What can I say, but it's two weeks till the big day and we are getting ready! We started the week completing our "Naughty and Nice" lists for a Mayfield family tradition. The game of "Naughty or Nice?" It has been fun checking off the good deeds we have done to be considered Nice. This year's game was especially special but that is a post in and of itself.
We have begun to read 10 special Christmas stories leading up to the big day. We read one a day until Christmas. It has been enlightening and calming to our family. You know your children are growing up when they actually pay attention and answer questions. It hasn't been all candy cane dreams and angel puff perfectness, but they are a teensey bit better at this tradition this year.
We have had some cute Carolers at our front door. A bunch of children in our neighborhood have gotten together to pleasure our ears with their angel voices. Cute!
Chris and I attempted Christmas shopping this year, much lacking ideas. For some reason our children have been extra hard to shop for this year. They really haven't wanted anything particular and Santa had to do a lot of guessing. But it is going to be a good year! And it only took us 3 hours to complete! A record for us!
The snow was a welcome and much anticipated event at our house. Saturday was spent playing in the snow most of the day. I don't know how they can stand the cold though!
We attended our ward's Christmas party on Saturday morning and had a visit from Santa. My girls sure talk about Santa a lot and you would even think they like him! But heaven forbid they sit on his lap. Oh no not that!
We attended the Mayfield family Christmas party part one. As part two of the party will be continued on the 23rd. Yes, we can't fit all the fun into just one night! We had a fun time. Ate my favorite kind of dinner, sandwich rolls and munchies. Had a gift exchange, in which it took us longer to figure out how to play the gift exchange game than to actually play the game. Finished up the night with the "Naughty and Nice" game, which was really sweet this year, as the children were very giving and thoughtful to one another! Then made our way home enjoying the beautiful snowy night. Keeping toasty with our seat warmers and watching Narnia, which Chris stole from, or should I say out bid, Cameron in the "Naughty and Nice" game, sorry Cameron!
Don't let me forget to mention the nightly Ballet performances our little girls have been doing for us. Even Presley is learning some moves from her sisters. They are so sweet! I am so happy to be their Mom!
Chris was my slave this week. I complained a lot this year and I guess it finally paid off as now I have my laundry room fixed up, a new toilet paper holder in my bathroom, patched and painted walls, and he even had time to do dishes! What a good guy. It was extra nice because I came home to all this being done as a surprise. Merry Christmas to me. I sent Chris to pick out a Christmas gift for our nephew as I am no good at picking out gifts for little boys. Guess what he came home with? A sling shot! I hope his parents are ok with that! He also couldn't resist buying himself a matchbox car, one he's been looking for for a long time, I guess! Chris also took the girls to teatime at the Grand America Hotel. Hot chocolate instead of tea though, and pastries with strawberries and cream. Is there a more perfect guy out there? I think not!!!
Michelle had a week full of goodness. It all began with a kick butt spin class. Then I got to get my hair done. Then I got to go Christmas shopping, ya I actually like to do that:) Then I got a lot of yummy treats from neighbors, so I did another kick butt spin class. Every year I go to the Grand America Hotel for Tea time with a few close girl friends. If you haven't ever done this you should. It is magnificently decorated for Christmas. The hot chocolate is soooo good, I always get the coconut almond flavor. Then they have the tastiest mini sandwiches, they're pretty and yummy. Then pastries and strawberries and cream! It was nice to have a fun time with my friends and a break from my kids. Then I stayed up till 2:30am friday night getting cinnamon rolls baked for our ward party the next morning, not so pleasant. Slept most of the day Saturday to recover.
Taylor started out the week sick, and even had to miss a day of school. I don't think this disappointed her much. She has been turning up the seat warmer for her friend, that we pick up for school, so that she will have a warm seat when she gets in. She also saw her name on Santa's naughty list at Gardner Village and said: "Mom is that the real Santa list?" I said "yes" She said: " I guess I have been kinda naughty this year!" Then she spent the rest of the day doing good deeds and making sure I noticed. She also experimented taking pictures of herself upside down. She is funny!
Brooke has been feeling like a queen because she gets to ride up front with me in the car. She has been choosing music for us, warming our seats up, and adjusting the temperature when it gets uncomfortable. She can't help singing when a Christmas song comes on, even if she doesn't know the words she will make up her own and continue on with the song.
Presley was such a helper this week. She helped everyone pick up their stuff. She took care of her shoes. She even did without a sippy most of the week. Presley got really excited at our stakes Christmas Cantata. When the choir sang "Away in a Manger" they got to the part where they sang "Asleep...asleep...Asleep...asleep" and Presley started to spark up and she began to sing along: "Presley...presley...Presley...presley" she was so happy that a song had her name in it!
And that's a peek at our week!
