December means the Advent calendar gets brought out. We like to pretend the kids appreciate the tradition and fun puzzles and clues that we leave in there for them...

It's RJ's job to read the clues this year. LR was surprisingly patient.

Oh no! The end-of-year music "party" turns out to be an impromptu concert and no one will volunteer to go first. RJ steps up and breaks the ice with a few of his favorites.

Three songs later, RJ has the room in stitches, finishing his performance with a flourish in classic RJ style.

LR volunteers to play a few of her favorite songs too. Beethoven FTW!

LR won one of the three coveted prizes for the students who improved the most during the year. Well done, LR! You deserve it!

The last game of the year (but not the season). RJ's teeball skills (and patience with fielding) are improving with every game.

Everyone works together building the gingerbread house. For some reason, only about half the materials make it into the construction -- there must be some dodgy contractors on the worksite.

Nice work guys! The finished gingerbread house looks terrific!

Because we went away for Christmas, we had an early Christmas dinner at Grammy and Poppa's.

LR takes the time to read the cards before tearing into the presents.

Thanks Grammy!

Careful there Auntie Jess. It's not safe to get between RJ and his Hero Factory legos. Just carefully put it back on the table and you'll be okay.

Parental win: the kids actually remembered their manners without prompting this year! Now if only we could get them to stop picking their noses.

Christmas dinner. A time for family, a huge feast, and the opportunity to wear ridiculous things on your head...

RJ got first pick of the hats and picked out the crustacean for himself and a spicy little number for Grandma Dot.

LR picks out her favorite, complete with spring-loaded pom-pom action -- essential for tormenting younger brothers.

Everyone helps out during the final rush to the kitchen, delivering the food to the table.

Crumbly destruction and delicious, sugary mahem ensue as the gingerbread house is attacked!

An important lesson learned... Never, EVER let the kids pick the hat for you or you will end up looking silly.

LR and the Go-Go Girls strut their stuff across the stage.

Shake it up baby, now! Twist and shooout!

RJ wasn't a fan of the costume, but graciously decided to play along and not ruin the entire show for everyone.

Here comes the sun! Doo doo doo doo!

LR loved Alice and all the amazing creativity and imagination she brought into the classroom.

Claire and RJ got along amazingly well. We were lucky to have such a wonderful and understanding teacher.

LR discovered a passion for playing the guitar. She happily entertained the group as we waited for the rain to pass.

Still raining... So Rod helped the kids make Johnny Cakes. Yum!

It was still raining, so Colleen took her guitar back and played some great music for us.

It was still raining... So we went hiking anyway! Hiking down an overgrown track with an oversized umbrella is RJ's kind of challenge.

I guess this is where all the rain is ending up!

It's the dreaded double hoodie!

Grammy gets some sparklers lit while RJ... Hang on a minute! HEY RJ! STOP TRYING TO SET THE LAWN ON FIRE!

LR attempts to write her first and last names at the same time.

Even Poppa gets into the action.

Auntie Jess and Uncle Nick are back from London! Yaaay!

Grammy came over, bringing along her face paints and a book of great designs to try. LR and I. chose the cat faces.

LR carefully adds some details in the mirror.

Our friend J. helped RJ paint his face as a monster and laid the paint on VERY thick. He looked great, but there'd be consequences later!

LR with her facepaint complete. She is most definitely a practical, jellicle cat.

The two kitties stopped to clean their paws.

The two cats climbed the pillars in our front yard and started miaowing incessently.

After two hours of suffering, RJ was so tormented by the itching, peeling face paint that he could barely move. A quick trip to the bathroom to wash up and the monster problem was solved!

The cats were tearing it up on the dance floor.

We checked out the tour bus, but none of the band members were back in black. RJ thought it rocked anyway.

RJ takes a seat at the virtual AC-DC concert and shook them all night long.

We finished up by heading into the city for some bubble tea and TNT icecream (dynamite!) Thanks Dad!

We visited Grammy for dinner and she bought us some great books! Thanks Grammy!

Citrus is in season at the moment, and the trees are totally loaded with fruit. LR gets to work picking some mandarins. Delicious!

Some were too high to reach -- good thing Kerry was around to help out!

RJ gets involved in a game of giant pinball.

LR and B. played a few holes of golf. We're pretty sure B. has played before -- he was scarily good.

M. and RJ watch on as B. fixes something for them.

Mom had everyone working hard in the orchard. The fruit trees have been pruned and there's a whole new garden bed planted now.

Whoa, that’s so intense! Whoa! Man! Wow! It's full on. What does this mean?

LR's friend L. from school came up to join in the fun. LR was thrilled to have her around, we were happy to have someone else help with the trees.

B., L., and LR try on the wreaths made for the evening's festivities.

LR balances on the wet cable, wearing wet, sandy shoes. What can we say? The kids really wanted a challenge.

RJ leaps off the cable, just in time!

Mom and Molly went for a spin around the fields in the buggy. She must be responsible for the torn-up tracks all through the front paddock.

RJ... Wearing a hat... No surprises here.

Pizza making time! Kerry helps M. find the best tool for the job.

Mom tries to take all the credit for the fresh pizza dough, but we know that she had everyone helping.

G. and B. compare their circuit designs and try to get their glowies working reliably. Glowies are little flashing lights that you launch through the air from rubber bands. We discovered them in Bali and Dad helped everyone build them.

Despite the intermittent rain, the bonfire burned all through the night.

Mom holds the torch for LR so she can read to the group. Each year at the solstice we pause and think about things to be thankful for and things we'd like to go better in the coming year.

G. brought along his didgeridoo and played for us in front of the fire.

The kids decided roasting marshmallows would be more enjoyable inside, out of the rain.

With all the inside spots taken, RJ found his own uncrowded location at the pizza oven.

The following morning, despite the night of drenching rain, the kids managed to get the ashes lit and a fire burning again. Note to self, purchase additional fire extinguishers for the house.

Dad wearing a hat... Somehow, RJ just manages to pull it off better.