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Graydon developed a new passion this year: music. I think it was always in him, but this year he finally got to learn an instrument through school - the saxophone! He is so motivated to practice and play new songs. He is also teaching himself how to play the trombone. It is so fun to hear his progress and see the enjoyment he gets from making music.
Graydon graduated from elementary school this past year and started junior high. He's taking some tougher classes (he's a seventh grader in advanced eighth grade math) and is also in honors english. Up until recently, he has not been much of a reader and has often proclaimed, "I don't like reading." However, he had an english assignment that required him to read a 500 page book. It could be any book, it just had to be at least that amount of pages. He challenged himself to read a Harry Potter book that was over 700 pages! He went above and beyond for this assignment and was so disciplined about reading. When he finished, he realized that reading can be fun if you just find the right book!
Some of the sports he participated in this year include track, baseball, flag football, and basketball. I'm curious to see which sports, if any, he will continue to play in the years to come. As far as I can tell, music beats out any of the sports he has played. But we'll see.
This past year has been a big year of growth. One major change for Graydon this past year is his appearance. He grew several inches, thinned out, and cut his hair. His voice also changed! That little boy face is definitely mostly gone now. I loved that little boy and I love the young man he is growing into. Now if we could just get him to clean his room a little better!
Happy birthday, Graydon Andrew. Enjoy your special day!!!
Sunday, December 26, 2021
Christmas 2021
In the days leading up to Christmas, Curtis and I did some holiday baking. We made Peanut Butter Kiss cookies, Puppy Chow, and our version of Thin Mints.
A few years ago on Bella's birthday, we drove to the Indiana State Fairgrounds for a holiday lights display. We decided to do that again this year and the lights did not disappoint!
Curtis's teacher shared a couple pictures from school.
The kids and I arrived at the basketball game before Andy could get there. When he arrived, we discovered that he and Bella were twinning!
During the day on Christmas Eve, I heard Mabel barking. She very rarely barks and when she does, it's usually at something that blew into our yard. She spends a lot of her time sitting onto of our couch and looking out the window. She has the front yard memorized. Anything that doesn't seem to belong there will definitely grab her attention.
Sure enough, there was a plastic bag that blew into our yard. It was way out by the road, but Mabel did not like its presence. Bella went and retrieved it.
Keeping our family safe, one plastic bag at a time.
Christmas Eve Service
The kids all looked so nice.
Christmas Morning
Santa couldn't stay awake after the kids went to sleep, so he didn't end up coming until around 6am on Christmas morning. No worries though. The Kilps kids weren't awake until about 10am!
Before opening gifts, we always light the last light in our Advent Wreath.
We did matching pajamas this year!
I made the shirts with the Cricut. I'm not happy with the vinyl I got. I didn't realize it would be so shiny and stiff. Oh well.
A few silly outtakes.
Curtis opened the first present that morning. He's been doing a lot of drawing lately. Bella made him this sketchbook.
Graydon also got Curtis a new basketball.
Bella got Graydon a Harry Potter movie, book, and magazine.
Bella: water bottle, smoothie bowl, luggage, heated mattress pad, snow pants, and snow boots
Graydon: Harry Potter stuff, Loki book, two GAP sweatshirts, $50 gift card to Hucks, snow pants, and snow boots
Curtis: basketball, body spray, sketchbook, cK hat & sweatshirt, $50 Hucks gift card, snow pants, and snow boots
Andy and I exchanged stocking for each other for the first time. He got me some chocolate, bath bombs, homemade soap, perfume, and socks. I got him some soap, spray, and lots of snacks.
Bella also made me this super thoughtful gift! We played several rounds of it that afternoon.
Thankfully, he is negative! That would have been a major bummer for us not to be able to go up and visit with family.
And nothing says "Christmas cheer" like taking a Covid test! Curtis was exposed to COVID at school. A classmate who sits in his pod tested positive. That was over a week ago. He hadn't developed any symptoms, but we were about to head up to Wisconsin and we didn't want to take any chances of accidentally spreading anything.
Merry Christmas!
