December 6th

Happy Birthday, Catalina!

Miranda and DH had to leave before she woke up. The boys and I sang Happy Birthday to her to wake her up. We had warm cinnamon rolls right from the oven ready for breakfast. She was happy :)  I drove her to school since she had crossing guard and a box of cupcakes to share with her class. We had to leave a few minutes before the bus arrived to pick up the boys. I let them leave the house on their own and head up to the bus stop when it was time. I think that made them feel responsible. Sometimes I worry that I am too overprotective and don't give them enough opportunities like that. I don't know if it is overprotectiveness, or just not ready to see them grow up so quickly.

Merek and I came home and made Lina's birthday fudge. I was so happy to see it setting up. Finally a recipe of fudge I can make! Thanks, Allie, for the suggestion. We have extra for you to take home Friday :)

Merek headed to preschool (mommy co-op) and I went to the Y. I'm really starting to feel like this is a good routine--me walking on the treadmill everyday. Some excuse to not go enters my mind every morning but once I'm there, I'm happy that I didn't give in.

Krish had his 3rd grade concert today. He took a Santa hat to wear during the performances. He seemed pretty excited about it, but he sure wasn't very enthusiastic while singing. There was one girl in the front row (I don't remember her name, just that when I counted sit-ups for her for the Presidential Fitness testing she did 58 sit-ups in 60 seconds. I asked her if she was a gymnast. She smiled and said yes). She was VERY animated during the final Jingle Bells song, it was hilarious. She was dancing around and had the best facial expressions. We were trying so hard not to laugh because she was thoroughly entertaining us.

Merek asked me to make him mac-n-cheese for lunch today. I obliged. Haven't made it for a very long time. I didn't even eat any. He was very happy. Then he went to his friend's house to play. I got some cleaning done in the kitchen, as well as some prep work for Lina's lasagna dinner.

We received four Christmas cards in the mail today, doubling our current number hanging on the door to the garage. I love hearing from friends and family. Most of them are people our kdis don't know so I like to tell them stories or funny things about those people. We still need to get our cards printed. ahem.

Snow in the mountains today. They said maybe up to two feet tonight. Wish it were falling here instead of the rain.

Miranda and I went down to the school to watch the concert assembly. Then we helped set up chairs for the evening concert. A bonus to this--getting reserved seating at the concert. Then we can show up five minutes before it begins and still have 2nd row seats, instead of way in the back where we can't see very well.

Lina had a good birthday at school. She had some leftover cupcakes and shared them with the other 5th grade teachers and her 3rd grade teacher. The kids visited with her after school. She had Miranda for 3rd grade, too. Six years has gone by quickly!

Bird was working on his homework today. He has packets each week that are due on Friday. He needed me to help him with his practice spelling test but I was in the middle of putting the lasagna together. So he went out to the piano and practiced both his piano and his violin. I almost always have to ask him to practice his violing. I think having Christmas songs to work on was fun for him. After he practiced, he sang along as Miranda played some Christmas carols. Loved it! He had a holiday project due tomorrow but we just didn't get enough time to work on it this week. I emailed his teacher and said he wouldn't be able to turn it in tomorrow. In the past, I would have stressed over it and tried to get it done with him tonight. But I realized it really isn't worth it. We will work on it over the weekend and send it back on Monday. Much less stress.

We had dinner (the lasagna was delicious) and then headed down to Krish's concert. The 5th grade band was performing as well. Gotta love those basic tunes--Twinkle Little Star, Lightly Row, London Bridge. I really like the set of songs the music teacher chose for this year's 3rd grade concert. Fun songs about winter and sledding, an arrangement of Over the River. We've had several repeats of concerts as our kids have moved through elementary school. Different is good :)

When we arrived back home, we had Lina's birthday fudge and then she opened her gifts. The boys were crazy--too much sugar from the fudge??  Sometimes it is hard to deal with their energy levels but I know all too soon the time will come where it is dull and boring. Maybe not? I just picture teenage boys watching uninterested as their older sister opens her birthday gifts.