December Happenings

December arrived and with that the festive season. Due to the shortened time between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year, we got a head start on decorating the first December weekend. This is the first year where we purchased an artificial Christmas tree and I was very hesitant at first but really love how it looks. New color scheme and glass ornaments too:

I also upgraded the children's ornament tree upstairs and now there is a place for all those homemade ornaments:

On December first, the children not only opened the first door on their (Lego) Advent calendars but also our elves, Eli and Sparkle, came back.

Some of their shenanigans have been noticed...the underwear switch-out was a big hit.  

First Sunday of the month was Family Advent Sunday at church... arts and crafts, games and donuts next to a sermon for the entire family:

On my way home one day, I had stop and take a picture...God's creation:

In the beginning of this month, Amelia also tested for her yellow belt in karate and successfully mastered the task. Here she is getting her yellow belt handed to from the Sensei:

We cleaned our boots on December 5th and the next morning, St. Nikolaus had stopped by to fill them with goodies. The children love this German tradition...and so do the elves:

We had some very cold December nights and days so far and an evening of reading by the fire was just what we needed: 

Tacky Sweater Party at a friend's house was a highlight this month for sure. The children stayed home with the babysitter while the adults got all tacky and had a fun time playing Dirty Santa and being merry. By the way, Derrick did not want to spend money on a  tacky sweater, so I made his: 

On Tuesday, I also hosted 10 ladies from work at our house for a Christmas gathering. We had delicious foods, a very popular Christmosa drink (fruit, 1 bottle of sparkling grape juice and at least 1 bottle extra dry Champagne) and a Secret Santa exchange. Unfortunately, we totally forgot to a take a picture. 

Parents Night Out doesn't mean it is just fun for the adults. The children had a PJ Party at church, eating, decorating cupcakes, playing games, watching a movie and shopping for some Christmas gifts while Derrick and I met up with some of our friends for dinner and then went home to wrap some gifts before picking them back up. 

This morning, our children participated in the church's Christmas pageant and sang their little hearts out. It truly reminded us what this season is all about.

To finish this exciting weekend off, the girls went to see Frozen 2 at the movie theater while the boys watched Football at home.

Only 3 more days till Christmas morning...

Holiday School Activities

This month has been filled with lots of fun activities at school. Elliot's teacher went all out and it seemed that the Kindergartners had a holiday event almost every day for the past two weeks. Lots of yummy sweets and fun crafts where to be had. It all began with making a Christmas countdown chain: 

 The room mom also decorated their room in the beginning of the month:

Gingerbread Day fell on Elliot's birthday, which made it even more special: 

And a Gingerbread House:

Up next was Reindeer Day with cupcake decorating and reindeer food making: 

Then it was pajama day with hot cocoa and a movie: 

 Working on some tracing skills:

Next up, Grinch day, involving last minute printouts for his shirt:

That same day, Amelia had Santa Day at school as well: 

The third graders did a craft and then watched a Christmas movie while eating popcorn and sipping hot cocoa. 

 Santa also came around and brought them each a book:

Finally, it was the last (half) day of school for this year and each class held a Christmas breakfast. I was going back and forth between the two classrooms. The timing worked well as I was able to see both kids during their sing-along and watch their gift exchanges. For the sing-along, first up where the kindergartners thru second grade and then third thru fifth grade. The excitement of it being last day of school and party time was audible:

 Breakfast time:

 Each child had to bring in a little goodie to fill everyone's stocking with:

I-pad time while waiting on sister's party to be over:

 Elliot and his teacher, Mrs. King:

Back in Amelia's classroom, we set up the breakfast table while the kids sang their hearts out. For Amelia's class, it was also PJ day:

Each child got a little gift from Mrs. Cowan:

Found myself another elf:

Photo booth fun: 

Each student had to also bring in a $5 gift card.

And with that, we are officially on Christmas break till January 8th. YEAH!