We went to OP on Tuesday for Garrison's school Holiday Program, but before that, we picked up both kids at school and took them to our favorite place, Burger King, for dinner. Amanda had a work happy hour to attend, so Garrison and Grandpa stayed home after dinner while I took Peyton to her dance lesson. Chad got off work and picked her up at dance, and then they met the rest of us at Blue Valley North HS for Garrison's program. After Amanda got home from her event, the 4 of us went to his program. He was in the first number of the night and the final number of the night and did a great job singing and doing his dance steps. All smiles.
We had tickets to see Peyton dance with her Tini Tainers group at her Christmas Program at Olathe South HS on Saturday, 12/17, but there was a winter storm, so we didn't chance the icy roads. Onliy one of her 4 performances took place, so they were rescheduled. We went on Tuesday at noon to OP, made a couple of shopping stops then picked up the kids at school. I took Peyton's favorite, BBQ meatballs and rice for our dinner which we ate before Amanda, Peyton, Grandpa and I went to the program. Garrison and Chad ran some Christmas errands as they had already seen the program. She did a fantastic job dancing in all 4 of the numbers she was in - it was a beautiful program. Grandpa took her some flowers for after her program and took her to the bake sale afterward.
I finished physical therapy for my heel on 12/23. I think it feels some better but still not painless. Ron has had a bad cold/cough for 3-4 weeks now - been to the doctor twice - 3 kinds of medication - lots of Nyquil - not much better, but maybe some.
On Christmas Eve, we traveled to the Todds, but first, we made stops at Walmart in Harrisonville and Belton in search the ever elusive stuffed plush Elf for Garrison, which was what he had decided he wanted the last week before Christmas. Amanda had been everywhere in KC looking for one, and I had tried a couple of places on Friday with no results. Bingo - a $2.98 plush Elf was found at Walmart in Belton - score!!!!! As it turned out, he loved that little elf and named my Buddy, and it was the only toy he requested to take with him to Lexington when they went!!!! Thank heaven one was found.
First on Christmas Eve, we drove down to The Plaza for a great lunch at The Melting Pot - for 2 1/2 hours!!!! We had the four course meal, and we all enjoyed it very much. After we got back to their house, we opened our gifts and had fun playing some games that the kids had received and enjoying each other. We had snacks for dinner before the kids fixed their treats for Santa and put out their reindeer food before they went to bed, followed by a bedtime story from Mom and Daddy.
Christmas morning, Peyton awakened very early but stayed in her Mom and Daddy's room until Garrison got up - then it was on!!!! Santa brought some wonderful things - and they opened their gifts to each other - it was fun to be a part of the morning. We had delicious cherry coffee cake that Peyton had baked all by herself for breakfast before we headed back to Clinton.
We went to church - it was lovely to sing lots of Christmas Carols and to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus - follows by a Christmas pot luck in the fellowship hall - attended by around 65 people - it was fun and delicious.
We rented a movie from The Red Box and relaxed in the afternoon, awaiting the Chiefs game Sunday night.
God has blessed us with the love of family.
