Christmas

Ah, Christmas! Here and just about gone already?! Really, where did this year go?

We are having a great Christmas Day. I was up with Soren at 4am and she went back to sleep around 5:15. I did not. So that gave me a chance to enjoy the quiet before the storm! Turned on the Christmas lights and waited somewhat impatiently for the boys to stir. The boys have had nasty colds, so i was happy they were sleeping. But i was also ready to get the party started. (Am i turning into my father in this area, perhaps?). I talked to my sister in Virginia and they had already finished their Christmas unwrapping and it was nice to have a conversation with her without one or both boys constantly interrupting me (since being on the phone is an instant "Mommy Magnet" for them).

Anywhoooo. 6:40am arrived and the boys got up and very excitedly descended the stairs. Santa had indeed paid a visit! I clicked on the fire (love that option) and let the gift opening begin. The Wii was first to be opened and they (including Doug) were surprised and excited. Lots of Wii accessories and games were opened, too. Darling gifts for Soren. Fun toys for the boys. We are so spoiled. So many generous gifts and great relationships in our lives for which to be grateful.

Here are some pictures of our day...And a couple from the night before...

This is how we use our wrapping paper tubes...

Does this require explanation?! All i can say is Keegs wasn't impressed with his Christmas pjs. He opened them and basically said, "What the crap?! I don't want no stinkin' jammies!" When it came time to put the pjs on, he first took off for a few laps around the kitchen and dining room. Click to enlarge to check out Soren's amused (bemused?) expression. Is she thinking, "What have i gotten myself into?"

It is nearly impossible to get a remotely decent shot of these three together.

Very excited with his new art supplies!

So cute!

This puppy's gonna take some assembly!

A decent shot!!

She is all i really wanted for Christmas.

So yummy.

The fully assembled castle 3 hours later! So much fun! Now we need to learn to talk like knights, i suppose!

Oh, and we haven't even gotten to the stockings yet. There was so much received (even with just one Santa gift and only a couple from Doug and me given to each boy, it feels like excess), i've been happy to just let them play with and enjoy what they've already opened. Stockings are my favorite thing. I love all the little gifties stuffed inside. My mom always made them so special and i've really enjoyed doing the same for my little family. So we will enjoy that tradition a little later today.

It Snowed

I can't stop playing this song. I love it! I wish i could get it on a playlist and put it on my blog but i can't find it. So, go to iTunes and download their FREE holiday album and click Meaghan Smith's song It Snowed. And click it again and again and again...

Enjoy!

Can you believe how close it is to Christmas? Where did this year go?!

PS--I still can't find a way to make the HTML code i found for the song work on my blog. So check her out here. Click on It Snowed on her playlist on the right side of the page.

Christmas Reconnaissance

Let Us Count the Ways

I've looked for years for a great advent calendar. I've considered cross stitching one i found from a pattern somewhere in Denmark (uh, proofing this i think it sounds like I've been to Denmark. That would be a big fat no. Sadly the only places i've been out of the US are Mexico, Canada and Aruba. My computer took me to Denmark, though, and they have some great cross stitching shops!). But nothing out there is quite what i'm looking for. In the past we've done a Christmas paper chain and removed a "link" each night. Last year Doug's mom sent both boys a homemade advent--very cute--the top was a small stuffed animal. Falling from the stuffed animal were wrapped candies and small ornaments to remove each day.

This year? We're a little out of control over here. We've got the small wooden tree that Doug's sister sent to us years ago. It has a gold wire on the top with beads you move each day until you get the star bead at the top of the tree which means Christmas! We've got the Christmas books that we open each night--one of my favorite traditions. We have 22 books, but i'm only using 17 of them this year. I love that the boys enjoy this tradition so much.


New this year is the Christmas Kisses advent Doug's mom made for us. Can you read the poem? We each have our own bag of 24 Hershey Kisses and eat one each night. A popular option in these parts.


Then...i found a Playmobil Pirates advent at TJMaxx last week (gotta love that place!). The boys loooove this one. A new pirate accessory each day to add to their collection. They bug me about it all.day.long, in what would be a fun and excited way, but it gets old listening to them pester me about what could possibly be in the next box (are you thinking "Bah humbug" to me??!!). (The next box has a palm tree in it, OK?? Yes, a palm tree! Does that excite you?).


Also, I cut out the Friend magazine's activity about Christmas Around the World. There are 24 descriptions of Christmas traditions in other countries and the boys match the description to a corresponding picture. We often forget to do this one, but they enjoy catching up on it.

And finally. My sister sent me a very fun little gifty just this week. Love this guy! My advent hunt is over! He will be with us for years to come!


With all of these methods, there should be no way we miss the Big Day. Phew! Crisis averted!

Chunky Monkey

At 2 months, Soren is:

• 13#1oz (90%) and 22 3/4" (50%)
  
• smiling, sort of laughing (kind of sounds like she's scoffing), making lots of throaty noises. She's trying reeeeally really hard to talk
• still loved by her big brothers--especially Bode
• more interested in things around her. She focuses on the toys when she's in her bouncy seat and under the play gym. She swats at the toys above her
• sleeping incredibly well at night. In bed for the night no later than 7pm and sleeps till 3am (last night i woke her up at 3:45 'cause i needed a little relief)! She's up again for the day by 6 (7 today. Yeehaw!).
• a happy, rolly baby and i'm really enjoying her!