The Christmas Season

I have not been posting consistently lately. Once you read this post you will understand why. We have been very busy this month with lots of fun Christmas activities!

I love baking at Christmas time. I have learned to prepare some treats from the kitchen of my 89 year old grandmother (peanut butter balls, potato candy etc). A fun family treat to make is my peppermint bark. The kids (and dad) enjoy crushing the candy canes. This is a great time for discussion of why the candy cane is used to celebrate Christmas. I had planned to post a picture of the final product...but there is none left!

We always put up our tree and other decorations the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Here are the boys working hard on the tree.

Here is Katherine looking cute.

Each year we visit the Festival of Trees and Lights. The children like to look at the beautiful trees and train displays. This year they made Gingerbread Houses.

The girls are terrified of Santa. Joshua, being the courageous big brother gave Santa their requests.

Each year we go to my Aunt Diane's with my neice and nephew. She cooks hamburgers (they are delicious!), and we open presents, make a craft and watch a movie. The movie this year was Frosty the Snowman. The craft was Christmas necklaces.
Great fine motor work! (the OT in me could not resist...)

The evening would not be complete without snacks...popcorn and giant Santa cookies.

Since 1974 the KIDS Center has had a puppet show each year at their Christmas party. Joshua, Lydia, and Katherine were in awe.

This one has nothing to do with Christmas. I came downstairs the other day to find the kids in their swimming suits and goggles. Evidently they were at a water park on vacation... note the Christmas decorations in the background.I never know what I am going to walk into when these two are quiet for too long! At least this one did not involve blue goop, Elmers Glue, and rubber boots...

In addition to these activities, the kids also had Christmas parties at pre-school, we had a birthday party for Jesus at church (Lydia was a little disappointed that He did not show up), Joshua has had a concert at church, they have also had AWANA and choir Christmas parties. Tomorrow we have breakfast with Santa at a friend's house and baking with Grandma.

okay, I could not resist this last one. While playing Don't Break the Ice today, instead of putting the "red" man on top, Joshua put Mary and Joseph. He really wanted baby Jesus, but we can not find him...nor can we find Mrs. Clause and the Santa train. Last time I saw it the wise men were giving Baby Jesus train rides around the house.