Lily went to Auriel’s again on Tuesday because Kirsten was still sick. Lily seemed to finally be getting over her cold but I started coming down with it instead. It seems to be making its way around the house as it all started with Rachel after she returned from South Carolina, then passed to Lily, and then me. Even Paul started feeling a little congested. I finally finished all of our Christmas cards and got them mailed out on Tuesday evening.
Kirsten was finally feeling better so Lily went back to her house on Wednesday. We had a really busy night which got a late start because I had to stay 45 minutes past my shift at work. Paul had to get his license plates renewed and I had to do some Christmas shopping at Kohl’s so he picked up Rachel and we all met up at Mancino’s for dinner afterward. Lily absolutely loved the shredded turkey from my grinder. When we got home, I was up until 1am cleaning the house because we were having company over the next day. I really miss having my mom clean the house as I just do not have the time. My head was really stuffy all night and I was exhausted from missing so much sleep all week.
Thursday was Rachel’s winter orchestra concert. Paul and I got out of work 45 minutes early so that he could take Rachel up to the school and I could get Lily ready. My parents met us at our house then drove with me to the concert where Paul was holding seats for us. This time it was just the Navigator and Pathfinder Orchestras, not the High School. The concert was really good. I am amazed at the progress the kids are making. Lily really enjoyed it again. I was glad that the family that sat in front of us were such good sports as Lily threw her toys at them a couple of times and grabbed the guy’s ear before I knew what she was doing. They had a toddler so they were very understanding. I posted the concert on YouTube again. I apologize in advance for the videography work. Paul did most of the recording but someone kept kicking or kneeing him in the back of the head sending the camera all over the place. I recorded the last song which I think looks the best with the exception of a few jitters. Unfortunately, the family in front of us stood up to let some people into their row which blocked my view for a while.
The first song they performed is Song of the Wind Medley. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwduGMTKgZ0
The second link consists of their next three songs: Allegro & Perpetual Motion Medley, New World Symphony Theme, and D String Boogie. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSPhhIld_Js
Their last song was Christmas Medley. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z03PhphWINM
After the concert, we all came back to our house for cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate.
By Friday, we were all exhausted, even Lily. She crashed early at 8pm and all of us went to bed when she did. On Saturday morning, we did some things around the house then my Uncle Lee and Aunt Robin came over to baby-sit the kids while Paul and I went on our first date since Meghan’s wedding this summer. We did some Christmas shopping around Ann Arbor then went to dinner at Red Lobster to celebrate our very belated anniversary. We used a gift card given to us by my parents as an anniversary present way back in October. I think that my aunt and uncle were disappointed that we came back fairly early. They were apparently having a lot of fun with Rachel and Lily. We didn’t want to abuse their generosity and keep them out late, though. We were very grateful to them for volunteering their babysitting services and giving us a reprieve from the kids for a nice, quiet dinner.
My parents came over a little before noon on Sunday. My dad and Paul watched Lily and Rachel while my mom and I did some Christmas shopping. While we shopped, my dad installed magnetic drawer locks on the end tables in the living room as Lily has been trying to pull up using the handles and keeps nearly whacking herself in the head yanking open the drawers. Apparently these are the best type of drawer locks as they don’t break like our other ones are already doing. Unfortunately, they were a huge pain in the butt to install. My mom and I had a very successful shopping trip for each other and an enjoyable time together. When we got home, we all went out to dinner at Zukey Lake Tavern to celebrate Paul’s birthday. Then we went home where Paul opened his birthday presents and Rachel opened her Christmas presents from my parents. I always make Paul an awesome birthday cake. One year he had a green eyeball cake and once he had an exploding volcano cake. This year, I found the dessert recipe and Rachel made it on her own with just a little supervision from my dad while I was out shopping. It was homemade banana and chocolate chip cupcakes decorated as monkeys with a cut cookie as the face, mini M&Ms as the eyeballs, and mini Oreos as the ears. She did a really good job and they turned out awesome. Paul was quite impressed as he was not allowed in the kitchen while the masterpieces were being created. Unfortunately, Rachel took a little too much pride in her work and couldn’t bring herself to eat one of her creations!
Here are some pictures from this week.
Lily is always way more interested in the wheels on her xylophone than the musical part:
She actually flipped it over and used it correctly:
Hmmm, this looks like a good book:
Lily loves drinking by herself from her sippy cup:
Can I please have that stuffed animal ornament? (She later ripped it down):
The Navigator Orchestra performing their winter concert on Thursday:
Most kids wore Santa hats but Rachel stood out nicely in her Christmas tree hat:
Lily playing with my dad’s hat during the concert:
My cutie looking a bit dazed in her adorable candy cane dress after the concert:
Rachel giving us a private concert of Christmas tunes:
Lily was excited when she found a cat toy. She always seems to find the off-limit toys the most fun:
Lily listening to Rachel practice her violin on Friday evening:
Lily loves to stand up and looked like such a big girl in her jeans and sweater:
Putting a gate around the plants only made them more appealing:
Lily standing up watching Blue’s Clues with her kitties on Saturday. She loves to eat the remote:
Awww, now I can’t reach it:
She is always enthralled by her show:
Blue’s Clues doesn’t hold the same appeal for Paul:
Passed out on daddy on Saturday evening as Robin and Lee arrived:
Attacking Rachel on Saturday night:
Amber thinks that the Boppy makes a comfortable napping pillow:
Lily cuddling with her Grandma and eating the fuzz off of Rodney’s scarf on Sunday afternoon:
Going to sleep on Grandma Chris after present time:
A monkey cupcake:
The birthday boy and his dessert look remarkably similar:
