{finding joy in the journey...}: Weekly Wind Down {New Swim PRs, Lighted Christmas Parade, Matching Plaid, Penncember, Dentist} Nov 27-Dec 3

We began Sunday worship on the first day of advent with a couple of songs from our children's Club 5:19 program. Evalynn was hesitant and stood sullenly at the beginning and then livened up enough to wave at us. Zayden and Ameliya did great (I couldn't capture Mia from my seat).

My sweet tribe.

After church and classes everyone had a little afternoon rest, and then we did our first day of advent.

We were invited by friends for supper and a game night so we headed out after a bit and had a wonderful time. I took not a single photo!

Monday was a slow start. Mike worked nights this week so he didn't go in until 10. We did school and managed to enjoy a couple hours of outside time. Mia had OT in the afternoon and I went along with.

The boys had wrestling Monday evening and Natalee had swim. I had to hand out team photos so I took the girls along with me while Mike was at work with the boys. Everyone was back home and in bed by 9.

Tuesday morning began bright and early with dentist appointments for the three youngest.

No cavities x3 and Evalynn's first time with a full chair cleaning and she did great!

She does not like when the chair moves, and I noticed that at the eye doctor the other day, too, so that set her off a bit but we recovered.

These two did great!

Mike got Natalee too and from PT and OT while I did the dentist with the three youngers and then went in for his 10 hour shift.

We tried to enjoy the outdoors but the wind and temps made it difficult and we eventually threw in the towel. Besides school, we found plenty to keep busy, and I even gave everyone some electronic time in the evening.

Popcorn and Santa Paws.

Xavier went to work with Mike and helped him in the data closets in the late afternoon and after supper.

Snap circuits made their rounds this week among the middle three kiddos.

I even let Evalynn try the iPad for a few minutes.

Wednesday was a rough morning among the troops. We did, however, make it out the door for story hour at the Book Vault (an old bank turned into a book store).

Natalee and Xavier explored the books while Mia, Zayden, Evie and I went to story hour. Mrs. Fox was a great story reader and we had a lot of fun.

Coincidentally, Evie and I met the nicest lady at the dentist while we were waiting for Mia and Zayden to finish. She was sweet and complimented Evie's vocabulary and talked to her about her book and was just a delight to visit with. Imagine my surprise when we walked in and our new friend from the dentist was Mrs. Fox the storyteller.

After stories we let the younger kids explore the Book Vault before heading back out.

Back home there was plenty of time for school and our regular routine before Youth Group and Awana.

Thursday the weather improved significantly and so did our moods!

Dye free sprinkles to make Thursday morning's yogurt more exciting.

Mia and Evalynn matched!

Natalee had hippotherapy at 10 so we were up and out checking our to-dos off the list.

The improved temps and sun helped us get 3 hours outdoors. We did our advent reading and day 1 of Jesse Tree on Mike's lunch break since we were spreading out at suppertime.

Hot cocoa and outdoor play!

Evie went out after her naptime.

After supper Natalee and I headed north for her co-op teen night. I had a great visit with my friend, Tami, while the teens played games. While we were north Mike took the other kids across to Penncember at the college - a night put on by various organizations at the campus with lots of holiday activities. After that he took the boys to wrestling and stayed with the girls.

Friday Mike was off work but it was still a school day. I got up early to make breakfast cookies and Evie tottered out right behind me.

Natalee had a zoom appointment and then we commenced with school. I power cleaned a few areas that had been neglected - bathroom cabinets, my clothes organization. I was thankful for the kids to get another 4 hours outdoors and for a day with beautiful December temperatures.

When everyone came in we did our advent and Jesse Tree. We have a little wooden calendar with 25 doors and I slipped pieces of paper into each day with something to strive for or something fun for the day. Friday's was a Christmas movie - Mia's choice. She picked Home Alone. Evalynn thought it was hilarious and not at all too scary but she wept when Kevin's mom walked back in and they hugged after they'd been apart. Sweet sensitive heart.

Friday evening Natalee had swim and Grandma Cindy came for a sleepover! I didn't take a single picture (such a shame) but we were all excited to have her here.

Saturday Grandma went to swim with Natalee and Mia went along to visit and cheer. Mike went to a conference at the church. That left me to hold down the fort with the boys and Evalynn. We were pretty lazy honestly. Grandma sent snap chats of Natalee's races. She got new personal records in both her 50 yard free style and 50 yard back! So proud of her. She also swam a relay with a group of 3 other girls.

It was a full day of swim and Grandma headed for home a bit after bringing the girls back home. Mike got home about a half hour before them.

I rallied and we got everyone some supper before bundling up to go to the lighted Christmas parade. Evalynn told every float and entrant Merry Christmas when they walked by and we collected too much candy.

We parked the little van up on the parade route earlier Saturday but no one really used it. It's nice to have, though, in case someone would have felt very cold.

The parade was right at an hour and was just so very pretty.

We found cousin Lizzie on the dance school parade....

And Rogan on the Christian school trailer. I think Jace must have been on the other side.

Our church's float. Natalee was going to ride on it but in the end she was too tired and already too cold from being in and out of the water all day to follow through so we decided against it.