Mall Shopping

Got up early to make the hash brown casserole for Sunday school breakfast, and it went perfect. Getting everyone dressed & out the door and (semi) on-time was another story… It’s a little like a circus when we’re a family of five…

After putting the casserole together, I cooked up the remaining hash browns for Emerson’s breakfast. I went to hop in the shower, and Jeff helped her eat, and when I came back, her entire plate was empty!

Our normal Sunday morning choir is about 30-40 people, on a good day. For the Singing Christmas tree last weekend, we had 100+ singers. We invited them to sing with us this morning, and we ended up with about 55 people. it was so great having the choir loft so full, and we got to repeat some of our favorite Tree songs again this morning.

Afterwards, Emmie wanted to see the family, and the big tree, and even though it wasn’t there anymore, she was still the happiest nugget.

I kept trying to get “the perfect photo” of her in this adorable dress, and none of them quite worked out. But they’re all adorable anyways! I got this perfect little Christmas dress at the One Week Boutique a few months ago, for a mere $4, and I love it so much! The velvet bow, and the little collar! Too cute!

We popped into Tan’s Asian Cafe to order some Chinese take-out, and then walked next door to surprise Emerson with another visit to see Santa Claus! She wasn’t so sure at first, but she warmed up, and it went so great! Once again she told him she wanted a baby and an airplane, but this time she also added a spaceship! So that was new!

We were all surprised then to find a sleeping kitty cat in the middle of the store, but Emmie loved getting to pet him!

We took our lunch to eat at home, and $50 worth of Chinese food was barely enough for this family with two pre-teen boys. Sheesh.

After lunch, everyone had quiet time or nap time or tv time, and it was nice and gray and quiet. Emmie napped for about two hours, and the rest of us got some good rest during that time as well. And then we braved the Christmas shopping crowds and went to the mall. And good lord it was CHAOS. (Honestly, people are incredibly rude and inconsiderate, and my introvert anxiety was through the roof by the time we left!) We had only one person left to shop for, but we accomplished it, and now all we have left actually is a few things for the kids’ stockings.

After lunch earlier, before settling in for rest time, I had put dinner in the crock pot. So once we got home from the mall, we only had a little bit to do to get ready for dinner. Jeff shredded the chicken, I heated up black beans & corn, and make a giant pot of rice, and then we had chicken burrito bowls for dinner.

This goof ball ate mostly rice and sour cream, with some shredded cheese on the side, but she really enjoyed it too! 😉

Jeff and Ryan put a new sheet in her crib, while I cleaned up the leftovers, and Gabe and Emmie were playing. Tater Tot ran around like a crazy person for a while after dinner, and I was worried we’d have a hard time calming her down. But she watched a couple of night-night videos with her brothers, and then we read “The Hungry Caterpillar” book altogether and after she gave bear hugs all around, she was nice and calm.

Look at these two! So sweet during night-night prayers!

We’ve got lots of dishes to wash, and some things to tidy up around the house, but I’ve got things set up for Jeff & the boys to start working on wrapping some gifts, while I work on some of the dishes.

I am also going to prep some stuff later, for tomorrow’s potluck Christmas party at work, so things will be easier tomorrow.