Post-Christmas Holidaze

We've been enjoying the leisurely lull between Christmas and New Year's. There has been moments of productivity...and moments of laziness. When we have been at home, the kids have stayed busy playing with their new gifts. We tested out Emmy's Easy Bake Oven for the first time by making chocolate whoopie pies. Emmy declared it the best day ever and pretended to serve her dessert like a waitress at a restaurant. While we waited on the whoopie pies to bake, we also tested out Eli's remote controlled boat. Having a boy and a girl means often balancing the interests of both, and sometimes that means filling up a sink with water after mixing up a tasty treat. 

In these last few days of 2024, we also: went to the Science Center, watched Trivett and the Southwestern Randolph basketball team play in a Christmas tournament, saw the Tanglewood Lights with our annual Starbucks coffee drinks, made other Easy Bake Oven desserts, and went to the movies with Grammy to see The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, followed by treats at Louie & Honey. We are savoring these last two days of Christmas break before we return to work on the 2nd. I sure have loved the time with our family, and I know I will look back fondly on the memories we have made this Christmas season.  

Merry Christmas 2024

This Christmas season was full of special memories. We have been doing Christmas-y things all month long, but certainly it is the few days leading up to Christmas and Christmas Day that make the holiday so merry and bright. On the evening of Sunday, the 22nd, our church had its Candlelight Service. The service focused on the four themes of advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. During this service, the children join in for "big church" as we sing songs, worship, and light our candles. Emmy and Eli were very attentive, and we even trusted them with their own candles this year. Luckily no hair or clothing was burned! It is always a beautiful sight as everyone in the congregation holds their candles high to sing "Silent Night." 

On Monday, the 23rd, we made cookies with Grammy. This longstanding tradition has looked different each year, depending on the ages (and attention spans!) of the children. This year, Zander was a big help with rolling out the dough; Maddox tried to sneak as many bites as he could; Emmy kept track of our quota for trees, angels, snowflakes, and bells; and Eli popped in and out while mostly playing in the living room. Once the cookies were baked, we took a break for lunch and some basketball outside, before finishing off the task of the icing. I think Santa was quite pleased with what he found coming down the chimney. 

On Christmas Eve, we had a laidback day at home, with some pancakes for breakfast. Around 5PM, we went over to Grammy and Grandpa's house for our Christmas Eve feast of all of our favorite finger foods. Before we settled in to watch a Christmas movie (this year's pick: Elf), Grammy planned a fun game for the grandkids with a ping pong ball and surprises under Solo cups. The kids got some treats and even some cold hard cash (and one dud prize of a can of tomato paste!) After the movie, it was a dash to get home to toss out the reindeer food, set out the milk and cookies, and jump into bed. We were ready for Santa's visit. 

On Christmas morning, the kids were patient until 7AM, and once Mommy and Daddy gave the go-ahead, they sprinted downstairs to see if Santa had come. They must have been on the Nice List this year, because they both got what they asked for. Eli was thrilled about his race track, and Emmy couldn't wait to make something with her Easy Bake Oven. In their stockings, they got candy, electric toothbrushes, and notepads for playing restaurant, school, doctor, and police officer. Even Mommy had a few surprises under the tree: some of my favorite lotions, creatively wrapped in recycled packaging. Boomer got a new pair of slippers and some socks, very practical gifts for a practical guy. 

Then it was off to the Houstons' for breakfast and more presents. From Grammy and Grandpa, Emmy got some bake mixes for her oven; Eli got a few games  - the baseball Velcro mits have been popular!  Both kiddos also got some new clothes and Crocs. The four cousins took turns checking out each other's gifts and generally did a good job of sharing. It is special for them to have memories of so many Christmases together. 

Around 11AM, rather than heading directly to Boomer's parents' house, we made a stop back home where the kids had some time with their new toys and we all changed out of our pjs. We left again around 1:30PM to go to Star, where we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening. All of the Kennedy grandkids are getting bigger; several have even moved to the adult table for dinner. Granny and Paw Paw made a big feast of chicken, steak, mac-n-cheese, potatoes, and corn. Around 8PM, we headed home to Kville, with full bellies and a full trunk of presents. 

It's true that we only have this one Christmas when our children will be as young as they'll ever be. This Christmas may have been my favorite one yet. It didn't feel too rushed or stressful; the whole day had a very comfortable pace to it. I tried to really soak up the magic that comes during this time of year with little ones. Merry Christmas from the Kennedys!

The Chronicles of Deacon

We are in the final countdown to Christmas, and the excitement has been building each day. A big part of that excitement is from our special visitor, Deacon, who has created mischief each night as we are sleeping. When we woke up this morning on his final day, Deacon was inside of a special bag so that Emmy and Eli could carry him around, without losing any of his magic. They loved showing him their rooms, and Deacon even went on a trip to Grammy and Grandpa's house. Deacon will soon return to the North Pole, but I did not want to neglect showcasing his shenanigans. He has brought a lot of Christmas magic to our home, and we hope that he will return again next year.