Christmas Card 2022

Hello my dear readers!  

I'm not sure what is going on this year, but I have not had the usual joy in making and sending my Christmas cards this year.  It feels like it is all just extra work! This is very unusual, as it is usually one of my favorite activities during the Holiday season!!

In any case, my cards have not yet gone out, maybe early next year??? but I thought I would still give y'all the opportunity to see my adorable kids and all of the happenings of this past year. = )

I hope y'all have a Merry Christmas, and you'll hear from me soon (probably. ; )!)

later days

Beginning of December

274th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was 54F

For dinner I laid out a simple charcuterie spread of meat, cheese, fruit & crackers.  I've been doing this since the kids were little, but now it is super en vouge and has a fancy French name and everything!

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273rd

The high today was 43F.

Billy and I are watching our way through the twilight saga.  It's been several years for me, and with the new book release I had a renewed interest.  Billy had never seen it and is enjoying it enough.

I got a call from Eaton county that 3 years ago they never came to do a 'final inspection' on our carport and someone will be out next Tuesday.  I just have this terrible feeling that they are about to make me very angry.

I heated up leftovers for dinner.

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272nd Day of Quarantine. 

54F was the high.

In nature study we decorated solstice cookies!  We found that on our winter solstice, we will only have about 8.5 hours of sunlight. = (  So, each of us decorated two (12 hour) cookies with 4 hours marked on each, to represent our tiny window of sunlight.  I'm already ready to start heading out of winter, and we haven't even officially started yet.

And, with the extra (homemade) chocolate icing, they were able to make an extra Natural History 'cow spot' marshmallow!

Since we are studying the Iroquois in American History, I finally pulled out the boats and teepee that Aunt Wanda sent us.  The kids were delighted!

 For dinner we had Spaghetti.

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271st Day of Quarantine.

47F.  It was very chilly, but not as bitterly cold as yesterday.

After school finished up today, we played pig mania.  We even talked Alice into playing a round with us!

Billy bought another gun. I bought a water filter system that just uses needs two buckets.  Preparation in the fear of the unknown is comforting.  What exactly we are preparing for I couldn't say, but it feels nice to have several contingencies planned out (interrupted utilities, temporary food shortage, etc.)

I made sugar cookies in anticipation of nature study tomorrow.

For dinner we had chicken teriyaki with rice.

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270th Day of Quarantine.  We are still, mostly, mostly, self isolating.  There are some guidelines in place, so some things like movie theaters and indoor dining in restaurants is currently not 'allowed.' but most thing are open, there are no curfews and no one official is enforcing things on the average citizen.

37F was our high.  No snow outside, but it is cold, so I made a marshmallow/popcorn snack scape & hot cocoa for my crew when they came inside from recess. = )

For dinner we had a late cheesy chicken and rice casserole.  It was late, because I was late in leaving for the pharmacy and bank, since when I went to roll William's trundle bed away, it wouldn't collapse, because the kids were jumping on it and bent it. grr.

So, Billy and I spent time fixing that before I left, and even though I started on dinner practically straight away, the chicken needed adequate time to cook.  It all worked out, and we were able to eat before Ms. Charlie cleaned the dining area (but she had started on the kitchen already.)

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269th Day of Quarantine.

36F was our cold high today.

Our morning was the usual subjects, but a little faster.  I left a checklist for the big girls with all the work that they needed to finish in our absence.

We made a trip up to Grand Rapids for an ultrasound for Juliet, bloodwork for all three, and a 6 month follow up with the endocrinologist.  We brought school work, and I envisioned us sitting in the cafeteria, but we were not allowed in. = (  Since I always pack a lunch, this was not a huge blow, but it was not nearly as comfortable working on their lessons in the car.

The drive home was uneventful, and Emily defrosted the hamburger meat for me, so that I could make up hamburger helper for dinner.

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268th Day of Quarantine.

30F was the freezing high today.

The kids enjoyed their nikolausstiefel treats.

Emily came with me to the grocery pick up, and then we went to the thrift store.  We shopped for a long time, but didn't buy much.

Grace helped me address all the Christmas cards today.  I was thankful for her help putting on the stamps (and drawing special pictures for all on the envelopes!)  Sadly, this unexpected task cut into my reading time, and I did not finish Midnight Sun.

For dinner we had chicken noodles soup from a can, so that I could have a little leisure reading time.

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later days

Thanksgiving Week

260th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a sunny 48F.

I went to the thrift store to supplement Christmas piles.  I also found Billy a coffee maker!

For dinner we had egg fried rice.

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259th Day of Quarantine.

47F, cloudy.

Aunt Wanda sent some shirts for the kids.  They were happy to show them off.

