Jesus' Birthday Party

Wow, I am so far behind on blogging....it has been a busy month so far. At the first of the month Andrew's school had a birthday party for Jesus. We had breakfast, did a craft and sang some songs. It was a fun morning and Andrew was thrilled that he got to sit by his friend Landon. Andrew calls him his best buddy :)

Ava had lots of fun too!

12.3.2011

Advent

This year I decided to do Advent for the kids. I made a little banner and each day Andrew opens the bag and we read him the note. The first two days he wasn't very thrilled. Day 1 was a toy manger scene that I think Ava enjoyed more than Andrew and day 2 was Elf on the Shelf. Andrew was pretty upset that he wasn't getting Batman toys. I really didn't want to make Advent about getting new gifts, but more about doing fun Christmas activities as a family.

Andrew was not thrilled....Ava loved it.

Andrew watched the Elf on the Shelf cartoon and seemed to like it but still didn't want him to stay at our house. He kept saying that he wanted him to leave....I think he was afraid that he would tell Santa that he was naughty and then he wouldn't get any gifts. By day 3, he decided he liked his Elf, Chippy, probably because he found out his friend Landon has one named Chippy too.

Our Elf Chippy.

Day 3 of Advent was write a letter to Santa. This was by far Andrew's favorite day. He was so excited!

Day 4 was make a gingerbread house, which he loved too.

And day 5 was get a treat and go look at Christmas lights. His treat of choice was a candy cane, which he calls candy can. The kids love looking at lights. Andrew points at everything and he for sure likes the colored lights the best.

Being Thankful- week 4 and a half

Sunday- Grandparents and that my children have great grandparents

Monday- A short work week for Nate

Tuesday- Christmas music

Wednesday- Real friends

Thursday- my family

Friday- Christmas decorations

Saturday- A husband who is willing to spend 2 days outside putting up Christmas lights. He knows how much I love them and the kids love them too.

Sunday- My church

Monday- Jesus & his unconditional love

Tuesday- Date night

Wednesday- play dates with great friends

A Christmas dance party

My kids love music & love dancing! Last Sunday we turned on some Christmas music and the kids danced and danced for the longest time. It was hilarious! This video is from my phone, not as great as the video on our camera, but it was too big to upload, so this will have to do!

And a few pics from the night....

11.27.2011

Tradition

The day after Thanksgiving we always go to the tree lighting and Santa arrival at Bridgeport Village. We were lucky enough to have both Pama & Papa's come with us this year. We had dinner at Macaroni Grill with the family and then headed over to wait for Santa. This year they had Santa arrive during intermission at an outside concert, so it was a lot later than normal. A little too late as all of the kids were melting waiting for Santa to arrive. Andrew, not liking crowds, was not too thrilled about the whole ordeal and just wanted to go home. Ava loved all of the music, of course. Santa finally arrived and the tree was lit and then we headed home. It wasn't the best tree lighting this year....maybe we'll try a different place for tree lighting next year, who knows!

That day Nathan spent the day putting up Christmas lights.....

while I put up Christmas decorations inside.....

the kids LOVED all the decor! Andrew said, "this looks awesome!" and Ava couldn't stop pointing and grunting at everything :)

Pictures from the tree lighting....






11.25.2011- Andrew 4, Ava 18 months

Thanksgiving

This year we spent Thanksgiving at my parents house. The day consisted of cooking, eating TONS of food, loving on and cuddling with baby Leyton, playing hide and seek and board games with Andrew, and relaxing with the family.

My parents got the kids ornaments to hang on the tree. Andrew got Spiderman and Ava & Leyton got a nativity. Andrew LOVED his Spiderman.

Andrew was in love with Leyton. He wanted to hold her most of the day. It was pretty cute. He gave her tons of kisses and kept saying that she needs to open her eyes so she can get to know him. Such a sweetie.

The boys drinking their coffee & hot cocoa.

Reading lots of princess stories throughout the day with Pama.


The grandparents with all three of their grandchildren. Leyton is only 2 weeks old.

1 on 1

I love one on one time with my kids. It's so nice to have time to just focus on one of them. Lately I've gotten a little bit of quality one on one time with each of my kids.

Andrew & I spend quite a bit of one on one time together since Ava naps every afternoon. But I will admit that not all of that time I take to just spend time with him. I am usually trying to get some things done around the house. But on one day last week we sat and had cupcakes and hot chocolate and just talked. It was wonderful. I love my little guy and the conversations we have. He is always making me laugh and I'm always surprised at how smart he is and how much he understands.

Drinking out of our new Christmas mugs from Twyla Pama...thanks Pama!

11.16.11- 4 years old

On Tuesday night Ava and I spent a little time together which happens every Tuesday and Thursday morning while Andrew is at school, but I am usually trying to run errands and get things done. That night while the boys were out running errands we sat and read lots of princess books and sang songs. It was so nice to spend some time with just my sweet little girl.

She has a terrible little rash due to all of her drooling, but I still think she's adorable.

This is her new favorite spot in the house. She stands up on this little step by the fireplace and I think she thinks it's her stage.

11.22.11- 18 months old