Cute Kid Pix December 2025

More photos that did not make their own post...

We had our first snow storm early in the month. The schools had a two-hour delay three days before for a non-event so they didn't panic this time and our kids went to school in the inch of snow. Everything went fine. The snow was gone in two days, alas. Even worse, there was not enough for sledding!

Actually, we did have snow ten months ago...

I won a contest months and months ago and the prize finally made it to me! The Holiday Hijinks series is a set of 18-card escape-room games, so that box has a dozen games in it. I am looking forward to trying them out!

Thanks, The Family Gamers!

My youngest went on a Scout outing to Urban Air, a fun indoor adventure land. I was a chaperone so I was able to take pictures.

The Leap of Faith

High ropes adventures

You're being followed

Spider-Man routine

Wall-crawling, also like Spider-Man

He made it to the top

They also had laser tag, a VR game, go-karts (indoors!), and a Ninja Warrior-style course. It was big fun.

We had a second snow storm in the middle of the month which was on a Sunday so only Sunday school was canceled.

We had our lights up by then!

The middle of December is also the time for the Winter Showcase at That's Dancing, our ballroom dance studio. We had a fun time with the theme, Country Christmas, and danced to two George Straight songs (videos to come later). The gift from the studio was a glass perfect for a pour of Guinness!

Commemorative glass (beer not included)

We did our traditional Christmas cookie decorating with an aunt.

Working hard

Making faces

Results

Getting plates ready for neighbors

My son spent some time hanging out by the computer.

Okay?!?

We went to Savage Mill for a "flash mob swing dance," which means that some dancers showed up and played music and danced while people shopped. We did not get pictures of ourselves or the dancers, but did get a shot of the long line for visiting with Santa (and the fabulous decorations).

View from the upper level

Christmas was a lot of fun if a bit melancholy. We miss our oldest son but had a good time celebrating with family at home and visiting in Phoenix. More on that in future posts!

2024 Christmas Fun

We started our Christmas activities early in December by making Christmas cookies to deliver to the neighbors. In addition to the aggressive home decorating in our area, seasonal baking is also another tradition/rivalry. We had some outside help this year.

Putting Grandpa to work

Decorating party

I seem to be sampling something in the background

Finished product

Our dance studio had an ugly Christmas sweater party which we enjoyed very much, even if we didn't win musical chairs.

By the tree

Closer up

By the sign

Musical chairs

During Christmas Eve, we visited the Highlandtown Train Display, which got its own post, and the Christmas Market. The Market was fun even if we only bought beverages.

Ice skating near the market

Market stalls and rides

Tower serving hot beverages

Bacon-selling stall! Why did we not shop there?!?

One booth would chocolate-coat anything...not too appetizing

Cooking sausages

Grinch reduced to busking

Christmas Eve my children made dinner for us. They went all out with a menu and even an outrageous bill at the end. Sorry, we were too busy eating to take pictures of the actual food!

Don't read the fine print!

Restaurant workers

The final bill and the drinks menu

We had a lovely day of celebrating on Christmas itself, though I only took one picture.

Present unwrapping!

One present was a rocket powered by vinegar and baking soda. We had fun launching it in our cul-de-sac.

Getting ready to launch

We played a bunch of the games that we got for Christmas, so much fun!

Board game haul

In keeping with the plane theme, we gave our eldest son a discovery flight to see if he enjoyed riding in and perhaps flying a small plane. We went to an airport on the north side of Baltimore and dropped him off for the experience.

Not sure if this was his plane

We finally got some snow a few days after New Years, making our house more Christmas-like.

The usual outdoor decor

Christmas Stuff 2021

Here's a bunch of the little things we did over Christmas this year (though Christmas is still going for us, at least till the Feast of the Epiphany (January 6)).

The kids were getting antsy to decorate inside. The rest of our street was already decorated outside. We decided to put up the tree, the outdoor lights, and our outdoor nativity on the third Sunday of Advent, commonly called "Gaudete Sunday." Gaudete is the Latin word for "rejoice" and that Sunday is one of the two days in the liturgical year when Catholic priests wear rose-colored vestments (we'll leave aside the whole debate about whether the color is rose or pink). The timing was earlier than usual for us but it seemed appropriate liturgically. Also, the kids are grown-up enough not to pull down the tree.

Setting up the tree

We made and decorated Christmas cookies with family though I somehow missed on taking pictures with people!

A simple plate

An even simpler one

More complicated

Our dance studio hosted a Christmas party where they showed White Christmas. They served hot cocoa and desserts. People came dressed in pajamas. We even danced a bit. We brought the kids along and they were happy (for the most part) to participate.

Siblings on the floor!

We saw a lot of yard decorations on walks and at church.

Stable at church!

Snoopy celebrates 20 year of LOTR with a "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!" routine

A fun yard

A patriotic yard

An even more fun yard

We didn't get many pictures of present-opening because we were busy opening presents.

Grandchild and Granny work together

Opening gifts

The presents were wonderful and we are enjoying them a lot. Having family visit was great, as was hanging out with out-of-town family and friends over the internet. We've had a great holiday so far and are looking forward to more!