light-up night, etc.
Jack was so excited to take the train downtown to light-up night last night. “Yay! I get to ride the train!”
We got a little later start because I had to clean up an almost-full gallon can of paint that Abigail had knocked on the wood floor and rug of the dining room (from the dining room table). It was my fault for not putting it right away before I went to get them from naps because I’m always distracted with so many things once they’re up. But it cleaned up nicely, so no big deal.
We had dinner at Moe’s- a mexican place- and then went to see where the big tree was now lit in the middle of the ice rink. Santa was waving to people, so we put Jack way up in the dirt base of a gigantic potted plant, along with some other little people so he could see better. I wish I’d had our video camera. He was enthralled by the huge lit tree and had a big grin on his face. I had brought my camera, but it’s too big, and I have grown weary of adjusting so many settings each time I’m going to snap some photos. So I have no photos. But by the time we saw the tree and I asked what time it was and Mike answered “seven forty,” we decided we had to race back to the ‘T’ station, where we got on the next 47L and headed home. We normally start getting the kids ready for bed at 8, so at 8:30, when we were nearing our stop, we had a tired and fussy Abigail, in need of a diaper change. Little did we realize, we were in the back car, which is, apparently, the wrong car if you want to get off at in-between stops. So we had to get off two stops past our stop. Mike ran back a mile to get the van, while I changed Abigail as quickly as I could on the cold bench of the station (on her mat), and tried to keep her happy. Jack was just thrilled to be at a train station and occupied himself pretending to be a train conductor or something like that.
Other than Mike having a super-high blood sugar, the remainder of our trip home was uneventful, but now Abigail and I are sick. I’ve been achey and faint mostly, and I think Abigail’s might be related to a lack of sleep. I need to get one of those otoscopes so I can see when the kids have ear infections. Gail’s nap has been very interrupted by her crying. It’s so sad.
I guess seeing my mom’s lights and garland on their banaster when we went to Maryland last week made feel like I should start decorating myself. I love decorating the house this time of year and making the house smell like frazier fur and pine, cranberries and apple and pumpkin pies. We also want to start a few Advent traditions this year, since Jack is getting to where he might get something out of it. I think we’ll do a Jesse Tree and maybe celebrate St. Nicholas Day. I’ve gotten some inspiration from Christmas and Advent sites– any suggestions for activities to do with younger kids?
