Christmas Break Fun

This year we intentionally took things much more slowly. In past years, we have been busy EVERY night in December, to the point that we didn't enjoy much of anything.  This year we attended fewer concerts, no parades, no light shows. Those are all good things, but we were ready to stay home this year.

Over Christmas break we try to complete a puzzle. Last year at New Year's, we discovered our neighbor LOVES puzzles and has LOTS in her home. This year, we had the first 1000 piece puzzle finished in two days. Its amazing how quickly a puzzle gets finished when six different people work on it. SOOO, we kept going  and finished several more!

New Blankets and Pajamas

New fuzzy fleece blankets. Puppies for Jessica, Owls for Maria.

New footie PJs - Owls for Maria, Leopard for Brandon, Sock Monkey for Anika, and Cow for Jessica!

Christmas concerts

The Calvin Church Christmas Program. Calvin Church is the church we partner with for youth programs. They performed a bell choir, a Christmas Cheer, and some songs.

6th grade band!

Middle School Choir. Anika and the classmate to her left also sang 'You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch' as a duet.

Celebration Church Program. Maria read a verse at the church service and then was the angel that appeared to the shepherds. Jessica was the Narrator.

More Basketball and some Volleyball

Jessica and Maria played basketball for Mona Shores again this year. Its the local public school district. They had five Saturdays in November and December that were skills and agility. Then in January and February they were split into teams and had one practice each week and a game on Saturday for five weeks. They managed to win their last games. Some of it was quite painful to watch, others, rather entertaining. Jessica was quick and fun and could steal the ball from about anyone. She would dribble down the court and rifle it line drive at the backboard. The rebound often flew out to the free throw line. After weeks of convincing, the final game, she would steal the all, dribble down, do a jump stop, and shoot it 'up' as I had been begging for weeks. She ended up with around 16 points that game.

Maria is generally happy to touch the ball and then get a snack afterwards. It could take some convincing to get her to play again next year.  

Two high school varsity players help coach each team. Our girls had some amazing gems. So encouraging and helpful, especially when the girls were on the bench.

Brandon's 6th grade team was quite successful. He often plays point guard and does a good job handling the ball and driving it in. His team won the end of season championship!

Anika moved on to volleyball. Her team does fine but their personalities are all so different. I guess that is middle school girls!  She plays all around and generally sets when she is playing front row.  I am trying to convince her to practice her overhand serve a bit more, but I haven't gotten too far.  A few girls on her team have never played before so its so cute when one of them hits it over or gets a serve in!

A heart breaker

Anika's 8th grade basketball tournament came to an end in the championship game with her team 1 point behind when the buzzer rang. But such is life.
They had a good season. This was the team I coached last year and it was fun to see how they had improved. As of right now, she says she is going to try out in high school, but she could change her mind in the next 9 months I'm sure.
So, we enjoy today, and the successes of points scored, balls stolen, and friendships that hold through wins and losses. Great job, Anika!

And now for Deck the Halls

The stockings are hung - and the tree is in process in this picture. I actually did almost nothing to decorate this year. The kids did it all, and that was AWESOME with me! We still have to paint the front door, but the Christmas music is out (my rule is not until the day after Thanksgiving), the outside lights are on (thanks to my dad and Matt), and Sinter Klaus is on his way tonight.  We have had a few Christmas books read in front of the fire by Christmas tree light and we hope to get some baking done yet. We also did a Christmas craft at Home Depot this morning - Maria thought it was a good time.

The Lerums are coming the Lerums are coming

That phrase was heard loud and clear, better and louder than 'Deck the Halls' let me tell you.
Every year for many years, we have done Thanksgiving with dear friends. Who knows if this will be the last, but we made the memories and kept the traditions...... the family game, bowling, real whipping cream, sledding, swimming....I'm sure there are more and the kids would tell you what each of them are, because 'It isn't Thanksgiving without the Lerums". I wonder if they are aware that the rest of the country celebrates it too, without us? Many hours were spent laughing and playing games, and eating of course. This year bowling was done PJ style. We had another couple - the MI football friends - join us as well!