The Accidental Boilermaker

We had a fun Christmas at home although it was sad to think we wouldn’t be traveling to see anyone. Evelyn and Jameson woke up early but not too early. We did stockings first before breakfast.  Then it was time for presents, zoom calls, and more presents.  I crocheted the octopus and narwhal but when Evelyn and Jameson saw them they both thought Mrs Claus must of made them. Ok sure why not.  Evelyn and Jameson got new pajamas and slippers for Christmas too.  We finished two puzzles too! Santa was 1000 pieces and it was hard at least I thought so. It took us several days. The Dino puzzle was 300 pieces. It was kind of tricky too but only took about 2 hours I guess; I didn’t keep track. 

 We had some Christmas magic happening around here - dinosaur Christmas magic. The first night we woke up to them trying to climb the Christmas tree.  Next it was a Dino parade in the kitchen. They must of found every one of Jameson’s monster trucks.  Tuesday morning we woke up to a mess on the counter. We think they really wanted us to make cookies.  Plus this one hiding in the oranges.  The next morning the dinos were back under the tree, apparently wrapping presents and each other.  Tonight of course they are sneaking what cookies crumbs Santa left behind and sneaking a peak in the stockings. 

 This morning we went to the botanical gardens. I think the last time we visited was last Christmas.  Jameson took a picture of Evelyn and I in the tropical garden and then he took a selfie.  The gardens had 28 unique Christmas trees or plants displayed from around the world. We picked up a list of all the trees and Evelyn and Jameson treated it like a scavenger hunt. My favorites were the Christmas spider tree and the upside down Christmas tree . Last night we were able to see the Christmas star! It was too cloudy Monday night which was disappointing, but being able to see it a day late was still exciting. 

 Today we made sugar cookies. No two are alike. It’s also really hard not to just eat them all. 

Everyone gets little cranky when we spend so much time inside. So Saturday night we drove downtown to look at the lights.  Today was another nice day so we went to Metea Park for a hike. Right at the start of the trails were some nice walking sticks. Evelyn and Jameson each picked one. The trails were a little muddy, but not busy.  We found a teepee someone had built.

 Another week of competing spirit weeks. Monday was hat day and pajama day.  Tuesday was candy cane stripe day and holiday sweater day.  Wednesday was green and red day and holiday sock day. They ended up swapping socks before school started.  And it snowed on Wednesday.  Thursday was Christmas sweater day and hat day.  Today was pajama day and no school for Evelyn!

It was a basic week. George came to the bus stop Monday and must of been holding Jameson’s goldfish while he and I played tag which is the game we play now while waiting for the bus to drop off Evelyn. Tuesday Nate took the day off to use up some time off. He dropped Jameson off and then we went to a different Meijer hoping to find something Jameson wants for Christmas (no luck) and then to Costco.  On Wednesday Jameson and I went downtown to pick up our coffee subscription and we tried out a new coffee shop. I got a latte and Jameson got a donut, plus we picked up some gift cards for Evelyn’s teachers.  Thursday we went to the park after school because the weather was so nice.  Friday was even nicer so we played in the backyard.  Tonight we drove out to a house decked out for Christmas. I thought Santa would be there but he wasn’t. Evelyn and Jameson didn’t seem to mind; just a nice opportunity to get out of the house. 

 We put the Christmas tree up on Sunday.  Penny is such a good kitty; she has never bothered the tree or ornaments.  Evelyn and Jameson had fun getting out all the decorations.  We took a few family pictures for my mom too. I think this one is my favorite.  Saturday we went for a nice hike at Eagle Marsh. We actually saw an eagle flying high in the sky but equally cool was the train that went by.