Christmas Lights and PJ'S

After dinner tonight we told the kids to go get ready for bed.  We acted like it was any other normal evening and once they were done getting PJ's on and brushing teeth they would go to bed like normal.  Instead we surprised them and took them to see Christmas lights. One of my favorite neighborhoods in Jacksonville to see lights is Secret Cove. Here we go.....

This is how Dylan looked at the lights...entertaining Blake and making sure he saw them all :-)

There was very sad set of lights that we saw.  We are all afraid that Santa will not be visiting this house ;-)

A fun night with the family! Love surprising the kids!

Christmas Cookie's with Grammy

Today's activity was decorating cookies with Grammy.  This became a tradition 3 years ago.  The kids get so excited not only because they will get to make and eat cookies but also because Grammy comes and helps make the mess with them.  Colby added some of his own touches to the cookies by making a snowman and stockings hanging from a mantle (freehand).  Dylan took his time decorating his cookies and made them look very nice and Abby she didn't like to be messy and just wanted to eat the dough, the icing, and the candies.  So much fun having my mother so close and making memories with her. 

Let the fun begin

Let the mess begin

This may have been the only icing that made it onto the cookies

Mr Creative

Santa Claus is here

Final Product

Some of Colby's creations

This Years Advent Calendar

As the kids get a little bit older I have gotten more into making traditions as a family during the holidays.  We have a few that we have done in the past but this year I really wanted to put more into my favorite holiday! Thanks to pinterest, yes I am a wee bit obsessed, I found the idea to do a book a day for the advent calendar.  Typically there should be 24 books for us to read but since we are going away this year I decided this would be our advent til we leave vs til Christmas (my own lil twist).  So I wrapped 17 books and put them under the tree.  Each day we will open a book to read until there are no more left.  When this happened then we will be on our way to Chicago spending time with family.

I thought about numbering each one to dictate which book to open but I kinda liked the idea that they can pick.  The only bonus about numbering them is that they would see how many days were left vs having to count the books (although that does keep them busy counting and helps with their numbers too....just trying to kill a few birds with one stone). 

Day 1:

So excited

The anticipation of "what book is it"

This book is very sweet! If you don't have it get it and read it to your kids. 

Day 2:

Abby was so excited that the book today was Olivia! She saw who it was before Colby had the wrapping off.  This is really fun!

Day 3:

This might be my all time favorite book for the kids especially the younger ones.  It goes through all the fun things to do at Christmas then explains that all these things are nice but the true meaning of Christmas is the birth of Jesus. 

 

Day 4:

Today we had a special treat while opening our book.  My Grandmommy, kids great Grandmommy, was here so we let her pick the book.  She picked The Night Before Christmas and she said "I used to read that when my kids were little".  As I was reading she was reciting some of the book.  What a great memory having her participate in our new tradition!!

Sittin on Santa's Lap

Tonight was the annual Christmas Party in our neighborhood.  Every year Santa comes to visit us and this year he brought Mrs. Claus too! Horses are there to carry us around in hay to see the lights, Christmas music is playing, and the most fun part....sitting on Santa's lap.  Each with their list of what they want and Santa telling them that has already had a report from "Scout" our elf :-). 

Colby asked for a new bike, a flag football set, and spark scooter.  Dylan asked for a spark razor 360, a flag football set to share with his brother and a remote control helicopter and Abby asked for a new bike (only because that is what Colby said).  Blake just screamed!!!

Someone doesn't seem to like Santa very much

Dylan telling Santa what he wants

Now it's Colby's turn...Abby whispered it and then was more interested in the candy cane

Abby having fun and dancing to the music