Day 18, 2015

Christmas parties and programs at school.

Day 17, 2015

We went out to eat and to find teacher gifts. The boys were to shop and wrap. However, Silas was feeling under the weather and it had been a long week for everyone. We pulled into the driveway at 7:00 both sleeping boys were carried like sacks of potatoes right to their beds. Silas woke up around 12 asking to have his shoes taken off. Joshua slept in his uniform including his belt and was dressed while sleeping the next morning at 6:45. 

Day 16, 2015

Celebrating Dad's 30th! 

Another Wednesday night meant dinner and service at church, but we did enjoy some family time and gelato with Michael afterward.

Day15, 2015

By far the favorite activity: indoor snowball fight! 

There was squealing, giggling, running, jumping, sweating, and a ton of fun had as we battled with the snowballs. 

Day 14, 2015

We listened to the book Snowflake Bentley then cut out our own paper snowflakes. 

This can be such a challenging thing for little fingers, but they fought their way through or suggested what shapes I should cut. 

Day 13, 2015

Christmas cookies 

CTK has a bake sale between the preschool and elementary school Christmas programs so we needed to do some baking to help out.  The boys were disappointed that we weren't doing cutouts yet, but they did get to sample so it wasn't so bad. 

Day12, 2015

Starlight parade:

Glow sticks, candy canes, Christmas music, colored light, great friends. It was fantastic. We invited people over for a hot chocolate bar after the parade. So much fun with friends enjoying the holiday. 

Day 11, 2015

Chilly treats. 

After a long day we enjoyed some quiet gelato at home. It has been very warm so a cool treat was a nice way to close out the day. 

Day 10, 2015

Ivory soap snow 

Take a regular bar of Ivory soap and microwave for 2 minutes. Watch what happens. 

I'm hesitant to try new activities for our Advent calendar because there are some that are favorites. This will be added to our collection for sure. 

They took it to the tub with them when they were finished. 

All clean they shared a story before bed. 

Day 9

Wednesday nights during advent it's a challenge to do an activity after we get home from church. 

I got the boys little activity books that they worked on while we read books that night. I chose to read The Best Christmas Pagent Ever. They my have been just a hair young to appreciate each chapter, but it brought back memories of read-alouds from my grade school teachers. 

Day 8, 2015

Tonight we made beaded ornaments. There was some intense concentration as they were stringing the beads. I helped them to hot glue the hangers onto them. The ornaments turned out beautiful and were quickly placed on the tree. 

Day 7, 2015

Snowman sleepover! 

Maybe one that's a little more lazy on this momma's part but we make it a big deal and they love it! 

We have a basket of stuffed animal basket full of only winter/Christmas animals or friends. 

They each have a special snowman that stays in their beds for one night. 

Day 3, 2015

Christmas painting! 

For a bonus this evening they watched The Grinch while they painted. 

Some of the best gingerbread houses ever seen!

Other items from today: 

Silas wanted to check out this book from the school library. 

"Look mom, a story about me!"

"What makes that book about you?"

"It has my shoes. It's about me. Let's read it!"

The observations he has been sharig have been lots of fun. Oh, to get a glimpse into that little boys head!

He also spent some time with me in my classroom after school. He worked on a Christmas dot-to-dot. His concentration was captivating. 

Day 6, 2015

I love Sunday. 

I love our church family. 

I love afternoon naps. 

I love reading and snuggling.

Today's activity was decorating a tree and a wreath with stickers. Something that seems so simple and quick to me, was something they very much enjoyed. 

Silas told me to please step back because he was trying to concentrate. 

Day 5, 2015

Decorate your room. We put lights under the top bunk, hung a banner they made, and brought in the mini tree. 

Some day I'll be able laugh at the fact that I needed to go in referee a biting situation, discipline and pull the plug on the lights minutes after this picture was taken, but today was not the day. 

Day 4, 2015

Polar Express Night: 

Jammies, low lights, hot chocolate and jingle bells. 

Since we don't "do" Santa, the movie brought the huge debate. 

