Winter Break

Christmas may be over (and we took our decorations down in record time), but we can still wear the Santa hat.

On Winter Break, Noah did the nature center's winter camp again and I took Charlotte and Noah to one of their drop-in programs one day too. Wyatt was off with Grandma and Papa on a special overnight.

Everyone really loves the nature center's guinea pig.

One night over winter break, I took Noah to a Harry Potter event (his first!). I finally had the kids watch the first HP movie so they (and especially Noah) knew what it was all about. They all really liked it. It was an event hosted by the wildlife rescue center, so it was centered on the animals and animal spells of Hogwarts. It was a fun night and our HP loving friends also came.

Noah was so brave and actually enjoyed holding this beetle. I am forever scarred by those bugs from The Mummy movie, so no thanks.

Professor Snape had the most most enjoyable class. These weren't actors, but animal rescue staff, and he did a really fantastic job staying in character.

Fleur Delacour gave us an owl lesson.

We also met Bellatrix Lestrange

And Nymphadora Tonks brought out a few snakes for us say hello to

Finally, we met this fun gnome whom I'm guessing is a part of the Magical Creatures movie that we haven't seen yet.

On Saturday night, we all went out to see the Spiderverse movie.

And on the last day of winter break, we watched the Bears in a heartbreaking game

We found a way to amuse ourselves despite the loss

New Years Eve

On the eve of New Years Eve, we went to the village's first New Year's balloon drop in the Commons. There were crafts, games, and refreshments while we waited.

They set up the balloon drop over the ice skating rink.

Cookies and lemonade.

When the moment finally came, Charlotte got a little overwhelmed.

Afterwards, the boys enjoyed running around, stomping on, and collecting the balloons.

It was a windy day, so a good number of balloons floated away across the town. They thought that was hysterical.

Later that day, we had a Fraser Christmas at Grandpa's house. Wyatt got to spend some time with his godfather.

On actual New Years Eve, we went out for Giordano's pizza, watched a movie, and did a couple Netflix New Years countdowns.

As is tradition, we also took our annual Christmas tree picture the next day.