December happenings

Hola!

Somehow it became December without me even thinking about it.  Then I looked closer at the calendar, and ...we're already a WEEK into it!  Aaaauuugghh!

December is a "short month" anyway, it seems...we only have 3 weeks to cram all the fun stuff and holiday activities and baking in, then school is out for 10 days.

CHRISTMAS PARTY.  We spent last Saturday decorating for the church Christmas party.  It was a nice dinner and program, including the Nativity play with all the primary children.  They had the littlest ones dress up as animals, and I think the parents were told not to buy anything new, just have them wear costumes they already had.  In the stable we had a pig, a tiger, a lion, and yes, a sheep!  Very cute.

Kara also sang a duet with her friend, a capella.  It was half in Ulru (African language) and half in English.  They were pretty brave to do it without a piano!   Nice work, girls.

DECORATIONS. Our Christmas tree is up, as is our advent calendar.  Many of our ornaments make music, and  it's fun to push the buttons and listen to short clips of Christmas carols.

WARM TEMPS.We will head south for the holidays.  (I'm always in search of "warm," so my request is always south!  Someday I will not live in the Arctic Zone anymore.)  Our family is taking a cruise to 5 Caribbean islands, that starts and ends in San Juan, Puerto Rico.  That will be the week from Christmas Day to New Year's Day.  The kids look forward to the island activities, and of course the endless and nonstop food on a cruise.  I'll be happy not to cook it. :)

PEOPLE. I like listening to the talks in church about making Christmas meaningful.  Spending time with people you love, maybe picking up the telephone instead of texting once in awhile.  That relationships are more important than your to-do lists.

TIME with SISTERS.  Frank got to go visit with his sisters the day after Thanksgiving, and they rarely get together.  I wish we all could have gone, but I'm glad at least he could go.  The D.C. weather even cooperated with them, and he did NOT have any delayed flights.  Yippee!  Distance is definitely challenging sometimes, in keeping track of the activities and events of our family members.  But it's SOOOOO worth it!  We have absolutely the BESTEST families, scattered all over the continental U.S.

Nothing earth-shattering this time.  I just wanted to get in a post before I blinked too many times, and this awesome holiday month was gone.  Here are a couple of fun favorites so far this month:

1) chocolate-chip pumpkin bread
2) putting up musical ornaments on the tree
3) David's annual fundraiser for Robotics: Krispy Kreme donuts :)
4) Frank & Kari going on a SUCCESSFUL one-evening gift shopping trip
5) Our long-distance gift-wrapping and packaging is half-done already!

Have a fantastic week!  Kari