Thais and Lenin went out to dinner tonight and I got to stay with the kids. Lola joined us.
Sophia and Lola created an elaborate scenario and built their own “home” surrounded by a fence. After about an hour, Avery came downstairs and said, “I’m not going to play that anymore. It’s hard being the dog.”

I watched Sophia and Avery Monday and Wednesday after school. Sophia and her friends have been reading this series of books.
2836 pages since Thanksgiving. The book to the right is the first in the companion series.

After the game, a simple game for three people (Carson was thrilled),
then 6,
then 8.

Sophia has a new room color – Brittany Blue – that she picked out. She explained how her mom taught her to choose a shade or two lighter than what you actually want. This photo does not do justice to the actual color.
Avery and I made Candied Walnuts.

At Leah (Lenin’s sister) and Jeff Kral’s.


When it’s time to open presents, everyone stakes out a location in the room or on the stairs. Carson chose to sit between my legs on the lower steps 🙂 He waited patiently while all the presents were passed out.

Carson thought my trivets made a great hat:

As Sophia explained to me, “This is Superman when he was a baby and we are his parents.”

At St Ignatius. The students sit at the back of the church in their grade-level groups. Sophia and 4th grade classmates:
It’s very crowded. Arriving 30 minutes early and getting in line before the doors open is a must if you want a seat closer to the front.
I used to try to get really close to take pictures of each group, kneeling on a cold floor for too long. Now, I briefly stand up, zoom in as far as possible, and hope for the best. Sophia is in the first row, far left (I think).
Our crew:
The last song, “Go Tell It on the Mountain”, all students stand in the aisles, and everyone sings.

Avery and Carson

Sophia is #5:
Carson was so focused on what was on the screen, he never noticed Avery playing with his ear:
“Grandma, take my picture!” Only if you smile.

I love this season. More opportunities to see the grandkids. Tonight was Thais’ company party.

We always play until all the squares on the big board are covered. I always ask, “Who’s turn is it?” It’s my turn about 25% of the time. LOL.