Ahh, to be a child again...

It's Christmas Eve and we just finished putting out the "reindeer food" (you know, the stuff that magically gives reindeer the ability to fly... yeah, that stuff :) all over the lawn.  Well, actually it's super cold for us "Cali's", so it was more of a dumping.

But either way, it made me really thankful that I get to enjoy Christmas with children.  Even my children who have been destroying my house in the name of making forts, who have giggled/argued/wrestled/schemed/tattled and played their way through each day of vacation and have been staying up super late enjoying sleepovers in each others rooms.

It's crazy, but honestly, I love every (wait...hmmm, yes, every single) second of it.

Getting the food from Dad.

Tito, making sure Rudolph will be well taken care of.

The girls.

Yes, Kennedy is cold.

And yes, I did try to do red-eye reduction on Kennedy's eyes.

(Apparently, I don't know how to un-edit.)

Happy Christmas Eve to you all!  :)

Let the "Vacation Fun" begin!

As Gwen is getting older, it has been really fun to watch all the new activities she gets to partake in.  This year, she was able to do Secret Santas with her class.  Last week, she made an ornament, book mark, poem and card and bought a book her "buddy" would enjoy.  This week, she got to receive the same items and found out today who made her all that cool stuff.

And to kick off her soon-to-be "vacation" status, she got to wear her clothes backwards, join in on a Christmas carol sing-along, enjoy a tasty brunch, make crafts and watch a movie with her friends.  Not too shabby.  Not too shabby, indeed... :)

Gwen in full blast academic mode.

One of my all time favorite kids.

This is how Bryce "my middle name is Boo" came dressed for school.

(and yes, that's a pick of Bryce and me :)

Once school was out, Gwen had 3 of her friends come over for a candy making session...

Girls being cute friends...

Girls working hard...

Girls being like "boys".

Gross.

Girls being silly.

Their finished product.

I'd say we're a ways off from any Food Network Challenge,

but just give us  a few years...  ;)

Kennedy's Christmas festivities...

As Kennedy's main holiday activity took place Wednesday (~80 elaborate, sugary Kindergarten engineered gingerbread houses were constructed between 9:30-10 am), the Busy Bees decided to take a more relaxed approach before they broke off for holiday...

So, everyone donned their most comfy jammies and enjoyed all the fun ideas that Mrs. Anderson had up her sleeve.

One such activity...

"How many bites does it take to eat an ice cream bar?"

Now, that's my kind of math.

We may need to do some "homework" to reinforce this activity over the break. :)

Kennedy and Luke thinking this Math is fun.

Kennedy trying to tally each bite that she took.

Luke, not really caring, since he already decided

that it would take him 20 bites to complete such a feat.

Once all the ice cream was cleared,

it was time for the Christmas Book Exchange.

...opening...

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star!

Right after school let out,

Kennedy had 4 of her friends over for "Bingo for Candy" and bag decorations...

which required too much parent involvement to take any pics. :)

Tito's turn...

It has become almost a rite of passage, so to speak, for all Garates to perform in at least one preschool holiday program during their most formidable years.  And as Tito has now come of age, he proved not to disappoint.

And even though his momma had exactly 4 zillion things to accomplish by 8:30 am (which led to Tito's tardiness (and the missing of the nativity reenactment)), Ty stepped up to bat, when they needed him most... for the performance of some Santa song and Jingle Bells... ;)

The closest I got to Ty looking at the camera.

And next to Ty, is his friend Constantine.

Not the kid trying to look like a zombie,

but the other one.  :)

I believe the quote is "Ho, ho, ho..."

Workin' hard in Jingle Bells...

Ty and Constantine got their bells twisted during J Bells...

truly funny stuff. ;)

"Jazz Hands"

His best Robert Pattison... ;)

Ty had quite the lengthy conversation with the man in red.

I had to apologize to the other parents...

What could it be?!?

Tito was in shock that Santa gave him

exactly

what he had just asked him for.

A-mazing. :)

All that performing takes a lot out of you...

***and just for the record, Mr. Tito did not wear those shoes today...

Apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Merry Christmas! :)

Christmas in San Fran...

Every year, Grandpa Dean and Grandma Buzz think of some great adventure to take the family upon.  Last year it was a Christmas train ride for the grandkids and "Beach, Blanket, Babylon" for the adults.  This year, we got to go as an entire family on a Christmas Carol Cable Car Ride Through San Francisco (minus one beloved Uncle Andy and Auntie Meme), or you can call it CCCRTSF. ;)

Despite the rain's best efforts to stifle our enjoyment, we still had a great time snuggling our way through the festively decorated streets of one of my fav cities...

Our "crew".

From left to right,

Taylor, Jo, Grandpa Dean, Grandma Buzz... :)

Our family.

Auntie Amy, Maddie and Gwen enjoying the ride.

We had a quick pit stop at the Fairmont.

After much searching, Kennedy finally found a suitable place to sit. ;)

Shoot.

If only Gwen had been there, we would have had a family pic... ;)

Rachel and I reunited with Lily, the other Asian sister we had always thought we had... ;)

I kept saying I thought Ty looked so "foreign" tonight.

Rachel reminded me to "Look around." :)

Proof that it was a great night!

X

Here is where the video of our family wishing you a "Merry Christmas" was supposed to be.

But for some reason it won't load.

Argh...

Hope you're enjoying your Christmas seasons! :)

Reason 473b: "Why Daddy Is Way Cooler Than Mom"

Today when Ty, Kennedy and I pull up to the house, we hear,

"Hi Mom!"

When I look up, this is what I see...

If you look closely, you'll see Gwen's thoughts...

"This is really cool, but I'm kinda so scared I could almost throw up."

You see, Ben decided to hang the Christmas lights

during his and Gwen's "date" today

(since K and T were going to a bday party).

And who wouldn't be thrilled when their daddy asks them if they

"want to go on the roof?"

And who would have thought their hubby was serious when he asked his beloved daughter if she wanted to go on the roof?!?

But never-the-less, my first born was thrilled...yet cautious.  :)

Yeah, now this is starting to be fun...

I'm pret-ty sure this should get us into the Parenting Hall of Fame... ;)

And this greeted me as I hear a knock on the upstairs window...

Yikes. 

 We're in for a long December.

Here's wishing you an early "Merry and safe Christmas season". :)

Garates vote beds are over-rated...

Last night as Auntie Rachel and I had some "super important conversations" 

(aka: we need to get Michael Oher jerseys), 

the kids put themselves to bed.

Yes, this suited Tito and Kennedy just fine...

Gwen found a spot too...

And here's for a little perspective...

Hope your Thanksgivings were great!