Getting Closer to Christmas!

December is often filled with fun events and family traditions.  This year we did just a few of our very favorite.  I think we chose very wisely and our children truly loved the things we did.

One of our favorite things to do is go to the Christmas parade and fireworks.  This year it was a windy 10* out but we pressed on.  We brought the Burley cart inside to warm up.  We then dressed the kids in many layers and packed them in indoors.  It worked great.  The only thing we didn't anticipate with T's complete unwillingness to wear her mittens.  By the time we got home they were little rocks and caused her much pain as they thawed.  We now put Brandon's athletic socks on her hands and run the socks all the way up her arm.  They totally get the job done, even if they are not as cute as her mittens. 

M: I am plenty warm.  T: Don't even try to put mittens on me!

M only wanted a couple of things this Christmas so we knew we had to deliver them.  One was a remote control truck.  He knew where to get them and when I came home from shopping over a week before Christmas he begged to know if I got one.  We decided to just give it to him then and let him enjoy it.  Best. Decision. Ever!  M was thrilled and is so regulated when he plays with it. We ended up actually buying 3 of them so we can use them for parts etc if one breaks.  We have totally destroyed the first one.  The remote was stepped on and at least one wheel broke off. 

M: "The first gift of Christmas!" (I thought that was a perfect use of the quote from Polar Express)

M: This is so awesome I can't stop to pose for a photo.

M: Here it goes!

We tried to take some Christmas Card photos in our classic spot, but we didn't produce any awesome shots.  We ended up going with a family photo from the summer photo shoot even if our kids have grown quite a bit.

T: Since everyone else is smiling I need to puff out my cheeks and stare!

...And this is what most of the photos looked like!

If you ask M was Christmas is all about, he can tell you about Jesus' Birth, but he will more than likely also mention caroling.  M LOVES caroling!  We fill a school bus and carol at all the area nursing homes and a couple of group homes.  M loves riding on the bus and getting off and on.  M loves singing the carols he knows.  M loves the attention he gets from the places we sing.  This year M was so excited for T to experience caroling too.  It was sweet to see his genuine joy for her to love caroling.  Both the kids were so excited that they really didn't nap before we went.  They were crashing by the end, but it was still totally worth it. 

Part of the crew singing in the halls.  M is in the middle of everyone. 

Our last stop... the troops were getting restless.

T: I am 22 months old and mommy remembered to take a photo of me in the chair!  M: Say cheese mommy!

M: I am a great big brother. T: I am ready to be done here mom.

M loves playdates.  Sometimes he doesn't realize how deeply they overwhelm him, but he sure loves the theory of them.  After a stressful playgroup we have transitioned to more individual playdates with just one family.  This has worked very well.  M and K are close to the same age and it is incredible to see how well they get along!

M: You can come over every day K!

After many years of Norwegian meatballs and all the trimmings for Christmas Eve dinner, we could not stop this year.  In the days leading up to Christmas Eve we decided to pause our annual tradition of having L's family to share our big feast with us.  Hopefully we will all be ready for the fun next year.  As we ate at midday T LOVED the meatballs, but M was skeptical.  By the time the first church service of the evening was over I convinced him to try and he LOVED them as well.  I made a huge batch and they were gone within 24 hours. 

T: "Mow" (more meatballs after eating about 4) "Chee" (Cheese! This is what she loves to do when we ask her to smile) "By you" (Her favorite phrase!  She wants the bear to sit by her.)