Day 19: Happy Meals at Grandma's

Confession:  I had nothing written on the inside of Day 19's envelope.  And it was 5:50 pm.  The boys were asking when we were going to do our activity.  We needed an Advent activity.  We needed it asap.  I had no energy.  It was already dark outside. 

I looked at Jon and said "I really wish we could go to dinner just the two of us."  And he said "Let's make it happen."

So, we called his parents (who live about 15 min away) and convinced Grandpa & Grandma that they needed a visit from 4 little, loud people while we sneak out for an hour or two.

Holding their happy meal boxes in front of Grandma's house.

We took our impromtu "date night" and turned it into an Advent activity.  I read the envelope to the boys saying "Today's activity is to get happy meals and eat them at Grandma & Grandpa Shogren's house."  My announcement was met with cheers from the boys (the current McDonalds toy is TMNT toys).

Earlier in the day, James had asked me if we could drop a present off at Grandma Shogren's (a craft he had made in school) so he was super excited to actually be able to deliver it.

James delivering his present.

By 6:40, Jon & I were at Chili's enjoying a relaxing dinner.  Afterwards, we hit up the Target that was in the same parking lot and loaded up on some essentials (pop and ingredients for teacher gifts).  It was a beautiful two hours.  We talked uninterrupted and felt relaxed by the time we got back to pick up the boys. The boys were none the wiser that Day 19's advent activity was definitely way more for OUR benefit than theirs.

Quick shot of the boys with the babysitters, I mean, Grandma & Grandpa.

When we got home, we did have each boy pick out a stuffed animal to donate to our friend Laura's school (she's a teacher).  Her school is putting together bags for kids staying at homeless shelters this winter.  Each bag was to contain a book, a blanket and a stuffed animal, but they were short on stuffed animals.  I was SO happy to have a reason to get rid of a stuffed animal as they are slowly taking over my house. 

The criteria was that it must be a nice, new-looking one.  The twins quickly went upstairs and came back with a Clifford and a Dr. Seuss Brown Cow (from Mr. Brown Can Moo).  Aaron came downstairs with Andrew's Curious George.  I guess I should have been more clear in my directions that you had to select one of your OWN animals, not one of your brothers.  I sent him back up to pick one that was his and he eventually settled on Elmo.  We delivered the stuffed animals to my friend Laura's house the next day.

My main goals for our advent activities this year were to either be creating memories with people or helping someone else.  Today we got to do both, even if it was a little lame and last minute in planning.