in pictures and a few words....
Both of the above pics were our Christmas Card photos from 2010. In case you read and didn't get a card, it wasn't intentional. I accidentally deleted our entire list and had to re-create it off a list from 2005. Not fun....oh SOOOOO not fun. Message me if you didn't receive one and I'll make sure you are added. And, forgive us.
Hank got his first big bruise {forehead}. I'm sure this will be the first of many as he is now....
Pulling up & quite proud of it. He also got ear tubes the week before Christmas, and cut his first tooth {top left} two days after Christmas.
Our Frazer Fir was quite possibly the most imperfect tree I've ever picked. Lop-sided, gaps, weak branches. Not sure what I was thinking when we picked it -- or maybe I wasn't. I definitely took some Christmas-tree-pickin'-notes for next year. However, I couldn't help but smile each time I sat near it and all it's imperfection....for my absolute favorite Christmas book is Why Christmas Trees Aren't Perfect. God used my imperfect tree to teach me several important spiritual lessons this December. Mainly, that weak branches cannot and were not meant to hold heavy ornaments. For that reason, our tree had far less ornaments than usual, and several fell and then sat at the base of the tree. Personally, I realized the weight of sin, guilt, and burdens that I need to rid myself of and leave at the foot/base of the cross. I could go on.....but there are many more pictures to show you.
Also at the base of our imperfect tree were our advent presents and devotions for each day of Christmas. This was my 3rd year to use the Celebrate Christ...25 Ways in 25 Days advent calendar. Each year it gets easier to pull off, and this is definitely the highlight of the month of December in our house. Curling up each morning in the 5:30 am darkness with W&H to open God's word and anticipate His coming was more than heart warming. Keeping it real, they definitely anticipate the treat more than the spiritual lesson...but I have no doubt seeds are planted!
We often had visitors in our multiple nativity scenes. Not sure if Army man is bowing down before the King, or holding plank, or beginning push ups. As I told a friend, I often have to pray {in agony} when holding plank.....so he was quite appropriately placed in my opinion. He He He!!!!
The EUMK JK/SK Christmas Program was definitely a highlight....
Hil had the "star role" {pun intended} of hanging the shiny star on the Christmas tree. I giggled when I caught him with his Grandi-tongue sticking out!
Wilson had the "coveted" role of melting snowman. Coveted because of the glittery top hat and the fact that he got to "melt" which basically meant fallling down as fast and ferociously as possible in front of a laughing audience. Isn't that every little 5 year old boy's dream?
Following the program, 16 excited children got to decorate gingerbread houses. After this event, I have gingerbread house making and decorating down to a science. Although, I'm not sure I'm for hire next year!
I love, love, love the finished product of a gingerbread house decorated by grubby little preschool hands.....
And in case you {mostly family members} get frustrated by my lack of posting....here's proof {25 houses built and then strategically placed in a box to transport}. Parenting plus JK room mom = very little time to blog!
Another tradition I love is our advent wreath. This year, I used doilies made by my great grandmother that survived the Murfreesboro tornado as a table runner under the wreath. So special to me.
Oh, and our exterior lights. G did an excellent job this year!!! Overall, we really tried to simpify our calendar and even our interior decorations this year. The one quote I don't want to forget from December 2010 was from the mouth of W. EVERY DAY, he would come to me in all seriousness and say, "Momma, we really need some more decorations in our house....it's just not decorated enough. Momma, pluuueeaaasseeee, more decorations." By decorations, he means inflatables and tacky!!!!! Maybe next year my son.....
BTW, this is to be continued.....
Up next....Christmas in KY and Christmas in AR....to complete the month of December.