Weekend: DeYoung Christmas

On Friday Isaac had to go to school.  :(  With all the snow we had been hoping to go outside, but it was rather cold out...often in the single digits or low teens, without the wind factored in.  So we went to an indoor playground instead.

Once Isaac got home we opened presents.

Joshua was super excited for a Lego Firetruck set.  We read the book over and over and over.  He made the first car with Dad, and as they were putting the first person together Joshua said, "That is Ben.  He goes down the pole with his teddy bear," which is just what the story told.

Saturday we tried out Square Play Cafe, a new play area/coffee shop.  It was perfect.  The kids had a great time and we met Aunt C there for a few hours.

After rest time the eldest kids went to the workshop at Hope College.  Isaac tried out his new drill.

It worked best when I steadied it for him, but that could be due to poor setup...he could have used a taller step stool.

He also used the drill press to make a pencil holder.

And of course, he and Evelyn got to run up and down the halls a few times.  As Nathan put it, "A rite of passage" as we did it many, many times.

The ipad was out when we got home and all the kids gravitated towards it.

We played many games...there were four new ones for Christmas, along with some other ones to try out.  Outfoxed was a hit with Evelyn.

 

Three of the cousins had a sleepover every night in Isaac's room.  (Jameson really wanted to join.  Probably soon, poor guy.)  There was a lot of bouncing on the beds (before bedtime) and only a few tears.

Sunday morning Joshua fed everyone tons of food.  He just made a circuit, giving us more and more food.  (And then we had a delicious french toast bake that Pat brought over.  I think he was anticipating it.)

As always, it was very nice to see everyone again!  Joshua and Evelyn felt closer in age this trip than they have in the past.  We weren't sure if the six months that separates them is becoming not as important or if it is because Isaac seems so much older.  JJ had changed a ton too since I saw him last!  He'll be out of the toddler and into the small kid before we know it.  It's fun to watch the cousins interact and enjoy each other's company.