Well, this week's wrap-up has nothing to do with school, because we didn't do any this week. I had intentions for us to do some odds and ends, but daddy has been here this whole week and we have had lots of activities going on. Our personal life has been jammed packed, so I thought you might enjoy a glimpse into it.
Last Saturday we took the kids to the movies to see Wreck it Ralph and then to a Japanese steakhouse so they could try sushi. Since we are studying Japan, this is something they really wanted to do. We had a great time eating our sushi, using chopsticks, and watching the cooking show.
On Sunday, I played bells at church and Brynne was an acolyte for the first time.
After we got home, since we were all showered, dressed, and together ... at the same time ... we went down to the park for some family pictures.
Monday we hung out at home during the day, but then I spent some time Monday night working on the Boy Scout Christmas parade float with another mom. We have been the only two to work on it and we were pretty proud of what we accomplished. The parade theme was "Twas the Night Before Christmas". The boys will be on the float wearing nightcaps and their Boy Scout shirts.
Tuesday involved much more float work, some haircuts and babysitting my niece for a bit. I also got down and dirty vacuuming my house. Rick brought me my Dyson and I was so happy! I love my Dyson and there is no vacuum that compares. Pretty crazy that I could be happy doing housework. I also finished Eli's birthday party invitations.
I spent ALL DAY Wednesday preparing for Eli's 9th birthday party. I made nunchucks, katanas, Japanese lanterns, put together party favor boxes, and started on the kickboxing pinata. We also walked the two blocks to the little Chinese restaurant for lunch as a family. Yum!
Then Thursday was Thanksgiving. We had a great day! Daddy and the kids got up at 8:00 a.m. when Eli came bounding into the bedroom announcing that the parade was starting! They let me sleep until 10:00 a.m.! When I got up, I got started on our dinner preparations. It was, by far, the most delicious Thanksgiving meal I have ever cooked. With the exception of the noodles, I made everything from scratch. The stuffing recipe I used was TO DIE FOR! No more boxed stuffing for us!
The funnest part of the day was our family acting out the first Thanksgiving. Eli wanted us to do a play. So, I made pilgrim hats for Brynne and I and Rick made indian hats for him and Eli. Then we acted out the scenes. After we invited the indians to our table, we had our amazing meal.
And, then {shamefully} I left my family and went to Walmart for Black Friday, errrr Thursday, to capitalize on some deals. What a crazy experience! Admittedly, it was kind of fun! I came home at 11:30 p.m., ate some more stuffing, noodles, and chocolate lava cake, and then went to bed actually thankful that my shopping was over and I could just sleep in on Friday.
Then yesterday was Eli's birthday party. I got up and finished the pinata, made candy sushi, and his cake. Then I cleaned house to get ready for our party goers. Eli only invited three little boys, but it was LOTS of fun! They decorated nunchucks, had a balloon ninja battle with their homemade katanas, used chopsticks to get prizes out of a bowl of popcorn, had some snacks, and then kickboxed the pinata. Everybody went home with a takeout box with ninja action figures and their very own chopsticks.
Rick and the kids got our Christmas tree yesterday and today we decorated it. The rest of the decorations will go have to go up tomorrow or early in the week. We just ran out of time. The Christmas parade was tonight, and then we drove through the park to see Christmas in the Park. The lights were amazing! After grabbing Sonic for dinner, we came home and watched Elf together as a family. (I know I am getting ready to destroy the Christmas spirit of so many right now, but I do not like the movie Elf. I watched it for a while and then finished some laundry and now am in bed finishing this post. I can still hear it playing in the living room.)
Tomorrow we'll go to church and then come home to do some more Christmas decorating. My parents come back from their week at their house in Florida, so we will be waiting for them at their house when they get home. I'm making turkey tetrazini for dinner for us and my sister and my parents for when they get home.
On Monday, it's back to hitting the books. We have a lot to accomplish before our Christmas break. And I am actually really ready for some normalcy and schedule! Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Sounds like a great week.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the family photo!
It does sound like a busy and fun week. I especially liked the Ninja birthday party. My youngest would like that, too.
ReplyDeleteYou guys did a great job on the Christmas Float and the birthday party decorations. I have never been good at thinking up themes for birthday parties and implementing them. That is what I have my wonderful hubby for, he is very creative and great at thinking outside of the box.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Diane
What a fun week! I don't like the movie Elf either. I much prefer A Christmas Story - you'll shoot your eye out!
ReplyDeleteI love the First Thanksgiving picture! Great! You packed A LOT into your week, Nicole!
ReplyDeleteI just saw your comment about the LEGO Rafflecopter -- will you try again later and make sure you get entered? I'm unable to manually do it for you, and i want to make sure you are entered!
Awesome family photo! Gosh - your DH must be quite tall, huh? Isn't Dawson over 6'? And Dad's taller than him!
ReplyDeleteSo, are you going to share the stuffing recipe?? ::wink:: I can never seem to make a good stuffing! I love how you and DH were having fun with the kids and the play! That's awesome!
Happy birthday Eli!
You had a fun, family week!