Merry Christmas!

Every year on Christmas Eve, the girls sleep together in the same room- usually in the same bed. I'm not sure who started this one, but it definitely didn't come from me or Brent. On the one hand, it ensures no one gets to sneak down before the others to peak at Christmas surprises, and on the other, they have each other should someone get up really early and are having a hard time waiting. This year the girls decided to make a fort and sleep in that. The materials for the fort itself were actually a Christmas gift from a few years ago! We have used that fort kit over and over. 

Once breakfast was ready, Brent rang the bell and they descended the stairs in various states of anticipation and excitement. Then it was time for the traditional family photo:

Apparently the garland is getting old because a string of lights went out... I meant to replace it but there was never enough time! Now it's the first thing I see in this picture. Grrr...

The topic of kids who are ungrateful for their Christmas presents came up at dinner one night and somehow that led to watching YouTube videos. This one was particularly memorable:

And the girls vowed to be grateful for whatever they received, even if it was just a potato. 

Sydney typically drags her feet at mealtime; once in a blue moon does she finish a meal quickly without any fuss. Christmas is one of those times but for some reason this year, she sat in front of her plate and pouted. Usually Brent or I have to cajole her but this time her sisters were making airplanes and encouraging her and reminding her of all the presents that were waiting. At looong last, everyone had eaten a decent breakfast and Christmas could truly begin. The Pringles tradition remains strong in this family.

Brigitta is right smack dab in the middle of American Girl mania. Ireland was ecstatic about her Harry Potter stuff and her Sphero so she can work on programming. 

No matter how much I plan and budget and with my extra paycheck this year- indulge on gifts, it's always the 5 Below gifts that are so touching. 

Brigitta was so excited to give me my gift- this sleep mask- which I have to say is incredibly apropos. 

She used the exact same wrapping paper and after she had wrapped a present for Liesel (including writing Liesel is the Best all over it), she realized it was actually her gift for Sydney. Even so, little things like a small diary and a pack of gum mean so much to these girls. Sisterly love comes and goes in this house, but it's in strong force on Christmas morning. 

Liesel has been begging for a phone for quite some time. We've had a watch that can call a handful of numbers but Liesel was really feeling left out. There were a lot of hard discussions- Brent and I are strongly against kids having a smartphone. Liesel is ADD and we would be doing her no favors by handing her the world's most distracting device. Study after study has linked smartphones to depression and anxiety in tweens and teens. Absolutely not, no smartphone. However, we felt it was time for her to have a simple flip phone. She could text, take photos, and call but nothing else. I thought it would be so clever to tell her she had one more gift that she had to find and then call it so she had to follow the sound of the ringing. However, I stupidly put it behind the nativity so as she was shoving aside wise men and knocking down Mary, I realized perhaps that wasn't my best laid plan. Also, I was in such a rush to get her phone charged and set up so I could call, I accidentally opted for Spanish, so it ended up taking me even longer. My Spanish is definitely not what it used to be!

Every year we buy a new movie for the girls to enjoy but this year Brent decided to get the whole Harry Potter series since our dvd's were getting scratched from so much use. The girls had the entire day to enjoy a world of fantasy and adventure. 

Another Christmas is in the books!

MOSI and University of Chicago Christmas Eve Service

Before we headed to downtown Chicago for Christmas Eve, I had to put in some time at work. As depressing as that sounds, it was actually really nice. Working kept my mind off the chaos of Christmas and the office was nice and quiet. My day flew by and before I knew it, Brent and the girls were waiting to pick me up. They always get so excited when they get to visit me at work. As we drove, we listened to a podcast from This American Life called Say Yes to Christmas and laughed so, so hard.

Because we have a membership to MOSI, admission and parking are free but we also got to see the exhibit Wired to Wear for free. The museum was really clearing out so we practically had the place to ourselves! Not to mention it happened to be the 25th anniversary for their Holidays of Lights display. 

The theme of the largest tree in the rotunda changes from year to year but it's always stunning and makes my jaw drop. I'll never forget the Dr. Seuss themed tree which made me want to buy wrapping paper in bright pinks, purples and blue instead of the traditional green and red. 

They had a machine making "snow" which I think were somehow soap bubbles. 

