December 13, 2013

Day 13: sleepover under the tree

What a special night for me! It was chilly so we had warm jammies and snuggled up listening to Christmas music until we fell asleep. 

December 12, 2013

Day 12: wear Christmas shirts.

It was a chilly day. 

Mommy started dropping the ball. Sure I remembered to take a picture, but you can't tell that it's a day different the any other.

Joshua's shirt said: Dear Santa, I really tried this year - honest!

Silas' shirt said: I've been good all year, just ask my mom.

December 11, 2013

Day 11: Magic Ice Science Night

Floating ice and some yarn - add some salt and you've got ice on a string! 

December 10, 2013

Day 10: paper snowflakes with more hot chocolate!!

Cute happy faces! Snowflakes were still a little tricky. The folded paper was too thick to cut.

December 9, 2013

Day 9: Indoor snowball fight

We received a large painting for Michael's birthday which shipped from Michigan. It was well wrapped with plenty of packing peanuts... This gave me an idea

I dumped them onto the boys' floor in a big "snow pile" while they were napping. I had the laundry basket of balled white socks on the bed as well. 

I wasn't fast enough to see Joshua's reaction but I did hear, "Marshmellows!?!" And then the sound of him jumping into the pile. 

Silas enjoyed our snow fight as well. He really liked taking a handful of peanuts and blowing them into the air. 

December 8, 2013

Day 8, 2013: Christmas tree craft.

Huebners came over to help with a project so Gwen joined in on our project. 

Nothing too fancy, they cut out trees and  decorated them with sticker ornaments and crayons. 

Easy peasy and so much fun!

December 7, 2013

Day 7: Let it Snow!

After church Joshua woke up to find Michael watching football. Someone was playing against the eagles in Philadelphia and Joshua watched the crazy snow fall with wonder in his eyes.

Last year Joshua got "Wisonsin Snow to go" we used a little last year so there was some left for this year. 

Just add water and we had cold fluffy white snow. 

He did his best to keep it in the bowl for me. 

I am eager to get my boys to Wisconsin to play in the real snow.

December 6, 2013

Day 6: Mommy's Little Elves 

We had a progressive dinner for the faculty Christmas party. We hosted appetizers at our house. He help get ready the boys helped with the cleaning a few more decorations and some food prep.  

It was not all cheap labor for this kid-free evening. The boys went to a party of their  own with pizza, movies and staying up late.

He helped me hang the wreaths I made. 

He also helped with my snowflakes, by taking a great nap. 

December 5, 2013

Day 5: Christmas sandwich lunch and winter snack.  

Hot chocolate and popcorn before bed. Joshua was in heaven!

Silas was not impressed. He enjoyed the popcorn but was suspicious of the hot chocolate and mad when he didn't have a spirring spoon. 

December 4, 2013

Day. 4: sweet treats and soft friends

It's been a busy week at school. When we came home we enjoyed a quick dish on ice cream before bed.

They each chose a winter soft friend. 

Silas had a penguin. 

Joshua chose a polar bear.

December 3, 2013

Day 3: put up the Nativity. 

Disappointingly, Joshua was not satisfied with this being our activity for tonight. Some nights are less crafty. 

Silas only wanted the sheep. 

After Nativity we did bathes. The boys put on Christmas jammies and we went to the reading chair for books and songs.

Silas taking a load off...

Christmas jammies and footsie!

Joshua has a new favoitite spot looking at the tree. Under it.

Tonight in bed we had such great giggles, smiles and laughs. I love you both!!

December 2, 2013

Day 2: Christmas painting 

Joshua got paints for his birthday. We hadn't used them yet. He was particular about the brushes matching the paint colors. 

Joshua painted a Christmas tree and Christmas cookies. 

Silas painted Cookie Monster with Christmas cookies. 

The we washed up and headed for the book basket filled with Christmas books-- one for each day. 

The boys had a sweet moment sharing the chair until they noticed I was watching. 

December 1, 2013

Our advent calendar is full of Christmas activities once again.

Day 1: decorate our Christmas tree.

Our new house deserved a new tree. Michael bought one yesterday knowing I had intentions of putting it up today. 

This tree is bigger than our last tree. This year I looked back appreciating parents  everywhere who spend tree decorating time moving 1/2 of the ornaments higher up the tree or spreading out the clumps of ornaments. 

Joshua was very particular about his ornament placement, and even asked several times, "Where did the ornament go that I hung here?" 

Silas found a family or snow people that he loved. He gave them hugs and kisses and loved them up. 

When we were finished, Joshua stepped back and said, "It's just perfect!" 

Joshua's Birthday(s)

This young man decided he'd like to go to Red Lobster for his birthday dinner. 

He's been begging for quite a while, and we have told him maybe for your birthday. 

He asked for lobster. We gently persuaded him to be satisfied with lobster pizza. 

Too much fun!

We came home to open some presents. 

Sorry, You've got crazy parents buddy. "If you're a bird than I'm a bird."

 Birthday trumpets...

Thank you hugs for grandma. 

On Joshua's actual birthday (a sunday) we had church, then Michael coached basketball games, so we snuck to the beach afterwards. 

 "I didn't know we were racing."

When we came home we made pizzas followed by cupcakes. 

Joshua you're an awesome kid. You're a wonderful balance of silly and sweet. I love you!