After a pretty brutal night for me, it was SO NICE to sleep in a bit! However, we had an appointment at noon and we didn’t have too much time to spare.
My voice was completely gone, so I was trying to wrangle the kids with a whisper, which isn’t the most effective way, but eventually they caught on and were super adorable and whispered back. Once they had breakfast and I had tea, I sent them downstairs to play and I got ready for the day. Once I was ready, I packed the diaper bag, picked everyones clothes, and brought them downstairs for the kids. They got dressed really quick and were upstairs fighting with their coats in no time. We all made our way out to the van and got buckled in. When we were finally ready to go, it was perfectly on time! So no big rush, but no real time to spare either.
We met Brady over his lunch break and drove to our rental! Eek! It was so good to see it in person, and be able to plan a bit what to bring and where stuff will go. We brought all of the kids with us, like I said, and they did a great job. They were polite and excited, and loved exploring the place. Dekker told the owners “I really love this house.” So I think he approves 🙂 It looked great, and we’re very excited to get there first thing in the new year! Its SO good to have that nailed down, finally. We have a place to live!! Yay!!
After our visit, the five of us hit up McDonalds and grabbed a quick lunch before Brady headed back to work. I drove the kids home, and we all sat in the van while they slept for quite a while after arriving home. Once everyone was awake enough to go inside, we did make our way inside, where the kids happily played for the next hour or two.
In kind of a quick decision, Brady and I decided to rock our family Christmas tonight. We couldn’t imagine waiting until the 29th-ish, or whenever it would fall, and its been SUCH a strange season for us this year! We’ve been so busy and preoccupied and while we’re happy and excited, there is obviously stress and fatigue that comes with it. All in all, the move has completely overshadowed Christmas. The kids have no idea that Christmas is actually here. Their only reference point is that we’re getting a new house after Christmas. I know it won’t be like this every year AT ALL, but it makes me feel sad that they’re so unaware. So we decided to pull it off tonight!
When Brady got home, we made a supper that the kids loved. They ate fast and were happy. Then they went and opened up all of their presents, which was SO FUN! Never before have they been so into it! Even Rowan was super wound up with all of the excitement. Dekker’s favorite gift was probably his slippers, and a $5 truck from Laela. Laela loved her baby carrier from Dekker and her new necklaces. And Rowan liked his matching truck to Dekkers, as well as the bell he ripped off the bottom of the tree, lol! So wins all around! It was such a fun evening. We let the kids stay up a little bit later so they could play and enjoy their new toys, and then they didn’t even have to tidy up. It was a really really good time.
Now that the littles are down, the work begins for Brady and I! We’ll settle into my parents for Christmas tomorrow, so we have to pack this evening!! And then have a bath. And probably eat something. So there is still lots to do, but it’ll be good, and I know we’ll get it all done. Its been a great evening, and I know the coming days are only going to be better 🙂 Merry Christmas!!