As we toured the trees from all different nations, each girl found "their" tree. Here is Brigitta with the tree from Denmark:

Liesel with the tree from Austria:

Ireland with the tree from Ireland:

Sydney with the tree from Australia:

This is my personal favorite- the Lithuanian tree. They use wheat and rye straw to create ornaments so to mimic that, small white drinking straws were cut into tiny pieces and assembled into intricate patterns. It gives a snowflake-like appearance to the tree. 

Just a few highlights from the Wired to Wear exhibit- this is a dress that sends a shock to the person wearing it if they lie. Would you be able to wear a dress like this? Is there someone you would like to see wear it? Hmmm...

These hanging threads created charm music as they were touched. The girls loved walking slowly though them and listening to the calming tones.

No trip to the MOSI is complete without a visit to see the baby chicks!

 

It was getting late and we weren't sure how early we needed to be to get good seats for the Christmas service at the University of Chicago so we headed out. I'd heard about this service and for years wanted to go but the girls were plain too little to sit quietly though something like that. Brent was a little wary but I felt like this was our year.

Oh my gosh, it was so incredibly beautiful! The Rockefeller Memorial Chapel is just stunning. It's right across the street from the Childhood Development Lab where the girls participate in studies and true to University of Chicago modern Gothic architecture, it is a stone building with huge, thick, carved wood doors, stained glass windows and vaulted ceilings. Just walking inside is enough to give one reverential awe. The program combined the telling of the Nativity with children along with the adult choir and audience carols. I flat-out cried when all the lights were shut off and slowly the chapel was relit with candles, one by one, spreading from one person to the next as we sang Silent Night. 

I get a lump in my throat just thinking about it. 

I loved hearing Brent's strong, sure voice singing all those carols. I never realized how the church kind of expects everyone to sing congregational hymns and I was struck by how many people just opted not to sing along at all! The man sitting next to Brent wasn't very confident in his voice and he thanked Brent for lending his voice which helped him- especially with the harmony. 

The carillon pealed with bells as we walked to the car and the cold, cold night made the moon and starts extra bright. It was so beautiful and just the perfect way to celebrate Christmas.

Holiday Happenings

Ireland's Girl Scout troop had the cutest float for the Festival of Lights Parade. It was themed around the movie The Lorax. A couple of the moms put the whole thing together and as they talked about it, that old motherhood sidekick- GUILT kicked in. Clearly they put a lot of time into it and it was just adorable. Even though I never feel like there are enough hours in a day, I instantly felt like I should be doing more to support the troop. 

They kindly let Sydney ride in the float even though she is in a different troop. Brent sat with her and held her as long as possible to keep her warm. The man is basically a furnace. Brigitta stayed home with family (and most notably, Dakota) while Liesel's troop handed out donuts and hot chocolate to the other Girl Scouts. 

Brent and I were asked to walk behind the float and just greet people. Our voiced grew hoarse from yelling, "Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!" to everyone in the chilly night air. The Girl Scouts got to throw candy from the float- it was fun to watch spectators scramble to gather it all. 

A friend of mine has always wanted to volunteer as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. She offered to pick up the bells and aprons if we would join her and it was a lot of fun! We sang the whole time, which upped the donations we received, for sure. 

Ireland did a fantastic job for the 4th Grade Musical. 

She sure has some cute little friends!

The elementary school had a Spirit Week before Winter Break and on one of the days the kids were encouraged to wear Christmas socks. I grabbed a bunch from the Dollar Store when Ireland and I were shopping for sister gifts and I love, love, LOVE how these gingerbread socks coordinated with this outfit Gita and I put together. 

For teacher gifts this year, we filled Jamba Juice cups with colored bath salts, tossed in little bottle of essential oils and then topped them with a loofah so they looked like a smoothie. We included a gift card and a bag of Milano cookies. In case you can't read the card, it says "Deck the bath with salts and scrubbies! Spa la la la la, la la la la :)" 

 They were a hit with the teachers!

We had a pajama run for ice cream to Culvers.

The girls are getting pretty savvy though, they knew it was going to happen when I asked them to wear their Christmas pajamas.

And last but not least, we made a trip to see the reindeer on Bull Valley Rd. 

Trust me, the video doesn't do it justice! It's just stunning!!!

