misc. xmas pics

AJ has RSV so M and I have been taking turns going to the various Christmas events on our calendar.  I got to take the older kids to the church party. They liked the cookie decorating station the best, no surprise. J was doing some raucous, double fisted sprinkle shaking that made me laugh. He refuses to wear a coat even though it’s been below freezing for the past 2 weeks, but he will wear this goofy winter hat because he thinks it makes him look like Elmer Fudd. That made quite a few people at the party laugh. I didn’t get the kids fed before the party and didn’t really moderate their sugar intake while there. On the way home S actually asked for some protein and J said he’d like some green beans! You know you’ve had WAY too much sugar when a 5 and 3 year old voluntarily ask for healthy food.

The best part of the week for me was attending S’s school Christmas program. She’s loved practicing for it with the music teacher. She’s become such a serious girl in public. It was one of the sweetest moments yet when she was in position on stage, scanning the audience for familiar faces and her whole self absolutely lit up when she found us. Her class did 3 numbers; one called Little Packages, one to the tune of Old MacDonald and their grand finale was the Russian Dance from the Nutcracker, done with sparkly red green and gold pompoms. It was great.

M has been plunking out the Christmas tunes for our enjoyment!

If anyone has any hints about taking photos of wiggly kids with natural light indoors I'm all ears!  Here's what I managed of the kids with the Christmas tree. ehn. I wish the focus were better.

oh! P.S. do you like the pleats at the bottom of S's skirt?  It was another case of S growing too tall for something, but not too wide, like here, only this time I took the trouble of doing some nicer sewing.  She loves the way it twirls!