Merry Christmas

Happy Birthday, Jesus! At our house, we figure since this is the most special Birthday of all, everyone gets presents! Santa came in the night and left so many goodies for each of us. We were so happy to have Grammy and Poppy joined us this morning for the merriment. Ben and Liam were in giddy with excitement.

Turns out Santa heard Ben's request for a Wall-e and threw in a few extras for good behavior.

And, Liam doesn't have to wait another day for that new race track.

We ate breakfast and opened presents with Grammy and Poppy and then they went home to rest from the very early morning activities. Paw Paw and Na-Na arrived a few minutes later in a sleigh full of more presents! And, we hadn't even gotten to the stockings yet. It was full day of toys and celebrating. Oh, Happy Day!

Christmas Eve preparation

Ben and Liam can hardly contain the excitement! We had several things to do tonight before bed time and there were strict instructions to get to sleep on time so Santa would come.

Grammy and Poppy joined us for Christmas Eve dinner and our first attempt at gingerbread houses. We started with pre-made houses and then added our icing and candy. Liam was pumped about the candy.

Some of it even got on the house.

Grammy put the icing on Ben's house while Ben put on the candy.

Good looking house - Ben and Grammy. Well done.

Liam thought it was finger licking good.

After the boys were bathed and in pjs, we made reindeer food for Rudolph and the gang. We started with chex and added powdered sugar,

and sprinkles. Nice combo, I think.

We put lids on the bowls and shook it up. There was lots of squealing.

Next the boys poured it on the lawn so the reindeer can find their way to our house and get a snack. And, hopefully bring Santa with them!

Then we went inside to get our milk and homemade cookies ready for Santa. The boys also got out some carrots (also for reindeer) and elf food for Santa to take back to the North Pole. There was the usual talk about how Santa is going to get down our (never used) chimney. We opened the doors on the (never used) fire place.

And, off to bed with smiling faces.

Leaves

We've had some mild weather this week. It's good to get out of the house and run around with the neighbors. Daddy raked huge piles for the boys to jump in. Just a few more days until Christmas!

Wrapping it up

Ben and Liam did some wrapping today while I was at work. I can't wait to see what's in those packages!

After they finished, they used the wrapping paper tubes as swords.

Ho Ho Ho

The four of us spent the day in Jonesboro with Na-Na and Paw Paw. Oh, what fun! The boys got presents. They were thrilled. Then we went to the mall to see Santa. Ben is sticking with his request for Wall-e. He told us early on this was what he wanted and that was all he was asking Santa for. He figures if he doesn't beg for lots of stuff, maybe Santa will throw in something extra for good behavior. Nice plan. Liam wants a "new race track". That's it. For months he has been asking for a new race track.

We had a quick bite to eat, looked at the turtle fountain (had photo taken) and then Na-Na and Paw Paw had a big surprise for the boys.

Bui!d-a-Bear! The boys each got to choose an animal. There was a Rudolph display right inside the door and Ben was sold instantly. Liam picked a horse - no surprise there either. First they got to help stuff their new pets by pressing on the foot peddle that blew the stuffing into their pet.

They each selected a heart for their pet.


Then came the best part. Our Bui!d-a-Bear "helper" was amazing. She has probably assisted in the bui!ding of hundreds (thousands) of pets but it as if she had never done it before and she was just as excited as the boys. She told them to rub their pet's heart on their forehead to make it really smart.

Then they were to rub their pet's heart on their ear to help it listen really well.

Then they rubbed their hearts on their belly so their pet would never be hungry.

Lastly, they kissed their pet's heart so it would always know it was loved.

After placing their hearts in the pet's body, she sewed them up and the boys headed over to "wash and dry" their pet. Ben took this job very seriously.

Thanks, Na-Na and Paw Paw for our new Pets! Those are some happy boys.

Cookies for neighbors

Today we made cookies for our neighbors. A fun activity for Ben and Liam to participate in giving this season. They had a great time decorating and delivering the cookies.

I think their favorite part - was eating the left overs.

Sweet Ben

Ben has the sweetest spirit. He hugs all the time. He is thankful. He is generous and thoughtful. Rarely a day goes by that he doesn't give me a treasure that he has found or made. I am so thankful for Ben. His smile is contagious. He sings in the car. He is polite. He loves his home and his family more than anything.

Each day during the month of December I think about where I was on that day in December of 2006. Those were the sweetest of days.


And, the best was yet to come. Today, Ben wearing Daddy's shirt. Also, a very silly boy. My sweet Ben.