Christmas in our house was super fun this year. We were so busy I didn’t have any time to blog! So here is a few tidbits of our adventures:
#1: My nickname for Mark this year was Buddy the Elf. He was SO excited about Christmas. His child like enthusiasm and excitement was contagious! Every Christmas light we passed at night got a “ooohhh, ahhhh! Mom look at that, Mom did you see that!” It was so precious!
#2: This was the first year we actually understood Christmas and Baby Jesus and getting presents. For most of November if you asked Mark what he wanted to for Christmas his answer were, “A Christmas Tree!” Thanks to a Blue’s Clue episode he was super pumped about cutting down a tree. So that’s what we did. Nevermind it was raining and cold, we did it the first moment we had after Thanksgiving. Good thing for us that Granddaddy’s farm is not too far away and has some good trees to pick from!
We are waiting in the truck while Daddy made the short hike up a steep hill to pick out a tree.
Here is the winner! We posed for a quick picture, Bernie cut several feet off the bottom before it made it in the house!
Shew...Daddy did all of this by himself!
#3: Mark is so literal and matter of fact its scary. I was saving a trip to Santa for when we went to Murray. But Santa made an unplanned visit to the office childcare and Mark sat on his lap, told him he wanted toys, Santa gave him a coloring book and according Mark, that was it. So after that, the line, “You better be good, Santa is watching, he might bring you presents, ” didn’t work. He would reply, “Mom, I already saw Santa, he brought me a coloring book.”
Mark on Santa's lap in Murray. He really enjoyed seeing Santa.....
....Maddox was another story. I wanted a picture for posterity sake. I giggle everytime I look at the expression on Santa's face....LOL. I am sure he was not a happy camper either.
#4. We made Christmas Cookies, went shopping for presents, decorated the house, watched and rode in a Christmas Parade, went to Lights Under Louisville, we visited with several out of town relatives, went to Christmas in the Park in Murray, went to Children’s Mass and Mark’s new understanding and excitement made it SO much more special to share. I guess this is what people mean when they say Christmas is for the children.
The boys right before church. Mark really paid attention to the wise men, angels, shepherds, sheep, Mary and Joseph. I really think he was putting it all together (or a least I hope so).
Finished products. I know dinosaurs aren't quite Christmasy, but when Mark saw that cookie cutter in the box, we couldn't help ourselves!
Can you tell who was in charge of the mini M&Ms? (and which cookie was his favorite!)
#5. As we reflected on our Christmas Season, Bernie made the comment that I did a good job teaching Mark about Christmas. We had to talk about it over and over again. In the car, in the bath, at bed time, with his teachers, at the dinner table, while we are coloring. ‘No, it’s NOT your birthday, it’s Jesus’ Birthday. Mark and Joseph where his mommy and daddy and these three men only brought him 3 presents, and they weren’t even toys!’ ‘Santa only comes to children’s house with good little boys. Santa only brings 3 presents, because that is what Baby Jesus had.’ ‘No its not your birthday, your birthday is June 28th, today is December ___,’ Over and over again. We will see how much of it sticks next year
We packed Christmas away and Mark was actually a very good helper. So now as we drive thru town and see a few remaining Christmas lights, instead of Ohhs and Ahhs we heard a month ago, now he says, ‘Mom, don’t they know Christmas is over?’
This is *precious*! I love the last picture especially (Mark’s expression makes me laugh).
I was so glad to a part of this fun, fun Christmas. You write a great blog.
I LOVE reading about you all and your boys! And getting to know a little about your Christmas. The pictures are priceless!!!!!