What a weekend we have had! We started the weekend early. I took the kids out of school early on Friday so that we could get to the Nutcracker performance in downtown Seattle. We ate lunch in the car on the way, and arrived with enough time to take a quick picture, and find our seats at the very top, 3rd row from the back. It was a totally different experience than when Camille and I went a few years ago and sat 3rd row away from the orchestra. But since Harry was with us, it was good to be towards the back. He did really well sitting through a 2 hr. performance. His favorite part was the battle scenes with the mice and the soldiers. He could have watched that all afternoon. The pas de deux, not so much. But he was a sport. He sat behind his girlfriend Hailey, who lent him her “goggles” (Harry’s term for binoculars), and this made watching the boring parts more tolerable.
After the ballet, we drove over to meet Chris for snacks at Whole Foods, which is right across from his office. It was fun for us to see Chris in the middle of the afternoon, even if it was just a short visit. Then the kids and I were really excited to ride the street trolley through South Lake Union and see the sights. A unicyclist was riding right next to the trolley and we delighted in watching him fall behind and than catch up with our trolley whenever we made a stop. We loved the sights and sounds of the city. What we didn’t love so much was Camille stepping in dog poop and having to clean that off, and then Harrison doing the same, only at a running speed, which caused the poop to fly up and also hit his hand. This, we didn’t love. But it didn’t tarnish our memory. We got to pick Chris up from work early and head home in ahead of the traffic.
Saturday the kids and I “lollie-gagged” (not sure the spelling on this family term, but it’s what you call doing nothing and remaining in your pajamas not moving around much) all morning while Chris played soccer. Then we headed out to get Camille’s skis, boots and poles. She is signed up for 6 weeks of lessons starting Jan. 7th. She has been out in the garage practicing putting on and taking off her skis since we got home. She will be an expert by next month. She won’t know how to ski, but she will look competent nonetheless.
We also did some shopping for some children whose names we took off of our church’s Christmas tree. The girls totally understood and enjoyed the buying of gifts for someone who has much less than we do. Elyse had a 9 yr. old boy who wanted a coat, and she and I weighed the pros and cons of the various choices and ended up picking one that I think will be “cool” yet warm and practical. Camille was buying for a 5 yr. old girl who requested Barbie stuff and jewelry. Camille pondered over the Barbie stuff for 20 minutes until finally I told she had to pick something already! Harry had a little 3 yr. old boy who wanted “bay blades” which I am not really sure about, but also socks and underwear which just made my heart sink. To think of a little boy who is going to be excited about this for Christmas just makes tears form in my eyes. Anyway, Harry and Chris went and picked out Star Wars underwear and some good practical socks and his “bay blades” toy, and I hope this little guy isn’t disappointed. We are just to wrap the gifts and attach the tag and leave them at church, but I sort of wish the kids could be more a part of the giving. I want them to see that some kids just get 2 things and that is their Christmas and they are grateful. But, that is not how this program works. I will just have to verbally explain it instead.
Sat. afternoon I went to warm yoga which was very rejuvenating and then Sat. night we all drove back to downtown Bellevue and walked along Bellevue Way, where the shops are. It is all lit up with snowflake lights and toy soldiers, and they had Christmas music playing and there were lots of people and energy. We must have walked a couple of miles, but the kids didn’t complain about being cold or about having to walk because there was so much to see. There were also Christmas trees for sale and so on the spot we decided to just buy our tree while we were there. The kids got little candy canes, and it saved us from having to do another errand later. Plus, the guy did all of the work–he bundled it, and put it on top of the car single handedly with a lift clean and jerk. I was impressed. It’s a very full, 7 ft. tall tree. I asked Chris if he could do that and he said, “Well, I would, except I have a bad shoulder:)”
Today we had church, and got the tree up and lit and decorated. The girls were really helpful and enthusiastic. Camille and I walked to the little grocery in search of candy canes for the tree. They didn’t have what we wanted, but it was great for us to have some one on one time together. When we got back I asked Elyse if she wanted to go for a walk just the 2 of us, but she wasn’t up for it, so I went alone. I will have to find a different activity for Elyse and me to have our special time.
We are very much in the Christmas spirit now. I am so grateful for such a happy Christmas filled weekend.
right before the Nutcracker Ballet
Looking out the trolley window
