Christmas- Round 1

We have had so many Christmas activities the past week it is hard to believe that Christmas is yet to come. Grandma and Grandpa were here from Oregon for a week. It was great to have them. They were able to spend some good time with Jackson and play tourist a little too. Unfortunately they have been stuck in Detroit for the past two days as all flights to Portland have been cancelled- hopefully they'll make it out tomorrow!

Some of the highlights of the past week:

• The children's Christmas party at the headmasters house.  Parents call it the sugar party as kids are served a full course dinner of sugar.  Cookies, hot chocolate, ice cream sundaes and candy galore.  After sugaring up we sing Christmas Carols, read the Night Before Christmas and then Santa visits.  It really is a fun party for the kids.  
• A trip to Williamsburg with Grandma and Grandpa.  It ended up being mostly a shopping excursion.  We intended on visiting Colonial Williamsburg but Grandma and Grandpa went later in the week so they could really take their time and enjoy it. 
• Senior/Faculty basketball game- we dominated.
• Lessons and Carols service- an annual tradition for students and faculty of Christchurch. Includes scripture readings and carols by the choir and congregation.  The chapel looked beautiful. 
• Antiquing and estate sale shopping.
• A Christmas dinner and opening presents with Grandma and Grandpa.  Jackson opened his monster suitcase and pulls it all through the house several times a day.  He is excited to pack it for our trip tomorrow. 
• We look forward to taking time to watch Planet Earth the rest of the break (Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa.
• Thanks to Jaime and Scott for kids nativity and advent calendars. We have enjoyed them this week and will enjoy them for years to come. 
• Getting lots of Christmas cards from friends and family.  It's fun to hear about and see the changes as everyone grows up!

Tomorrow we are off on a family trip to Washington DC to the Natural History Museum (to see dinosaur bones!) and then Wednesday we'll go to the Air and Space Museum.  

Merry Christmas until Round 2 Christmas post:)

Christmas and Green Monster rolling backpacks

Like many I love this time of year. I try to not commit to too much so I can enjoy it. I also try to stay focused on the reason we celebrate- the birth of Jesus. However, I also love to buy gifts- especially for Jackson. Especially when his wants are so particular.

Which brings me to the Green Monster Rolling Backpack. We saw it last summer in a Portland Airport shop for kids. Of all the things in the shop Jackson fell in love with it. On the way back to Virginia he remembered it as well and we went to the same store so he could see it. He described it to Donny in every minute detail. So....when a month ago he was still talking it.... When asked what he would like Santa to bring him he launched into super descriptive account all over again of the Green Monster rolling backpack. " I would really, really like to get that" he said. So how could I help myself? We called the airport shop, and although they don't ship they gave us enough info to find it in one on-line store.

Maybe I'll be disappointed if he doesn't take it everywhere for a month but it was fun to find and at least I know he won't be disappointed - for at least that day.