Sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus!
Merry Christmas Everyone! We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus and Tyler blew out a candle on a cupcake that his preschool had sent home for this very occasion. We are doing our best and hoping that we are raising our sons to know the real reason for celebration at Christmas: Jesus.
After opening our stockings and unwrapping gifts, we loaded up the car and headed to Peoria to be with family.
I hope you all enjoyed reading about our daily activities as much as we enjoyed doing them together as a family! We'll definitely be repeating this next year!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Day #24
Open one gift after the Christmas Eve service
We went to Christmas Eve service at 6 PM. Tyler got to hold a candle for a bit which was exciting (but not necessarily the good kind of exciting). I escaped with only a bit of wax on my pants.
The church bulletin had said the KQ kids were going to sing Away in a Manger again so Tyler was excited to redeem himself after his first performance earlier in the month when he stood on stage and just stared out at the crowd. He was very excited to have a second chance and was grinning from ear to ear standing on the stage. As the music started, his smile slowly faded and was replaced with a worried look when he realized that this wasn't the right song and he didn't know the one playing. I rescued my worried little guy from the stage and we walked back to our seats. The bulletin was incorrect, but I'm really glad that he was going to give it a try.
Here is a picture from his first "peformance" on December 7th...notice no clapping or singing:
We went to Christmas Eve service at 6 PM. Tyler got to hold a candle for a bit which was exciting (but not necessarily the good kind of exciting). I escaped with only a bit of wax on my pants.
The church bulletin had said the KQ kids were going to sing Away in a Manger again so Tyler was excited to redeem himself after his first performance earlier in the month when he stood on stage and just stared out at the crowd. He was very excited to have a second chance and was grinning from ear to ear standing on the stage. As the music started, his smile slowly faded and was replaced with a worried look when he realized that this wasn't the right song and he didn't know the one playing. I rescued my worried little guy from the stage and we walked back to our seats. The bulletin was incorrect, but I'm really glad that he was going to give it a try.
Here is a picture from his first "peformance" on December 7th...notice no clapping or singing:
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Day #22
Play with all the gifts from the previous year
Tyler played with Red (the Cars firetruck) and put together his fire truck puzzle from last Christmas.
Tyler played with Red (the Cars firetruck) and put together his fire truck puzzle from last Christmas.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Day #21
Make a snowman
The snow wasn't cooperating on the 21st but I made a snowman with Tyler another day. Daddy had to help us lift the torso ball up because the snow was packing so well that it got a little too big for us. The snowman survived a long time because of the cold weather we have been having.
The snow wasn't cooperating on the 21st but I made a snowman with Tyler another day. Daddy had to help us lift the torso ball up because the snow was packing so well that it got a little too big for us. The snowman survived a long time because of the cold weather we have been having.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Day #20
Go sledding
Brian and Tyler went sledding in our backyard today. Brian pulled Tyler on the sled and then sent him flying over and over. He promises that he is being careful but I get nervous watching them.
Brian and Tyler went sledding in our backyard today. Brian pulled Tyler on the sled and then sent him flying over and over. He promises that he is being careful but I get nervous watching them.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Day #19
Go to Jolly Holiday Lights
The boys and I picked up Daddy from work with hot chocolate in tow and we drove through the great light display. Daddy's admin had also baked goodies and we munched on those as we enjoyed all the lights. Drew was pretty upset for most of the ride (probably working on some teeth) so we hope he is able to enjoy everything a bit more next year.
The boys and I picked up Daddy from work with hot chocolate in tow and we drove through the great light display. Daddy's admin had also baked goodies and we munched on those as we enjoyed all the lights. Drew was pretty upset for most of the ride (probably working on some teeth) so we hope he is able to enjoy everything a bit more next year.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Day #18
Sing and dance to Christmas music
We missed this one today but Tyler has been singing his Away in a Manger song from church and doing the actions a lot this month.
We missed this one today but Tyler has been singing his Away in a Manger song from church and doing the actions a lot this month.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Day #17
Take Daddy out for a birthday dinner
We all went to eat at Panera Bread and then went glow golfing in the mall for Daddy's birthday. We came home and ate an ice cream cake that Mommy made for him. Yum!
We all went to eat at Panera Bread and then went glow golfing in the mall for Daddy's birthday. We came home and ate an ice cream cake that Mommy made for him. Yum!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Day #16
Drink egg nog and hot chocolate
This one was an easy one! Tyler tried egg nog for the first time and liked it. We also tried the hot chocolate that Tyler made at school but decided Swiss Miss was much better. :o)
This one was an easy one! Tyler tried egg nog for the first time and liked it. We also tried the hot chocolate that Tyler made at school but decided Swiss Miss was much better. :o)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Day #15
Ride the Christmas train at Valley West Mall
Tyler rode the train a couple of times this season, but the weather wasn't favorable for a trip to the mall today. We made an indoor train out of chairs instead (thanks to Grandma Linda for that idea).
Tyler rode the train a couple of times this season, but the weather wasn't favorable for a trip to the mall today. We made an indoor train out of chairs instead (thanks to Grandma Linda for that idea).
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Day #14
Decorate Christmas cookies
We decorated a few of our gingerbread cookies and dipped some chocolate pretzels today. Tyler made some goodie tins for his preschool teachers.
We decorated a few of our gingerbread cookies and dipped some chocolate pretzels today. Tyler made some goodie tins for his preschool teachers.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Day #13
Watch for Santa on a firetruck
It was a great day to go outside and wait for Santa with our neighbors. Santa passed out candy canes. Another fun Clive tradition.
