picture of him Crissy has posted, the day before the trach went in. We are praying that he gets some relief soon.

The same day was also Jii's sixtieth birthday. He didn't exactly get the party of the century, but we did a few little things to celebrate. Hopefully he had a good day.

Mika entertained him with PEZ dispensers and puppets while Ramona was at preschool . . .

 

 . . . and the weather was so nice, we all made a trip to the neighborhood park after lunch.

 

 

Ramona helped me make a chocolate cake for him . . .

. . . which we ate after dinner, popcorn, and a movie (Jii chose "The Fox and the Hound").

Happy Birthday, Jii! We love you.

 

Today was Ramona's preschool Christmas party. With no imminent labor signs, (and free childcare for Mika) I was able to go and spend some time with my little big girl.

At the party, she made a bag of reindeer food and a Santa face, decorated a sugar cookie, and played some snowman games.

At the end of the party, the kids donned some elf hats and put on an epic performance of "Jingle Bells."

Now we are on break from preschool until January, and just get to enjoy one day at a time as the season unfolds. Life is good here at the Dixon home--baby Paula, you really should come and join us!