We had a crazy but fun December. The house was decorated and most of the shopping was done before the month even started.
We lit the Advent Candle at church for the first Sunday in Advent. We also attended a practice for the Christmas program. I was nervous about Sam's performance as a sheep, especially since he wanted all of the musical instruments in the play. We ended up not being able to do the Christmas program though.
The first weekend in December we went out to eat in Richmond with five other couples and had a really fun night. We will plan ahead much earlier for future holiday seasons since several places kind of laughed at my request for a table for 12 when I called.
The next morning we went back to Richmond to see the Legendary Santa. I was relieved to find the line inside, since we started outside last year. We waited about an hour or so, but everyone was happy. Sam lost his excitement when he had to sit on Santa's knee, but after Avery talked to Santa, Sam put his mouth on the microphone and said "Choo choos." We were done in time to have lunch at Mosaic.
The following Tuesday, Ned had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck. While he had been dealing with this since the end of the summer, the surgery was planned 6 days before it occurred. That day Mimi stayed home to keep Sam and we put Avery on the school bus. His surgery was scheduled for 11 am and the doctor started around 12 pm. He was done around 1:30 and I saw Ned about 3:30. Because he was sick from the anesthesia, he ended up spending the night in the hospital. The next few days were challenging with Ned being out of commission. Things got much better when the responsibility of the dog was no longer mine.
We had our Night of Carols program on December 10th. PreK-6th grade performed and it was great.
That weekend we attended Mason's fifth birthday and the kids had fun jumping. That night Ned felt like getting out, so we went to my Christmas party at my headmaster's house.
We were dressed and ready for church breakfast the morning of the 14th, but Avery started acting strange. The stomach bug had gotten half of the class during the week and weekend, so we stayed home to be safe. I watched and worried all day but we decided we would go have dinner with my parents. Avery got sick as soon as we got home. She spent two days out of school, but the 2nd day was mainly to get her strength back.
We did our gingerbread house that Tuesday night to cheer her up.
Luckily Avery was ready for school Wednesday, because the Kindergartens were going to Swift Creek Mill Theatre to see Drifty's Snow Dance. It was a such a cute show, and we got to meet all the characters during lunch. I had worried all week that the stomach bug would strike me during the trip, so I was relieved when I got back off the bus.
That Thursday was Polar Express and pajama day at school, but I have no pictures. Avery had been so worried she would be too sick to go. Pajama day was a big deal. That night, all the ladies from school and the wives of the men did a paint party. We had lots of options and had fun even with the stress of trying to be an artist.
School dismissed Friday the 19th at 12 o'clock. Avery and I hurried to pick up Sam to get home for a nap. Sam sang Christmas songs all the way home.
That Saturday morning I hosted our Bible Study study group to do one of our sessions, and that night we had 5 families over for oysters, pizza, and appetizers. I'm not sure that I'll do so much next year just as my break starts, but it was fun.
Sam was not feeling pictures before church Sunday morning. He ended up getting sick in his bed late that night, but was perfectly fine the next day with a good appetite.
We spent the few days of break cooking and baking, having lunch with friends, and enjoying our time together.