My mom came over so that Billy and I could have a date!  We went to the dollar tree, then to a thrift store to look for Christmas gifts then had a patio date at  Buddies.  Yes, in November, when it is barely above freezing, but indoor restaurant dining is currently forbidden in Michigan. We brought Burger King for everyone else.

My mom treated us to a drive in theater experience to see the Croods 2.  We took two cars, since they have a limit of 6 people per car.  It was really really cold, but comfortable enough for the kids.  I brought two big comforters and 7 pillows, but Billy ended up spending a good part of the movie on his phone in the front seat, because it was just tough to get comfortable.

My mom has been bringing over Christmas gifts from Sarah's basement, and brought over the bulk of what I had stored there.  I sorted through everything that I'd bought today and what I already had, so that I could see my deficiencies.  Alice was sorely lacking.  She's tough to buy for.  So, I went to the internet for help, and they recommended a weird Japanese instrument.  I think Alice will really like it.

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258th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a cloudy 44F.

Avia came over for Thanksgiving.  She and the twins spent quality time together while I reheated the Bob Evan's feast that we ordered.  They helped her add her handprint to our tablecloth.  I'd like for all present at the table to be represented each year.

After we finished the meal and cleaned the kitchen (the poor dishwasher is currently on round 3 of the day, as I type this) Avia took another round of Christmas card photos for us, and we finally got one that was "the photo." = )

After decorating for Christmas, I finally sat down and ordered our Christmas cards.  I don't think I've ordered this late in along time. = 0

One of the ones we used:

And a couple that we didn't:

For dinner we had leftovers, of course.  = )

After dinner we decorated for Christmas! Grace was a big helper, and helped me with almost every task I worked on!  We did the outside lights first, so that we could be out there while the temperature was still at it's "warmest."

Juliet eventually came over to help with the ornaments, and she and Grace did a good job!  Then, I knocked over the tree. = (  I ended up breaking Emily's first Christmas ornament, and was so sad.

But, Grace and Juliet were patient, and helped me put all the ornaments back on, a second time!  Aren't they sweet?

After all the decorations were up, I pushed myself to order our Christmas cards.  The weeks spent between our first pictures and the one we actually used have been long (and wasted as far as shipping is concerned.)  So, it was important to me that I get them ordered ASAP.

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257th Day of Quarantine.

The high today was a cold, rainy 44F.

My Christmas present, a portable wood stove, arrived today.  Billy started to put it together, but it was missing a pre drilled hole and thumb screw.  Since he and William were going to get haircuts (before super spreader Thanksgiving) they went to menards for the screw.

When he got home, he was not able to drill through the metal with his drill bits, so but he attempted to attached it with tension alone.  This was a fail, and the leg broke around the hole in the outer part of the leg. = (

So, we contacted customer service to request a new leg, but they only send out complete replacements.  This meant a trip to UPS to return the broken one, in the rain.  Sadly, I could not lift it, and so we all went as a family.

For dinner we had chicken penne alfredo. 

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256th Day of Quarantine.

The high was 35F.

Since I was picking up thanksgiving meal, I loaded the car with the thrift store boxes in the mudroom, as well as the FedEx box that delivered the medicine.  Sadly, the thrift store was not accepting donations, except for on F/Sa so I ended up at Goodwill to make the donation.

I had the opportunity to ensure that my meal was packed properly, and sadly was missing gravy and cranberry relish.  They were able to remedy that, and I was able to order the extra mac and cheese my family loves. = )

I helped each child clean out their computer cabinet.  We got almost two full boxes of stuff to get rid of from their cabinets!  Grace enjoyed playing with one of William's favorite toys, that she doesn't have access to very often, since they are not allowed in each other's cabinets.

For dinner we had sausage and beans.

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Today was the 255th day of Quarantine.

The high today was a brutal 44F.  It was sunny, but far from warm.

I knocked out my task of coats and boots, and cleaned out a bunch from the stash that I've been keeping "just in case."  

For dinner we had pizza.

While we were watching a movie, Grace asked me where you can "buy a boy" [to marry]  I told her that you can go to a place called college, look in all the doors and pick one.  And that I paid $5 for daddy.  Billy laughed, and corrected this falsehood.  Don't tell the seller, but I would have paid $10. ; )

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 254th Day of Quarantine.

Today barely rose above freezing with a high of 34F.  There were lots of snowflakes, but the road was just wet, and there was only a small accumulation on the grass.

I went to my Kroger appointment, which felt like I was there with everyone else!  It was super busy, all 6 spots filled up again.

For lunch I grabbed some Burger King, and was greeted by a bunch of helpful, hungry grocery unpackers.

My mom came over with Seven, once her church service ended, and watched a movie with the kids while Billy and I went on a drive thru coffee date at Biggby. = )

We did not go to bed early enough last night, so I was sleepy this morning, and took a nice (short) nap after we got back.

For dinner we had spaghetti.

