The rest of Christmas 2009

I don't think we've ever had a Christmas Season so filled with activities and excitement as this one.  I'm so curious to know what they remember, enjoyed most and want to do again next year.

We made and delivered some scrumptious peppermint meltaway cookies.   They took turns crushing the  candy canes for the topping.

The girlies just loved being little elves and running up to our friends' doors to deliver the boxes.  We want to do this again next year but just plan it out a little better.  We realized later that there were many more families we would have liked to gift but we just ran out of time and cookies.  It was also really, really chilly and we didn't bring coats!  What was I thinking?

We made some handprint ornaments.  I had each of the girls write their names and the year on the back and we added a big red bow.   They were way too cute and special to give away as I had originally planned.  We'll have to make extras next year.

We made some cute little snowmen.  This was an easy and fun craft I got from Erica.  Thanks :)  We did so many crafts that the girls just started asking me each morning about that day's crafts.  I also noticed them doing so many more on their own which was exciting to see.

The older girls made some pretty tea towels as gifts for their grandparents.  I was impressed with their patience and determination to complete these projects.  Our friend Anne brought them the supplies and showed them how to do this.

It was fun to hang Christmas cards on the wall each day and see the pictures of friends and relatives.  It would actually be nice to keep these (or other photos) up year round so the girls would remember these special people.  I really need a photo wall!

The gingerbread cookies may have been my favorite recipe.  Those were hard to resist and they were so sweetly decorated.  

It's no easy task taking a Christmas photo with everyone looking and smiling.   We didn't send out Christmas cards this year and that was a little sad.   Hopefully next year!

We went to the Christmas Service at church for the first time this year.  It was beautiful and I'm so happy that we are finally able to do this together.  Last year at this time we didn't really have a church.  This year we are very aware of how the Lord has blessed us with our church family and we are so grateful.

Day 365 - the end

Celebrating our sweet girl's 8 1/2 years -- Caroline and Claire decorated her cake.

I feel like I need to have a spectacular photo for this last day of 2009.  The reality is that I have piles of laundry to do, Christmas to put away, school to plan, a house to declutter, goals to make and the twins have bronchitis.  I feel like I need to detox from sugary Christmas treats and exercise non-stop until my pants are not tight anymore.   But we still had one more cake to bake because we weren't home to celebrate Calista's half-birthday on the 29th.  That being said, I loved this Christmas more than any other one.  I wanted their Christmas memories to involve our focus on Jesus' birth and what that truly means to us.  I know that will deepen as they get older but I definitely feel like we were more intentional with our teaching this year and they really got it.  I may have overdone it with crafts and baking but we definitely made some good memories.   I want their Christmas memories to be happy and warm and safe.  That's important to me.

Thank you for following our Project 365 blog this year.  We look forward to 2010 and all that God has in store for us.
Happy New Year and God Bless :)

Day 364 - grammy and grandpa

This was the first time that we've stayed at Grammy and Grandpa's house in Pacific Grove.  We've gone to visit a few times but never stayed the night.  We had so much fun that not one of us was ready to leave today.  It actually felt like we were on vacation.

Day 363 - the aquarium

Grammy and Grandpa took us to the aquarium today.  We loved it!  In this photo we are sitting under a  wave as it splashes over us.   I'm not sure if I'm squinting or blinking but I had to include this one because the expressions on the girls' faces are priceless.

Day 362 - Calista

more Day 362 - three monkeys

Day 361 - christmas at gg's

Day 360 - favorite presents

Day 359 - happy birthday jesus

Day 358 - christmas eve

We went had an early dinner and went to the Christmas Eve Service at church.  It was a really nice service even though I spent most of the time trying to keep Courtney and Claire from talking.  It will get easier each year.  When we got home the girls hung their stockings and got ready for bed.  When they were in bed they heard Santa outside their window.

Day 357 - little elves

Tonight we drove around so our little elves could deliver cookies to some of our friends.  Caroline rarely wanted to get out (for fear of dogs) and because it was a really chilly 36 degrees.  It was a lot of fun and we all agreed that this would become a tradition.

