Christmas fun

Wow, the kids and I were busy this weekend with Christmas projects. I don't know what possessed me on Saturday, but I decided to take the kids to Toys R Us to buy gifts for their cousins. Pretty crazy! Actually, I thought it could have been worse, plus the kids didn't care because they got to play on the big indoor playscape. Benjamin keeps trying to climb into the big kids section since that is where all the balls are. We also made Christmas treats for Alex and Emma's teachers. Sugar cookies, dipped pretzels, magical mint cookies and peanut clusters (thanks for the recipe, Mom and Dad). The kids did a great job helping out until the end of getting the cookies decorated. They peetered out, so Sean had to take over while I got dinner. By then, the kitchen looked like a hurricane had blown through even though I was trying to clean up as I went along. In the middle of treat making, Emma finally managed to talk me into putting up some Christmas lights outside. She and Alex have been asking for weeks. Alex climbed high into one of our trees to finish out one of the strings. And, last but not least, we made snow globes. The kids have really been enjoying them. Benjamin wants to shake them every time we walk past.

This week, Alex has his big third grade musical. He had dress rehearsal this morning, so I'm anxious to hear how it went. He's nervous and excited to play his Santa role. Alex will have some special guests since Great Grandma Hirl (Grandma Mindy's mom) and Uncle Jason will be in town.

Sean was in San Francisco last week for a big conference. Thank goodness for cell phones. It makes it so much easier to track him down and for him to call the kids. On Saturday morning, I told Benjamin that Daddy would be home that day and he got the cutest smile. He loves his da!