Sew Relative

 Saturday morning, Robb and I got up early and started getting breakfast ready for the relatives that weren't going home until that day.  All of those had stayed at nearby hotels except for one of my sisters who stayed here until Sunday.

While my mom and another sister enjoyed the piano, Leon had a blast with his cousins that he'd been reacquainted with the prior day.  

Showing off ones toys is always a hit with him.  Until they touch them.

Almost everyone left by 11 or so and I got a call that Maddy's accordion that we'd gotten her for her birthday was fixed.  A couple chord keys had fallen inside of it and the straps needed to be replaced.  We'd bought it from the antique store.  It has an awesome sound to it!  So the kids, Tammy and I ran to retrieve it from the store.  Maddy wanted to take it back to college.

But not before Tammy could try it out.  Tammy used to sing professionally at bars around my home town and anywhere that would have her.  She moved to Nashville to seek her fortune and did with a different sort of fortune, nine kids.  None were able to come with her on this trip this year though.  

The accordion isn't much different that playing piano while laying underneath it, except you can sort of see the keys.

Mama's got a squeezebox!  

That afternoon, the kids ran an errand, so Robb and I put up the tree and got it ready for the ornaments.  Tammy napped.  Then Maddy, sleepy Meri and Leon put on the decorations.  Matthew helped some, but Maddy sent him off to the dining room to work on his paper that's due soon.  She's a slave driver, that one!

After a quick supper, we loaded up the family truckster and headed to Des Moines to see the Jolly Holiday Lights display.  It's a grand fundraiser for the Make A Wish foundation.  It's amazing how many sick kids want to go to Hawaii...

At the end of the light display, Leon got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas.  Two years ago, he wasn't too keen and cried the whole time.  

Santa was scary that year. 

 But this year, he knew what Santa was all about and had a list of things he wanted, practicing the whole way there.  As well as a cookie that he and Maddy had made that afternoon  contained in a baggy because Santa likes fresh cookies.  Santa was so impressed with Leon's kindness!  Apparently another kid had given him a Coke, so the cookie was a nice addition.

Then after slushies, home.  

It had been a long few days so far...  But fun. 

Tammy left Sunday morning.  After church and a lunch with Maddy and Matthew at the HyChi, they left too.  I spent the afternoon sewing!  I just have a belt to make and my outfit for this next weekend is done.  Well, with a little handwork...  But that's what a car drive is for!