Always raising the bar

 Zoey our Elf came back with so many creative ideas.     The kids loved looking for her every morning and discovering all the many predicaments she found herself in.   

We tried to get a picture each day but missed a few.  As always she came back with the advent calendars for the kids.  Aaron got a lego Mandalorin.  Spencer got a paw patrol with all the characters and Emily and Jane had special tiny presents each day wrapped up in a caboodle.  (remember those?).   Emily was pretty stocked to get one.    Another highlight was Zoey brought her Reindeer to stay and play.   Last year the boys really wanted to meet it but he had covid but this year everyone was so happy to finally meet it.    Zoey let us name him and we all voted on 3 names.  

Zoey as always brought the kids a ginderbread village to decorate.  Great Sunday morning family activity

So long Zoey until next year!

  

Christmas Day 2022

My favorite moment of the whole year is after I hear Santa leave I sneak out into my front room sit for a moment and enjoy the quiet serenity filled with the Christmas Spirit and the anticipation of a joyful Christmas morning!

After a family viewing of some Hallmark Christmas movie and the Nativity and a little bit of the Mo Tab Christmas concert anniversary special.  The kids went their own ways talking about how they won't be able to sleep and how early can everyone get up.   To my surprise everyone was sound asleep until after 7:30.      But as soon as our early morning riser Spencer was up they rest of the gang jumped up and out of their beds as well.  

It was all smiles, hugs and joy for the next couple of hours.   I appreciated how grateful my kids were for all their gifts and enjoyed watching the emotional rollercoaster Jane had when she thought Santa forgot her to then turn around when she found that small present in the tree of her own IPOD's

After the loot was taken to the rooms in Richards family tradition we went with just our family to the show Sing 2.     We loved it and I especially loved the U2 song at the end.    I'm still in love with Bono after he drew a picture of me and told me I have a beautiful smile.   see post from 2011  https://bartandcolletterichards.blogspot.com/2011/05/star-struck.html

The rest of the day involved naps, lego building and chillin with the family.  I wasn't sure how I'd like spending Christmas without extended family but my family are my best friends so it was a day worth spending with just them.