For some reason, there has been another run on toilet paper, and my delivery has been delayed indefinitely.  I don't know why, because it seems like people would have still had plenty from last spring??

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later days

The week before Christmas

Christmas is less than a week away!  It snowed quite a bit here last weekend:

The truck on the porch was totally hidden in the snow!

Billy and the kids got out and made a tunnel in the snow = )

We also, finally, put out our outside Christmas lights, and mailed off our Christmas Cards.*

Emily has been working diligently each evening to make rubber band bracelets and Christmas cards for each person in her class.

Last night she finished!  She is quite excited to pass them out at her party on Thursday.

My car looks so naked without it's Texas plates = (

for the record, I am parked *next to* not *in* a handicapped spot, as this picture portrays

Yesterday was the first day we've had above freezing (37F) in a few weeks, so I took the opportunity to go get my car washed!  Alice had a dentist appointment, so I went to the car wash in okemos that has the free vacuums and cleaned the inside a bit too. = )

The snow is melting, but the roads are wet leading to some hazardous conditions.  I witnessed a close call between a driver who lost control on the ice and a school bus heading in the opposite direction while pulling out of our driveway this morning.

And of course, a picture of my snow gauge:

Juliet has had a cough the past few days, so when the girls' school called today, I thought  she was being sent home, but it turns out it was Grace this time.  I picked them both up, a mere hour after they started, so they helped me wrap their siblings gifts, since that was my big to-do item today.

And I wanted to document our table deer, who we named as a family this year: Theo.  I am likely to forget in the next 12 months, so now I can just click back here. = )

Theo has a broken antler, and doesn't fly, but he is very loved.

later days

*I ordered them the weekend after thanksgiving, but accidentally shipped them to Waxahachie.  Shutterfly kindly sent me a reorder, which arrived on the same day as my original.  So, they are quite late this year, and I have twice as many as I need. = O

A challenge posted at the Twins' School

Last night, when my phone reminded me, I took William's library book out of his book bag and slipped it into his backpack (Emily read hers last night, so it was already by her backpack.) 

This morning, as we were packing up the big kids regular shoes, lunches, waters, etc. I noticed that his library book was not in his bag.  It was unlikely that anyone would have taken it out, since his bag had not moved, and we don't tend to have leisure time in the mornings.

I checked Emily's bag, Alice's bag, my computer, anywhere I thought I might have just set it "right quick," but could not find it.  Since all of the backpacks are in a row, I thought maybe I slipped it into Grace's but they had already left on the bus.

So, at drop off, I asked his teacher what time they went to the library.  I had about two hours to drive (in the snow) to the twins' school to check and see if it were in there and make it back.  [And if not, tear the house apart to find it.]

After a slow, and momentarily frightening trip, I was thankfully met with success.  I retrieved the book and headed back to my car.  On the way out, I found this sign:

Thanks for the "challenge" y'all, but this is an easy one: AEWGJ

Still, I thought I would take a moment and list 5 additional things that I am thankful for today.  Though, I might not make it a practice every day, but probably should.

1.  I am thankful that my husband works so hard everyday, so that I can be home and take care of the kids and household.  I love that I was able to do things like rectify my mistake with William's library book, so that he didn't have to miss out because of me.  Having time before the darkness falls to shovel and salt the sidewalk.  Being able to call to make appointments, even if they don't call me back.^  I am thankful that I get to be the one to get my Grace and Juliet off of the bus, and give my big kids giant hugs when they run out the door.

2. I am thankful for internet shopping, for all the many, many things I buy.  Specifically, it allows me to stay stuck in my ways and order the coffee that I've enjoyed for as long as I can remember, since I can order it from Louisiana and have it shipped to my door.*

3. Shutterfly helped make my day.  When I ordered my cards, I updated my address only to find that on the shipping receipt it was actually the billing address that I changed, not the shipping. = (  I followed my package as it travelled all the way to Waxahachie, and then sat.  I gave it a week (trying to patiently wait, but in a hurry to send out my cards so that people have our new address, and can send cards our way!) but there it sat at the College St. post office.  So I sent customer service an email, and they messaged me back that they were shipping out a reorder to my new address!

I am thankful that they were so accommodating, especially since tt was my fault, and most of my cards were purchased with pampers points.** It was unexpected, and greatly appreciated.

4. I am thankful for friends (near and far) who help make life a little better with pictures and memes and texts in the middle of the day.

5. I am thankful for Christmas and all that it brings.  For that baby in the manger who grew to show us all how to love.

I could go on and on, because I have so very, very much to be thankful for, but I will leave it at five for tonight.

later days

^Seriously. What is wrong with this state?  <- That is a loaded question.
*I know that there were ways of doing this before the internet, but I doubt any of them were as convenient.
**This was my final year to order with those points, since I no longer have diaper wearing babies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!