It's Christmas Adam, 12/23

I thought that was hilarious when I was younger, calling the day before Christmas Eve "Christmas Adam". Hardy, har, har.

Been a busy week here at home!

On Monday night we headed out for the 35 min drive to Clifton Mill (near Cedarville, yikes) to see the light display. We'd never been but heard it was great. We learned that everyone over the age of 7 has to pay $10 to get in. RIP OFF! Max wouldn't let us "lie" and say he was still 6 even though I tried to convince him it was ok because he was only 7 by a few weeks. (So honorable, I should take a lesson!) Anyway, the reason I say it's a rip off is because even though the lights are absolutely stunning (there are 3.5 million of them) and the little village is cute, it's so small! It's not like there is much of anything to do other than gawk at a few things and leave. Woodland Lights in Centerville gives you a bigger bang for your buck if you ask me. But anyway, we went and saw and Max loved it all. That was the point!

On our way home though we suffered a tragedy. Chris hit a deer. We saw them coming and even though he tried to slow down we nailed the second deer trying to cross the two-lane highway in the middle of nowhere. Hit him square on! And it was a good thing. Had he hit the corner we would have spun down into a ditch. The only thing we did was jar forward. We saw guts fly. Max witnessed the entire thing. It was eerie. After hitting the 'reindeer' Max went into hysterics. He cried so hard and his heart was so nervous that he kept yelling "MY HEART, MY HEART!" Amazingly my heart didn't race at all! So unlike me. I think it's because I had Max to worry about instead of myself?? So Max kept screaming how "Daddy killed a reindeer" and "You're going to be on Santa's naughty list" and things of that nature. I couldn't help but start laughing, especially because we were all ok! So then Max breaks into jolly laughter, still complaining of his heart, then the next thing you know he is slumped over in his booster fast asleep! So bizarre! It was quite an adventure and he was excited to tell his friends and teacher about it on Tuesday. Chris's car is now in the shop was some major damage to the radiator... he is driving a navy blue/purple HHR. Awesome. I won't ride in it. (snobby)

Max also had his Christmas party at school this week. It was major. Organized to the tee. (not by me so I'm not bragging) He had such a fun time and afterward his friend Abby came home with us and stayed late into the night. It was a great kick off to the break!

Today I got a letter in the mail from Springboro Schools. It was addressed to me and Chris. I guess "giftedness" typically isn't assessed until 3rd grade but this year Max's teacher felt very strongly about having him tested in 1st grade. The principal gave the "all clear" and testing began a day or so a week for a few weeks in reading and math only. The letter today stated that according to the Gifted Services Coordinator and the State of Ohio (woo!) Max is gifted. The criteria states you have to score above a 95% on the testing to qualify and he got 99% in both reading and in math. So I have learned that once you test "gifted" you are always placed in "gifted" classes. That's great for his academic development, sure, but I sometimes wonder if it's ok for social?? I guess we'll find out! Regardless I'm super proud to brag about him. He is a smarty pants for sure. We've always known that! The thing that really made me chuckle on the letter was it reads "Graduation Year: 2023" HAHA! I guess they use the same form for all ages so they have to fill in the year? Good grief! Let's not rush!

So tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we are busy with church and a big family gathering at my grandma's. Sweety the Elf will make his final appearance and then during the night rush off to be with Santa for the year. Max dreads that. He has loved Sweety so much this season!

Have a great Christmas Adam, All!