Around here lately: December 2020 edition

When talking about Buddy on Elf
Erin: He eats a cotton ball.
Claire: Cotton balls, to be precise.

While watching Elf
It looks even worse in jail than I imagined. I can imagine how it smells!

After accidentally cutting her finger with her craft scissors
I curse the sharpness of the scissors!

I like it when it's just the six of us. That's when I'm happiest and home.

It's like the car knows magic of when we're going to see the lights!
In awe of a synchronized Christmas light and music display, where you tune your car radio to the appropriate station

I put a bow on the unicorn so it can be an aristocrat.

We're all a little tired, but we can still be cheerful!

Brynn squeals
I think she was screaming for joy!

The girls spent a morning emptying the recycling bin in order to make a rocketship. Claire sidled up to me and whispered:
I'm not really going with them, Mommy. I'm just helping them because they're so excited.

Rocketship creation

By the time I'm in college, I should have a phone AND earrings!

On Gaudete Sunday, lighting the pink candle in our Advent wreath
Pink and purple go lovely together.

While watching Home Alone
He saved Kevin's life. Or...at least he saved his fingers from being bitten off.

Brad: That's why they say "it's a dog-eat-dog world."
Claire: But it's a Dog War!

I have an offer: I could watch them!
Offering to watch Lily and Brynna for me

Talking about her Spirograph Christmas gift
Erin: It looks like a kaleidoscope!
Claire: Or many kaleidoscopes, if you had a billion eyes!

Erin: We won't see Nana and Poppy until Christmas morning.
Claire: That will be such a great Christmas present!

Opens red dresses on Christmas morning 
These can be our dresses for Pentecost!

Amiee: I just love that house (on Home Alone)
Claire: It's so GRAND!

Lily, being a vet is not in your DNA. Your DNA tells you whether you're French or Scottish or German. You'll have to take a test, but you can't until you're 18.

This has been quite a year!
TRUTH

You're putting that on your funny list, aren't you?
Referring to my keeping these lists of their quotes

November 2020: a recap

November was a full and fun month around here! I've already done a recap of Thanksgiving, but here's a round-up of the other things that transpired.

During the first week of November, Gran and Grandpa were able to stop by for an unexpected visit (during which we were all together for news of Brad's brother, Tim, and sister-in-law, Jenna, safely welcoming our niece, Zoey, to the world!):

I usually take many more pictures during visits with family, but it seems these are the only pictures I managed to grab...?

Right as Bill and Barbara were heading out the door to return to Tennessee, the idea was hatched for Lily to go back with them for the week. So, I packed her up and got her ready to go in about 10 minutes. She had a blast that week! And, somehow, caring for only 3 children made it feel like I had SO MUCH MORE time back in my week. How? I have no idea. But we missed Lily dreadfully. She is such a joy in our lives.

While Lily was gone, Brynn and I had a little visit with Kendall, Claire and Brynna had some good quality time together, and we went for an almost-whole-family hike at the Eno:

Kendall brought a tiny baby cake!

Brynnie and I had a most unusual opportunity for some just-the-two-of-us time (she had a well check-up, followed by some errand running):

Old Navy returns = quality time

When Nana and Bo arrived before Thanksgiving, they came bearing gifts from very dear (and talented!) friends!

Mrs. Tidwell has made quilts for Claire and Lily...and she sent one for Brynnie! Brynn was THRILLED to have "my very OWN quilt!" Please ignore all of the mess in the living room. 

Mrs. Romine has made each of the girls' Easter baskets, and Hallie's arrived in November!

She was beside herself with excitement!

As per usual, there were a lot of Hallie snuggles (we really can't help ourselves):

Cheeks!

Lots of time spent together making all manner of fun for ourselves:

Bicycle feet!

We worked on creative projects:

A welcome home sign for our neighbor dog who returned from puppy school

Tin can telephone situation

Kiwi Crate project (that was later placed on the flowers, as we had done a unit on pollinators earlier this year, and THEY REMEMBERED!)

And we embraced the beginning of the Advent season with great enthusiasm (and with a handmade Advent wreath!):

November felt like more of a return to normal (is there any such thing during this pandemic?), as we settled into a good routine with school/dissertating/life-with-four-kids. It was a good one, for sure!