Hurray Christmas!

Christmas Eve pajamas. The tradition that I wanted to stop, but probably won't because the boys love the surprise. They know that they are getting PJ's, but they wonder what fabric I will choose for them.


Christmas Morning first peek. Christian was super excited to come down. At about 12:35 AM in the middle of our assembling process, Darin and I heard Christian's voice calling from upstairs. My heart jumped and Darin ran, it turns out that Christian decided that he'd slept long enough and was ready to come downstairs. Too bad Santa hadn't come yet and he had to go back to bed. By 6 AM he was frustrated by his 2 brothers that still wanted to sleep "forever." I allowed him to wake them by 7.



Jag had wanted dinosaur slippers with big claws. He loves the toenails on his slippers.


The boys were happy with everything that they got. Davis kept saying that this was the best Christmas. He got a CD with french horn music on it...it couldn't be better in his mind.


The Wii brought huge cheers from the boys. I didn't know it would be such a big hit.


Noah got a new bike. It is a Strider bike without pedals. He just runs to get it to go. Liked it the first day, not so sure the second day.

Traditions

Noah eating his train.
Noah has already undecorated his train. He loves having his own candy bowl.

This is the year that I have wanted to stop or change our traditions. Making pajama bottoms for 4 boys is getting me grouchy (only because I procrastinated) and making trains from graham crackers just plain messy. I didn't give up the traditions, but really wanted to. At least I am done for a year, maybe next year I will start earlier and enjoy them more. I would really like the tradition where we lay around and watch movies, while eating hot fudge peppermint sundaes.




I go through the Halloween candy and take out all the M & Ms, Skittles, Good 'n Plenty etc. to decorate the Christmas trains. What tastes better with frosting cement, but old hard candy?

All I Want For Christmas Is...

My 2 Front Teeth. (From here on out, Christian will not be allowed to smile in pictures until after braces.)

Waiting Games

As the packages arrived in the mail, Noah grew more anxious to open them. When I explained that we needed to wait until Christmas, he decided to sort them..."mine, Jag's, mine, mine" and play with them. At least he didn't open them, yet. This is the Christmas train that he made with pillows and the packages.

Let Me Clarify

I feel like I should clarify my last posting. I won't say anything yet, but I had tithing settlement earlier and the Bishop wants to talk callings with me... Let you know once I decide to say "Yes."

I Was Warned

I have complained for awhile now about having nothing to do with myself. I was warned by DeNae and Brooke that I was just begging for fate to bite me hard. I feel something coming and Mr. Fate, I am really sorry for all the complaining. I am fine sitting at home with Noah. We do just great filling up our day now. Please pass me by, life is just great as is.

I am afraid that I may be a bit too late. (This is where I would link to the earlier posts, if I could figure it out.)

I Was On The Computer

I have neglected Noah while I've been on the computer. I thought that Elmo was busy doing his/her job. Noah helped himself to the pudding. Opened it with his teeth and then smashed it to get it out. He found that his hands worked great as a spoon. At least it was contained to the table and I found him before he got something else to eat.

Name This Tune

Davis was thrilled to participate in the 5th grade band concert. He totally rocked the french horn! Go ahead try and guess the tune. It isn't one that is very familiar, but it does sound like it is supposed to .

We Love Santa!

Santa came to our ward party (which Darin declared was one of his favorites due to the tamales), and I couldn't wait to show Noah. He had talked of Santa, seen pictures of him, but has never really seen him. I told Noah that Santa would come to the party and that we would tell him what he wanted. He had to think about what to tell Santa. I listed off every present that he will be getting only to have him tell me NO he didn't want that. So much for fulfilling his dreams. He finally decided that he wanted Playdough (Hurray for the last minute stocking stuffer).

Santa walked into the party and circled the room with kids following him. Noah was right there. He kept yelling "Santa, Santa." He ran up to him and touched his belly..."Hi, Santa." Nothing but smiles. We waited in line and finally it was his turn....


I threw him on the Santa's lap and laughed while grabbing my camera. I don't know what changed, but this was too close for Noah's comfort! (FYI: Jag stood in line and told everyone that it wasn't a real Santa. Oh the wisdom of the kindergartner!)

Davis' Ode to the Christmas Season

Because of the King in a manger,
Because of the silent holy night,
Because of the shepherds keeping lambs from danger,
Because of the star at great height.
Because of the angels glorifying God,
Because of the virgin and a mother,
Because of the wise men coming through the fog,
Because of a carpenter and a father,
Because of the song that we are singing,
Because of the bells that are ringing,
Is the Reason that we have this giving, grateful,
jolly, happy, singing, Christmas Season.

Noah's Favorite Part

Noah can't wait for Jag to come home from school. It is his favorite part of everyday. This is how I found them yesterday.

Christmas Programs

Christian and Jag participated in their annual elementary Christmas programs. I state it that way because Jag complained and complained about the fact that the schools always have Christmas programs (as a kindergartner, he has participated in far too many). He hated participating. Christian reported that during the daytime school performance, Jag didn't sing and kept his fingers in his mouth the entire time. After some fighting and coaxing and forcing as well as some encouragement, Jag did fantastic and participated the entire program. He even went above and beyond by doing the hand actions.

Chrisitan is my only child who loves to fully participate in singing activities. He did great and of course knew all the words and actions.

This program, like most, wanted to include everyone so Jag was a fabulous Kwanzaa drummer and Christian was a great Hanukkah dancer. Although they sang about Santa, dreidel's, and kwanzaa celebrations, it was great to see that in Texas they weren't afraid to sing about Jesus too. Both the boys had full nativities acted out in their programs and it was introduced as the real reason for Christmas. I am glad that they were sensitive to other celebrations that go on in December, but that they didn't forget the biggest one that goes on. It isn't just Santa and Jingle bells here in Texas schools.

Kindergarten

Third Grade

(I have no idea where the boys are. They are just somewhere in the masses. If they hadn't refused and given me the "idiot mom" look, they would have been wearing cute little reindeer antlers and I could have found them easier.)