December Part 1

After Sylvie's festivities we moved into Christmas mode, decorating the rest of our house and going to see Intel Santa!  It was Cora's first year and I felt optimistic--I had been practicing with her meeting a life-sized mannequin of Santa at the gym.  She really liked the fake Santa and wanted to poke him/wave to him every day, so I thought the Intel Santa would be no problem.  

 And at first, I seemed right--she jumped out of Mike's arms and went running to him--until she realized that he talked and moved.

Then he became very scary. 

 I had to go rescue her.

 

 We tried talking to him afterwords, but she still seemed suspicious.

 We met up with JP, Natalie, and Miles and decided, since the weather was gorgeous and we were out and about, to go to the Nimbus Fish Hatchery, where the salmon were spawning.  The fish were huge.  We went out for lunch after--but not for fish.

The rain finally stopped enough that we built a teepee and had a fire with the cub scouts.  The fire was a little sluggish thanks to all the moisture, but the boys had fun and we all left smelling like campfire.  

Trying out Sylvie's skirt and feeling VERY fancy!

Mike and I went to his work Christmas party downtown.  It was at the Sutter Club, and we actually had a good time, mainly because we entertained each other, not because we were super outgoing with everyone there!  It was fun getting dressed up and going out.  Also, something we haven't done in a long time.  

The next day--more Intel related events!  Mike got tickets to a Frozen-themed ice skating party at Skatetown.  We hadn't ever been ice skating as a family--make that I am the only one in our family who has ever even tried to ice skate--so it was a fun adventure.  The set up was really great and family friendly.  Intel had snacks for us, Anna and Elsa came, there was a little sing along, and the rink was well equipped to teach a bunch of novices how to scoot around.  The Littles were there as well, which made it extra fun.  The kids really enjoyed themselves and left wanting more, even after 2 hours of skating. 

 During December, Mike has tithing settlement every week after church, so we have to entertain ourselves with no Dad!  This Sunday was strangely peaceful and happy. Jens finally finished sewing his quilt, Sylvie worked on her thank you notes, the kids read with Cora--it was pretty great.

 The ever-popular Christmas snow globe.  Still going strong!

 These silky pjs are still a favorite item.

 For our last scouting activity of the year, I took our den to the Folsom Wild Nights and Holiday Lights at the zoo.  It was really fun.  We went on a Thursday right at opening time, so it wasn't too busy.  The lights were pretty, the bears were out being active and there was a very informative docent who taught us all about the bears, we stopped to talk to Santa, and we rode the train.  Fun times all around.

 The highlight of the night for Cora--Not being afraid of Santa!  She totally walked up by herself and sat on his lap.  No coaxing required.  The older two did as well (Sylvie asked for her own box of candy canes, Jens asked for a Battle Spider), but that wasn't quite so impressive.

 We always enjoy doing gingerbread houses with the Littles.  This year I found a humidity-proof recipe for gingerbread that uses honey instead of molasses, so I tried it out.  It totally worked!  I made our houses using a little template I made up using a ruler and put the houses together the night before so the frosting could harden all the way.  The kids ate tons of candy and had a great time decorating, and I made one, too.   Sylvie ate most of the candy off of hers pretty quickly, but I was proud of Jens--his lasted the whole Christmas season without being pillaged.

December 3

You might not believe this--heck, I'm having trouble believing it myself--but Sylvie had a birthday and turned 6!  One night she was 5

And the next morning, BAM! She was 6.  It was very strange for all of us except for the birthday girl, who had been counting down for a very long time.  We had breakfast and opened presents before Jens left for school.  She loved everything, especially her new Frozen outfit.  I had a feeling. 

 A little before school photo shoot!

I spent the whole day while she was gone getting ready for her birthday party.  Luckily Grammy had helped me do most of the shopping the week before, so I just had a few things to grab, a cake to make, and decorations to put up.  We were doing a Fancy Nancy theme, so I tried to make everything fancy!

 There were so many girls--13 total.  They were very sweet and fun.  We got fancy (they especially liked the smelly lotion and the lip gloss) read stories, strung candy necklaces, played "Fancy Nancy says," had a tea party (with tiny crackers, carrots, broccoli, apples, olives, pigs in a blanket and punch--all by Sylvie's request), opened presents, and decorated cupcakes.  While all this was going on it was pouring rain outside, causing flash flooding all over the place, but we had no idea because we were so busy having fun.

 Jens attended the party as my assistant (a paid position).  He helped with food, drinks, presents.  The only thing he couldn't handle was when all the girls were belting out "Let it Go," during which he had to hide upstairs.  Cora woke up from her nap and joined the fray about halfway through.

 It was a great success.  The boys picked up pizza on their way home from The Spot and we all sat around the tiny fancy nancy table and ate it for dinner.  What a day!

 The next day it seemed (to Sylvie) that she has always been six.  She is already counting down to 7, and Mike and I are trying to slow time down.  Happy Birthday to our Sweetheart!