The Santa Express

We took the kids on the Santa Express this morning. They were so excited they could hardly wait! We got to ride behind a real steam locomotive, eat cookies, and see Santa!

Engine #203 "Lindy"

Evie talking to Santa

Evie and Andrew in the Intrepid coach car

Is it really December???

After preschool today we stopped by the playground and played for an hour. I just can't believe it is sunny and seventy-five in the middle of December!

Impromptu Nativity

Nana, Mommy, and Andrew got to go see Evie in the preschool nativity this morning. Her class dressed up as wise folk. The preschool kids got to participate in a 15 minute long worship service learning about the story of Jesus' birth.

Evie with her class in the sanctuary

Evie visiting baby Jesus

Andrew in front of the Christmas tree--He wasn't crazy about sitting still through the program

Second Sunday in Advent

Today we light the Peace Candle

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.~Luke 2:1-7

Sunday School Christmas Party

Eating lunch with our friends (Thanks Mrs.Dawn and Mr.Bill for the yummy ham!)

Evie and Kaitlyn showing each other what they got

Andrew was so tired by the time we got to the presents

Andrew's 1st Haircut

Andrew got his first real haircut today. Mommy snuck up behind him and trimmed the back a couple of months ago, but he needed an all over trim. He was such a big boy and sat very still on Mommy's lap while he got it cut. It didn't hurt that he got to eat a lollipop the whole time!

Fun First Friday

Ms. Jennifer and Ms.Pat have started a new play time at church for the preschoolers. Today there were stations to paint wrapping paper, dress up for a Nativity, color a donkey mask, and toss a bean bag into a Christmas tree. Evie painted while Andrew played with the bean bags. Evie dressed up as an angel and a cow, but Andrew would only wear the wise men beads. We also had music time, but my kids just wanted to dance and spin around instead of listening to the instructions. I'm sure they would tell you they had a great time, but I think in the future only one child at a time will get to go. It is really hard to take both of them somewhere at this point.

Evie as an angel

Andrew with the jingle bells during music

Dancing around instead of doing the motions during music

Ms. Jennifer and her daughter Meg "rocking the baby" during music

Christmas Card Craft

I wanted to share a neat craft that my MOPS group did this week. We made french memo boards to hang Christmas cards on. We simply wrapped a foam board with wrapping paper just like we would wrap a present, then glued the ribbons on diagonally. We didn't use rulers, but just went by sight on where to place the ribbons and hot glued the ends onto the back of the board. The "buttons" at the intersections are push pins with pom poms glued on top. I think they turned out very cute and will be a great way to showcase Christmas cards.

First Sunday in Advent

Today we lit the HOPE candle as we began celebrating the Advent season

2The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:2-6

Fun Day

Evie and Andrew got new snowmen hates from Nana last week. They both love them, but Andrew has become attached to his. He insisted on wearing it to bed last night, and I assumed I would be digging it out of the covers this morning. He toddled down the hall with it still on his head when he woke up!



We met our friends at the Events at Sherlake this morning for a playdate and had a great time. The kids hesitated for a few minutes before playing on the inflatables, but about an hour into they were full speed ahead on everything. Mommy had to try out a few things before they were convinced it was okay. I also had to help the little ones on the climbing wall, so I got my exercise today too!

Andrew on the big slide

Dancing together

Evie encouraging Ross up the wall

Evie was so strong to pull herself up