Bah Humbug!

On Friday of last week Keri started feeling sick and went down with a stomach bug over the weekend.  And now Keri's good but Neal is feeling ill.  Not fun, especially around the holidays.  Thus, the "humbug."  Needless to say we have been flexible with our Christmas family activities in our attempt to enjoy the season without undue stress.
On Friday, we just grabbed some candy and shoved it in the advent box in lieu of the activity so we didn't have to think. 

Saturday, instead of the whole family, only Neal and Sophie went to a movie matinee of Arthur Christmas while Rhys and Keri napped.

Sunday, Neal and the kids "ate Frosty" when they made the bagels we did in Rhys' preschool class, as seen in this post.  Keri slept in.  Thank you, Neal.

Monday, we were all well but Sophie passed out at dinner and did not wake fully until morning.  Needless to say, we adjusted.  Our family Christmas shopping trip to the dollar store was a date for Keri and Rhys.
Tuesday, Neal started feeling bad but we made it out to one of our local shopping areas to take a holiday trolley ride and see their lights.  But, that night in particular, the managers of the shopping center were trying to locate the trolley company because none of them were present or running as they had planned.  So, we went for a chilly walk and ended the evening at a cookie shop.  Poor us, right?!

Wednesday, Neal was in bad shape and we cancelled our activity to roast chestnuts.  Instead, we went with an idea Sophie started earlier in the day.  Than morning, she asked Keri, from the back seat of the car, "Does Santa have a Christmas tree?"  Learning that he most certainly did, she suggested, "We should give him a Christmas gift so he can put it under his tree."  How sweet is that?!

So, after a bit of discussion and thought, Sophie chose one of her less loved toys to wrap up for Santa that evening.  It's sitting under our tree for now but we will place it next to his cookies and milk so he doesn't miss it.

Tonight, Neal took his turn at sleep while Keri and the kids popped corn and jumped in the car for a tour of lights.  We visited a nearby neighborhood and really enjoyed ourselves.  In fact, this has been a very trying day for Keri and she finally felt calm and enjoyed the kids. 

There were beautiful lights at many of the houses but we appreciate specific houses that brandish their Texas pride through the medium of Christmas lights, lest we forget which state we live.  Tonight we saw Santa with cowboy hat, a team of reindeer led by, not Rudolf, but a long horn steer, and the not-so-uncommon outlined state of Texas with "Merry Christmas Y'all" emblazoned across it--each at a different house.  It was a good time.