The adventures of Big Boy, Boopy and their parents: Catching Up

Wow!!! When I think about all we've done the past week, I make myself tired. Granted it didn't seem like much at the time, but in retrospect we crammed a lot of activities in to a short amount of time. So to catch you all up, here's our past week:

Friday, Nov 30 - home in the evening to work more on decorating the house.
Saturday, Dec 1 - Papa Vaughn had drill all weekend. The kids and I went out to the base in the morning to help stuff bags for the base children's Christmas party. Then we went to our friend Gabby's 3rd birthday party where the kids had a blast playing in a bounce house. The evening brought a walking trip down Christmas Tree Lane.
Sunday, Dec 2 - I held my annual Christmas Tea. Long, Fun Day!
Monday, Dec 3 - Back to regular routine.
Tuesday, Dec 4 - Back to regular routine.
Wednesday, Dec 5 - Children's Christmas party out at the base.
Today, Thursday, Dec 6 - Back to regular routine.

Since there is so much to share, I'll start you off with details from Saturday and do separate entries for my Tea and the base Christmas party.

Gabby's Party

After helping at the base with the Christmas bags, we rushed to my friend and co-worker's house to celebrate her daughter, Gabrielle's 3rd birthday party. Natalie's kids are just about one year older that Big Boy and Boopy. They take good care of use and send many wonderful "hand-me downs" which we love. Plus it's so fun for the kids to be close in age and play so well together. Although we were a bit late, we got there just in time for the festivities of a sweet family party. I was pleasantly surprised that Big Boy was not scared or leery of the bounce house and went right in when it was available to the little kids. Boopy on the other hand, did surprise me with her timid attitude. She perked right up to her usual crazy self though once I joined her in the bounce house. I think I can still feel the movement from sitting in the corner and trying to take pictures of the kids bouncing!

Big Boy supervising & Rocky (Gabby's big brother) helping to open presents.

Boopy was in awe of what a big girl Gabby is! After the party it was all about "Gabby, Gabby, Gabby!" I only wish I had snapped a picture of the two hugging from the front!

Boopy wanted to be like Gabby and wear a bow on her head. Silly girl!

Sweet Gabby getting a kiss from her Grandma and Great Grandpa!

A bite of birthday cake.

Jump, jump, and more "jumpy"! I had a hard time convincing the kids it was time to go. They didn't want to get out of the bounce house. I even threatened to leave without them and simply got told, "Bye, Mama" and waved at! They weren't too happy when I had to physically insist that it was time to go.

Christmas Tree Lane!

Thankfully, Gabby only lives a few streets away from us, so getting home didn't take long. Our problem was that the kids had not napped at all and we were now rushing home to change and then head out with Darren & Carolyn to walk Christmas Tree Lane. Christmas Tree Lane is only open a couple of nights each Christmas season for those to walk it, otherwise it's all about riding in your car, which definitely sounds warmer than walking. Anyway, I digress.

So after a quick change and lots of each layers of clothes we were on our way to park, ride shuttles and walk to see the Christmas lights. The kids crashed in the car mere seconds from home, so they ended up with about a 15-20 minute nap. After such an energetic long day, it was quite enough. Mind you they did really good waiting forever in line to board the charter buses to the start of the walk. The walk itself, well IF we do it next year, we will be sure to have naps beforehand and make sure we start earlier. Big Boy was good at the start riding in the stroller. Boopy refused and insisted on walking and holding Darren & Carolyn's hands. So, Boopy walked most of the way until we convinced her otherwise. Then about 3/4 of the way, it became a battle over who could whine the most and who could cry the most over having to be carried by Mama. Ugh...Papa Vaughn & I were a tad worn out by the end to say the least. We're amazed that Darren & Carolyn stuck it out with us for the whole walk. We would have understood if they wanted to leave and walk without the third wheel of the stroller they ended up pushing for us! Thanks guys! :) All in all, we did have a good time, just a bit too long. It also make the kids whining more understandable when we realized that it was 9 pm at the end of the walk and the kids are usually in bed by 8! Plus, they hadn't napped all day! So, not too bad considering we'll just need better planning next time on my part.

All bundled up, waiting for the bus.