Day 6

Christmas parade 

A unique way to start the parade that's for sure, but fun no doubt. Santa parachutes out of an airplane onto the beach. 

After he lands the parade can begin. 

I called my sister she was at the parade too, she and her children were snuggled together with hot chocolate to stay warm. I on the other hand was looking for some shade for fear that I was going to get sunburned. 

Despite our warm weather morning we did enjoy some hot chocolate that night while watching Peter Pan. 

Day 5

Wear Christmas Shirts to school. 

Some super innocent smiles this morning in their Christmas shirts. 

Day 4

SNOWBALL FIGHT!!!!! 

Blurry pictures because it was crazy fun chaos! 

In previous years we have used socks - this year grandma sent a bucket of soft snowballs for each of the boys. There was a marshmallow snowman that the boys nibbled up first. Then Joshua asked, "can we play with the snowballs when we're done?" I answered, "sure, but what do people usually do with snowballs?"

The moment of realization from him was terrific! He grabbed the bucket took aim and the battle began. 

Day 3

Wednesday = family night at CTK

Knowing we were staying for church tonight our home activity had to be short and sweet. So we out up the nativity. 

After the nativity we snuggled in for a story. 

Day 2

Christmas movie and popcorn.

I love the move Elf. I haven't watched it in a few years because my boys were so young. Tonight we shared it with them. We munched popcorn, ice cream and chocolate milk as we lounged around enjoying the silliness. 

After the movie we headed to our readig spot to find a book for tonight. 

We enjoyed each other and the tree. We sang Christmas songs, said prayers and headed to bed. 

Day 1

December 2014

Day 1: decorate the tree 

After snowman pancakes, the boys got jammies and were ready for ornaments. 

At first they were thrilled about it. 

Silas' interest in the project didn't last too long before he was ready to move on. 

Joshua: "J-E-S-U-S, I know that guy! That's Jesus. 

We are trying to instill in him to cherish family and his Savior. 

When I brought out the Christmas movies he told me he'd like to watch Charlie Brown. "Because it tells the story of Jesus."  

Later that day, long after the movie was over, Joshua turned to me and asked, "What's commercialism? -- "Charlie Brown says, 'I won't let commercialism ruin my Christmas'. So what is it?" 

Sometimes I love the reminders that he gives without even realizing it. 

Before getting all tucked in, we went outside to see what the tree looked like. Joshua threw his arm around Silas, "I think it's beautiful." 

When they were "nestled all snug in their beds," I enjoyed some quiet moments with hot chocolate and a slice of pumpkin pie. 

Here's to another great year! 

Rainy Day Conversation

How I have come to love just sitting around chatting with this handsome face. 

He tells me he has the best jokes in town. 

I love to hear about the big things that you want to do. Like telling me how when you grow up you'd like to have a monocle and watch a ball in your big castle when you grow up. Just like in Cinderella. 

Then there's this guy. So tired, but so afraid to miss out on life that he would rather be out and about holding his head up or rubbing his eyes rather than sleeping missing out. 

On the Eve of Advent

Despite best intentions, I need to take a hiatus from blogging about summer vacation (Not that it occurred all that often) because I'm going to make an effort to keep up with my traditional advent activities.

This year Joshua is all excited about it. I heard him chatting with Silas about "opening the activity door everyday!"

I've mapped out the next 24 days and can't wait for the fun to start.

Tonight, after the boys were in bed, I was "Momma elf" putting up and fluffing the tree, being sure the lights work so tomorrow "Day 1" we can decorate our tree. 

Loving the Library

July 9

Hooray for those unplanned moments of Mommy awesomeness! 

Over the summer the library has a nice reading program that we participated in. After I picked up the calendar I tried to see if there were activities for us to participate in. 

I found family story time. Rushed the boys out of the house expecting 20-30 minute story time and maybe a song. 

I got more than I bargained for and it was great! There were several stories about bubbles, bubble songs and poems followed by several outside bubble activities. 

Water buckets 

Ice painting

Hula hooping

Fishing 

And... Snowcones! 

Hooray for happy morning adventures and the boys thinking I'm the greatest for taking them to the library. 

Facing fears

We went to a neighborhood park. Joshua made it all the way to the tippy-top feeling so proud of himself. 

And the drama king, "fell off" his bike and hurt his hand. 

There is a tiny strip when we go around the block that gives him a hard time. We have practiced it several times. 

Handsome

Joshua often asked when can he wear his tie? He looked so good had to share. 

Bug Boxes

We love Home Depot Saturday Projects 

We made bug boxes. They boys took them home excited to find bugs. 

When we didn't find bugs outside they found the plastic bugs in the playroom and had some wonderful, fun imaginative play.