Day 356 - special moments

As we did high/low point at dinner tonight each girl said the same thing.  Their high point was having Karleigh and baby Trevor over for crafts.  Courtney said she liked making a snowman with Karleigh and Claire said, "I wuv them".

My high point was during that time as well but specifically when we were all sitting together, in a cramped little space by the Christmas tree, reading.   It was totally unplanned (shocking!).  Calista was going to read The Little Drummer Boy and as she started singing the words in the book, everyone joined in.  Children's singing voices always sound so angelic and this was no exception.  It was a special moment.  A goose bump moment that even seemed to bring us a little closer together.

Christmas Activities Continue

I usually like having downtime after a busy day but it has seriously been one busy day to the next.   Busy, but really fun.   It seems that there is so much to squeeze in before Christmas Day that we may need a break after our Christmas break (if that makes sense).    I want to make some notes to myself at the end of this season so I can remember what worked and what didn't for next year.  For example, making Gingerbread cookies was fun for them and they look so adorable but ... no one will eat them.  I'm the only one who likes Gingerbread cookies.  How can that be good?  So here are a few of the highlights from the past several days.

We continue to do a daily devotional with our Jesse Tree.  Daddy usually does it in the evening but if we get behind then I add one in the morning.    This is our first year with a Jesse Tree and it's been a great addition.

This Advent Box is filled with little treats, verses, scavenger hunts, activities and so on.  I usually have them do this in the morning.  Next year I'm going to pre-fill it.  I scramble around sometimes looking for an activity or treat to match what we're doing and then I end up missing a day.  Lesson learned :|

This was our candy cane day.  We read The Legend of the Candy Cane,  made some paper candy canes and then some yummy cookies.

The cookies were more difficult to twist than I had anticipated so I'm glad that I waited until the twins had nap time.  I was able to work more closely with the big girls and it was really nice.

We also had a blast making the sugar cone Christmas Trees.  I got this one from here.   They ate them immediately after creating them.

The next day we went to a friends and made even MORE cookies.  Luckily that night we were going to another friends' house to see Santa so we shared our cookies with them.   But not before Courtney got the red one....her favorite color.

Then on Friday, the much anticipated Christmas Play...The Christmas County Spelling Bee.  We were so proud of the girls for all of their hard work.  They each had a solo and a speaking part.  The play went off beautifully and I can tell they are a little sad now that it's over.

I haven't finished all of the Christmas activities I have planned so we're continuing on each day.   I planned more this year than any other.  It really makes a difference that the little ones aren't babies anymore.  I remember thinking that I'd never be able to do the fun things with the bigger girls and now, here we are!

A Fun Song

I think this song has been out for a few years but I just discovered it.  That's what happens when all you listen to is Cedarmont Kids.  :)  Even though I don't feel that this Christmas time has been as hectic as the song describes, it's a fun song with a happy tune  :)   Thought I'd share.

Day 355 - gingerbread cookies

Our friends, Denise and Olivia,  came over this morning for some gingerbread cookie decorating.  The kids enjoyed themselves and the cookies really looked cute.  My girls had never tasted gingerbread cookies so I was curious to see their reaction.  All but Calista liked the taste.  Maybe it will grow on her as she gets older...?  Ken wondered why I even made them since he thinks that absolutely no one really eats them.

Day 354 - christmas county spelling bee

They have been meeting weekly to practice for this play since September.  Caroline had a beautiful solo and it brought tears to my eyes.  In fact, she told people that mommy would cry. :)  She stepped up to the micorphone and barely reaching it, pulled it down and sweetly sang.
Calista had a big part in the play and also had a singing solo.  She played her part perfectly, danced and sang.  She kept looking over and smiling at us. She is so calm and comfortable up there that it just amazes me.  They both are actually.  I don't think I could have done that at their age, let alone now!  We were so proud of them.

They were especially excited to have so much family in the audience.  It meant so much to them that they came to watch them perform.

Day 353 - our tree

We weren't sure we were getting a tree this year (besides our little Jesse Tree) but we were blessed with a special one!  Thank you to our dear friend, Anne, we have a beautiful tree to decorate.  Her son found this perfect tree on his property and cut it down for us.  The girls couldn't wait to place all of their special ornaments on our Christmas tree.

