Thursday, December 23, 2010

Birthday Party for Jesus

This year we hosted a Birthday Party for Jesus at our house for our play group friends. First we hunted for puzzle pieces to a nativity puzzle. Then we opened up gifts that told the story of baby Jesus' birth.
We also played a version of pin the tail on the donkey, the kids attempted to put baby Jesus in the manger. We had a pretty young crowd so we basically just let each child come put their baby in the manager. A few of the older kids did try it with a blindfold.
Red Velvet cupcakes- yummy! One of the more exciting moments of the party was when Logan knocked over the Christmas tree. His mommy was helping me with Titus.
Each child got their own candle to blow out as we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
Grace got her own special white cupcake.
All the kids eating in our playroom.
Each child got to take home some peppermint play dough with a Christmas shaped cookie cutter. Happy Birthday Baby Jesus!

Christmas Unwrapped

This year I got the opportunity to dust off an old skill and act in our church's dinner theater production "Christmas Unwrapped." It was a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed making some new friends. This is Katie & I as Holly & Noel.
Here is the "security guard" from the store we worked at in the show.
Should have taken more pics....but at least I took two right? At this point me actually being in a production is an accomplishment. It definitely reminded me of the truth that signing up for something is essentially signing up the whole family. I was so thankful for Jeremy's behind the scenes contribution of caring for our children so I could participate. Love you hunny!

Countdown to Christmas

This year the kids have had a great time counting down the days until Christmas. Each morning we read a page in our countdown book and then in the evening we open our advent calender with fun family activities. (I should say most days...Grace definitely figured out this year when things got busy we missed opening some boxes.) Once again we went to a local farm to look at their impressive homemade lights display.

We also let the kids open their ornaments to hang on our tree. This year their ornaments were based off their birthday party themes.
Even though Titus' birthday isn't until January I choose a picture that looks similar to his arm crawl move. He is having a camo themed party since he only "army" crawled forever.
It was my year to choose our couple ornament. This one is based on a funny moment we had at a marriage retreat this fall. They asked how long we had been married/together. Jeremy said 4 years. (we've been married 6 1/2 years) So, I put our 4th Christmas as a joke. He thought it was funny. Love that I have a husband I can laugh with.
Grace & Faith ready to open.
Faith's ornament was one we found when going through my Mom-o's ornaments.
Faith hangs her ornament.
Faith's ornament is Precious Moments and a little girl with a cowgirl hat on a stick horse. It looks just like her on her birthday (minus the pony tail!)Grace got an ornament with Fancy Nancy that says "Grace- Our Fancy Four Year Old" on one side and a picture of her dressed up fancy for her party on the other.

This is the one picture I have from our attempt at making sugar cookies. It didn't go very smoothly. We always start out strong and then wipe out when it comes to the rolling and cutting. I guess that is why there aren't anymore pictures. We did eat them they just weren't beautiful. Next year I am making Aunt Jo Jo take over this annual torture, I mean activity.
Here are the kids with our upstairs Christmas tree. Titus is thrilled.
Much better.
This one is cute, but once again they looked thrilled don't they?
Titus & Mommy
Each year we make Christmas treats to share with our neighbors. This year the kids and I got all bundled up and walked the neighborhood. Even Titus got in on the fun.
I'm sure Faith will love this one when she is older. The good picture has Titus' thumb in it as I was holding him and trying to take the picture. Oh, well.
Right now we have the flu (everyone except Jeremy) and are hoping to all recover by Christmas! Although it is helping me get my blog up to date.