A day at home

We have been so busy lately, and I know we are going to be very busy over the next week, so we decided to just stay home and rest on this cold December day (it dropped from 75 and sunny to 25 and windy in 5 days!). The kids made a huge mess with all their toys, but had a great day of imaginative play.

Andrew's train that doubles as a bus

Evie's "cake" she decorated

The fire pit

My Christmas card board is almost full. Thanks to everyone for the cards, we have truly enjoyed them all!

Third Sunday in Advent

Today we light the Joy candle

8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ[a] the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. ~ Luke 2:8-20

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.