Chocolate dipping and Jer's birthday

Because of covid, we're still not doing our neighborhood parties, but we had my brother and one of our neighbors to dip chocolates this year.  They were so yummy and Jer got to dip a lot more than he usually does.

Jer got a Lego Millenium Falcon for his birthday.  You're never too old for Legos.

 

Symphony

We got a treat at the last symphony.  Amy, Aubrey and Mariah were there.  It was so much fun to catch up with them.  Aubrey and Mariah have grown so much and are amazing young ladies.

My favorite annual picture.  Dad reading Christmas stories to the kids.

 

Sledding

 

Grandma and Grandpa Robertson invited us over to use their hill after it snowed.  The kids had a blast and all found talent as standing sledders.

Snowy Christmas

Hanging out after Thanksgiving.... I just thought it was a cute picture.

We actually will have a snowy Christmas this year.  It's the first time in several years.  We definitely need the moisture, but it's fun for the kids too.

We had just come back from the store and Jer was still wearing his mask/bandana.  I told him he needed a hat and bolo tie.... so he went and got his hat out of the closet to model for me.

I was told 5 days before the last day of school that the PO had not done staff Christmas presents yet.  The President asked me what I'd done the year before and asked if I could be in charge of it again this year.  I was working, so I didn't have lots of time but the grocery store had these fun gift bags.  I called them up and asked if they could make 66 of them under my budget.  They called the lady that made these and she came it to specially make our order.  I was so grateful for people that are willing to go beyond to help (I gave her a Swig gift card that one of my daycare kids gave me for Christmas, I was just so glad that they were able to do them at such short notice).  They are the same people that helped me last year too.  They made beautiful and fun bags and each of the staff chose what they wanted.  I heard it was a big hit from my teachers aid friend, so that was good to hear.

Seth was disguised as "Bob". The daycare kids kept trying to wrestle him, so Evelyn and him came up with the plan to make him invisible to the kids by becoming someone else.  They were so funny about it.  And yes, when daycare kids have a cough I pay for masks and make them wear them at my house.  We've avoided many colds that way.

I love listening to Sam.  He's already getting quite good.

Ada made this piggy bank for one of the kids for Christmas!  I love it.

 

Piano recital

The kid's piano teacher split and did two recitals to limit the amount of people attending, but I was glad the kids got a chance to perform.  It's such a great skill as you grow to be adults.  They all did amazing!  They memorized their songs and no big mistakes.  

Their teacher is so spectacular and I'm happy to pay for lessons with her.  I could teach them myself, but I'm so happy for her abilities and the skills that she chooses to teach each of my kids.  Seth can't wait to start with her too.  I'm teaching him from home, but she takes kids starting at the age of 8.  I love that she was a piano performance major in college and that she chooses not to charge an arm and a leg even though she's worth it.

 

Two week pre Christmas catch up

 We've been busy.  With Jer's birthday and wrapping up the school semester, how can we not be?  

Ada had her Christmas Choir concert.  She wears a mask to school, but I told her that she didn't need to wear it for the concert.  They've shown that you're probably not going to get it when exposed for less than 15 minutes and so far that's proven true for us. She looked beautiful.  She sounded beautiful and she practiced a lot.  Ada's a soprano, so that's fun for this alto Momma.... duet time.

This is right after.  Ada's friend was stuck in the snow without a coat, so he asked if he could come to Ada's concert and then we could give him a ride home.  He's a nice kid and he's Sam's band TA.  They all got a laugh when they put together that they were all friends in some way. Ada says he looks like Sokka from The Last Airbender.

It was fun to have my parents and Aunt Sharon surprise Ada and come to listen.  It's always fun to have family around.

Sam had his Drama Showcase about a week after Ada's concert.  Again, he wears a mask at school but I told him he didn't have to for his performance.  He was very funny and projects really well.  To do social distancing, they worked in groups of two.

