Monday dawned with the landlord coming to check a water/mold issue we had reported. We ended up heading out for some bowling in the afternoon as the spray used to kill the mold was not setting well with Heather or her mom. The kids had a blast with Gideon beating both Uncle Jon and myself while Cecilia tied with Heather. (In case you’re wondering the girls did better than Gideon, and I can admit to that!) After a nice little dinner we watched Dora for Cecilia.
Cecilia wanted Grandma and Heather to read to her and since they were making a run to drop some stuff off when the show ended she had to wait. She did, and I’m not sure what they read her.
Gideon had me and Grandma read to him. I read him another Fly Guy book, and he likely had another one as well.

Tuesday Grandma was sick. Laid up in bed with a fever having trouble breathing sick. The kids went to the Children’s Museum with Heather and Grandpa. Apparently it was madness. Two trips through the ramp to find a parking spot kind of madness. This is what happens to inside recreation during a Minnesota winter. At least normally. When it’s too cold to ride bikes. Jon and I went to see The Hobbit in HFR 3D at an ATMOS theater. We left before the show and got back when everyone was in bed, so I’m not sure what all happened in the interim.
I heard later that Cecilia picked Kate & Mim-mim.

Wednesday. New Years Eve. We didn’t do any celebrating of it though. In fact, Cecilia ended the previous day, and started this one, with a fever. In light of this we spent the day at home. There was some cleaning and finding of homes for the kids new things. Other than that, just playing and hanging out together. For the evening show it was Uncle Jons turn according to the kids, and he picked Little Einsteins. Presumably that choice was in part due to who exactly the audience for the show was.
Cecilia had Jon and Grandma read to her, while Gideon had Jon and Grandpa. Uncle Jon was just the popular one this night.

Thursday we had another relatively quiet day. I was thinking of taking the kids to the indoor park, but by the time I was ready they were contentedly watching soccer with Jon, and then it got to be to close to lunch. After rest time they did some dancing with Jon and then didn’t want to go anywhere when I suggested finding a sledding place. Friday will bring a much more solid effort to get the kids, and adults, out of the house for a bit at least. Gideon ended the day by choosing Little Einsteins.
Cecilia had Gradma and Heather read to her while Gideon read to Heather and Jon. Yes, Gideon read to them. I’m guessing they helped him a little but he probably did most of the reading.

Friday I brought Gideon to the indoor park in the morning where we “played” a lot of basketball. He didn’t spend much time in the playground itself. It sounded like he wasn’t a fan of the number of people in there. It was pretty crowded. In the afternoon Heather took him outside for some playtime in the snow. Cecilia was still under a slight fever and spent a large part of the day hanging out with Grandma. The nighttime show and stories are a mystery to me. Heather and I saw Hello Dolly at Chanhassen.

Saturday was the day our house guests went home. The morning was a little rough for Gideon. I think it was a combination of tired and not wanting to return to the routine. Cecilia did pretty good until we dropped them off at the airport. After getting everyone ready to go we spent the afternoon hanging out. In fact, the kids spent the better part of an hour playing with just each other in the playroom after the inflatable bed came down. After dinner and drop-off we survived the ride home and Gideon was just in time to override the Handy Manny I had started, but he decided it was what he wanted.
I read the Monsters Inc story to Cecilia from her Disney Christmas Collection. I’m pretty sure Heather read her the Little Mermaid one as it was the next one in the book. (I think.)
Gideon got some story from Heather, but I missed what. He started asking me for 500 Hats, but changed his mind to the Grinch about five words in.

Sunday it got cold. Windchill advisories were in place all day, so outside of a run to church and Target we didn’t go anywhere or play outside. The morning after church was a little rough. Gideon ended up needing some time alone. Cecilia was on edge most of the day. Heather worked hard getting stuff ready for our week ahead while I spent time with the kids. After a calmer evening and watching all but the last episode of The Amazing Race Cecilia picked Little Einsteins for a show.
Cecilia had a couple more stories from the Disney Christmas collection, mine was The Perfect Gift. (Pinocchio)
Gideon had two of the Fly Guy books, one from each of us.

Monday was a long day. I worked from home to get a signature required delivery and spent the day chasing a root cause that was not well represented by the shown error. The delivery? Showed up a little after 3. I brought the kids to the indoor playground, after dinner. Due to how late the day was getting I figured we’d try eating first in hopes of getting them a little more time to play. After last week they needed the time out. It didn’t work out so well. After we made it home Cecilia picked a new show, Kate and Mim-mim.
Heather read Cecilia Counting Christmas and I saw Santa for Gideon while I read them both the latest book that Gideon made at school.

