Christmastime is Here

Okay, so it's actually already past. Which Scott is quick to point out... yesterday as we were driving in the evening he saw some Christmas lights still up, and informed us that they needed to put their Christmas tree away because Christmas is over. I told him all about how I used to leave up the decorations until the end of January, just because I like them so much it's hard to put them away after such a short time. Now we have lots more stuff in our house and little hands to try to keep away from things... January 1st is a good time to put everything away.

So backtracking... we had a nice December. Had our birthday party for Jesus... but didn't take enough pictures (it was busy). We had initially had 16 preschoolers RSVP for our party (that's a lot by the way.) Sadly, a bunch of them got sick that week and a couple ended up heading out of town a little early... so we had 7 at our party and it was perfect. The kids had a great time and it was easy to give them each a candle on their cupcake. Cullen (the architect) made a really sweet stable scene so we could play pin the star in the sky over the stable (okay, now I'm hitting myself in the head, I can't believe I didn't take a picture of it!) The game was fun. The first little guy pretty much got the star dead center over the stable where I had said was the goal. We think he could see through the hat. Our ground rule was that those under 2 didn't need to be blindfolded... but Sarah wanted to wear the hat. Blaise refused to play at all- no idea why? Scott, not surprisingly refused to wear the blindfold (it was just a winter hat, southerners would call it a tobogan) as did one other boy. We collected birthday presents, in the form of food items, for a local children's home. The boys and I might start volunteering there regularly soon, we had a nice time delivering the gifts the following Monday (see the blog about Monk-chips.)

After the party, we had an empty stable, with an empty manger, and lots of stars in the sky (well mostly strung along the top of the stable like Christmas lights.) We spent the rest of the days leading up to Christmas making people to fill the stable out of footprints. We made angels, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph, and we used Michael's footprint to make the baby Jesus. It was really cute... and I'm mad at myself for not taking a picture... hopefully it will survive the summer in the attic and I can get a picture next year.

We took a road trip one night to Riverbanks Zoo to see the lights before Christmas. It was fun, but we're not sure it was really worth the drive there and back. The lights were nice, Scott got to ride the carousel and the boys got to see Santa. It was really funny, because they are used to Disney Character greetings, who don't talk to you... they just wave, give high-fives, hugs and blow kisses. Scott and Blaise were both a little startled and confused when Santa wanted to talk to them, and actually expected them to talk back. Scott wouldn't even tell Santa that the thing he most wanted for Christmas, the only thing he asked us for, was cookies. (Apparently he has an obsession with cookies.) The trip to the zoo was kind of odd, because most of the animals were not out. We saw the lions. They were sleeping. Then we also got to see the bears, they weren't sleeping, but it was kind of dark. Next year, assuming we don't have a zoo membership, we'll find a neighborhood much closer and just drive through and look at lights.

Cullen's parents arrived on the 23rd and we had a very relaxing, pleasant visit with them. Grandpa took Scott and Blaise, by himself to Harbor Freight (a cheap hardware store). They came home with real tape measures and spent the rest of the day on Christmas Eve measuring everything... Blaise said, "20 pounds" every time he measured anything. The tape measures have now been removed to the shed for when they work out there with Daddy... Blaise cut his hand on his somehow... and for some reason, he doesn't notice when he's dripping blood all over the house (he's a boy?) For the record, it was 2 minor cuts, but they bled a fair amount until I saw them and put bandaids on them. We went to church for Christmas Eve and although things ran a little late the boys all did well.

Christmas day, they woke bright and early, they rushed for their toys... no, just kidding. Michael woke bright and early (he was adjusting to the crib,) and disturbed his big brothers who were excited enough they actually woke up. We brought them into the living room and Scott observed that there was stuff in his stocking... not sure he was really pleased about it at that point. After reading the real story of Christmas and remembering what the real gift is, Scott and Blaise both enjoyed opening their presents this year... no one had to chase Blaise around and "help" him open presents. Michael... well most of his presents got opened in his sleep... and I don't think he minded. I finally got my wish and we slowed down and opened things one at a time. I like the chance to see what everyone is getting and to get excited about handing out gifts.

We had a quiet day at home testing out all the new things and just having fun playing together. Then we made a really nice dinner for ourselves. Yum.

Saturday we headed over to my parents new house for Christmas with my family. It's funny how we tend to fight over who gets to pass out gifts first. Dinner was yummy there too and I was impressed with how unpacked my parents managed to get in less than a week.

All in all, Christmas was a wonderful time with family this year... the only ones we missed were Cullen's brother and family. (And I missed my Grandma lots.)