Dec birthday celebration

In our Wilcox family, there are 5 birthdays in December.  My Mom and Dad decided that instead of giving birthday and Christmas presents this year that they would give each grandchild $50 to spend in the giving machines that the church offers.  The kids had fun and their choices definitely reflect their life experiences and stages.  Ada chose menstruation and hygiene packs.  Sam bought meals for people.  Evelyn bought backpacks and school supplies.  Seth bought chickens, and if you ask about it he will tell you that it's 9 chickens!

This week was hard.  One of my daycare kids had just gotten used to being in daycare when her family had to quarantine because an aunt she lived with had Covid.  By the time it was safe for her to come back, she wasn't used to being away from mom again.  She screamed for almost 5-6 hours of each of the 5 days that I had her.  I was so done!  Then Saturday, I had to put together my monthly food claim and made us late to the Wilcox get together.  Sunday Seth was having a fever, so he stayed home with Jer and I took the rest of the family to practice for the Christmas choir program.  Sam and Evelyn decided to have a giggle fit and when I asked them to go to the hall until they were done, they chose not to.  I was playing the piano with the new Violist and the new Choir director, so I had to really pay attention.  After them giggling for about 15-20 minutes, I turned to them and said that if they wouldn't go out into the hall then they would have to stop right now. Sam got really rude and started talking back to me.  I told them to be quiet and kept playing.  After practice was done, I pulled them both aside and told them that they were being really rude to me and to the choir director.  Evelyn said sorry and moved on.  Sam decided that mom was the bad guy because I was getting mad at him "for something he couldn't change". So I grabbed his shoulders and said to stop being rude to me.  That was the end.  He spent the next 2-3 hours fuming on how mom was mad at him only because he wouldn't stop giggling. (I wasn't.  I was mad because he didn't leave to calm down when I asked and because he kept being rude to me anytime I said anything to him.) Ada was trying to paint Evelyn's and her nails.  She got them done but kept touching them before they were dry.  So she lost it and was bawling when I was supposed to be at church playing the organ for prelude music.  Yeah.  Sunday was fun.  One with a fever at home with Dad.  One super clingy because she feels bad for getting in trouble earlier.  One stomping around with a scowl on his face and one hiding in the bathroom bawling.  Ada did finally calm down and come to sacrament meeting, but I think that we have some puberty things going on.... both her and Sam were being very not themselves and extreme for the situation.    After church, Ada made homemade tortillas with Dad and I hid in my room and cried.  I haven't had to hide from my kids and cry day for almost 10 years.  It was weird, but they are turning into teenagers I guess. 

We also went to Baums and found a beautiful tree within just a few tries.

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Seth is doing a flat stanley project.  He's supposed to take pictures of him and flat stanley doing different things.  Then he's supposed to print them out and write a story about it.

Seth decided that it was his turn to put the star on the tree.  He was so motivated and LOVED that he was able to do it.

While we were at the Giving machines, we went to see the candy house competition.  Some people are really good...This one is Hogwarts, but there were all sorts of buildings.

We also had the opportunity to take care of Peter for the night so that Emma could get a really good night sleep before baby Rosie is born in the next couple of weeks.  He was cute and liked playing with all the kids.

 

First Teapot

Ada is loving ceramics class.  She spends hours on her projects.  Last project was a cute little teapot.  It's adorable, but it exploded in the kiln.  The walls look a little thick and I'm guessing that's why.  She did an excellent job with the spout and fitting the lid.  So cute.  

 

Sam's Christmas Concert

 

Sam has made some real progress in just a couple of months.  He LOVES playing the flute and I love hearing him do something new.

Finally!

 

I'm so excited for my dad!  And so proud too.  He started working on his book years ago.  I loved the first draft, but because of being a missionary, Covid, Brad's new calling (he's co-authoring) and re-writes.... it's changed quite a bit.  I can't wait to see the final product.  They had to get first presidency approval before they could get it published because of Brad's calling.  They got approval and Deseret Book said that they would publish it next year to go along with the year's supplemental materials for the year's scripture study.  I'm excited to see it in person and I'm so proud of you Dad!