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We put up our tree only about a week or so before Christmas. We're pretty busy these days having a new baby in the house. See how it's mostly toddler proof - baby sister BB is quite a handful these days (good thing she's so cute!).
On Christmas Eve we went to see Grandma and Grandpa. It had snowed quite a bit so the trip there and back took twice as long as usual so we were short on time for our usual festivities on Christmas Eve. Plus, we wanted to play in the snow. So, Mom skipped our fancy dinner and she brought us our dinner tub-side. Dinner and baths simultaneously. It was brilliant and we LOVED it!
This allowed us our time to make gingerbread cookies (my personal favorite activity on Christmas Eve). This year I decorated them. We watched A Charlie Brown Christmas and headed to bed on time.
Christmas morning I was actually more excited to see that little BB's request of a blue present with treats and a "meow meow" book was fulfilled. She even let me help her open her gifts. I did get an Elf Made gymnastics set for my big doll - it was perfect and exactly what I wanted.
I told Mom my favorite gifts were the ones she made for me - hooded blanket and mama/baby owl set. I also LOVE my owl watch Santa brought me. Because of the watch, I can now tell time on an analog time piece.
Recall my Sope Shop from this summer? I was saving to pay for my new gymnastics suits - well, I achieved my goal and made $500 selling soap during the summer and another $250 to put toward my meet fees this fall. I also sold some pastries and wreaths and made another $300 for that. It was a lot of hard work for me (and Mom, too) but look at those lovely suits.
I had my very first competitive meet in December and did great. I qualified for state, metaled in vault (4th), and had a fantastic time! Mom got videos of each of my routines except for the vaults. She thought they were just my practice ones. I didn't fall on bean or bars. Bars is traditionally my weakest event but I scored the highest on my team in that event. I'll try to put up a separate posting for that meet. It was called the Teddy Bear meet and instead of awarding metals we were awarded bears. My team was the host and it was held at our local fair grounds. Overall, my team took 4th.
I adore my baby brother.
For quite some time I told Mom I never wanted to have a baby. I watched how difficult it was for her and how it changed her body and used to take inventory of all the reasons why I never wanted to have a baby. Then I met my baby brother and he is pretty much the best thing ever! My mind is changed forever. I want a baby boy some day. I LOVE him!
Here are a couple of photos of us together. He's only about a week old in that first photo. Then you can see how much he grew by the next photo around 8 weeks. I'm sure great about helping with him, too.
I made several homemade gifts this year.
1) Button ornament (first grade project - T made one when he was in 1st grade so Mom has a matching set now.
2) Card that went with the gift - snowman card inside and out.
3) Bag I made that I wrapped it in - front and back.
4) The Dr. and tardis - I wrote a note on the back to T with permanent marker which is why it has the funny red writing at the top.
5) Black and white drawing I made for Baby Bro - he likes contrasts and black/white things.
6) Painting I did for Dad
7) Mom's birthday gift
I went after T took his turn. I thanked Santa for my gift last year and had little BB come sit with me because she was feeling nervous. I also helped her talk to Santa and after I explained that I wanted a gymnastics set for my big doll he replied, "Like an American doll one? I have those." BB asked for a blue gift with some treats in it and a "meow meow book". We took a nice photo. He told us we were the most polite kids he had met and thanked us for our time. T told him there was no way Santa was skipping our place this year with a compliment like that! (I got to hold baby Bro for the photo - I LOVE holding him!)
Mom said one of her most favorite childhood memories was at at 6/7 years going on a school field trip to someone's home to make graham houses. She says everything was set up and she was allowed to make her very own house. Since she was class mom in charge of the holiday party she did this for T's class. It was a huge success!
Concerned there may be some broken houses in transit (there were not) she made some extras. She brought those home and on December 23rd since my gym class was canceled due to snow we had a graham house making party. We have a big family so anytime we all do something it pretty much turns into a party. This was no exception and a whole lot of fun! I spent the most time on mine and it was the most complex and detailed. I actually ran out of frosting for it.
I lost a tooth a day before T did. We were opposites. I received a note from the tooth fairy saying I was on Santa's "nice" list - apparently she knows him! I think that's why T yanked his non-lose tooth out so he could also find out. This was a natural loss so I did not have to go to the dentist for extraction. I've also been working hard to stop sucking my thumb. I had until the end of the year to stop or Uncle Doc was going to put in an appliance.
Just some photos from the holiday season:
1) Cocoa with my marshmallows on a snowy day
2) Snowman photos I painted for my Auntie J
3) Being silly at Auntie J's (I had a sleep over on the 22nd - she always spoils me!)
4) Silly headband from Auntie J while opening gifts on Christmas Eve
It snowed on December 23rd so my gymnastics was canceled, it continued through Christmas Eve and also on Christmas day. Great fun playing in the snow! Really powdery so not great for making a snow man.
This year the 1st-3rd graders were in a combined program for the holiday season. It was fun being in a program with my brother. He was the Norway boy. I got to be the middle part of the Chinese dragon. Mom and a couple other ladies made the dragon (she made the head). I'm wearing the silver shoes and am paired with my friend H. My friend B was the tail of the dragon.
I LOVE school. Saying anything less would be an understatement. Once again, I have THE BEST teacher. Same first grade teacher T had. I loved her then and wanted to be in her class then. Now - it's my turn. She's super amazing.
When I saw that I was on her class list I was just beaming the remainder of the day. I even made her a special gift - a fleece monster to help us remember "not to be monsters in class." It was my first sewing project on Mom's machine and 100% my own design. I was quite proud. From what Mom hears, I am super good and already being helpful in class.
I chose to wear my Hawaiian clothes on the first day of class.
I am also super excited my best friend B gets to be in class with me.
