The Kassel Family Project Life 365

This is the “secret Christmas present stash” hidden in our closet that contains roughly 75 different items for 8 different people.  Most of it is for Laura and John…  Each of them will have something like 25 presents to open.  Before you all go thinking that Andy and I are nuts, we have only spent $500 total on everything you see and that includes a digital camera for Laura.  I worked hard to control the spending this year even though the grand total may seem like a lot.  I will say though that the 9+ boxes are very tightly packed!  You also can’t see the two plastic drawer bins that will become the dressers for Laura’s American Girl doll.  Those are hidden underneath all my dresses.  Two more items arrive tomorrow and then it’s time to start wrapping, which happens to be one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime.  Bring it on!

The Kassel men were home today because the older one has been fighting an illness for roughly three weeks and the younger one was complaining of his ears hurting.  The results of a much needed doctor visit were Amoxicillin prescriptions for both!

Since Daddy and Son were at home all day with nothing to do but watch television, they finished the motorized Lego Train that we bought from the Lego Store while in Chicago for Thanksgiving.  The focus of today’s endeavors was building the locomotive and setting up the track.  Laura was pretty excited to see the finished product when she got home from school because she helped build all the other cars.  Needless to say, Daddy, John, and Laura are very proud of their hard work and I must say that the motorized Lego Train is pretty cool!  I wanted a turn at making it run, but somehow the idea of beating up a four-year old for the opportunity seems a little like poor parenting.  😉  So, I’ll just wait until after bedtime!

We took the kids to Bass Pro Shops to visit Santa today.  I was a little concerned that John would freak out and not go near Santa, but he was great!  Laura asked Santa for a “bin-like dresser” for her American Girl doll and John asked Santa for a Hot Wheels Track.  Also, we got a great picture with Santa.  Ironically, this photo is the first one we have where both kids were happy and smiling.  I have already talked to Santa and he said the kids are both on the nice list so their wishes will be granted come Christmas morning!

It was a night out for all the Kassels.  The Lowerys babysat Laura and John so that Andy and I could have a night out.  B, Rachel, and Alia picked up our kids about 4 pm and headed for the Columbia Mall.  The kids got to play in the play area, ride the carousel, and have fun in the photo booth.  After all that excitement, they returned to our house for pizza, cookie baking, and movie watching.  Both of our kids said that it was a super fun night!  (Today’s picture is brought to you especially by Rachel!)

While the kids were living it up, Andy and I went to Sophia’s for a fantastic early dinner.  After stuffing ourselves on great food and wine, we headed to the Musket Annual Holiday Party.  We had a lot of fun at the party and we got to see a lot of people that we hadn’t seen in a while.  It was an evening full of great conversation, great friends, and great drinks.  It was a great evening for all the Kassels even though we weren’t all together!

Laura’s Daisy Scout Troop had a cookie exchange tonight at Silver Meadows Lodge just outside of Columbia.  There were five girls from the troop there along with some Brownies and Juniors.  The girls all had a great time!  They made cookies (three different kinds), played games, painted wreaths, and made crafts.  For Laura, the highlight of the evening was helping to make cookies.  She worked on the Chocolate Cookies and was very proud of herself because she got to crack an egg by herself for the first time ever.

Laura also enjoyed painting a wreath, but was sad that it wasn’t dry enough to bring home with us.  One of her troop leaders will bring it to the next event.

It was a fun event for all the girls and Laura was sad when she had to leave.  She did tell me on the way home though that she is so glad that she decided to join the Daisy Scouts.  She loves it!

We received notice last week that Laura was accepted to the EEE (Extended Educational Experience) program for Columbia Public Schools.  She was 1 of 304 first graders tested across Columbia Public Schools and only a few from Ridgeway Elementary were selected.  We went to the orientation tonight and Laura is now extremely excited that she will get to “work her brain harder.”  She received a special backpack to take her things on EEE day and her first day is next Thursday.  Andy and I have some reservations about letting her participate at such a young age because we do not want her gifted program work to affect her regular schoolwork.  We will watch her progress carefully, but she earned the opportunity to participate and should be given the chance.  If she doesn’t like it, there is no harm in pulling her out of the classes.  It does sound like a great program and, knowing Laura, I’m sure she’ll love it!  So, it’s off to EEE she goes!

The Christmas shopping for the kids is officially done!  Check!  Most of the items are stashed in our closet in various boxes.  A few items still have to arrive, but everything is ordered.  Another item off my list!  Woo Hoo!