5 minutes to midnight

 There are 5 minutes left of 2024 and I want to post a few, last pictures of our Christmas:

I'm so glad she wanted to do this puzzle

                                                                Glow in the dark painting

Happy Birthday Samantha!

The day after Christmas Samantha went out with a friend for her birthday, and then came home to a White Elephant family party. Ironically, the white elephant presents she chose continually were "stolen" by someone else (me included!) and so she got to do lots of present opening on her birthday! But she was a good sport and enjoyed it, and then we sang to her over her birthday cake and she got to open a few, real, birthday presents that no one could steal.

Santa Claus traditions

While in Leavenworth, WA, during Thanksgiving I took these pictures to learn more about the history of various Santa Clause traditions around the world.

I also realized that with our theme last year, of studying different countries, I forgot to post about Germany. In fact, wanting to know more about Germany in relation to Christmas is what gave me the idea of our "country of the month" theme. My friend Jade knew about this theme and gave me a great book:

Some things I've learned from it:

If you want to say "Merry Christmas" in German you say "frohe Weihnachten". Some of our most beloved Christmas traditions originated in Germany, such as christmas trees, ornaments, Advent calendars and wreaths, and the Weihnachtsmarkte - Christmas markets. These markets contain booths selling baked goods, Christmas decorations, handmade wooden toys, and all manner of other merchandise ideal for celebrating the holidays. Brass bands play while visitors not only shop but eat and drink seasonal delights such as gingerbread. A nativity scene is usually set in the center of the market. These markets date back to the 14th century and were the main places to pick up such Christmas products. Travelers from around the world visiting Germany brought back to their homes sentimental descriptions of the holiday magic they had seen, and adopted Germany's Christmas traditions. The oldest still-operating market (for 600 years!) is in Munich. The largest and most famous is Nuremberg's Christkindlesmarkt. 

It is said that England's Prince Albert, who was Queen Victoria's husband and who was from Germany, brought these so many of these traditions to England. 

There is actually a lot more information in this book but as 2024 will be over in 11 minutes, I guess I will save that for another year. 

 

Christmas Afternoon at the Tide Pools

 

Christmas Morning

Stockings, Christmas morning bags and presents. It was fun having children full of anticipation and excitement in the house, (the Dobbins family stayed for a very fun week!) not to mention us grown ups. 

and again on Saturday

By Christmas night the Lasts got here. We went back to the Academy of Sciences Saturday and had a great time. I was surprised that by 2 pm, with only a few hours left to be open, there was a long line of people coming. It was crowded but fun. 

Waiting in line for the earthquake simulator

This is Claude, the albino alligator. I got a story book from the academy store 
that explains his story, including how he lost one of his pink toes. And up,
there are 5 toes on the front left, but only 4 on the front right.

Can you tell what this is? Yup, a really big octopus.

The light kept changing on these jelly fish.