Kids’ Christmas Parties

Karen was gracious enough to host another Christmas party for the kids at her house this year. Everyone gathered on Sunday afternoon in PJs and had a great time. I left Rory home with Kenny since the main project this year was a bit more involved: decorating gingerbread houses!

I hoped Riley would be willing to decorate a house, especially since there was candy involved. He probably ate close to his weight in gumdrops, but he did most of the decorating on his own, with a little help from me.

All of the kids did a great job on their houses. I loved seeing all of the differences in each of the kids’ creations. So many different personalities at one table.

After we cleaned up from the house project, we moved on to the next activity: beaded pipe cleaner ornaments. These were a hit last year, so Bridget brought them back again. We made candy canes, and Riley actually made two!

 

Kelli brought the final activity: painting plaster ornaments. Riley had firmly parked himself in Nathan’s room in front of a bucket of Legos, so I didn’t make him paint. All of the other kids did, though.

The kids ate a hot dog dinner and then ran off some of the energy from all the candy they ate. Just before we left, I had the seven of them pile onto a couch so I could get a group picture. Love the series of shots I got. These kids are so kooky, and I love that.

 

Thanks so very much for hosting us, Karen!

The next day we finally had Claire and Alcee over to our house for Riley’s second kids’ party of the season. I picked up some fun peppermint patterned plates, put together little Christmas favors for the kids, and made a fun and festive snack for them to have after school.

 

Dana and Diana also brought little gifts for the kids. Riley was most excited about the bubble bath ornaments, but I thought the reindeer and snowman hats were adorable.

The five kids ran around, played, watched Frozen, ate some dinner, and generally had a grand time together for almost three hours, while Diana, Dana, and I stood in the kitchen, eating and drinking and chatting. It was a great night.

 

 

I’m so glad we have gotten to know these two families. I’m hopeful that we will all remain friends for many years to come and that the Three Musketeers will have many more adventures together. 

I’m thankful we have had so many fun things to do lately. It’s exhausting sometimes but it’s worth it to see the wonder in my two boys’ eyes. I hope they have enjoyed everything we’ve done.

And we’re not finished yet: Riley’s last day of school in 2014 is tomorrow, and I know he’s excited about that. Then there’s a special Christmas lunch on Friday, celebrating with Nopsi’s family on Saturday, caroling in Jackson Square on Sunday night, and of course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Let the good {holiday} times keep on rolling!