Holiday Madness

I was wondering why I am feeling like doing nothing today (like, literally nothing. I made a deal with the boys to make their own lunches, in return for an hour of reading some time trials and some workbooks instead of a full day of work) Then, I decided I really needed to write my blog, since I'm behind. Adding all the pictures, I decided that's why I'm so tired. I've been going non-stop for nearly two weeks. I'm all pooped out. So lets do this quickly, shall we? So I can get back to doing nothing. And so Calib can have the lap top by the time he's done with all his work for the day. 

Sunday the 24th was an away game for us. So, we had a taco bar and watched the Bucs win AGAIN. That (was) THREE in a row. 

I also got our punch board for the holidays done just in time. It was tricky to get as many things in as I wanted, with our Ohio trip taking out the 17th through the 24th. But, I think the boys will be (and have been) pleased with the holiday activities. 

We did fit in some home school the week of Thanksgiving, I think public schools were out all week, but we're working on a different schedule here. Peyton got an awesome letter from Rachel Baker, and spent awhile trying to identify fish in sort of a scavenger hunt. He really likes these, and it's awesome of Rachel to put in the effort, so thanks again, Rachel! 

Thanksgiving week, we had a lot of Thanksgiving type food. It was what was on sale at the grocery store, so it seemed the most cost effective. Up first was our one pan Thanksgiving. We tried all kinds of new things: beets, parsnips, brussel sprouts, and pomegranate. 

Calib, was not a fan of the brussel sprouts. I found the one thing he wouldn't eat. We did make him take one bite, but he quickly spit it out. I took a video, I'll have to post it sometime. It was so ridiculous. 

We also celebrated the first Thanksgiving. Or, at least the one everyone gives credit to being 'the first'. And what would that have been without building our very own mayflower? 

Wednesday before Thanksgiving we had the fourth annual Pie Making Wednesday. Justin was nice enough to hold it at his house, since I was feeling a bit under the weather. Fico, Tracy, and JD came over and we all made some pies. (Hayden and Calib included). 

Hayden made an apple snickers no-bake pie. 

Calib made an ice cream pie. 

Asa made a Pumpkin 'Pie' without any crust, in a square baking dish. And helped me mix my smores pie. 

Tracy made some sort of butterscotch pie, but her crust didn't turn out the way she was hoping, so it was sort of a flop for her. The filling was good though. JD refused to make a pie. Not cool, JD, not cool. 

Justin made a blueberry pie. 

And Fico made an apple pie. He sent a slice for us all to try on Thanksgiving even though he didn't eat with us. Thanks, Fico! 

All in all, a success. Next year will be the 5th Annual Pie Making Wednesday. Thats just crazy! 

Thanksgiving day, everyone helped out with some of the meal. Asa made the turkey, and did an awesome job! 

Calib made the green bean casserole. 

Peyton helped me set the table (notice our 'good dishes' which we made, and our table cloth, which is really just a sheet we use and write on every Thanksgiving). Peyton didn't cook anything. Cooking is not really his thing. 

Hayden was on roll duty. 

Meanwhile, we did watch some Thanksgiving football in which the Lions won for the first time in Hayden's lifetime. It became a popular thing to write about on the table cloth this year. 

Justin was our only guest for Thanksgiving this year. 

And after dinner, we got to have lots of pie. Lots and lots of pie. 

Asa did work on Thanksgiving too, so he could have the overtime. And the day after. Hardly any calls, and he got to eat pie. Not a bad deal. But, I did have to go out shopping all on my own. And that wasn't so cool. 

Oh, and heres our table cloth additions for this year. 

Friday we were going to see Cort at Disneyworld, but Hayden ended up getting my illness, and I had all kinds of errands and shopping to do anyway. BUT, I do blame him for bringing the cold weather. I couldn't even wear Flip Flops out to black Friday shop. I had to pull out real shoes. Not cool. I'm pleased to report since he left, though, it's been 80 degrees and sunny. 

Usually we don't start our punch board until December, but again with less punches, I let them start the day after Thanksgiving. 

One of our first activities was making Elf versions of themselves. We added magnets to the back, and they are residing on the fridge. 

Our friends Brandy and Matt came to visit Monday, and an activity that night seemed like a strech. So, instead the punch was to open one Christmas present. Hayden got some Adventure Time toys. He was excited about them. Calib got Madden 25 and he was THRILLED with that. Peyton was actually the inspiration for the early presents: He got a Revis Jersey. It didn't make a lot of sense to give it to him on Christmas, when we wouldn't have any more home games to go to (our last one is the 15th, sadly). 

Brandy and Matt brought their two dogs along with them. One is Matt's seeing eye dog (Igloo), and the other is his retired seeing eye dog (Randy), so they are very well trained. The boys had a lot of fun with Igloo and Randy. They especially liked playing tug of war, and throwing the frisbee. And by 'they', I mean the kids and Igloo. 

