The Real Meaning of Christmas

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

In our house we like Santa. There is something special about how magical the jolly old man is and I won't lie, I like how he seems to get my kids to behave! But in our house, Al and I strive to keep Jesus the focus. After dinner, as a family, we read the Advent Bible readings. We put together, 1 day at a time, our Little People Nativity. We pray for our kids and talk all the time about how it's Jesus' birthday. Still, we wonder what, if anything, is sticking....

Well, the other day at Wal-Mart, I found out. The cashier asked the kids what they were looking forward to this Christmas and without missing a beat, they piped-up "It's Jesus birthday! We have Christmas 'cause Jesus was born! And that's why we give gifts- 'cause God gave us Jesus." It warmed my heart!! I love it when God lets you see a little of your child's heart growing!!

Gingerbread-a-Thon!

This weekend, we cranked out a bunch of yummy-ness involving gingerbread. The kids could not have been happier!!

First up- Gingerbread House! I found a great kit at our new favorite store 5 Below. The kids had a blast putting it together and then decorating it. They each had 1/2 to decorate- Each side was totally different and I love it!! Alden has been a bit heartbroken that it can't be eatten...

Next up- Gingerbread Men!! The kids helped me make the dough- that was crazy and thus, no pictures. While they napped, the dough cooled. Once they were up, we rolled out the dough, cut out some gingerbread men and then baked them. The kids were pretty convinced that the Gingerbread Men would jump off the pan and we would have to chase them.... Happily, that did not happen. After baths they got to choose their own "man" and tell me how they wanted it decorated. After that- they enjoyed eating them- and telling me that they (the men) were jumping around in their bellys!

He wanted his decorated like Daddy- hard to tell, but this one has short, spikey hair and glasses.

Cookies must have milk to wash them down!

And don't forget the silly faces!!

Hopefully this is only the beginning of the happy Christmas-Time memories!!

Santa- Bass Pro Style

The Bass Pro shop is right by Al's work. The kids love going there- they affectionately call it "The Dead Zoo." During the Christmas Season, they offer a free Santa and lots of fun activities for the kids. On Monday, after school, the kids and I met Al there and boy did we have fun!!

While waiting for Santa to arrive, the kids brushed up on their shooting skills.

Then they got down to business- writing and mailing letters to Santa. Addie asked for a toy Poodle and some gum. Alden asked for a shoot-gun.

Waiting in line they practiced their 4-wheeling skills. We thought that since it was Monday AND there was no free craft that night, that there really wouldn't be that many people there. We were wrong. By 5pm, when Santa arrived, people were being assigned 6pm to come and see him!

Taking turns driving the BIG 4-wheeler!!

Seeing Santa!! He was a great one- super sweet and he even asked them if they had been brushing their teeth and cleaning their rooms!!

We had a blast- and it will certainly be a tradition for our family!!

SNOW!!

The kids woke up to snow on the ground (it had started the night of Addie's birthday). They were thrilled to go out and play in the dusting before church!!

Ready to go!

LOVING IT!!

Running around like lunatics!!

Yes, you see the marks were she had licked the snow off- she thought it was hysterical!

With this much snow, this early, who knows how much more we will get... Now that I'm teaching, I'm hoping for a lot =-)

Happy Birthday, Addie!

The morning dawned bright and crisp! Addie, sadly, was SO excited to start being 5, she woke up early and was a tad bit grumpy in the morning... But she ended up happy by the time of her party, then took a great nap, and ended the day happy as a clam- whew!

A little sad at her choice of donut- how you can go wrong with a Dunkin Donut, I'm not sure, but she was sure sad.

But after a few bites, she was happy- whew!

Opening her gift from Mommy and Daddy- matching outfit for her and Rosie Kyla

Ready for our guests- pretty princesses (and 2 princes, too)

My pathetic attempt at making a castle cake. When I was getting ready this morning, Addie happily announced that she had finished decorating the cake- putting the princesses in a circle around the 5 candle.

Busy coloring and putting on Princess jewelry

The whole group had fun playing hide-and-seek in Addie's room- they didn't seem to mind that there were approximately 3 hiding spots- they had a blast!

Everyone was thrilled to help Addie open her gifts! She got everything she asked for- and I didn't tell her friends what to bring at all! She wanted a special bed for Rosie Kyla (thanks, Elena), clothes for Rosie Kyla (thanks, Elena and Mommy and Daddy), a Princess Book (thanks, Hannah), jewelry to make (thanks, Hannah), make-up (thanks, Molly and Colin) and then, snow (thanks, God!)

