This was a crazy weekend. By the way, Happy 1st day of Winter. On Sunday the 21st we celebrated the shortest day of the year by shopping. My parents wanted to go Christmas shopping and Sunday was the only day we all had free. I was supposed to be singing with the Girl Scout choir at the Charlestown Retirement Community(my old work place). Unfortunately, the facility was on lock down for respiratory diseases and they had to shut down the nursing home and assisted living facility. So no one could go out or come in. So I had the day free and decided to take my parents shopping and out to dinner. They mall was absolutely packed, but we had a good time shopping and then stopped to get some dinner. Tom and the kids joined us. Everyone was too tired for a movie, so we headed back home. We did stop into the Bass Pro Shop to say hello to the fish and try our hand at the shooting range though(big kid video game). Tom stopped into my parent's apt afterwards to reset their tv(mom keeps pushing the wrong channels). I think we wore mom and dad out by walking the entire mall(it is quite large since it is an outlet mall). Plus I had to park far away-even the handicap spots were all taken. My parents were already pooped out before we left. INstead of going to church in the morning, they stayed back at the apt for an in house service. Their facility has had some type of Christmas entertainment every day. I think Mom and Dad are going to be worn out with Christmas activities. They were having a sing a long when we stopped in. And someone had dropped off a huge box of chocolates, cupcakes and cookies for everyone to share at the front desk.

It was nice not to have to rush on Sunday. I had some extra time this weekend in my wrapping, packing and card filling out schedule. I had planned on having all the neighbors over for our traditional White Elephant Gift exchange party Saturday night. I spent Friday shopping, cooking and cleaning. On Saturday morning, Tom informed me that he  had a fever and did not feel well. We decided to cancel the party. WE will reschedule in January. Tom had been in Chicago this past week. He was very cold and miserable. He had to sit on the plane waiting for them to de-ice. I don't think Northrop should let him travel right before the holidays.

I also spent an hour sitting in the church parking lot SAturday morning waiting for some info on a scheduled ski trip for Scott with the Teen Church group. We were waiting for everyone to meet to car pool to ski in Pennsylvania. We were not alone. We also waited with a friend of SCott's and her Dad. After an hour I was able to speak to the priest who was in the office after morning mass. He was able to contact the teen program director via telephone. We only had the office phone number and the office was closed. Turns out they had cancelled the trip the night before. We however never got the phone message. The ski trip was rescheduled for February. Apparently the snow tubing was closed and they wanted to wait for the opportunity for the younger kids to attend. So Scotty was bummed(again) but he has something to look forward to.

So a whole lot of nothing going on during the busiest time of the year!  Instead, I took the kids down to the Inner Harbor with me on SAturday afternoon. OUr Girl SCout troop was invited to sing at a German festival downtown. They set up a german village with small shops including German bakeries, beer garten and holiday decorations. I picked up a few German Christmas tree decorations. It was a lot of fun to get up on a small stage and sing too. Allison and Scott enjoyed munching on german treats and shopping while I sang on stage.

On Friday, besides all the running around I had done for our party, I had time to get Cookie over to the pet store for a hair cut. I also had to meet with my parents broker to take care of some end of the year finances.

Allison managed to get out and get her hair cut. She also took herself to the doctor for a flu shot and to have her foot xrayed. It was still bothering her. They thought she may have a stress fracture, but it looks to be fine. Just sore and she can't really run on it. The doctor told her she should rest it up for another 8 weeks. At least Allison will be taking it easy while attending school this winter break. It is just difficult to walk around campus. She did well this term-all As and Bs.

Scott was very busy this past week. The teacher's crammed in lots of papers, tests and assignments for school. His little brain was fried.  He also finished his last confirmation class. He has  finished his volunteer hours too. He continues to altar serve which counts for volunteer hours.  Now he just has to complete a retreat in the spring and a few more Sunday night religious classes. He is almost there. He and Tom also got their hair cut this weekend. Everyone is ready for the holidays.

Now just a few more Christmas cards and gift wrapping. Plus packing for our trip to Florida!

Scott enjoys some type of Apple dessert at the German Holiday village