The boys argued. 

 Santa: fiction or fact? 

Joshua still has a "hard time" understanding why we don't "do" Santa, but our solution has always been that he is a Christmas character. Just like Frosty, Rudolph, or the Grinch, Santa is a Christmas character. 

This will be a Christmas of internal struggle for Silas as we again try to explain the fantasy of Santa. 

Day 2, 2015

Do you want to build a snowman?!? 

Day 2: decorate your door! 

An easy Wednesday night after church activity. Cut some shapes and some double sided tape - good to go! 

Day 1, 2015

It's that time of year again: 

Day 1: December Magazines 

Advent calendar day 1. 

Their magazines always come nearly a month early and its it a quick here look at this as we get home from school, unpack lunchboxes, check paperwork, etc. 

Tonight we made a big deal about specific time set aside for them to enjoy them. 

Not so rose colored

Kindergarten screening came back that Joshua should have his eyes checked. Michael took him during our days off for Thanksgiving. 

And now my baby looks like his ready to move out. The glasses have certainly aged him. 

I knew not to be surprised, but still thought I had a little more time. 

He looks as handsome as ever and at least for the moment is very concerned about taking care of them. 

He proudly wore his specs as we played games and giggled having some family time. 

He claimed he won both games because he could see so clearly. 

Silas chose his own game. I'm assuming he gets into plenty of trouble without playing the game. 

2 in a Row

Watch out! Two in a row? Can you believe it?!? 

Sunday night after Thanksgiving is becoming our night for the tree. 

The boys have been waiting patiently since Friday when I put it up (with help, my family was visiting.) It was a long wait, but worth it. 

The four of us sang some Christmas songs as we chose where each ornament should be placed. 

Then came some of the best parts: checking what the tree looks like from outside and checking out the Christmas book baskets. Many more days to come nestled into the chair near the tree sharing favorite stories. 

What are the chances?

Begin placing bets: do you think I can remain faithful to my holiday postings this year? 'Cause it's that time again. Today was church decorating. 

These two have been decorating the church tree together every year since they were able to walk or hold ornaments. A fun few moments were shared as they helped get church lookin' festive. 

Savvy Shoppers

Unusual perhaps to most people would be the sight of me following these three and their three carts.  

At the store, I'm just a pretty face. I don't collect the coupons, carry a list or, push a cart. 

I follow my shoppers with a smile. 

Rock'n' the Runway

We went to the Flagler County Airport here in Palm Coast. The boys loved riding a school bus from the parking lot to the air show. We weren't there long before it got dark. 

The boys giggled and squealed at the airplane formations, but we're even more excited about the "Journey" tribute band concert that followed. That's right, my boys first concert was a Journey tribute band. 

We stayed to the end for the fireworks and "Don't Stop Believin'"

Sleep came fast after Rock'n' the Runway.

CTKJO Day

Junior Olympics was even more fun this year because Joshua got to participate. I helped out with the planning. My job was to divide teams. That meant I could put Joshua on my team! What a fun day for him and I to share. 

It was interesting for me to see how he interacted with other kids and embraced the friendly competition. 

I could see quickly he shares my lack of coordination, but willingness to try. 

A day that we were anxious would be full of rain, turned out to be all kinds of fun. The rain held off until after the water balloons and everyone was happy about that. 

Silly Silas

I walked into the kitchen to him trying to slice a plastic Easter Egg. 

Backyard business

With the fence up and my garden box assembled we filled it with fresh soil and divided it into square feet. 

It felt great to get my hands dirty, and start making the yard look good. 

Amazing how a little "playing in the dirt" can have such therapeutic effects. I love the smell of the soil. 

Spring has Sprung!

That was the Moto for the Washington Oaks photo contest for March. 

I feel like 4 months in, I'm starting to get some better shots. I may sinfully / selfishly think that the pictures chosen are not as good as the shots I submitted, but I'm trying to put the the best construction on the situation. 

We had fun on both sides exploring and seeing the sights. 

"Toes in the sand as often as you can!"