'Tis The Season For Class Parties

I had the honors of flitting from school to school this week for Christmas parties.  I was mighty thankful that none of the parties conflicted with one another and even more thankful that my shopping and wrapping was complete so I could enjoy my sweet bigs to the fullest.  

I can hardly believe that I will be juggling three of these in no time flat.

Until then, I spent three of the five days this week watching Jack and Maggie in their school element.  I just love a class holiday party.  It is such a wondrous celebration and the all important end to another season of school.  And most importantly, it means I am on the verge of having all three of my kiddos home at once.  Call me crazy, but I think that is the best part.

I started the week at Jack's Christmas Party {also known as his Winter party}.  I prefer to forgo the political correctness since this is my blog and all.

Ms. S and the party Moms had the cutest centers plans for all of the K kids.  Instead of manning a center, I was designated as picture Mom.  All the more freedom for me to peruse the room and stick a camera in Jack's face.  And this time I can say, "Ms. S told me to".  My rule bound boy can't argue with that.

Jack is so intense and focused at school that I can hardly get him to look my way sometimes.  So, I decided to capture him as he truly is.

However, I was ecstatic to grab one smile during one of his few work breaks.

I headed back up to Jack's class again mid-week for Gingerbread House Decorating Day.  Again, I was picture Mom.  I'm starting to like this gig.  I get invited everywhere.  It's like a backstage pass.

Just as before, Jack was very focused and intent on completing his house to his highest standards.  Through over complimenting him on his creation, I'm hoping I've nixed the idea of devouring it.  If only you could have seen the variety of Kindergarten fingers that went into those candy bowls and the intermittent licks, trust me, you would have done the same thing.  {Gag}

I ended my week with Maggie's Christmas Party {which is properly titled just that}.  If you remember way back when at the Halloween party, Mags was a less than desirable guest to party with.  I was hoping for a better time this go round.  I knew it was going to be when I walked in to this adorable face...

And just when I thought Maggie and her brother were polar opposites, I have discovered they actually were cut from the same mold.  Sitting at Maggie's Fall conference I almost fell out of my chair while talking with her amazing teacher.  I thought Ms. J was talking about my oldest and I mean to a "T", who knew?

Well, I got a snip it of my Maggie in school mode today.  During this reindeer craft Maggie was so meticulous and particular about every detail, she was the last one at the table and still intently focused.  All the other pre-school kids were on to the next festive activity.  We actually, had to bring it home to complete.  There is only so much time in a Christmas party.

I was one happy Momma to celebrate with a smiling Maggie though.  I think I may just come back to do it again {I was nearly scarred from that Halloween celebration}.  Way to bounce back my sweet Magpie!

Now on to our own celebrating around here.  We have cookies to bake, family to love on, Christmas Lights to see, and so much more.  Christmas Break is definitely one of our most wonderful times of the year!  Can't wait...

Reindeer Games

I hitched up the sleigh and loaded up my trio for, yet, another Cibula Family tradition....Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  

Part of me questioned whether Jack would still want to participate this year.  And if he did, well that meant weekend tickets.  With this in mind I asked him nearly a month ago, and got a resounding "yes, I want to go!".  I was loving the fact that my big boy is still a kid at heart, but I was not loving the prospect of a Saturday show.

Surprisingly, it was only a bit more hectic than our quiet weekday visits.  Grandma climbed aboard our sleigh and we were off {thank goodness for the extra set of hands}. Instead of flying through wintery white snow, we dashed through puddles and teaming down rain.  That's Christmas in the south for you.

My merry little ones didn't mind a bit.  They were so thrilled to be heading to see Rudolph and honestly, I was just enjoying the time with all three of them together.  {don't forget I had an extra set of hands with me...that's the key to enjoying three at one time}  

We blared the Christmas station on our XM radio and we I sang the whole way to the show.  Do anyone else's kid's cry out, "stop singing Mommmmmy" in those nasty little voices?  Other than that {and that fact that Lucy started up with cold symptoms} all was merry and bright on our short trek to the theater.

We grabbed our tickets from Will Call, hung up our umbrellas and rain coats, and took one quick picture with proof behind us of the monsoon we had just slushed through before we headed in to the show to grab our seats.  

{And do you see what I mean by little Lu and the start of cold symptoms...poor baby and such a trooper. }

Okay...so I have never in all my merry Christmas's, with kids that is, taken a 15 month old, much less with a cold, to see Rudolph.  You better believe I grabbed an aisle seat and was ready to follow the command of "please take all restless and crying babies to the lobby".

And wouldn't you know that toddler of mine was terrific.  Busy, but terrific.  I never once saw that lobby until the curtain went up and the theatre lights came on.  Lucy danced and clapped throughout the entire show.  And then she ate, and drank, and climbed from my lap to Grandma's to Jack's and then back to mine, and stood up, and ate some more, and drank again.  But was a jolly little soul all the while.  Love that gal.

Post show, we headed upstairs for the Create a Puppet Workshop.  I'm not sure if Grandma knew what she was getting into when she graciously offered to attend the show with us be my extra set of hands.  Surely, she's got it figured out by now.  But, boy, was I thankful for her presence.  When Lucy wasn't sitting in her lap, "making her puppet", she was tearing down all those lovely bulletin boards you see in the background.

All the while, the bigs were very engrossed in creating their Abdominal Snow Monster puppets.  I was reading the directions and guiding them along in between monitoring Lucy's path of destruction.

