We kicked off December 1 with Christmas Jammies!
In case you need a few laughs…
This next one is Nik - he cannot sit down and talk on the phone - he has to be constantly moving!
This next one made me laugh out loud - because I've been there...! Anyone else?
Just this week my co-workers and I were discussing nicknames. I mentioned this one...
Here is a little of life lately...
JAXEN
Jaxen is at a hard age (not that I think this parenting gig will get easier before it gets harder) - he wants to have freedom and be independent but he is still a kid (in my book anyway, at age 11). That being said, I am trying to find the balance...
Recently, Jaxen wanted to make some money and thought the best way to do so would be to make chocolate-dipped pretzels and then sell them at school. I asked all the questions before hand and he thought he had it all figured out. Guess what? He did not. LOL. After a few days of selling I got an email from the school and that came to a halt. But not before he made a little money!
Then he wanted to ride his bike to the nearest QT and buy some gum. We had a lot of conversations before we let him take off by himself and do so. (Nik also ran an errand that was nearby and was able to check on him). It sounds like a small thing - but it's not in this mama's (or daddy's) eyes!
Jaxen is taking an elective called Family and Consumer Sciences. Already this quarter, he has sewn an apron and learned how to make grilled cheese. He has actually made the family dinner twice (good thing we like grilled cheeses!). He is enjoying learning to cook!
Jaxen participated in our church's Christmas musical again this year. He did not have a speaking part, but had a duet and then a few acting roles. He did so good. I love to see him do things he loves!
ZANE
Poor Zane - this year he has been sick so many times! This past weekend he had to miss 2 of his besties birthday parties due to a fever and cough. Luckily his fever broke and he was able to go on a much-anticipated field trip to Folly Theater (KC’s oldest historic theater).
Zane is playing basketball again this season and really enjoys it. He is so cute out there on the court giving little fist bumps to his teammates 😀 He is working really hard on his layups and 3-point shots. His team finally won their first pre-season game! The regular season will begin in January.
As I was taking Zane to school one day he told me his rational behind wearing shorts to school, even when it is freezing. Here is what he had to say about it "I would rather suffer for only 1 hour being a little cold in shorts (before school and walking home from school) than suffer for 7 hours in pants (sitting in his classroom)". It made me laugh - but he was completely serious about it. To even prove his point further - one evening around the same time, he put on pajamas (that were pants instead of shorts) and within 5 minutes of having them on I saw him tearing his clothes off because he was "so hot" (and we do not keep our house hot!). LOL.
When I asked Zane if he wanted to be in our church's Christmas musical this year he said "Yes! I want to be a sheep!" Okay then. So I told our worship leader what Zane said, thinking surely they will have a sheep. Guess what? No sheep in the play this year! So I told Zane there were no sheep, that he could participate in another way. No way. He told me plainly that if he could not be a sheep, he did not want to be in it. What?! Who knew his life-long desire in life was to be a sheep in the Christmas musical?! When I told our worship leader, she was so sweet and was trying to figure out how to write-in a sheep part so Zane could be involved. I told her no way - Zane would watch from the audience. He really has no desire to be a part of a musical. I can't blame him either!
NIK
Nik is working his tail off double-shifting and trying to end his time at UPS well. He is working 6 days a week and is pretty much exhausted (and on the verge of getting sick). His last day is December 22. I think he is excited (and a bit scared) to start his new position at our church in January. The boys and I are sure looking forward to him having a bit more 'normal' schedule!
CARLA
I am doing well these days! There is nothing super stressful or earth shattering happening in my world right now. All is relatively calm. I am just trying to keep up with school spirit days, homework, fundraisers, parties, sports, laundry and a semi-clean home!
This year for the Thanksgiving holiday the boys and I drove to NM to see my mom and sister. After a little research (thanks to my blog) I realized it had been 12 years since I spent Thanksgiving with them - too long! So I left Nik behind to work and sleep and we hit the road early Sunday morning (before Thanksgiving).
We were there a full week, which was so nice! I, of course, did a few projects while I was there - cleaned out the pantry, hung curtains, re-arranged furniture, organized closets, and did some cleaning....all of which is fun when it's not at your own house, right?!
My poor mama fell a few days before we arrived and broke her arm (between her elbow and shoulder). She was still in some pain while we were there but was a trooper and played lots of games with us - you know that is our favorite thing to do! The boys are learning more and more games and we enjoyed playing together with them, too!
Zane and I were sharing a bed the first few nights there, but then I decided to sleep on my own, in another room. When Zane asked why the next morning - this is the pic I showed him...
Sums it up, right?
Guess what we had for our Thanksgiving meal? Enchiladas (green chile chicken, green chile beef, and red beef), rice, beans, chips and salsa. And it was sooo good! In fact, we ate those leftovers at least 4 other times - LOL!
I did take the boys to the UFO McDonald's one day for lunch. Zane wanted his picture taken with the aliens.
I also "made" mom start enjoying the Christmas season early and decorated her house on Friday (after Thanksgiving). She has strict rules about not decorating before Thanksgiving...and really, before December 1 is still a little too early. But she obliged :)
Zane helped me a little bit and when he was setting up the Nativity scene, he took some of the "grass" off the stable and covered up baby Jesus. Haha! He knew baby Jesus probably had a blanket, but there was not one to use in the Nativity so he used what he could to cover up his private parts :)
I had brought some crafts and activities for the boys to do and guess who enjoyed them more - the adults (my mom, sister and me)! LOL. We painted a nativity scene, decorated Christmas cookies my sister even started an embroidery project! I think my sister took other pics, but I have this one of my mom - which I LOVE - look at that smile :)
I had a WONDERFUL time and can't wait to go back!
We hit the road home the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Look at Zane, living his best life...shirt off, puppy next to him, apple in hand, movie playing! The boys did SO WELL on the drive there and back. They were real troopers!
I am so grateful for the time with my family and the precious memories that we made!
