Ehlana and Ethan:
As expected, this is another early update; since we expect to be busy for the rest of the day – including after the teen-led Christmas show tonight at the church. This is just a break between lunch and our afternoon plans, though; so let’s cover the news from yesterday; we’ll add in our Christmas song pick of the day; and then get back to the real world and more Christmassy fun!
After our chores at Naomi’s or Aiden’s, we met up again; had lunch at our house with Cassie, Michael, and May joining in; and then our afternoon ended up being a lot of fun but not very newsworthy. We had a band practice that Cassie and Michael joined in on for some bonus musical fun while Mom, Dad, and May were the core members of our audience. They weren’t the only fans because we had drop-in visitors too – most of them coming over to see our favorite collegians. Brianna stopped by to see Mandy too, but that was one of the shortest cameo visits of the day. That’s pretty much all we ended up doing during the afternoon because two of us needed to pack overnight bags for our sleepover at Naomi’s; Mom and Dad needed to get ready for a night out; and Cassie and Michael had plans for dinner and the evening too. May joined them for some of that fun and was going to spend some time with Rowen and Tim too, but also wanted to come home early; borrow a Jacuzzi; and have an early bedtime after a too-busy final exams week.
We were happy with our plans for the rest of the day. Naomi’s parents were going out too, but we again got to have next-door babysitting support while they were out; and the Everetts hosted the babysitting services that also had Zack and Eli out of the house for the night. Since Pizzeria pizza was on the menu next door anyway; an extra pizza was dropped off for us; and we had a pan of various finger foods cooked up for appetizers – the usual kid-friendly side dishes with some dipping sauces options.
Getting the house to ourselves for the evening was awesome, but we were good because that next-level of trust does need to be earned – even for junior Magi Masters. Our friends would think that was boring, but we loved the music time, co-ed cuddling, and the Christmas movies. There was one visit from one of the next-door babysitters, but that was just for show; and was fun because Brianna, Faith, and two of their friends came along to say good-night to us. Brianna also tried to hide and be left behind, but decided against the idea when suggestions were made for the boy that would need to be sent over so that she’d have a cuddle buddy too.
Aunt Leanne wouldn’t have been disappointed; since Brianna did offer to be Aiden’s cuddle buddy first before turning down the near-same-age options that were available next door.
Naomi’s parents didn’t stay out late last night, so we were still awake and watching shows when they got back – and we had a fun little bedtime chat while they watched the rest of that show with us and joined in on the co-ed cuddling. The Christmas parties were very different this year with a rotating set-up that included stops at the Inn, Sheldon’s, and the homes of a handful of volunteers – though not everyone went to every party or dinner. Naomi’s parents, for example, went to the same dinner at the Inn as Mom and Dad, and they did a stop at Sheldon’s; but they didn’t go to the barn party at the Nortons that was one of the stops for our parents; and did go to a party that was set up for the teachers and another that was hosted out at the Green family farms.
This update is getting longer than we planned; so let’s speed things up.
Naomi’s parents went to bed after that movie ended; we started another one; and fell asleep long before it ended – staying in the family room and cuddled in pairs for the night. Tai Chi was chilly, but ended up being fun when we met up with Brianna in the back yards while the parents collectively slept in. Breakfast-for-six was quiet compared to next door at the Everetts – and we know that because we could hear them from the time we wrapped up our morning workout through until Naomi’s parents went over to help out with getting the kids to church on time. The final Sunday service before Christmas is always special – especially when that also falls on the day of the teens’ Christmas show. That’s why a lot of the music this morning was led by the teens and included teasers for the show tonight. We had fun during the first part of the church service; Sunday school was all about last-minute work to get ready for the show tonight; and then we split up from Naomi and Aiden for the afternoon because they have other plans with their own families until we’re supposed to meet up again at the church.
We’ll get to the rest of our story with our next report, but that’ll do for now. Our Christmas song pick is still a favorite; and this contest-winning version is the one we like-best.
December Song – Bailey Pelkman
This is Ehlana and Ethan Proctor; live from the hidden home of the Magi of the Light – and May the Magi Force be with you!