Happy girl to officially be 5!!

Part of the activities included painting nails- Addie wanted Daddy to paint hers. Yes, her Daddy is THAT amazing- he painted, and did a good job, too- her nails! (All you other Dads out there- he has set the bar high!!)

Then the party ended with Princess Bingo- Elena was kind enough to play with Alden. The poor boy was beat and was ready for his nap!

Very intent on playing Bingo...

For dinner, Addie got to choose what she wanted. Up until the day of her birthday, she had been saying she wanted pancakes and green beans (yes, she currently loves green beans), but when she woke up this morning, she declared that she wanted a happy meal at Chick-fil-a- fine with me!

And as we were eating dinner, she got her final birthday wish- SNOW!! You can see the kids a little in this, but the main thing is the SNOW- all those little white dots! Addie was thrilled to get her final birthday wish!! We have encouraged her to wish for a million dollars....

It was a day cram packed with fun, family, and friends!! What an honor to celebrate the life of one amazing little girl- we all love you Adeline Rose!!

Preschool Party for Addie

Addie has been super excited to celebrate her birthday with her classmates! The last month has been filled with her mulling over what flavor of cupcake should be paired with which frosting, the color choices, type and color of sprinkles- important "stuff", you know!

Here is what we ended up with- yellow cake cupcakes, chocolate frosting, pink sprinkles and green lettering- all inspired by the cupcake liners (courtesy of a good friend who actually works at Reynold's Wrap). And since they were going to a school, I put her age in number form and in the number of dots. The teachers thought it was great- whew!

Addie's class has a snack after naps- so I was able to attend- yay! When the teacher was telling the kids to go to the table, there was MUCH discussion over who would get to sit next to Addie- turns out my little girl is quite popular! She ended up choosing Delany (to the left of her) and Lillian (on the right)- and her other good friend, Hannah Grace, sat at the next table, in the same spot as Addie (evidently that is just as good as sitting next to her...).

Yes, that is Alden, at a table, all by himself. Addie wanted him there to celebrate with her- how sweet! Since all the kids in Addie's class could fit at 2 tables, he could have squeezed in, but he choose to sit by himself- he hadn't napped that day, so it was probably best he was by himself....

Silly girl- as her classmates started to sing to her, she covered her ears and giggled...

Miss Cami- she was Addie's afternoon teacher for Sep- and then she was moved to another class. Addie still adores her, asks for her, has to give her a hug before we leave each day- she LOVES Miss Cami- so she was thrilled when Miss Cami came over to sing Happy Birthday to her!

Busy little Eagles (Addie's class animal)- you could have heard a pin drop when they were eating their cupcakes!

Addie Turns 5

It is hard to believe, but Addie turned 5 years old today. It seems like only yesterday I was dreaming of being pregnant- and boom- here is my miracle turning 5- FIVE!!

Addie, my dearest daughter,

You have changed SO much this year. You have truly blossomed and turned into a full-fledged girl- no babyness about you at all! Baby dolls- dressing them, changing their diapers, feeding them, taking them everywhere with you- this is your passion. Someday you will make an amazing Mommy. You also have become quite the little dancer, although I doubt the world will ever know your amazing moves since you abhor crowds and being in front of them, even in with a group of people. Writing and learning to read excite you- you are always asking me how to spell different words- and you amaze me as we are driving and you point out a word you have sounded out, all on your own! Most of the time, you adore bossing your brother around and playing school- I have a hunch you will make an amazing teacher someday! You also have some pretty impressive art skills- drawing, photography, singing- God has certainly gifted you in that area- your father and I can take no credit for that at all! Your impromptu hugs, smiles and "I love you Mommy!"'s are the best in the entire wide-world. When Daddy opens the Bible to read after dinner, your enthusiasm and desire to learn about God, warm our hearts more than anything else you do. God has big plans for you- we can't wait to see what they are!

Your father and I love you and are so proud to call you our daughter!!

Love,

Your Mommy and Daddy- Alden, too

Now for a trip down Memory Lane....

Addie- 1 day old

6mo old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

The time has flown by- and you will be driving before I know it- but until then, I love and am very proud of you!!

And here is her year in review.... She's 1 busy little girl!! You will see some common themes- friends, food and playing outside!