Brandy and Matt took us out to dinner at Moes on Monday night, and Tuesday night we made a pasta bar at home. It was a pretty epic pasta bar too. 

We hung out, visited, watched some football, made a trip to IKEA, and played some games. I'm hoping they come back and visit soon. We had a nice time with them! 

They left early Wednesday to get a jump on the drive back to Iowa, but not before they found a good spot for the Elf on Shelf. 

Asa was off on Wednesday, so after a big brunch at home, we headed out for our Disney Christmas day. We started off at Blizzard Beach. There was NOBODY there. We parked in the first row, never waited more than 2 minutes, and went on nearly every single slide. It was awesome. 

After Blizzard Beach we went over to Hollywood Studios, where we had TWO big milestones. Peyton finally went on the Tower of Terror for the very first time (the last ride he didn't do at Disney), and Hayden, after some convincing from the very nice Disney employee at the gate, went on the Rock n Roller Coaster. He LOVED it. 

After a trip on the star wars ride, and watching Muppets 3D, it was dark enough for them to light the Christmas Lights. 

It wasn't super busy at Hollywood Studios, nobody waited more than 20 minutes for anything, but there were quite a bit of people back by the lights. When we got to the Magic Kingdom, though the lines were short, there were people EVERYWHERE. So, we rode some rides, got a turkey leg and a cinnamon roll, before catching Tinkerbell fly from the castle. 

The castle is super pretty at Christmas Time, I wish we would have been able to sit in front of it for the Electrical Light Parade, but there was just too many people. 

Wednesday was also Porkchops birthday. He was THREE! Sadly, because of our Disney trip he didn't get his cake ON his birthday, but I don't think he knew, anyway. 

Thursday Calib and Peyton had a class at the aquarium, and Asa was only working until noon. So after a qucik home school morning, we went out to lunch. But, get this- it was $4.97 for all 5 of us. When we had coupons for free sandwiches from EVOS previously, and when the guy at the register was not so kind about using them, we wrote to them- and they sent us a $20 gift card. Coupled with yet another coupon of buy one meal, get one free, and bam - $4.97

Then we went over to the aquarium, where Calib and Peyton got to dissect a squid and octopus and learn the differences. Hayden, Asa, and I enjoyed a nearly empty aquarium. They danced to get the dolphin to come out on the screen, talked to each other through the tubes without a million screaming kids, got a good seat to see the penguin promenade, and played in the sand. 

After we picked the boys up from their class, they wanted to go to all the touch tanks to pet the sting rays and star fish and such. 

And we finally got around to having Porkchops birthday cake, just one day late. 

I still have lots of cookie baking to do- but we did bake our usual reindeer cookies on Thursday night, too. 

Friday we went out to chop down the Christmas Tree. We continued our Waterstraut family tradition of finding the weirdest/ugliest tree on the lot and making sure it can realize it's dream of becoming a Christmas tree. We're doing a good thing! 

The out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere feel also intensified the buying a farm talks. The cute baby pigs, and goats didn't help. 

And then we continued the Sattler family tradition of Chinese food for dinner. The boys are really hoping we're going to go get grandma's tree with her, so they can have Chinese again. 

After we put up the tree, the boys each got their new ornaments for this year. (Thank you, to the Kohls cash-- they were free!) 

And we gave Maybel a present too, hoping that this would keep her preoccupied, and away from the tree. It's working so far! 

The tree doesn't look a whole lot better decorated. But, I kind of like it. It's unique! 

Saturday, our neighbor Lonnie came over to ask if we wanted to go pick oranges. Hayden had a thing at the library, so Asa, Calib and Peyton went off to do that, while Hayden and I went to the library to watch Monsters University. Lonnie was kind enough to drop them off at the library on the way back so they could meet up with us. Also, we have a ton of oranges, so if anyone wants any (or wants me to bring some north with me), just let me know! They're fresh off the trees. 

On our way home, we stopped for Happy Hour at Sonic. You can't beat slushies for 60 cents! 

Sunday was the second to last Bucs home game. I made some chicken-asian slaw sliders for us to go tailgating. We ate and threw the ball around for awhile before the game. 

It was a hot one out there. Every single other game at 1:00 was taking place in temperatures under 25 degrees. Some with tons of snow. Meanwhile, we were sweating to death. 

So much so, we even spent halftime under the shade by the concessions. I got sunburnt people, SUNBURNT! 

Also worth noting: Since Hayden has been wearing grandpa's hat to the home games, the Bucs have not lost. Sunday included. Next Sunday is a big test, but Peyton will surely be sporting the hat for good luck. 

Last night I had dinner in the slow cooker, and so after we got home from the game, we served it up and did our punch for the day. We might not be able to make actual snowmen, but we can make ice cream snowmen! 

 Thats it! So glad I got this all done, because while it isn't quite as busy of a week coming up, we have lots to get done and get through. We're off to Ohio a week from tomorrow! Yikes! I have cookies to bake.

Up Next: More Christmas Stuff, and our very last Bucs home game of the year!