December is here again, with not much snow this year, but still some cold weather. We had holiday events for every activity, group we're involved with, and family of course, so the month filled quickly!
I had my MOPS Steering Team get together the first Friday in the month, unfortunately, the same night as Jeff's NIFCO Holiday Party in Lincoln. After much deliberation, I ended up going to the MOPS group and Jeff to Lincoln and Jeff's parents watched the kids. My NARI Holiday Party was Dec. 12th, which Jeff attended as well, and as usual it was fun, but had me running all over the place to accomplish everything we had to get done that night! That was the last big work-related event for the year, not that there was nothing to do, just a little breathing room before January hits. Samara had a preschool program one evening in December - we have it on DVD if anyone wants to watch it. They sang their songs well, though she was kind of a wiggle-worm up there for a bit! We celebrated Jeff's Dad's birthday and Samara loved helping putting the candles in the cake and also helping blow out the candles.
Christmastime brought a visit to Jeff's Grandma's living center for their Christmas party. This included a visit from Santa and Mrs. Santa. This was Samara's first time seeing Santa in person. She was doubtful at first, saying, "That's not the real Santa, it's a person in a costume!" I asked, "how do you know?" She quietly pondered, then changed her tune and pursued Santa to shake his hand and insist that he come see her brother and a new little 4 year old friend she'd made there. Kalum just looked at him weird having never seen him before, but didn't cry or anything. Samara had no problem sitting on his lap for pictures and expressing her wishes. She said she wanted "a new Lambie like hers". They gave each child a little treat bag after visiting Santa. I couldn't understand why she was in such a hurry to get back to the table and open it up. When I finally helped her rip it open, she said with complete dismay, "that's not a new lambie!". I had to explain that these were just gift bags not the gifts Santa brings on Christmas, while trying so hard not to laugh.
Family Christmas celebrations included Christmas Eve church at 6:00PM service, then we went to Pennell's on Christmas morning. We opened many gifts and enjoyed time with everyone. Kalum didn't yet grasp the opening of his gifts, so Jeff and I traded off on that role. Samara was all about it though! It was fun to see Christmas morning through her eyes this year, when she finally "gets" it. She opened her new Lambie from Santa, which she named Freddy (really? Freddy? no idea where that came from). After our Santa and family gifts, we went to Pennell's and opened plenty more gifts and had our traditional Pork Roast, Sauerkraut and dumplings meal. We went to Derby's in the afternoon and packed out their house to open some more gifts and enjoy a great meal. Sheesh - next year we need to simplify or something. Some spring cleaning will be in order it seems! We celebrated with extended Pennell family at Karre's on Saturday the 28th. It was nice to see so much family in one week and we know we are truly blessed to have so much family love and support!
Samara's December Moments:
- One of the days it did snow, Mommy was driving the truck and took a corner too quickly. We went over the curb a bit and clipped sign. Samara said, "Mommy tell me next time before we hit another sign so I can be ready!" I explained that there would be no more sign-hitting, I had done enough damage for one day - OOPS!
- Instead of Just in case, she says, "in just be case"
- Samara asked Daddy for some more to drink... Jeff: "oh take a drink from your cup. It has air milk in it!", Samara doubtfully take a drink from empty cup, Jeff: "see isn't that good, so light and airy?!", Samara: "there's nothing in this cup", Jeff: "yes, it's air milk, it's good!", Samara: "Mom, can you just get me some REAL milk please?" Nice try dad!
- December 16th - first mutual sibling hug today!
- Samara has her own words for many Christmas carols this year, she sings "Rise up shepherds and follow" as "rise up shepherds and Papa!" Also "in ecelseis deo" as "and the angels sa-ay oh!"
- When getting ready for her preschool Christmas program, all dressed and she runs back into her room. She comes out with a bracelet that matches her oufit. She says, "I hope my Daddy likes my bracelet, otherwise I'm not going to wear it" Aw, melt my heart. Dressing up for her "first man" already.
- December 21st - Samara wakes up in the middle of the night singing Christmas carols and falls back asleep. She also loved looking at Christmas lights on an evening drive, she said she didn't want to go back home.
- Samara wanted her story one night to be about heaven and a kfalute (that's what she said for kazoo)
- Samara had her last day at Wednesday daycare this month. It seemed like I was taking her just because and now that Kalum is older I actually get more done when they are both home. She'll be off in school all day before I know it, so don't want to miss days just because.
- Christmas Eve church service - They gave kids streamers on a stick to wave during certain songs in the service. The older Sunday school kids (Grade school through middle school) had learned motions for the streamers in the weeks prior. She asked if she could go in the aisle, and once had approval (I thought to stand by our chairs) she ran up front and joined older kids in the dance! When that song was over, she said "and everyone clapped", I think she thought all for her. She loved it and wanted to go back up for any subsequent songs during service, though no more had streamers choreographed.
Kalum's December Moments:
- early December - perfected the hug and says "dat" and pats head for hat, and will actually keep one on now. Also tries to say cracker, using his D sound though. If you say "go get..." he goes running off after said item. If there is a pillow, he will tackle it upon command.
- He got sick mid-month with a cold that turned to high 104 deg. fevers. After a few days it was only at 99, but he was so pitiful and wanted to be held. :(
- Mid December - learning animal sounds, me-me for kitty, ooooo for cow, eh eh eh (sounds like laughing) for horse.
- December 21st - we went on a car ride to go see Christmas lights, and he's solidly over a year, so we thought that was a good time to turn his car seat around. First time riding forward in the car-He kept pointing and making noises, he was wide awake the whole time!
- End of December - he happily runs around the kitchen and living room while playing or chasing after Samara. Tries to jump by going up on tip toes and back down. says "Da!" for car, sounds like "dardar" for cracker, signs for please but not usually for more or the sign for item he wants. Throws a fit if doesn't get desired item! He tries to stand on everything and will use any item as a step to reach higher and then stand on higher surface. He can point to ears, nose, mouth and hair as you name them. Also, toes, shoes, socks. Tries to say nose and says "sa!" for socks. He loves to hold them and carry around and suck on them, really any socks, his or not.
Jeff took off work on New Year's Eve and we got together again at Karre's during the day to see Grandpa and Grandma Pennell while they were still in town. We had a low-key New Years Eve at home, kiddos in bed basically normal time. We were like, wow, we are so exciting, as we watched some TV and heard the neighbors across the street shooting off fireworks until well past midnight, hoping they wouldn't wake our kids up. On that note, here's to a great 2014 to you - Happy New Year!