One Giant Leap for... Well, Me

Box jumps have always been a challenge for me. Once you've seen someone wipeout and their shin spouts blood, it becomes really intimidating. I had a hard time even jumping on the 12" boxes because I was so scared I would miss it and twist an ankle or rebreak my foot in the process. Eventually I became comfortable with that. Over time, (and I'm talking years here) I tried the 16" and got comfortable with that one. Then one winter day the WOD called for skills and since I wasn't about to try muscle ups, I wound up working on my box jumps. My favorite trainer, David was really excited to work with me. I should note David is pretty darn short and he can do a box jump to the top of his chest. 

I decided I actually needed to just wipe out. Once I got over that fear, I could actually work on the 20" box jump itself. I whispered, "Eff it" to myself- something I do anytime I try something completely terrifying to me and I jumped, 100% expecting to biff it and fall. 

Much to my shock and amazement, my feet landed squarely on the box. I couldn't believe it and I let out a shriek. Everyone in the box stopped what they were doing and cheered. David looked at me with a "See? I KNEW you could do it!" look. I tried it again. And again. And again. I became familiar with the feel of a 20" box jump and turns out it wasn't as scary as I thought. 

David tried to up the ante and put a plate on top of the box just to see if I could brave a little more height. Let's just say I couldn't- haha!

Before I left, David put me on the leaderboard. The first time I've ever, EVER made it up there!

 And now I can take on the world!

Winter Dance Recital

If you see me like this:

You know a recital is nigh. 

Not only do I do a fair amount of adjusting my own daughter's costumes, but other girls in the studio as well. I'm also that Mom who can't stand crushed tulle so I will carefully steam and iron each and every layer of tulle so those skirts float like puffy clouds. Winter costumes are either borrowed from the studio or we reuse costumes from the Spring Recital. I could be wrong, but I feel like the director will give another mom a costume I have previously ironed for another daughter from another year and give me one that is flat and crushed just so everyone looks good on stage. Hmmm...

 

Brigitta's ballet number was with a girl she's been dancing with for years now. At 0:09 you can see how much Gita's echappes and sous-sus have developed lately. Our studio is quick to get kids on stage without the teacher so they are just off stage. While Brigitta still has to reference her teacher for choreography, there are whole chunks of this dance she was able to do from memory. I love how her friend reacted as the music kept playing but they had finished their number at 2:05

Sydney's ballet number was really sweet. I love how it begins with her little shoulder shimmy (she's the one on the floor with her back to the audience). I'm super proud of her for getting in all the little choreography details like 0:45. I really wish we could put her in more dance classes but Brent and I agreed she needs to be ahem, more attentive to her toilet hygiene first. I love the in and out hand motion at 2:20! So cute!!!

I'm obsessed with Brigitta's jazz number! First of all, I love that the studio opted to just have low, slicked ponytails. I can do buns and I can do braids but in this number Brigitta's slick, long hair just paired so perfectly with her costume! Ireland was once in a class by herself and when she did her number for the recital, she looked so tiny on that huge stage. That feeling returned as I watched Brigitta. I don't know that I would have had the guts to dance alone for a big audience. I also love this song and it's so fitting for Brigitta who is a daredevil by nature. I love her movements at "I wish I could be the perfect daughter" at 0:36. Brigitta definitely gets frustrated by our expectations with her, especially when compared to her sisters and well, there's truth behind that. Then "What's beyond that line? Will I cross that line?" at 2:17- you can tell Brigitta really liked that running motion. I have no doubt Gita will find what's beyond that line!

Clearly our studio likes to do upbeat ballet numbers- Liesel and Ireland's was no different. Ireland can get really down about her dancing, especially with Liesel in the class and I keep telling her Liesel is TWO years older! She's made great strides in memorizing her choreography and I'm super proud of her for that. I love 1:15 and 1:40 for the way they move their arms to the words. And they both sure look cute in their ballet costumes!

The Jazz number was kind of debacle of epic proportions because Liesel left her shoes at the studio and the studio was closed and locked. All rehearsals were at the school so there wasn't a way to get them. Part of the reason we are able to afford dance is because friends with older girls have donated used shoes and all we had were tan. She tried wearing them at rehearsal and Liesel stuck out like a sore thumb. I had to buy her a new pair which yeah, she needed anyway but man alive I did not need that aggravation! Getting four daughters recital ready is enough work, believe me.

I'm a proud dance mom of my girls!