Lists for Santa

I took Alaina to see Santa this weekend.   Ethan came too--not because he wanted to see Santa, but because he wanted a candy cane.

The kids each made a Christmas list.   Notice the difference in lengths.   I am not sure if Ethan ever had a one-line list, but the kids sure are different:

Ethan also had his 4th grade "Winter Voices" concert this week.  Unlike in the midwest, where not having a holiday sing is akin to larceny, California doesn't seem to work like that.   There is one holiday concert, and it is for fourth graders only.   Honestly, they didn't even sing that many holiday songs.   Very strange, to me.  They did sing a pretty wicked rendition of "The Grinch", though.

We also took the kids to see a junior version of the Nutcracker this weekend.   I had also originally planned to just take Alaina, but Ethan told me that he wanted to go, so I bought tickets for the whole family.   Then, his basketball team announced they were playing in a tournament that same day.   So, Ethan missed a game.   He was not too happy.   First world problems.

Jason's Birthday, a piano recital and Hanukkah

We have had a very busy week!   Jason celebrated his 41st birthday on Wednesday, and we had our usual crab feed.

This weekend was the tail end of Hanukkah.   Ethan had a piano recital this afternoon--he played two songs, "Wild Robot" and a watered down version of "Linus and Lucy".   He has made good progress in piano, and I am proud of him!

After the recital, we had Jason's family over to celebrate Hanukkah.   Jason smoked a brisket that turned out deliciously, and the kids enjoyed opening presents.

Now, time for a break!

December is here

Well, the Holiday season is officially in full swing.   We got our Christmas tree this weekend and decorated it.   The place we used to get the tree from went out of business, so we ended up getting one from Home Depot this year.   I have to say, it is a pretty good looking, full tree.  The kids enjoyed decorating it, and Jason griped his way through putting the lights outside on the house.

Last week, at the grocery store, Ethan asked if we could get an Advent calendar.   Now, several years ago, I did buy him a chocolate Advent calendar, but I had no idea that he remembered it.   I told him no, thinking there was no way I was going to chase to Trader Joe's to get one.   Plus, obviously, he doesn't need the chocolate.   Ethan then disappeared for about five minutes, and came running up, chocolate advent calendar in hand.   Though they weren't out on display, he asked a grocery worker who found them in the back.   Well, of course, now I had to buy one for him and his sister.   I guess I shouldn't be such a scrooge--I remember getting one every year--when I was small, from our neighbors the Fleishman's, and later from my parents.   And I certainly LOVED it as a kid.   The current version is exactly the same as it was 30+ years ago, made by some German company with molded shapes.   So, I guess, another tradition passed down.