Christmas 2020

The kids last day of school was on Friday the 18th. They had a half day of school and lots of fun virtual parties, except for Axel who had all of his classes, but reduced to 20 minutes each. His day ended with the middle schools virtual talent show. In actually, Phoenix had almost 2 weeks of fun activities. She had Daddy join the class for a fun math game, unlock the North Pole Challenge. She also watched and read the Grinch and watched and read the Polar Express. They learned to compare and contrast the movies and books. I don't remember watching these movies in school, but I do think I would have enjoyed them as much as Phoenix. 

These screen shots are now what our scrap book will be filled with in 2020 and 2021. 

Here is Rubix with his classmates on Friday. You may be able to see a bunch of little boxes on his screen. He now has 6 other classmates, along with his teacher. His class has slowly grown over the past few months. He doesn't get to see his friends very much because his teacher usually hides the other class participants so the kids can focus, however, today was a special day.

Axel has been diligently running for the past couple of months. He has been getting faster and faster going from 7:25 to 7:14 to a 7 minute flat mile last week. We are so proud of him. 

The kids have the pleasure of doing Daddy or Mommy math each morning. We have noticed, it is really difficult with remote learning to get the practice that they need. The teacher is able to teach concepts, but the kids just don't get enough repetition. Axel is working on how to not make silly mistakes. He is redoing many assignments, learning to be neat and organized and not write in the margins. Phoenix is working on not make silly mistakes with long multiplication and division. Rubix is starting with good habits learning to read the problem to ensure he knows to perform addition or subtraction. We are starting to have him do his math and subtraction facts without using the number line, but using other methods like counting on, stacking and starting to do mental math for the easy problems like 2 + 3 when he can. It is fun to see them working hard and reaping the benefits of practice. 

Keith came into my "office," also known as, the bedroom and took a picture of me working. I was struggling to get through my 2 day work week last week. I couldn't wait for the 5 day break and time with the family. 

Our first activities were from the packet we picked up from our church. We had so much fun learning about Jesus' birth in a fun new way. We ended the night with a glow stick star party, celebrating the "Christmas" star that the maggi followed to meet the one true king, Jesus, oh so many years ago.

On Wed. we went on a fun hike to check out the new trail that was finished at the Quarry off of Hwy 9 in Saratoga. It was a bit cold out, but we warmed up once we started climbing. 

Apparently, we hiked 800 feet elevation and covered 3.35 miles. 

There was a beautiful view of the South Bay from the lookout. 

On Christmas Eve we had the privilege of Zooming with some family, attended a virtual church service and ended the night with a Dora the Explorer Christmas movie. 

After hours of cooking we enjoyed a lovely traditional meal with turkey and all. This time, unlike Thanksgiving, Rubix was hungry and ate well!

Phoenix continues to love this meal, as you can tell from her nearly empty plate. 

We made sure to take our annual picture of myself with the kids from Great Grandma Connie.

And we opened up the one gift, which is always their Christmas PJ's. Funny story is Rubix's size 6 came with size 10 pants! I had to have Phoenix swap Rubix the size 8 pants for the size 10 for the night. I also had to use hair ties in order for their pants to stay up. 

Merry Christmas Eve PJ pictures!

The kids were so excited!!!!

Christmas morning finally arrived!

We opened up our stockings first and the kids are no longer surprised to see underwear, but excited!

Look at Axel celebrate his new Pokemon underwear! What a blessing for him to act excited, even if he isn't.

The stockings also contained their annual ornament. Rubix was excited to get a transformer. Axel had to remind him, it is not to play with. 

The pumpkin pie oatmeal had slowly been phased out for Christmas morning and pumpkin scones have become the breakfast of choice. Phoenix loves dipping hers in her pumpkin drink. I just love this picture of Axel choosing to eat before opening his stocking. He was too hungry. He said, this is what happens when I exercise every day. It was the day before that he ran a 7 minute flat mile for the first time. 

Axel loved his new swim bag, jammers, water bottle, goggles, kick board and sandals, He really needed new swim gear. 

Santa found Laser Tag. They were so excited and have been loving playing every day. 

Axel giving Phoenix a big thank you hug for her bouquet of flowers she made him. 

Grandpa Brian got the two little ones scooters. They absolutely love them and are riding them daily. 

Rubix thanking Axel for his dragon that he made him. 

Here is the unicorn and dragon that Axel made them. He is holding up the felt fabric we got him for his future sewing projects. 

Me excited for my new glass tuberware that my mom got me for Christmas!

Daddy checking out his new sweat shirt. We are officially retiring his 20 year old wholey sweatershirt he is wearing in this picture!

Phoenix getting her big Lego set she wanted. She has created some amazing creations. I needs to take pictures of her Lego houses. I wish my imagination was as good as hers/theirs. They all seem to have it. I am sure they did not get their creativity from me!

Phoenix trying on her favorite new outfit from Grandma Sonia/ Grandpa Bruce. She wore this all day on Christmas and all day today. She wants me to do laundry so she can wear it again! 

Both boys excited about the new perplexus. 

Rubix spends hours a week playing with Daddy's Epic version Now he has his own!

Rubix in his new favorite outfit from Gma Sonia and Gpa Bruce. He also wore this outfit today.

Christmas fun on scooters, flying kites, playing basketball and more!

Laser tag fun!

