Wow-I can't believe it is one week after Thanksgiving and now we are getting ready for Christmas. Tom and I attempted to put away the Thanksgiving decorations and put out the Christmas lights and decorations, but it just seemed too early. And too cold. Tom went outside after his brother and family left for their drive back to Indy. He decided it was way too cold and windy, so instead we enjoyed our MSU football game. Although it seems for naught that we won since it does not appear that we are going to the Rose Bowl. That stinks.
Last Sunday we were crazy trying to get our family photo done in the morning. The studio was one hour behind. We opted not to try and take a family photo with the dog, so our picture took less time. It was just the waiting to get our photo taken. Afterwards, Tom and I had to get ready to attend the Ravens football game. St Nick arrived early and Tom and I were sporting new Ravens sweatshirts, but it was plenty cold so we had to layer up(and we were still cold). I even picked up a Raven's santa hat to stay warm(worked great). I was mostly excited to get my photo with our mascot, Poe the Raven(as in Edgar Allen). And we met some cheerleaders and listened to our own drum concert at the tailgate party before the game. Tom had tickets from work so we enjoyed the free tailgate party beforehand. Meanwhile, I had to ask the neighbors to take the kids to church that night since they both were assigned to altar serve at the Sunday night 515 mass. Our neighbors kindly took them to church and attended themselves. Afterwards they took them home and fed them. Great neighbors. And we got home at a decent time.
On Monday, Tom was flying off to LA leaving from the DC Dulles airport. I was running solo and took the kids to Barnes and Noble bookstore Monday night for Scott's school fundraiser. Plus his choir was singing. Of course I managed to put him in the wrong shirt(we hid him in the back). We all bought a little something-Allison had some gift cards to spend on new books, and Scott used his Bday money to buy a Lego set. I also got some Christmas shopping done(and free gift wrap). Then we went to dinner at Pizzaria Uno with a gift card I got from attending camp with the kids and it was the school fundraiser night there too. When we got home it was time to study for the week's tests so we were up a bit late. Of course on Tuesday morning we had a big storm come through in the morning and we lost power at 5am. I wasn't sure if the power was out at the schools, but it came back on around 630 so we had to hurry to get showered and dressed and out the door, avoiding fallen tree limbs and sideways rain storms. The temps were in the 60s but dropped to the 40s by Weds.
On Weds night I had to squeeze in helping the kids with their homework before I headed out the door to my girl scout leadership meeting and holiday party. Thursday night I was invited to a work party but Scott had gymnastics that night, and Allison had piano. And Scott started feeling bad. He seemed to have a sinus headache coming on , so he ended up staying home on Friday. I left him for an hour to run up to the school's Mother's Tea. I usually go since they have coffee and pastries and door prizes at one of our local restaurants put on by the PTA for the moms. I really enjoy catching up with the school moms(and trying to win a door prize-no luck this year). But the pastries are terrific, made by a local bakery. I also had to pick up a few items for Scott to put together his goodie bags for his official kids birthday party scheduled on Sunday. Scott wanted a roller blade party and we all had a great time. I was especially happy to see that their bakery was able to make a birthday cake with the photo of Scott climbing through the trees at Northbay camp. The kids and parents also thought it was amazing.
Tom was able to get home on Thursday night from LA, but he had to go into work on Friday. He had a chance to see my brother Mike out in LA and take him to dinner and talk about job hunting. Mike has a few interviews coming up-Good Luck Mike.
On Saturday, Tom took Scott up to school for breakfast with Santa. Allison and I headed out to our annual White Marsh Christmas parade with the GS choir. At least this year, we did not get snowed, sleeted and rained on. It was cold but dry and we had a fun time. Allison especially liked book shopping at Barnes and Noble while we drank Starbucks and watched the end of the parade. When we got home I completely had forgotten that our old neighbor invited me over to her new house for a jewelry party. One of our neighbors makes her own jewelry-very nice and unique pieces. Especially since her husband travels the world and brings back different gems and stones from each country he visits. So most of the pieces are one of a kind. I decided to bring the kids with me so they could visit with their old neighbors. Scott was missing his buddy Sammy, and they wanted to explore the new woods and farmland behind the new house before it got too dark. Scott and Sammy came back in when they heard shotguns go off. I enjoyed visiting with all the guests and yes I broke down and bought a few pieces of jewelry too. Allison was excited to pick out a ring for herself for Christmas and I got a great bracelet with a wonderful magnetic clip.
And we keep working on the Christmas decorations. After Scott's birthday party on Sunday we stopped at Home Depot and picked up a Christmas tree which Tom set up. We are just waiting for the lights. We also had to pick up a new console for Tom's large screen tv that was delivered on Friday evening. He moved our previous entertainment center to the old garage/play space and set up the new system in the family room. It really makes the room look so much bigger. I just can't believe we fit the console into the back of my van(with a little room left over for the kids). Way too many projects. But I am sure we are not done. I noticed my dishwasher has been acting up.