Tuesday Heather brought the kids straight to the indoor playground and I made dinner for when they got home. After dinner we got to see The Little Drummer Boy courtesy of Gideon.
I read the kids a class book that Gideon brought home.
Heather read Cecilia Little Critters I Just Forgot and Gideon Friendly Beasts (probably) from a Christmas Story Collection we have.

Wednesday I went in for a half day of work, but Heather took the day off to spend with the kids. They were able to ride their bikes around outside while she cleaned the van. Bike riding, Christmas Eve, in Minnesota. Yeah. Anyhow, we visited the church we met at for the Christmas Eve service and saw a lot of people we used to know much better. Our evening show was How The Grinch Stole Christmas as a family movie. We left out cookies and milk, as well as carrots and “reindeer food.” (Gideon told us that it was oatmeal.)
Gideon didn’t want a story though. He was ready to go to sleep. It was a combination of exhaustion and excitement. In fact, usually we leave his door open until he falls asleep, but tonight he wanted it closed because “Santa’s not supposed to see me.”
Cecilia asked me to read her Very Hungry Caterpillar. I’m not sure if she had Heather read to her as well, but she probably did.

Thursday was Christmas of course. Gideon was up around 5:20. Cecilia at 6:30. Grandma’s house was at 11ish. The kids loved all their gifts of course. Gideon even passed on part of Amazing Race for the night to play with a new toy. (Not telling which one though!) Cecilia picked Doc McStuffins for the night. The kids got jammies on and watched the show without a lot of fighting. I’m pretty sure they were exhausted and ready for bed.
Gideon’s stories were from his new collection of Fly Guy stories.
Cecilia’s stories included me reading her the same Fly Guy book I read Gideon as well as Heather reading her a new Otis book.

Friday we were all home and relaxing a little. We had family showing up the next day and a full week off coming up. (Technically that night, but the last flight in.) Of course the kids were on day three of getting up early. If these were school days the kids probably would have tried to sleep in another hour or two. Gideon picked the Grinch cartoon.
Both kids are now on a Fly Guy kick and had us each read them one of those stories.

Saturday Grandma and Grandpa Reed had settled in for a visit, and brought uncle Jon with them. This of course meant the kids got to have another Christmas present session. Gideon was much better about others opening presents and not needing them all to be for him this time. Most of the day was filled with playing and relaxing. Cecilia asked for a Sopiha the First that she hadn’t seen before.
Cecilia had Grandma read her a special “I Spy” style book with pictures of her in it. Then Grandpa read her Big Snowman Little Snowman.
Gideon had Uncle Jon read him a fly guy book followed by me reading him another one.

Sunday meant time to start restoring normalcy to the environment. Yes, decorations came down. This went fairly quickly. After this was lunch and then a little bit of the return game, only for duplicate gifts though. It was a surprisingly quick experience this time around. In retrospect doing it during the end of a Vikings game that was soon to be followed by a Packers game probably helped. We also went to Buffalo Wild Wings so the out-of-town guests could see most of the Broncos game. Gideon picked Octonauts once we made it home.
Gideon had Uncle Jon and Grandpa both read him Fly Guy books again.
Cecilia had Grandma and Heather read to her, but I have no idea what.

(Sorry for the delay, I blame the holidays. They’re probably mostly to blame anyhow.)

Monday Cecilia sang in the daycare Christmas Program. This happened after dinner came a little late. Between the program and cookies after we got home late. We did family story and Gideon picked Chuggington, but we didn’t stick around for “the wait.” There were no individual stories which caused Cecilia to complain a little, but she calmed down fairly fast.

Tuesday brought Gideon’s turn to sing in the program for the other location of Love to Grow on. Dinner wasn’t quite as late but the Van decided to do some acting up. This set the tone for a rough evening. Cecilia picked Sheriff Callie for a show and we did family story after. There was some struggle with no individual stories from Cecilia, but Gideon was ready for bed.

Wednesday we took a breath. I got the kids from school while Heather did some grocery shopping. The kids and I did a pick-up so we would be ready for the house to be cleaned on Friday. The kids did a good job and as a result they were able to play some games on the tablets before dinner. Gideon picked Disney’s Prep and Landing. Stories were done by Heather as I got a call for a production issue at work.