We ended Christmas singing Jesus happy birthday and then eating his birthday cake, Tiramisu! I was brought to tears as we sang via candle light. I am beyond grateful for this life, for this family and for the privilege of knowing, loving, and serving our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2020 has been an extra special year in our household. We wish all of our friends and family a blessed and peaceful New Year!

 

It's starting to look alot like Christmas!

On December 1st the kiddos had the privilege of opening up Lego Advent Calendars. I decided it was an extra special year and that this would bring the kids much joy during the holiday season. Rubix received Lego City, Phoenix Lego Friends and Axel Lego Star Wars Calendars. 

I have to say they are pretty cool. The miniature replicas are amazing!

 

On December 2nd, Axel had "show time" as he recorded his scene from Brief Interviews of Internet Cats. I was bummed that I wasn't going to be home to help with make up, but Daddy did a fabulous job! From what I heard, the recording went well and we are looking forward to receiving the link of the full play soon!

The Szolushas are super happy as we found the perfect solution to swimming during this special Covid year in winter. The Los Gatos High School has an amazing pool that rents lanes for $12 for an entire hour of swimming. Keith has been going 4 times per week, the kids go once, except Axel goes twice for a full workout on Tuesday nights. I went once with Daddy and once with the entire family. The pool is warm and the lanes are nice and wide. It has been such a blessing as we did not have to pay for an expensive membership to one of the local clubs and the accessibility is the best that we have found. The other pools were difficult to schedule lap times and were 30 to 45 minutes. This is the best of all worlds!

Today the kiddos finally were able to put together and decorate the gingerbread house. It has been killing the kids to wait the entire week since I purchased it, but this week has been busy with lots of school work and activities. I thought the kids did a great job. They planned things out and worked extremely well together. I was very proud of them!

The entire week, Axel kept talking about how you had to be hungry to do the gingerbread house. I never remember him eating the frosting or candy, but he sure does. After they were done completing the house they first pretended to eat it and then the had fun with the frosting!

Rubix was the first to get his frosting mustache. 

He then spent the next 10 plus minutes licking it off of his upper lip. He only used his tongue. He refuses to ever get his hands dirty and this was no exception. 

Phoenix, on the other hand, does not mind to get her hands dirty. Here is one of those cases when her goatee drips into her hands without frustration. 

Last Tuesday, when Daddy and Axel went swimming, the littles and I had fun playing games. Here is a picture of them right before I caused our Jenga blocks to come crashing down. Rubix and Phoenix have very steady hands!

With the day light being short, it has been difficult to get the kids out for exercise. We are both trying very hard to be present during Phoenix's 20 minute recess and 40 minute lunch. Rubix tends to get out with both Phoenix and Axel. Axel's lunch is early at 11:49, one day at 11:19 and Phoenix's is always at 12:30pm. It is a bummer their lunch periods do not overlap. That is one thing we wish we could change. 

Pheonix continues to doodle and read during any screen breaks during the day. Here is one of those doodling projects. I thought it was a page that she colored, but it is actually an original drawing. She is quite talented from my perspective. 

Axel has been busily sewing his Christmas gifts for his siblings. He is nearly finished with Phoenix's unicorn. I can't wait to show you all the finished product. It is so much fun to see him enjoying making these gifts. They take hours, but it doesn't seem to bother him.

Rubix has been busily mastering his hand/eye coordination playing the pin ball machine. Here he has a 4 million and then a 9 million score. 

He is absolutely amazing for a 4 year old! My top score is no where near his!

We enjoyed making the Sunflower Garden this summer and having our neighbors enjoy growing them as well. Apparently, it really touched our neighbors two doors down. It is such a blessing to see God's joy and love spread to others through the love and care the kids dedicated to growing this "friendship garden".

Phoenix found this hat that I bought her when she was 11 months old when we traveled to Illinois. It surprised the entire family that it still fits. She has recently lost two teeth on the bottom, which then reminded me of her baby picture with this hat on and her two bottom teeth showing. I tried to have her recreate the baby picture so that I could one day do a side by side comparison.  

Daddy rented Pokemon movies from the library. We have been watching them once a week. I thought the boys look quite similar so I had to snap a picture of them watching the movie.

Phoenix had a super fun week at school, with virtual parties, assemblies and field trips. Here is a picture of the ornament or "time capsule" that they did in class. 

The next two pictures are of the math game she played with Daddy. 

Here is another picture of her and her teacher, Ms. Soel who both of kitty ugly sweaters on. 

They are doing a great job of capturing photos and trying to recreate the same experiences virtually for the kids. 

This past Monday night I made pizza for the family. Here is Daddy's egg and broccoli pizza. He texted me when I was at bible study (in the other room) and said, "Only one piece". I laughed. My husband can be quite funny!

Here is a picture of my bible study group. This is an amazing group of God fearing and loving women who I feel so blessed to share Monday nights with. I have learned so much from these women as we study Genesis together. I am loving the ability to participate in bible study, from the comfort of my own home. 

Yesterday, Phoenix had her first piano recital, virtually. I received this video via text from Keith as I was at work. I was so proud of her. I came to find out, this was not her live performance, but her practice. Regardless, I think she did such a great job!

We are looking forward to getting through this next week and then enjoying Christmas week with lots of family fun. Keith and I will be working the 21st and 22nd, but we are hopeful for nice enough weather to enjoy some family hikes and bike rides with my 5 days off in a row! We are missing family, but are feeling incredibly grateful for all that we have.