Christmas Whirlwind

We had another whirlwind Christmas. The kids had fun coming to work the morning of Christmas Eve. Then we headed down to Indy. Meg and Zach loved seeing their cousins and Grandma and Grandpa McLean. We got back to Grandma Chris’ house around 9pm that night. While Chris and the kids slept we went to Midnight Mass.

Christmas morning the kids were excited. They got lots of presents and they were very happy. Overall, it was a good Christmas, but too short. We were back home by 5:30pm Christmas night. Luckily our favorite Mexican restaurant was open so we could get some dinner before collapsing on the couch.

An Early Christmas Visitor

Grandpa Goellner drove up from St. Louis this weekend to spend some holiday time with the kids. On Thursday he saw Meg perform in her schools holiday show (click here). For Friday Elizabeth took the day off to hang out. Then Saturday we all went to the arboretum to enjoy the last bits of snow before they melted. That night we did our weekly pizza and a movie ritual. This week we watched Star Wars Episode 1. Meg and Zach got into it but Zach did say that he didn't like the guy with horns on his head (Darth Maul).

Check back on Christmas for our pictures of the kids ripping through brightly colored paper!

School Mass and LPC PJ Party

Friday was an exciting day for the kids. Meg's Kindergarten class sang during the All School Advent Mass and then had a party that afternoon.

Zach's class had a Polar Express PJ Party. Later that afternoon they did a book exchange. Zach gave his friend Piper the book "What are you so Grumpy about?" by Tom Lichtenheld. We met the author at a book signing this fall and loved his funny writing and entertaining illustrations.

Sunday Sledding Crew

This morning we headed out to the sledding hill in LaGrange. Meg and Zach had been ready to do some sledding since the snow first fell on Friday but this was our first chance to get out to the hill. One of Meg and Zach's friends Ryan met us there so the group had fun having races and cramming onto one sled. when everyone got cold we headed bac to the house for some warm strawberry milk.

Later today we got together with friends to make (and eat) some cookies. Mom's chocolate chip cookies were a hit with the kids and the rum balls were a hit with parents.

The Neighborhood Santa

The Dr. Todd at the dentist's office that is a few blocks from our house is very generous through the seasons. For the fall he had a little party and gave away pumpkins and now for Christmas they had Santa. Well the kids are suckers for cookies, hot chocolate, jolly Saint Nick so after playing in the snow a bit we headed down to say hi and have some sweets.

Later Saturday Elizabeth was asked to perform with the Bending Towards the Light jazz nativity group at the Lutheran Home in Arlington Heights. It was a great place to watch the show and the kids got front row seats so they could really see all the dancing, instruments, and most important, Mom. Bill, Christa and little Will also stopped by to enjoy the show. I took a small video clip form the show and hope to post the video later this week.

Let It Snow, Let It Grow

Sunday we went to the Garfield Park Conservatory to check out their holiday flower show. The show featured beautiful white poinsettias, other white blooming plants and bulbs, and plants with silver foliage. The conservatory is having its 100th birthday soon, so they had the kids make birthday hats. We also took some photos for the Christmas card and enjoyed the break from the cold.

Holiday Cheer

Friday night 5pm was party time. Chris' company held their party at the Millennium Park Grill. Elizabeth's was at the Italian Village. Meg's school also had their party that night in the school gym. Meg had a great time at her party and then spent the night with a friend. Zach spent the night with the neighbors and they said he was the perfect guest. Elizabeth and Chris spent the night at the Swissotel. We had a wonderful night downtown and then came home bright and early Saturday morning to pick up the kids. That morning we picked out our Christmas Tree. The kids had fun seeing all of the trees. We are thinking that next year we may get our tree from a tree farm instead, but this year we were pretty short on time. Sunday we decorated the tree and filled the house with holiday cheer.

Oh to be a kid again...

The kids had a great St. Nick's Day. We had to explain to Zach that this wasn't Christmas though. He was disappointed that he didn't get what he asked for. He says he is asking for Mickey's Magic. He wants Mickey's Magic so he can fly us all to Mickey's World (Disney World). He says that Santa could bring him Mickey's Wand and that it would work because the Magic is real. Oh to be a kid again... 

The Cold Cometh

This week you get some pictures of our morning drop off and the jazz nativity that Elizabeth performed in.

We had Zach's parent teacher conference this week and all our suspicions were confirmed. He is a great kid that is full of energy and happiness. He really likes book time and the teachers love the little guy.

Meg has been listening to Matilda on tape in the car. She just finished it on Sunday. She really liked Matilda but what girl wouldn't connect with a genius kindergartner that plays tricks on her parents and the school headmistress!

On Saturday Elizabeth performed in a jazz nativity at the church called Bending Towards the Light. The kids enjoyed watching all the instruments. Zach has a bright future as a musician. The little guy was dancing and playing pretend drums on beat.