Day 352 - happy little girls

Calista and Caroline were busy with different activities today so I had a light day with only two children.  Since I only had the two I figured it would be so easy, and fun, to go to Target.

They made me laugh the whole time we were there.  As I pushed them around in the cart they held their babies, sang, talked to people and commented on all of the pretty Christmas items.  It was the most relaxing and enjoyable trip to Target I've had in years.  These little hams were happy, giddy and having the best time.  They spent most of the time singing (loudly) the Awana Sparkies and Cubbies songs.

"We are sparks for Jesus, Sparks to light the world...."

I say it over and over but it's true.  They make all of us smile daily with their silliness, their songs and their laughter.  What a blessing to have these happy little girls.

Day 351 - the santa run

Every year the fire department does a Santa Run.  Each year that we've gone we've had all or most of the girls crying in fear.  It is an amazing sight and they are super excited to go....that is until they see the mile long procession of fire trucks, lights, sirens etc approaching.   The trucks slowly drive through the neighborhoods each night for a week.  They have close to 100 elves running around passing out candy canes, a grinch trying to steal them (not good!), Mrs. Claus and of course, Santa.  He is way up high on the fire truck in his sleigh, with reindeer out ahead of him.  It looks pretty spectacular.

This photo of the firetruck doesn't even do whole scene justice.  I was really close to the truck but you can see the sleigh and Santa on top there.  It really was neat!

Calista was the only one that left my side to see Santa.  Although she cried all the way home because the Grinch tried to take her candy cane.  I sat near the sidewalk with the three frightened girls.  Santa actually walked up to us at one point but realized he better not come to close.  They were clinging for dear life.  Imagine what happened when the Grinch came!  I had to shoo him away before they became too hysterical.  Sweet Mrs. Claus was the only one that was able to come within a few feet.  She told them that she was nice and just baked cookies all day.  I thought that was cute and they really liked her.

On a side note... it was a bittersweet evening for Ken.  We really thought that he would be there with the firemen this year.  If he had been able to complete the program he would have been out there (as an elf :) with the other volunteers.  God had other plans for us, and as we both said last night, we'll someday understand that unanswered prayer.

Nativity Silhouette

This craft was just for Calista.  I wanted something a little more challenging to do with her this afternoon and this one was perfect.  I found it at The Artist Woman and the directions were easy to follow.  I think it turned out beautifully.  

Christmas Fun Begins

I put the regular curriculum on hold so we could have a little break and some Christmas fun.  I have seen so many great ideas on other mommy blogs that I can't wait to try them all.  The twins love cutting and gluing so this was a great one to start with.  It was a preschool craft that I found here.

I love how they line things up in rows.

Sweet smiles and lots of fun.

Claire was making me laugh with her glue.  She has grown so much since the school year started.  She used to just watch Courtney and shy away from the craft.  Now she's much more confident.  I love witnessing this!

Day 350- christmas tree day

Our focus today was on Christmas Trees.  We read The Night Tree by Eve Bunting and then decorated our own little trees.  Darci, Karleigh and Trevor came over, which was even more exciting than the craft.  We just love having them over.  I think the best part for the kids was eating their tree.

Day 349 - history day and oral presentations

It's been a busy week and it's only Tuesday.

We went to the Homeschool History Tour today and the theme was Christmas Around The World.   It was Caroline's first time participating and she hung in there very well.  I was really proud of her.  She sat through an hour long (more really) presentation.  I was with Courtney and Claire most of the time so I didn't get to see much but my friend Denise took care of the big girls for me.

Later in the afternoon we had oral presentations.    I was so happy to see the progress each of the girls had made.  Caroline didn't need any coaxing and she spoke up with more confidence.  Courtney volunteered herself right after Calista and even faced the audience this time.   I noticed that Calista paid attention to her pacing and projection; she did wonderfully.  This photo was taken while Claire was reciting Proverbs 3:5-6.  She was the last to go but not so hesitantly this time.  She stood up and let Courtney lead her to the front of the room.  She faced the audience this time and was much louder and clearer than last time.  It was adorable to watch Courtney stand beside her and encourage her.  I was so, so proud of them!  One day I'll have to get a little mini video camera so I can  add video instead of just a photo.  It was precious.