Christmas Caroling

This year we celebrated with an evening of Christmas Caroling at St. Francis a local home for the elderly. This is a tradition of the Hadfield family that we were enjoyed to join in on last year and again this year. I hope to do this every year we have so much fun. This year it was just me and the girls that attended. The boys stayed home with Daddy and got some guy time in. Sadie, Addie and I first met Weiss' and the Ryan's at Starbucks for cocoa and coffee. Then we headed to the retirement home where we sang Christmas carols and handed out some homemade crafts we had made for them. Ours were applesauce and cinnamon ornaments. There were maybe 10 families that joined in the singing, it was such a blessing. I loved to watch Addie go up to the elderly people and hand them an ornament and shyly say Merry Christmas. The first lady that Addie handed one to was a little confused and wanted her to take it back after a minute. Addie was close to being heart broken so I said to her Oh you wnat it hung on the back of your wheelchair as a decoration.... ok I'll do that for you and I stuck it back there even as she was saying no. Didn't want to see my little girl's spirit crushed when she was being so brave and thoughtful. As we moved to another room the people were more alert and more receptive to us. They enjoyed the young kids especially. Addie eagerly handed out ornaments as long as I stayed by her side. When they would smile at her she'd beam with pride. One lady in particular was taken by Addie and called her a pretty little girl. I think Addie gave her at least two crafts if not more. Sadie was a little shy this year about handing out ornaments. I think she was a little intimidateed by the various illnesses and ails they had, but she still sang and smiled from a distance.

After we were done caroling we joined the Hadfield's at their house for dinner and Games. Heather had made a delious potato soup, a hearty chili and homemade rolls. All so delicious! Scott had planned some really fun games, one challenged us to remember the lyrics to the carols we'd just sang, another tested our paper tearing tree skills... behind our backs. It was hilarious and we even won prizes. When it was the kids turn to participate Addie jumped right in like one of the big kids... she beamed with excitement again as Heather gave her a helping hand. Sooo cute. She won a prize and picked a cute little teddy bear ornament, but then lost it before the night was over and was quite sad, but Heather found her a suitable replacement. Sadie and Tori had quickly disappeared upstairs and even managed to weasel their way onto a computer. Little screen addict girls. But at least they had fun. So did I! Christmas at it's best: friends, family, fun, spreading joy and good cheer.