Somehow we all left with perfectly completed Snow Monsters.

And I just adore how my sweet girl always manages to put the Magpie touch on everything she wears and creates.  A bow for her monster...wouldn't you know?

Before we left, I had to get one more closing picture.  This was proof that we survived an hour long show with a toddler in tow, made three puppets, and still left with the Christmas spirit in check.  All you momma's of multiple children know what an accomplishment that is.

{However, the Grinch in me is still trying to figure out why it is so hard for some people to take a picture and include everyone at equal proportions...geez, Jack barely made the cut, much less his handcrafted puppet.}

I guided our sleigh back home with three exhausted kiddos and three monsters in hand and this time I spared them the en route Christmas caroling.

That's true Christmas love, if you ask me.

In The Spirit

The Cibula's are getting in the Christmas spirit around here.  How could we not?

This may explain why I have been absent from this blog.  I'm usually up to my elf bells in wrapping paper come post kissing kiddos goodnight {also known as my former computer retreat time}.  The blog has taken a back seat to scotch tape, scissors, and rolls and rolls and rolls of wrapping paper.

But, it seems that with or without my posts the big day is near us.  Every morning when Jack pulls out the chalk and updates our Christmas Countdown Sign a wave of panic and excitement wash over me.  It is the most wonderful time of the year, right?

So, in case you are wondering how the Cibula's are getting in the spirit {and for nostalgia's sake} here are few of the most wonderful things of the season that are keeping us busy.

How I adore my trio in Christmas jammies.  You better believe every night that these suckers are clean, the bigs choose them, which in turn means our littlest does too.

Our dear elf,  Clarence, has certainly done his part to put us in the spirit.  More than any year to date, the kids are full of giddiness each morning as they wake to find his newest shenanigan of the day.  Even Lucy spends her mornings on the hunt.  It is way too cute to watch her waddle behind her bigs and squeal when Clarence is found.  She's even learned the "no, no, no" finger wag to remind us not to touch him.  Then she gives him a giant wave.  It sure does make waking up a little easier.

This is where we've found him a few mornings.

It seems Clarence enjoys our Christmas DVD collection...and making a mess.  This prompted a "can we please watch a Christmas movie?" plead...all day long.

We are still trying to figure out why in Santa's name Clarence would ever turn the toilet water green.

And who knew Clarence had accessories?  A tiny scarf and little booties to wear...our fashionista elf....isn't he fun?

Jack, Maggie, and I spent an afternoon assembling Christmas goodies for their friends at school.  We had quite the assembly line going.  It won't be long before our littlest Lu will join us.  I can hardly believe how time has flown thus far.

Jack got the biggest kick out of the play on words.  I'm still wondering if my Magpie actually got it or not.  Either way she was a gracious little elf working hard all the while.  And when it came to writing her name on the back, it had to be just perfect.  I don't know if this family can handle another perfectionist.  Yikes!

Okay...it's time for me to go bury myself in more wrapping paper.  Oh why does Santa feel the need to wrap presents?  Bless his merry little soul.

Merry Christmas Friends!

Seeing Santa

December is here and the kiddos wasted no time kicking off the holiday season.  We made our annual visit to see Santa this very first week of the most wonderful time of the year.

Before heading down to see the jolly ol' soul, Jack and Mags made out their Christmas lists.   Maggie's included, 'jingle bells, a rhino, and a toy ornament'.  I'm still trying to figure that one out.  I'm afraid she may be sorely disappointed {or surprisingly elated...I'm thinking Santa can do better than that}.

And what princess doesn't need a wand for her Santa visit?  The list alone would never do.

Jack's list, on the other hand, seems to get more intricate every year.  I really feel for Santa's elves.  Night Vision Goggles and a Wild Kratt Bat Power Suit?  Oh, where does an elf begin.  And I think it's important to note the back of his list included Heat Vision Goggles and a camera.

I reminded my kids that Clarence {our Elf Spy} was watching and then in the same breathe told them it was time for pictures on the porch.  Tis the season...for bribing.

But, so thankful I did.  You see, I have this amazing zoom lens that I got last year for Christmas.  My whole hopes for it was to use it for far away school performances, sporting events, and of course, Santa pictures. {it seems Santa's elves have a stand behind the podium and no flash to take your personal photos policy}

And wouldn't you know, that amazing zoom lens apparently has been dropped sometime between Jack's Thanksgiving performance and our Santa visit.  Sadly I didn't know this until I was in line with three excited kiddos.  Talk about a race to change lenses and adjust it all.

I got a few.  Sadly they aren't quite as amazing as they could have been.  But, oh so happily {and much more importantly}, Jack and Maggie relished their time with Santa Claus.

And Lucy?  Well, not a tear dropped.  I wouldn't say she enjoyed it, but she tried her hardest to keep it together.  There was a little lip pucker and watery eyes every now and then.  Honestly, I was waiting for her to blow.  But, no she kept it contained through the entire visit.  I'm pretty sure the comfort of her bigs is what helped her through.  Maggie even reached over and held her little hand a few times.  But, geez, was she happy to see me when it was all over.  I was quite impressed with that lovely toddler of mine.

The merriment has only begun!  December, here come the Cibulas!

{and I think it only fair to myself to defend my hair and looks...that's called a week of sick girls and very humid weather...straightener, sleep...what are those?}