Wow...December is busy! There have been so many things that I would have loved to blog about, but "spare time" is so limited this time of year. But the yearly Santa pictures must be posted! This year we went to Six Flags to see Santa, and it was great. The kids have all been working on their lists, but it is always interesting to hear what they come up with when they talk to Santa. So here is how it went. First of all, the big question was how Ruby would do being put on a large bearded man's lap. I couldn't imagine that is would go over real well. But honestly, she did great! She saw that nobody else was afraid, and so she just hung out. It was pretty cute. Ella was next. Now, this year Ella has been hoarding the store catalogs that have been coming in the mail, and has been busily circling and marking them up. She has ended up with quite a list, none of which Santa actually thinks that Ella would really enjoy that much. So, after hearing that her list to Santa was going to be a guitar, a camera, and a computer, I convinced her to tell Santa that she wants him to pick out whatever gift he thinks she'll like. And she did it! And I have a feeling that Santa has a few great ideas for her. :) Next came Tyler. This happens every year to Tyler - he draws a blank! He's spent so much time thinking about what everybody else would like, that he can't think of a thing for himself! This year he said, "A stuffed animal and a..............." and that was it. Easy customer! Spencer, on the other hand, had an entire speech planned. He began by telling Santa that he has been really, really good this year. Then by explaining the reasoning behind his gifts (that he's a "sport's fanatic, so everything has to do with sports"). Then began the list: "First I want three lacrosse sticks - one for me, Tyler, and dad. Then I want two street hockey goals and three street hockey sticks - for me, Tyler, and dad. Then I want a professional soccer Wii game and a professional ice hockey Wii game." Santa told him good luck!!
Then last week we all went to a friend's house to decorate gingerbread houses. It was a lot of fun, and Ruby ate more candy that night than should ever be consumed by a 1 year old! The problem was that Ella is such a perfectionist that it took her forever to finish her house! In the meantime, Ruby just ate and ate. Tyler was also working really hard toward perfection, but had the unfortunate luck that Bryan made his initial house. It's a good thing Bryan didn't try to be an architect, because he's got no skills! Tyler's house kept tumbling down, despite his careful decorating. (Thus the very sad picture.) Finally I built it myself, and he had no problems after that! :) Spencer is the opposite of a perfectionist, and was done with his house in 5 minutes. It also broke several times (Bryan made it too), but he really didn't care. He brought home a plate with crumbled graham crackers, layers of frosting, and random pieces of candy...and he couldn't have been happier!
The boys also performed in their Christmas piano recital last weekend. It was a "pajamas and pancakes" recital last Saturday morning, and they loved it. Tyler played Away in a Manger and Spencer played Silent Night. They both did a great job!
And lastly (whew!!!) Tyler had his Second Grade Economics Fair this morning. Each 2nd grader had to make and then sell a homemade non-food item to the rest of the school during their unit about economics. Now, normally I would really complain about having to come up with ONE MORE THING during December, but he has been so excited about this project and really worked hard to do his best. He sold fuzzy scarves, and they were a big hit! He made 36 scarves, and kept home 1 of each design for a different person in our family. He took the "sports" scarf for himself, and wore it to model it while selling (as seen above). By the time the girls and I left the school, he had only 4 more scarves to sell...and had sold the one he was wearing!! He had so much fun. And all the money that they earned, they donated to charity. So it was a great day.