Thursday we were busy again. Small group was supposed to be a little later than usual and for hanging out. It ended up being only the hosts and us so we met at the usual time and had dinner. It was a nice respite from the really busy parts of the season, and a good chance to get to the know the small group host family a little better. We finally planned ahead a little better and read the family story on the way home. At home Cecilia picked Disney’s Prep and Landing 2: Naughty versus Nice.

Friday it was time for the kids to finish shopping. This time it was Cecilia and I while Gideon got to hang out with Heather. The night went late and by the time we finished Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer chosen by Gideon and family story the kids were going to bed without individual stories at 9:30 or so.

Saturday was looking to be the start of a tough weekend for Gideon as we were doing the doctors bidding. He handled the day really well though, and had a great time at his cousin Abbi’s party. We made it to our regular church service and managed an episode of Amazing Race before Cecilia picked Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
At bedtime I read both kids A Charlie Brown Christmas while Heather read them Merry Christmas Curious George.

Sunday we stayed home for what one might think was a relatively low-key day. Unfortunately the kids were bouncing off the walls due to a week since they’ve been to the indoor playground. Even worse, due to finishing Gideon’s treatment we decided it was best to stay home. We managed to get through 2 episodes of Amazing Race. The “Save” pass is now out of the race. We watched Handy Manny as per Gideon’s choice after family story time.
Heather read both kids the book Gideon got from his school library last time they went, Snowmen at Christmas.
I read Gideon How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Cecilia Mulberry Street.

Monday I took the kids to play after school so Heather could finish the shopping we didn’t get done over the weekend. After dinner Gideon picked Chuggington.
Heather read Llama Llama Holiday Drama to both kids while I read them I’ve Seen Santa.

Tuesday was a late one. Gideon has complained in the past about not getting to stay and play at Love to Grow On, so since Heather had a late meeting we decided to do a late pick-up. Turns out, the kids didn’t like that. Sometimes we just can’t win. (I think if they had been playing in a snowy backyard things might have been different.) They were mad I didn’t pick them up and go play instead. Cecilia picked Little Einsteins after dinner.
Heather read Gideon’s latest class book to both kids.
I read Gideon and Cecilia Gideon’s Little Elf book.

Wednesday it was Heather’s turn to take the kids to the community center. Other than that, a pretty normal day. Gideon picked Handy Manny to finish it off.
Heather read both kids The Biggest Christmas Tree Ever.
I read both kids Counting Christmas.

Thursday I got home late due to a work party and the kids both lost their show privileges for the night. That’s probably enough said about that.
Cecilia had Let It Snow read to her by Heather while I read her the Barbie Secret Door book.
Gideon begged Heather to finish his Big Book of Airplanes and then I read him Let It Snow.

Friday was a long day. We split the kids for pickup after work in an attempt to get them done with their Christmas gift purchases. Well, mostly done. They couldn’t get something for the parent that was with them. I took Gideon and Heather took Cecilia. It was a mostly fruitful day for everyone involved. Gideon had known he wouldn’t get a show earlier, so how late we got back didn’t phase him. (Fall out from the previous day.) We had family story and ended up letting Cecilia choose a story or show. Since she choose a show (Doc McStuffins I think?) we let Gideon play while she watched it before they both went to bed in their tents.
Gideon did get The Foot Book from me before he played for the rest of Cecilia’s show.

Saturday was a long one. In the morning I took the kids to do some “independent” gift buying for Heather and I at the Shoreview Community Center. Since we were there I let them then play for a while in the indoor playground and basketball gym. Heather finished up some shopping with the magic of the internet while we were gone. In the afternoon we took in a rendition of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” at a nearby church before heading out to the Sturm’s annual Christmas Dinner to see some people we rarely hang out with anymore. (Life does that you know.) The nighttime show started on the drive there with a final bit in the house after the drive back, it was The Incredibles chosen by Gideon. Even with the late hour we were able to have family story time, but no individual stories tonight.

Sunday we spent the day at home. Partially because Cecilia literally ate herself sick the night before. She liked the chocolate cake at the Sturms so much she overate and gave it to the toilet when we got home. We also knew that we had a heck of a week coming up. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday all are going to be late nights. Cecilia picked Frosty Returns after a pizza dinner and two episodes of Amazing Race. We’re past Halloween now!
Heather read both kids Millie in the Snow.
I read both kids Santa Knows.