December 12, 2018

(click here for today's pictures)

• What a day this has been-it has been pretty wonderful whirlwind of a day. We were awake even a bit early this morning and before we are normally awake, I was putting away dishes and folding laundry. 
• Soon our buddies started arriving, and the kids could hardly contain their excitement. Well, Whitman was pretty ready for everyone to go the minute that the arrived.
• We had lots of activities planned, but first we started with breakfast. Heather had brought muffins and juice for all of the grownups. 
• Then we started on all of the crafts. The kids made bath bombs, cookies in a jar, dipped chocolate spoons, candles, and sets of magnets. I was super dreading all of this, but it worked so much better than I could have ever imagined. 
• The kitchen was of course a wreck after all of those craft projects, but we were able to sweep most things up before we started passing out lunch. The moms had brought potato soup and all of the sides for lunch. The kids ate outside and then played until we cleaned up the lunch mess. That was kind of the theme of the day-making a mess and then cleaning it up.
• Anderson didn't eat any lunch because he said that he didn't like potato soup. I tried to explain that potato soup was like mashed potatoes but that didn't seem to help. Now, much later in the afternoon he was the child who was starving to which I said too bad!
• The next activities were a snow man relay outside and then a massive game of bingo. After that, it was time for the kids to pass out the presents that they bought. Anderson opened a basketball, Campbell and Reagan had red box gift cards, Whitman had a blow gun toy and Graham and Keaton opened up candy. Everyone was pleased with their loot.
• Then we went in the kitchen to sing Happy Birthday to all of the December birthdays-Anderson, Lily and Campbell. The kids enjoyed their cupcakes outside as the mommas started packing up. Ethan, Noah and Charlotte did stay at our house afterwards, but I made sure that they were willing to help pick up. 
• Once everyone left, all the kids helped pick up the house and yard. I worked on the kitchen and just as I sat down, Robby pulled in. I think that he had been spying on me and didn't want to come home, until the work was finished. 
• I had just a few minutes until it was time for us to load up to head back to church. We ran by the library first, and then on to church for supper. The kids were excited to get to church since the boys had a Christmas party-snacks and gifts (popcorn for Anderson and a Starbucks gift card for Graham), Whitman also had a party with cupcakes and games and Keaton and Campbell's party was cookies and games. Reagan was the only one without a party though they were supposed to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters tonight or bring their ugly friends. Ha!
• Once we made it home, we ran over to the Wilson's house for a little bit. We had a snack over there and stayed and chatted for a good bit. Then it was time for home and bedtime for the crew-tomorrow is a big day around here!-a birthday!