It was a great day to go outside and wait for Santa with our neighbors. Santa passed out candy canes. Another fun Clive tradition.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Day #12
Bake Christmas cookies
We baked some yummy kid-friendly gingerbread cookies and some soft sugar cookies this year for Christmas. You can click on the links to see the recipes we used.
We baked some yummy kid-friendly gingerbread cookies and some soft sugar cookies this year for Christmas. You can click on the links to see the recipes we used.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Day #11
Deliver gifts & food for Adopt-A-Family
Still need to go shopping and then deliver the gifts.
Still need to go shopping and then deliver the gifts.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Day #10
Visit Santa at the mall
We were actually a day early on this one. We went to the mall with friends yesterday and Tyler talked to Santa a bit and even gave him a hug. We may try to go again before Christmas to get a picture of the boys with Santa.
We were actually a day early on this one. We went to the mall with friends yesterday and Tyler talked to Santa a bit and even gave him a hug. We may try to go again before Christmas to get a picture of the boys with Santa.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Day #9
Assemble Christmas cards and bring to the post office
We are running a bit behind this year, so the Christmas cards aren't quite ready.
We found out that Brian was not directly impacted by Principal's layoffs today. However, several people we care about were affected and our hearts go out to them.
We are running a bit behind this year, so the Christmas cards aren't quite ready.
We found out that Brian was not directly impacted by Principal's layoffs today. However, several people we care about were affected and our hearts go out to them.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Day #8
Go shopping for Adopt-A-Family
This shopping trip has been postponed due to inclement weather. Instead of adopting a family through our church, we will be buying gifts for my new refugee friends. Tyler has gotten to meet most of the children and had a great time playing with them on Friday as we went to various appointments.
This shopping trip has been postponed due to inclement weather. Instead of adopting a family through our church, we will be buying gifts for my new refugee friends. Tyler has gotten to meet most of the children and had a great time playing with them on Friday as we went to various appointments.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Day #7
Play "Find Baby Jesus" game
This was a fun adaptation of an Easter egg hunt. Tyler had made a clothespin Baby Jesus in preschool last year and we had fun taking turns hiding and seeking Baby Jesus. Tyler is getting much better at this type of game and doesn't immediately tell you where he hid the item.
We also had our Thompson Christmas Party today and a bowling holiday party for the company where I work.
This was a fun adaptation of an Easter egg hunt. Tyler had made a clothespin Baby Jesus in preschool last year and we had fun taking turns hiding and seeking Baby Jesus. Tyler is getting much better at this type of game and doesn't immediately tell you where he hid the item.
We also had our Thompson Christmas Party today and a bowling holiday party for the company where I work.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Day #6
Make Christmas cards for grandparents using craft supplies
Well, this didnt happen. Brian and Tyler watched Over The Hedge together instead while I babysat for a friend. I think Brian's exact excuse was "that would take all day". Sorry grandparents...maybe next year?
Well, this didnt happen. Brian and Tyler watched Over The Hedge together instead while I babysat for a friend. I think Brian's exact excuse was "that would take all day". Sorry grandparents...maybe next year?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Day #5
Decorate a gingerbread house
We cheated and bought a Wilton gingerbread kit. The biggest challenge was trying to get the candy on the house faster than Tyler could eat it. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to let them eat the house.
We cheated and bought a Wilton gingerbread kit. The biggest challenge was trying to get the candy on the house faster than Tyler could eat it. I'm still trying to decide whether or not to let them eat the house.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Day #4
Sing Jingle Bells while jingling bells
This was Drew's favorite activity so far. His eyes lit up as we started the music and the bell jingling. We started with an instrumental version of Jingle Bells and then found a neat Christian adaptation of the song called Jingle Bell Jesus.
This was Drew's favorite activity so far. His eyes lit up as we started the music and the bell jingling. We started with an instrumental version of Jingle Bells and then found a neat Christian adaptation of the song called Jingle Bell Jesus.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Day #3
Pick out a Christmas gift for Riley from the pet store
No pics today...wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for Riley. We went to Petco tonight as this is one of Tyler's favorite places to shop. They have mini shopping carts which he loves to push around and look at all the animals. We always have to find Nemo in the fish tanks.
No pics today...wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for Riley. We went to Petco tonight as this is one of Tyler's favorite places to shop. They have mini shopping carts which he loves to push around and look at all the animals. We always have to find Nemo in the fish tanks.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Day #2
Make paper snowflakes and decorate the windows
I had to teach Tyler AND Brian to make paper snowflakes. I must not be a great teacher because Brian's first snowflake ended up in four pieces. :o) We had fun making different designs and everyone still has 10 fingers, so a definite success! The snowflakes look pretty from outside our house.
I had to teach Tyler AND Brian to make paper snowflakes. I must not be a great teacher because Brian's first snowflake ended up in four pieces. :o) We had fun making different designs and everyone still has 10 fingers, so a definite success! The snowflakes look pretty from outside our house.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Day #1
Read the Christmas story in the Bible & set up nativity set.
Tyler really loves hearing Bible stories so he sat right down next to Brian to hear the Christmas story. We all had fun using the nativity set pieces to reenact the story, though Tyler pointed out that our limited set didn't contain an angel or wisemen. Drew was just sure that this nativity set must be an edible version.
Tyler really loves hearing Bible stories so he sat right down next to Brian to hear the Christmas story. We all had fun using the nativity set pieces to reenact the story, though Tyler pointed out that our limited set didn't contain an angel or wisemen. Drew was just sure that this nativity set must be an edible version.
Advent Activities
I found a neat idea for an Advent activity calendar online and thought it would be a fun way to celebrate the birth of Jesus all month long! Hopefully it will help our family find some time to have a little fun together each day during this busy holiday season! Check back often to see how we're doing.
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