Weeks 49 & 50: Holiday spirit

These are mostly pictures of the elf. She was a little low-key this year, mainly keeping an eye on the kids from the mantle, the kitchen island, or the living room shelf. The kids helped create this year's Christmas card (drawing and painting). I took the boys to Starbucks on a Saturday morning. We celebrated Frank's birthday with Domino's pizza, a viewing of A Very Monkey Christmas, and twinkies. Zach created a beautiful tree painting in his gifted class. He also made cookies for Santa, who came about a week early because the elf told him we'd be traveling. The boys said they got their stockings at around midnight then went back to sleep. We were able to stay in bed until the late hour of...7 am. Charlotte is excited about her "Baby GaGa" as she is calling her and a high chair that converts into a swing. The boys are immediately put up their dream tents to hang out with phones, their boogie boards, and an iPod for Gabe.