The first weekend in december was filled with christmas decorating. getting our tree was the highlight. or at least it was supposed to be. we thought cutting down our own tree with a real saw would be a fabulous adventure that the boys would get a kick out of. we found a tree farm that had a hayride, free cocoa and cookies, giant teddy bears to climb on, and a 2 story statue of santa, as well as a real santa walking around handing out candy! we thought it'd be the perfect place to get a christmas card photo, so we (ok, I) dressed them in matching outfits and powered up the camera in hopes of getting the perfect, smiley shot. turns out the best laid plans... go oft awry. the boys were only mildly amused... and once the tractor/hayride had dropped us out in the field, kyren decided he was done with the whole process and began to fuss, wanting the tractor to come back and get us. the sun was too bright and the wind was too cold. nobody was smiling. not even for the candy. honestly, kids these days! perhaps we'll wait another couple of years before trying to impress them again.
decorating the tree went just about as smoothly. kyren was excited mainly about the breakable ornaments... 4 of which were broken within the first 24 hrs.
let's just say there were very few photo op's this weekend.
the second weekend, Chicago cousins arrived, and it was nonstop go-go-going with 4 kiddos under 4. Gramsy and Poppy gave them all PlasmaCars, which was really fun. mostly for me, b/c it was my idea. second 'most fun' prize went to kyren, for finally finding a vehicle he could successfully maneuver on his own! i don't think i've ever seen him so delighted. it was precious and priceless! we also had a fun music night, singing christmas carols by the fire, and all playing instruments and taking turns being 'the loudest'.
somewhere in there i realized we still hadn't gotten a christmas card photo, and we were now running thin on time. the boys had their new sweaters on from Grampy and their new vests from gramsy/poppy, so i threw them in the wagon and strolled down the street to watch the neighbor boys ride their dirt bikes. definitely a good scenario for getting them to hold still. getting them to both smile in my direction at the same time was another story. brilliantly, one of the boys came over to talk with us after he finished riding, and i seized the opportunity, having him make funny faces so the boys would laugh. and by george, it WORKED. we got a few good ones, and actually had trouble deciding on which one to use. and it was actually a FUN memory to boot!
a couple days later it was time for a week with Grandpop and Uncle Kevin, who drove all the way up from FL to spend time with all 5 of the PA grandkids. We went to Longwood to see the trains and lights; the Brandywine River Museum to see the Christmas Trains display; and had a fun time exchanging gifts... we got an ice cream maker-- complete with a fresh batch of homemade strawberry ice cream, compliments of Grandpop! Deeelicious.
Somewhere in there, poor Silas got a stomach virus...which has now spread through just about everybody. bleh. at least we had fun in the process!
And before we knew it it was time for Christmas Week! Our new advent calendar from Grampy (which is the coolest thing ever), helped us count down to the birth of Jesus, and will for years to come! It has a little door for each day in December, behind which is a magnetic figure that goes on the painted manger scene background.
On Christmas Eve Eve, Dave read the Christmas Story from the Children's Bible, and we used the Nativity Set figures to act it out. Christian loved it. Kyren got frustrated and started trying to throw the resin figures across the room. He's 2 now, you know.
Christmas Eve we spent a nice relaxing day at home and then went to early church at 4pm. Then a lovely dinner at gramsy/poppy's and opened some super-fun presents from the MN Levitans. The boys were in heaven with their new gears and truck ramp.
Late to bed and Late to rise, probably for the last Christmas for a long time. Dave and i were up at 7. the boys not til nearly 8! which is unheard of for Christian. He came out of his room very matter of factly, carrying the ramp from L and E, intent on setting it up in the living room. he kind of shyly looked at the presents under the tree, and didn't say much. we had him go wake kyren and lead him down the hallway to show HIM all the presents, which helped them both get excited. it was a lovely morning of smiles and happiness, and everyone got surprises, and practiced verbal thankfulness, which we've been really trying to get C to work on in this season of 'giving'.
we spent the evening with dave's fam. , and it was a wonderful whirlwind of presents and giggles. unfortunately several people were either recovering, getting, or about to get the virus... but at least we all got to exchange gifts, and share the merriment of the day...despite sharing germs as well. ;0)
This week after has been filled with new-toy-playtime and sniffles/coughs, and trying not to succumb to the tummy bug. Kyren is recovering as i type this. He's defiantly kicking the screen of my new Macbook Air! which tells me he's starting to feel better.
Overall, our hearts are full, and we couldn't ask for more as we head into the new year.
and now that i have my very own laptop, hopefully it will inspire me to be on here more in 2012!!
1 comment:
You got a Airbook?!?!?! Yeahhhhhhh. So very cool.
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