Last Week's Memories

Warning - this is long and possibly boring. I just wanted to get everything down for my own memory.
Tis the season to be busy...
Last Friday night, we were able to have the boys (my nephews) come over for a movie night. Their parents finished their Christmas shopping, and we had lots of fun. I played a Toby Mac song for them, and all six kids got their groove on. I recorded it, and the kids loved watching themselves. This video will bring back fun memories as the kids grow. We then watched, "Snow Buddies." It was cute, clean and all the kids enjoyed. Yeah! Not easy to do when the ages range from 21 mo-10. (Though Sadie doesn't really sit and watch.)
Saturday we did things around the house, and then we were able to go on our own little date night. Analise was going to Grandma/Grandpa's for dinner and a sleepover under the Christmas tree. (With the boys) Grandma called and invited the other two over for dinner, so Brandon and I could get some shopping done. It was great! We went to a local BBQ place for a yummy meal and then completely struck out on the shopping. My luck hasn't been so good this year. However, we still enjoyed the time.
Sunday was church and naps. Even Analise napped; she was so tired from the weekend. In the afternoon I took Analise shopping at Target.
Monday was a busy day. Brandon and I were taking Sadie to doc visits two hours away. Grandma was at our house by 7:45 to take Analise to school, and so we could hit the road. We had great roads the first 45 minutes, and then the interstate became slick. We drove on for awhile, but it got to the point that we knew we needed to head home. One of Sadie's appts. had already been canceled, so we only had a couple of more to postpone. So, we were home by 12:00. Brandon went in to work, and I enjoyed an extra afternoon at home. Monday night was Analise's music class, and I was glad to be able to be there for all of it.
Tuesday morning I got together for my Mom's In Touch group. Love that time! After school we came home for 30 minutes, and then Analise had a birthday party at the local fun center. She was excited, and I was happy for her. I took all three girls in so I could meet the mom and hang out for awhile. Of course, while I talked, Maisie wanted to play in the big ball/play area like rest of the girls. I finally let her, but I told her that Analise would be playing with her friends. It turned out that Analise chose to play with Maisie more than her friends for that 30 minutes we were there. Oh, it warmed this mother's heart!
Weds. morning the girls and I went to my nephew's preschool Christmas program. I love those! We enjoyed it, visited with family and friends and then went directly to the doc's office. It was time for Sadie's second round of liquid gold. She weighed in at a hefty 21 lbs. She is doing awesome, but for some reason she has a rash.
After school we went down to the police station to meet up with my sis in law and nephews so we could see Santa! All season long, Analise has told us over and over she wants a puppy for Christmas. We've told her over and over that she won't be getting a puppy. On the way down to the station, Analise tells me she isn't going to ask Santa for a puppy, because she knows we don't want one. I was impressed with her maturity in the situation. She went on to tell me what she was going to ask for. She says, "A bouncy ball, Webkinz, and and Ipod." I laughed out loud.
She was so excited to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what she wanted. Maisie sat on his lap, too, and just kind of talked. Sadie sat on his lap, but she didn't give him much of her attention. It was a great time. My middle nephew cracked me up the whole time.
Weds. night was the last night of Awana before break. Analise took a friend, so she got the awards she wanted. Brandon and I planned Christmas themed games, and the wound of kids enjoyed them.
Thursday morning, I again had a sitter here first thing in the morning. Analise's class was having a "Moms and Muffins" morning. I went into school with her and spent the first hour with her and the other moms and kiddos. We ate muffins, the kids did a little "show" of songs, poems and jokes. We then made a craft. Lots of fun, and I was so thankful I was able to go. I got home and then an hour later we were headed to Kindermusik. Our last class with both girls. I was sad; I've really enjoyed the time. Maisie and Sadie both loved it, too. I've signed Maisie up for next semester, but Sadie will take a break. :( Since they can't be in the same class anymore, and I don't have the time to take them to separate class, we will start her up next fall.
I think after school we just came home, and we had a awhile before Grandma and Grandpa came over. Brandon and I had my Children's Commission Christmas party. I love this night with friends!
Friday morning, I took the girls with me to Walmart. I always feel like I deserve a badge that says, "I survived" when I leave. Esp. this time of year. While the girls napped, I packed. Brandon worked from home in the afternoon, so as soon as Analise got home from school, we packed up the van and headed east. We had a free night's stay at a HI Express that if we didn't use, we lose. We figured it would be fun to get away and finish our Christmas shopping. We ate dinner at Cracker Barrel. (YUM!) and then went to the hotel for the girls to swim. Two girls were excited, and one enjoyed it. Analise loved every minute of it. Maisie walked around the hot tub for awhile, and then she wanted to just watch. Sadie wasn't a big fan of it. It was crowded and noisy, so she just wanted to be with me. It wasn't a dream night of swimming, like I had hoped for, but the two older ones still had fun. We got to bed late, so that made Saturday interesting. We went to the mall first, but the girls were dragging. Brandon is hoping this is a good sign for the future and that they might not enjoy shopping. :) We moved from there to Kohl's, where we lost Maisie. Kohl's was out of their carts/strollers, so the big girls had to follow us. Maisie didn't last long before she wandered off. Thankfully we found her rather quickly, in the toy dept. Brandon hung out there so the girls could play while I quickly shopped. We left town later than we had wanted. All three girls fell asleep in the van.
We stopped on the way home for a family get together in another town. We didn't get to see everyone, but we were able to spend time with GG. We ate dinner at Pizza Hut and headed home.
That's our week in a really big nutshell.