Christmas Highlights Week 4

Special Breakfast
I love setting the table the night before this one. :) They took their time decorating their Santa pancakes and of course loved eating them!

Kiss Time
The kids were great helpers with these cookies. :) I ended up spending plenty of extra time baking this year. Lorelei said I had to play Mrs. Claus (while she was a reindeer or dog of course) since Mrs. Claus is always baking. :)

Makin helped unwrap these kisses, caramels, and peppermints (for games) so he said, "I'm like a professional unwrapper!"

Macie, Peyton, Lorelei, Makin and Nayeli

Reindeer Games
We invited several friends from school along with the Armstrongs this year. A few of them got sick at the last minute, but we were glad for the kiddos who made it! It was still on the small side but lots of fun...

Reindeer Ready! :)

A few of the relays...

And who doesn't love the snowman wrap game? :)

Christmas Charades and Gingerbread Man Shuffle

(trying to get the gingerbread man into your mouth using only your face)

Peppermint Stack - First on the table, then on a popsicle stick for an extra challenge.

Amanda got up to 9 stacked on a popsicle stick! I have such talented friends. ;)

Another little note on this one would be Makin's technique. The kids immediately asked if they could lick the peppermints to stack them...I said I didn't know why not. Makin was very concerned because he thinks peppermint is too spicy, so we had him get a wet paper towel so his peppermints would stick together! :)

5th Annual Reindeer Games in the books!

Christmas Lights
I have to laugh at the traditions that pop up occasionally by accident. The kids insisted that we had to take popcorn to go and see Christmas lights. I realize that we have done this several years but didn't realize it was now a REQUIREMENT. :) Somehow they forgot the hot chocolate part we used to add...but I wasn't about to remind them. :) We also delivered coffee cakes to a couple of friends and the kids enjoyed playing Santa and dropping off gifts.

We headed to a singing house this year and really enjoyed just parking and watching for about 30 minutes to the lights choreographed to the music.

Christmas Eve
Because of a few kinks we ended up having our family Christmas games on Christmas Eve. It worked well having something to do to keep us all busy waiting for the afternoon to arrive.








This year Christmas Eve was more teaching the kids about serving. I was in charge of finding hot water, coffee and cookies for our church service we usually have outdoors on the square near a restaurant shopping area. Because of rain, it was moved indoors to an art gallery, but we still ended up having the drinks and treats just outside the studio. Needless to say we were busy picking up all of these items from the various places that donated them, and then setting up the tables and making sure everyone was caffeinated and sugared up before and after the service. While I can't say it was my most memorable Christmas Eve, I know this is just a season and it doesn't hurt the kids to see what goes on to put together a service that many people take for granted showing up for. :)

Had to get a family shot at some point!

Cookies (for Santa), carrots (8 reindeer) and a candy cane (for Rudolph)

Christmas Day
We had a lazy (hmmm sort of...Brad and I sure didn't feel lazy helping the kids with all of their projects...but we were in pajamas so it felt lazyish) morning opening gifts followed by an afternoon at the park and lake. :)

This girl is getting harder and harder to buy for. She is actually really good at being content with what toys she has, but its hard to not get an 8 year old any toys for Christmas! I'm sure its only going to get trickier, but she was very happy with her gifts...and p.s. pottery is messy. ;)

This guy is so grateful when he receives gifts. This year his reactions were typically a big squeal, hugging the item and then coming and hugging us to thank us. Of course, he was really in suspense as to whether Santa would bring him a drone since he wasn't quite old enough...but Santa must have thought he could handle it. The boys sure had a fun time flying it that afternoon, despite the wind.

No Snow? Okay lets play in the sand then. :)

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Highlights Week 3

Baking Sugar Cookies

This year we needed to bake these for Makin's class party so they got done pretty early.

I don't know what L was so shocked about in the bottom pic but I loved it anyway!

School Parties and Library Singing

I was in charge of Makin's party this year, which meant I didn't get a single picture of Lorelei's party!

The chaos of organizing 13 kindergartners to eat lunch and frost cookies got the best of me and I didn't get a chance to sneak over and get a pic of Lor's class. (Oh...so mad at myself!)

Such sweet smiling faces!
Top: Amelia, Gracelyn, Makin and Micah
Bottom: Makin and Lorelei with festive head-wear. Gracelyn and Makin (Best Buds!)

Then they had early release and we headed to the library to sing.

Savannah and Charlie rode with us and we took a few extra ups and downs on the elevator for entertainment. :)

I especially loved the Kindergartners song they learned for the program this year.

Christmas Sleep Out

I love this one. :)

This year we added an air mattress, much better sleep!

Cards

We made Nativity cards to mail to grandparents.

Ice Skating

GCA always has a school ice skating party. Because of rescheduling for weather there wasn't a great turn out, but the kids did enjoy their time. I was reminded why I don't love taking kids ice skating...while Makin took off like a pro, Lor needed me with her the whole time. :) She did get away from the wall as long as she was holding my hand, or within arms reach... Maybe next year she will feel more confident after a few trips around!?

Lego Advent Calendars

These were one of Nana and Papa's Christmas gifts and the kids loved opening them each morning!

Christmas Highlights Week 2 (Grandma and Grandpa's Visit!)

We were excited to have Grandma and Grandpa visit us in December again this year.

We enjoyed a few games of Uno.

Grandma painted nutcrackers with the kids. For some reason they really love nutcrackers so I thought this would be a fun one for them. They took their time and worked hard on them!

Makin was super-excited that Grandpa would like to throw the football with him in the backyard.

Lorelei even joined in on the fun.

Grandma and Grandpa helped with making and hanging Cheerio bird feeders.

They love to see the kid's Christmas program at school.

It was fun having both kids performing this time. I'm not motivated to post the videos at this point...may add later. :)

Lorelei and Nayeli

Makin and his teacher, Mrs. Harris

Grandma likes to let the kids pick their Christmas present with her.

Our stuffed animal lover chose a Build-a-Bear horse.

We headed to Gaylord Texan, which is just full of fun and beautiful

 Christmas decorations and some trains.

The next morning Makin was so focused on his new Lego set (their gift) that he forgot to eat breakfast. And this kid loves his breakfast!

The boys enjoyed an outing to Top Golf followed by a trip to see the Dallas Cowboys training facility. Although they didn't get to go inside the outside was still fun.

We decided chocolate-lover Grandma would like to try out our Polar Express Night Hot Chocolate Bar. :) The movie was captivating as always. :)

We fit in a trip to the park when the weather warmed up a bit.

We decided to make the trip to the Northpark Mall to see Santa.

We even combined it with getting school work done at the tables in the mall before...

Storytime With Santa

He is a fun storyteller. :)

We kept busy waiting for our turn by riding escalators 

and checking out the amazing gingerbread town.

I also loved seeing thousands of gorgeous Christmas plants decorating the mall.

The wait for THE best Santa in the Dallas area is pretty insane...despite their elaborate numbering system. :) Lor was crossing her fingers we would be in the next group. When we made it, she commented, "I feel like we are cattle." The lady next to us strongly agreed!

I loved their excitement as we got closer to having our turn. :) (Left Picture.)

Santa!

There was no rush while he spent several minutes talking to them. :)

Loved it.

Then we headed over to the Trains at Northpark and really enjoyed it.

Lorelei was especially interested in the Lincoln Memorial after learning more about it in school.

They spent a fun afternoon after we got home working on a mural of the gingerbread town as well as working on hot wheels tracks.

Thanks for a great visit Grandma and Grandpa!!! We loved having you!