The Best of December

We didn't mean to pack our December full of activity...

but somehow, despite the Covid restrictions and the lack of family and friends we were able to see, we had a steady stream of activities all month. Nothing crazy, but when I look back on these pictures I'm surprised by how much we fit into this Christmas season, between the normal work and preschool routine.

Matt took a whole week off of work in early December to prep for, and then take, a professional certification test (planing ahead for when he leaves the military in a little over a year), and because we knew he'd be on call Christmas week.  So we did some of our fun family Christmas stuff early.

Besides Christmas itself and hosting Zac & Whitney (which I wrote about in an earlier post), here are the highlights of December!

Christmas Tea at the Jefferson Hotel

This was our big event for the season and what Christmas dreams are made of! There was something for all of us and a really wonderful way to experience RVA and local history and culture.

Luke's first time seeing snow

We got to play in it before Lyd went to preschool, and it melted before dinner. Perfect. :) It was all fun and games until Luke face planted into the mud. :(

Rode bikes around downtown RVA

This had been on Matt's list for a while and he organized the whole thing, from renting the bikes and trailer to figuring out a route. Really fun and the kids were well behaved - Lyd fed her raisins and goldfish to Luke the whole way. :) 

Visited Maymont

One morning when Matt was studying for his test I took the kids to Maymont for the little aquarium and petting zoo. They loved it!

Shopped at Short Pump a few times

mooood

Baked cookies, made a Trader Joe's gingerbread house, bought, wrapped, and mailed gifts, went on walks, and read dozens of books

Sent out Christmas cards

Put up all of our Christmas decorations - and then took them down again just a few days after Christmas

Jamestown

On New Year's Eve, we wrapped up the year with a trip to Jamestown Settlement and Colonial Williamsburg (via the ferry!) Matt planed this whole trip, too - he'd been wanting to see Jamestown. Lydia loved seeing where Pocahontas lived. I loved seeing Williamsburg (and the College of William & Mary) all dressed up for Christmas. Luke was just happy to be outside. :)

Lyd using her new kids camera from Aunt Ellen

A few pics of Lyd at preschool (doing a baking soda glacier experiment and making a walrus during Arctic week), and Luke sleeping. SO CUTE!

Happy new year! 

We're ready for 2021 :)