CarrieDaway

We didn’t waste any time this month and certainly made the most of the final weeks of 2019. It was fun but I’m ready to slow things down next month/year.

• Santa Visit @ Donuts with Santa: Lucas + Sam saw Santa with Kallan + Kensley. Sam was nonchalant about the whole thing. Lucas enjoyed it and played solid wingman for Kallan who got too nervous to tell Santa what he wanted so Lucas ran back to get Santa to hear the wish list.
• Celebrated Grandpa’s Birthday: Lucas picked out two cakes for Grandpa’s birthday – the perfect gift because Grandpa really does love Lucas and cake.
• Family Dinner: After years of waiting Granny went to Turkey and we hosted the fam for dinner to celebrate her safe return.
• Robolights @ MOCAD: This art installation is new age weirdness but fun to explore (and FREE) it’s around till May. Lucas’ favorite part was the Christmas lights in the toilet.

• Tiny Tots @ DSO: Sammy loves music so I wanted to take him to the baby concert at the DSO and I’m happy to say he seemed to really enjoy it (and he’s not easy to please).
• 242 Playdate with Chase: We went to A2 for a playdate with Lucas’ buddy Chase. It’s a church with a free play place and super intense play structure that is definitely all for kids being kids.
• Cookie baking @ Cara’s: Cara and I have been baking Christmas cookies together for years. This year I found the perfect recipes (Peppermint Meltaways and Peanut Butter Reindeer cookies) I intend to use annually for the foreseeable future.
• Gwen Turned 7: My baby girl isn’t a baby anymore! I love her so much and need to plan a special outing for the two of us.

• Mayoral Inauguration:  We took the kids to see Maureen Brosnan sworn in as Livonia’s first female mayor. I hope it helps plant the seeds of civic mindedness and public service.
• Fantasyland in Lincoln Park: If LittleGuide teaches me anything, it’s that there are A LOT of holiday events in metro Detroit. Mom and I took the boys to Fantasyland in Lincoln Park a cute vintagey holiday display.
• LittleGuide Christmas Party: Sam joined the staff party with Kerry and Ashley.
• Hakala’s Christmas Party: We snuck away for an hour to hit up the Hakala’s Christmas cocktail party

• Melissa Saved The Day: I’m at a stage where baby-sitters are needed and hard to come by so when Melissa dropped everything, packed up Cora and came to help with the boys it means so much.
• Gina Graduated: The boys and I took a trip to East Lansing to celebrate Gina’s Master’s degree!
• Holiday Pops @ DSO: Danny and I started a new holiday tradition – the Christmas concert at the DSO.
• Sam Stands: My baby isn’t quite a baby anymore. He’s standing and walking along furniture.

• Christmas Eve with the Bs: We simultaneously had to deal with sewage in our basement but all was well and we had fun with family the night before Christmas.
• Christmas Day: Lucas loved his presents (and I surprised Danny with his), Sam stood up and we hosted our first Christmas dinner. I think we did a good job (we got a prime rib that was bigger than Sam!), so I think we’ll try it again next year.
• Christmas Pt. II: Aunt Mikki and Uncle Jason came over for a pizza party the day after Christmas.

• Day Date with Lucas @ DIA: I’ve really needed some quality Lucas time and we got some at Tea Time at the DIA. He’s just the absolute best human in the world and I couldn’t love him more.
• Christmas Pt. III: We visited with Aunt Margaret and Jessica. Lucas was super chatty and it was fun.
• New Years Eve: Sickness won’t stop our fun – it was a madhouse here with the kiddos but lots of fun. I started a new tradition of asking them annual questions and was entertained and proud of their answers.

Misc. happenings: Joe put in the fireplace for us downstairs and I love it! Kat and I watched The Crown and Danny and I watched The Witcher – both great. Lucas bought me flowers because he knows I like them. In the news – Trump was impeached.