The Bell Still Rings and the Keys Still Play

This past weekend was one of the best [and then worst] ever! 

The boys had a total of FOUR Christmas parties (choir/art/Fourth Grade/Kindergarten) at school last week to start the holiday break. Fourth Grade had a small gift exchange and then competed in a gingerbread house building contest. 

Haleigh, Cole, Kelaina, and Kai (They are cute, but they did not win!).

On Thursday, Kindergarten had Pajamas and Pancakes, and stuffed small gifts in each of their 17 stockings after a story from Mrs. Newman. It was so fun!

Best buds Cam, Collier, and Tate. Cam's mom is named Lindsey and Collier's mom is from Snyder. These boys were destined to be friends. Ha!

The boys were out of school after Tate's party on Thursday morning, and went to the park and movie with our fave sitter, Logan, that afternoon. Then on Friday...

THE LEEVERS CAME!

We met them in Palestine at the historic Texas State Railroad to take a ride to the North Pole on the Polar Express.

We all LOVED it. It was the perfect amount of time (about an hour and a half), and the Big Elf himself made an appearance. The kids drank hot cocoa, had cookies, and danced and sang in the aisles. It really was cute and so fun with the oldest 4 cousins. 

Saturday was nice and warm. We almost all wore shorts and enjoyed the day at the lake after opening presents.

While I beat Kayla at backgammon ;), the boys made their own fort in the shed out back of the lake house. So much good old fashioned fun!

We enjoyed Saturday night back at the house with #AwesomeDawson and the older four monkeys.

We had our own gingerbread house building contest, which was more of a flop. The houses fell apart, but the boys had fun eating the decorations!

Tate started running fever on Saturday evening, but woke up on Sunday feeling okay and ready to play piano at a retirement/nursing home in Tyler. About 14 of Mrs. Cool's students performed.

He did a great job, and C-Man ROCKED all 12 verses of the 12 Days of Christmas! So proud of both of them for sharing their talents.

Monday morning came, and we found out that Tate has pneumonia. Again. This is his third time - so scary because he is just so susceptible after being hospitalized as a baby. Not the start to Christmas break that we were looking for. :(

Tate and I were up all night, thanks mostly to the steroids he is taking.  Hoping we can stay on top of his breathing treatments and medication at home and get these Little Loves to San Marcos for a GOOD Christmas to remember!

xo,

One Tired Mama