12/12/12

The 2012 Advent is alive and well (in the most secular of ways . . . we didn't even start on the correct day).  It's not nearly as well planned and creative as last years, but it's been nice to not have to reinvent the wheel.  It's also not as well documented - this homeschool thing is really cutting into my internet time:)  So, let me catch you up!  And, I want to make sure I have a reference for next year.

Dec 1 - We're spending the night in a hotel (in the exotic faraway town of Southgate.  And, since we were already planning on this and it isn't a surprise . . . ) Moms will play unlimited knee hockey today (and Collin definitely took advantage!)

Dec 2 - Family movie night with UNLIMITED popcorn (we're currently working our way through the never ending "Air Bud" series around these parts)

Dec 3 - Bell's (our favorite Korean diner) for breakfast (And on a school day!  This is a first for us!)

Dec 4 - Cookie baking day (The kids both chose to make salted peanut butter cookies - apparently some things never change.)

Dec 5 - Massages and back scratches morning, noon, and night

Dec 6 - Big Breakfast Morning - watermelon, english muffins, fried eggs, hot chocolate with marshmallows.

Dec 7 - Go watch the USA womens soccer team practice at Ford Field (Cayla decided to veto this and instead watched some mindless TV at my parents house while I knitted and chatted with my Dad. Collin and Flannery thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  However, they couldn't tell who anyone was without their numbers.  Too many white girls with long, brown pony tails.)

Dec 8 - USA Womens Soccer vs China at Ford Field!!!!!!!!!!!!! (aka how much expensive crap food can Cayla eat in 90 minutes while Collin and Flannery's eyes are glued  to the field).

Dec 9 - A birthday party (Collin) or movie with Grandpa (Cayla) then a PILE of cookies later today (results of Erica's 1st ever participation in a cookie exchange!)

Dec 10 - Family reading night (This was a magical night.  The plan was for us all to pile on the couch and for Flannery or I to read a few picture books.  Collin, who is a struggling reader and really resists reading decided that HE would read to US.  After a long day at school and an hour-long afterschool visit with his reading tutor, he picked up Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor.  It took him a long time - luckily Cayla was in a patient mood - and he read it to us.  We were all over the moon!)

Dec 11 - Dinner by candlelight along with the fancy tablecloth, silver, wine glasses, ooo laa laa (probably the twins' favorite up to date - they LOVE fancy dinners and candlelight).

Dec 12 - 12/12/12 (Cayla has REALLY been looking forward to this date since December began) candlemaking

Cayla warming up some wax stripes to stick on her creations

Collin showing off his masterpiece

Cayla abandons her candle dipping to dip her fingers in wax

Flannery, who is usually not that into the craft scene around here REALLY enjoyed rolling candles.

11 candles and 1 mold of Collin's middle finger.  Notice Cayla's candle covered in green stripes that she was so carefully warming in the 1st photo.