Fourth Day of Christmas
Sunday, December 28, 2025
Watched “Cake Pop” Demon Hunters with Big Boys, which we are forever incorrectly naming, thanks to Joey who combined his love of cake pops and slaying bad guys into a title that makes the most sense.
Split up the kids for minimum altercations.
Reagan museum and Air Force One.
Popbar, which is pretty much the best concept ever.
Third Day of Christmas
The Big 3 Boys served together for the first time. If everyone cooperates, we’ll have exactly one year when all 5 can serve together. Sol blew kisses to his teacher and made “I’m watching you” fingers through the Mass. DH was out with Sweet Pea. So I did my best solo.
We are ready for structure again. Made peanut butter cups and ate way too much.
Someone ran an RC car next to her head.
And the Soul Felt Its Worth!
Thursday, December 25, 2025
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices!
Menu included homemade cinnamon rolls, bacon, chicken sausage, “hash browns” (tater tots), eggs, berries and whipped cream, Irish coffee, cranberry and orange juice, and sparking cider.
Something to have, wear, read, and share:
Such a joyous morn!
We were originally going to do presents on the 26th/27th and shop on the 26th to keep costs down. We set that expectation. But when prices dropped to 50% off everywhere at the beginning of the week, I bailed on my original plan.
A happy consequence was that Christmas was better for the kids than anticipated—fewer of us obviously let-down. I mean, there’s always one who looks disappointed, but I did not let that affect me.
I told them that no gift will ever satisfy them but the gift of eternal life.
DH and I went for runs after breakfast because Sweet. California. Weather.
Finally, we drove by impressive light displays. Merry Christmas!
Days 5 and 6 of Christmas Break
Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Haircuts, not-so-secret Santa shopping among the kids, family photos, and Christmas card orders. Talked to my dad. Richie fixed my tire, which had a nail in the tread. He also had poker game with fellow judges.
I ordered Christmas cards and got in a holy hour of silence. DH and I had a $10 date at CA Fish Grill once his 5-day-weekend began!
He woke up in the best mood. I LOVE his smile!
The Engineer did some serious cleaning and wrapped all the Secret Santa gifts to earn 2 hours of Minecraft time. He also made gingerbread with Samantha.
The Firstborn informed me early that he knew “who everyone got for Secret Santa.” To be fair, one of them made a horrible face when he pulled out a certain sibling’s name. So everyone immediately knew who he had. Then two kids in a row picked their own names. So it was obvious that the first three picks were not those two. And in case that wasn’t enough clues, Sol asked the Firstborn directly, “What do you want for Christmas?” This is why we can’t have secrets. But at least we are learning to think about people other than ourselves. 🎉🎉🎉
Christmas Eve: The rain has begun. Our neighbor ladies’ untrimmed palm tree dropped huge branches on our home.
That is okay. Jesus is coming! I was determined to have somewhat of a liturgically correct Advent. So I put off Christmas cards and shopping and music and decorations. As a reward there were exactly 200 of these left this morning waiting for me. Jesus is amazing!
Day 4 of Christmas Break
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Went to Mass, made cookies, doled out writing assignments.
Worked on a pile of unopened mail, including some delightful pieces.
Best exchange of the day:
“The Fifth dumped water on his bed.” -Firstborn
“This isn’t water. It’s tears from Isaac beating me up.”
Hollywood scouts will be calling any moment…
Day 3 of Christmas Break
Monday, December 22, 2025
We attended 3 different Masses, but everyone made it on time! 😅
This is no small feat! At Mass, I enjoyed smart aleck comments whispered into my ear. After Father clarified “Christ is not Jesus’s last name. It just a title we use because it’s what he does, much like we call John ‘the Baptist.’” So a child, who may or may not have been female, leaned over to me and asked, “What was Jesus’s last name?”
“He doesn’t really have a last name, though we sometimes call him ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’”
“So his last name is Nazareth?”
“No.”
“Is his middle name ‘of’?”
———
This was a day of best laid plans which went awry. All are healthy, though; and the middles found the elf. And DH took the littles to see Christmas lights.
Winter solstice today. ☀️ We made a few Christmas cookies and picked up a few gifts.
Best line of the day, “I feel like I’m building my own coffin.” Wherever did the kids get their dramatic side?!
Day 2 of Christmas Break
Sunday, December 21, 2025
“Grandma pancakes” for breakfast! These would be the Test Kitchen recipe with butter, eggs, and buttermilk, which obviously taste better than the protein-packed Kodiak cakes we usually make for them.
Weird Al made most of his money on our family.
DH took the Firstborn to 3 events. He was the only one with items on his calendar, thankfully.😅
Rugby scrimmages.
The Engineer reflected on the existence of infinity. “How can we know that the numbers go on forever? That seems impossible.” He brought this up randomly because this is the type of thing he ponders in his spare time. I love how he tries to resolve the deep questions like his chosen patron, St. Thomas Aquinas.
When the Boys Are Away…
Saturday, December 20, 2025
The Firstborn’s and the Engineer’s intolerance for all things girl is out of control at the moment. However, we are working on objectivity and solid critique; and I told them they will eventually watch this because it’s an ubiquitous cultural phenomenon.
Work Christmas Party
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Though I left on October 17, my boss still wanted me to join the team for this. It was a stark contrast to DH’s “holiday party” where Christian attorneys were volun-told to donate $130 to cover Kwanza decorations (among other things) for themselves and their staff.
The lady above took over my role. She was amazing to work with and re-entered the workforce after raising her kids.
My boss also put me up for the night as the traffic through LA after 9 can be unsafe. Upon a tip from an attorney, I left at 5:30am instead of 6:30am, which saved me 90 minutes of driving time!
The resort is amazing.
DH was invited but couldn’t come due to the childcare situation. So I sent him photos.
This was part of a gift to me. I will probably frame it for the bedroom hallway. It sums up the culture of our firm.
The sun rose as I returned. God is good!
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