Simple Things in December

Well here we are... almost the middle of January.  What?

It feels crazy crazy to me.

Before too much of it goes by I have to post the little things that happened in December.

Lots of BIG BIG things happened in December.  We pack that month in.  Taking a deep breath at Thanksgiving only to let it out on Christmas morning.

I posted all of those BIG things during the month.  But there were regular moments.  Sweet ones that I don't want to forget.

This book we take out so much in our library that when we go I have to "visit" it.  It's in our house more that the library so really it's visiting the library.  (although Anna finally got it from Santa so it can finally go to another house)



Abigail got to read on the announcements at school. She was super excited.



I found Abigail in the viola room twirling in front of the tree. No music needed.



Beautiful sunrise



My view every single Wednesday from 2:30-4:00 (for eight years now) Anna started as a kindergartner. Abigail was in diapers then and oh so hard to keep 'busy' with little toys and coloring. Back then Anna's lesson was only 30 minutes but boy it was so hard. But Soooooooo worth it! (I love knee socks)



This is one Anna snapped of me walking down the hall to viola.



Anna's notes on my pillow. She loved the Christmas photo shoot.



Anna moved into honors math this year. She's already in all other honors classes. This new math class is no joke. I wasn't doing this stuff in college! Good thing Daddy was a middle school math teacher before he was a principal. Otherwise we'd have to hire a math tutor for sure!



Oh these dishes to celebrate our 20th married Christmas. Love them so.



I read to Abigail every single night at bedtime (and will until she tells me not to, which I hope is never) She's a great little reader herself but there's nothing like a book read to you. In December as busy as I was I loved slowing down with her and reading some our favorite Christmas picture books.



Playing in the play dryer is fun... I guess!



Youth Rosary Group is the greatest change in our lives.



There were a lot of black and white concerts to attend in December.



Weekly meal planning by candlelight



Christmas music in our house always all month long

''

I read this and underlined it in my Bible in December; really without knowing why. It just touched me that day. That every day I was offered a position for afternoons teaching reading to struggling first graders in another school in our town. I knew right away what God wanted me to do. "double" the hours was not something I really wanted but I know His hand in guiding me. (more on that later)



Sleeping with new friends



Late nights of homework. Late late nights.



Lunch boxes are my evening life.



It's a lot of water bottle for me to fill with ice in the morning but it's my way to be with them during the day.



Anna's favorite gift this Christmas is from a friend that is gently and gingerly guiding me in the ways of little girls growing up but still staying little.





We squeezed this one in on a busy weeknight by eating dinner in the family room around the coffee table.



Mass one cold December morning with birdseed from the friars.



Oh this party.



Concert. Waiting for her turn.



Loved these all season.



Homemade hot chocolate





Hair appointment just in time for Christmas.



She made this



When Scott gets home he takes off his tie and suit jacket. He hangs them carefully on the dining room chair. I love that he "jumps right in" to the daddy thing but I'm not a fan of the clothes in the dining room so I dressed Abigail and asked her to walk them upstairs.



It wouldn't be Christmas without this one



A few late nights working on these.



Dropping of the finished Christmas cards is the best feeling in the world!



He loves me. Drilling holes in the bottom of my little vintage houses so that the twinkle lights can light up from the inside.



All Christmas week long



We counted down every day



Christmas is filled with so much. Even the bunny chocolates caught my eye



This gift kept her busy!





Ironing this brought me joy



Bedtime





Christmas jammies lined up along the top of her dresser to choose from each night.



Another 10:30 night



Winter party celebration.



I love when she reads to me when I cook



What a month! I'm the most blessed wife and mama in the world. December I can't wait till you come again!