Christmas!!

Okay, I usually break this up into about three posts, but since I have been slack on my picture taking and I’m in a bit of  a rush to get caught up, this will all be combined into one. 

On Christmas Eve, we had our traditional dinner at my mom and dad’s house.  It was a little sparse this year .  Dan and Kim are living in Salt Lake and didn’t make it home this year, and Laura and Chris are in China and the definitely didn’t make it home.   We missed them all dearly, but we still had a very nice time celebrating Christmas together.

This Santa brings back lots of memories.  My parents had it up every year while I was growing up.  Emily found it in the attic and pulled it out this year.  It was fun to get a picture of the next generation with it.

After a super yummy dinner, we talked about the Christmas Story.  I loved seeing my sweet Mikayla set up each piece of The Nativity and talk about each individual in the story and their importance and purpose. 

After the important stuff, we moved on to some of the more silly stuff.  My mom found these cute reindeer ears and noses for the grandkids.

Mikayla was super excited because she had specifically asked my mom for a reindeer costume.  She got her wish!

Gavin loved being Rudolph, too.  He walked around and kept saying, “I Rudolph!!”

Andrew was not quite as thrilled with the costume.

Me holding my little reindeer.

 

On Christmas morning, the kids let us sleep in until about 7:45.  I think as Mikayla is getting older, that probably won’t be the case for years to come, though.

Both of them loved the Pillow Pets that Santa brought.  They were a hit!

Gavin, the Toy Story fanatic, was thrilled with the Buzz and Woody costume box that Santa brought.  He immediately put on the Woody costume and wore it all morning.

He also loved his Rex doll.  I think we are getting close to having the entire cast of Toy Story 3!

Mikayla got a little vet hospital that she was very happy about.  I would not be shocked if she ended up being a vet one day – she loves animals!

While I fixed our traditional Christmas morning breakfast of Monkey Bread, the kids watched a Mickey Mouse Christmas special in the new chairs that Santa brought them.

We also had a little Christmas bonus!  For the first time in over 100 years, Atlanta had a White Christmas.  It started snowing around 9am Christmas morning.  By the time we left to go to Jeremy’s parents around 2pm, this is how much snow we already had on the ground.  It continued to snow through the day and we ended up with about three inches.  When we were headed home from Jeremy’s parents later that evening, Gavin asked if we were going to The North Pole.  I’m sure it felt that way!

Now, I have no pictures, but I didn’t want to forget to talk about the wonderful time we had at Jeremy’s parents house.  We had a great dinner and had a wonderful time spending time with each other. 

I feel so blessed that we are able to spend time with all of our family during the Christmas season.  Its nice to not have to pick who we see.  I’m so glad that my kids are able to see everyone!

Mikayla’s SIX!!!

I cannot believe that I am the mother of a six year old!  She is such a sweet big girl.  I love her so much!

We got a little bonus on her birthday.  The night before, we had an ice storm, so school was cancelled.  Originally, Mikayla was upset because she thought she wasn’t going to get to wear the birthday crown at school.  When I assured her that this was better, because now, she was going to have and EXTRA day to celebrate, who mood quickly changed. 

It was so nice to have a relaxed morning and fix Mikayla one of her favorite breakfasts…cinnamon rolls!  Since we had time, I added in some eggs and bacon, too!  Later that day, when the weather warmed up and the ice melted, we met with Mikayla’s best friend, Matthew at an indoor jumping place.   That evening, when Jeremy came home, we went out to eat Mexican, on of Mikayla’s favorites!  She can put down some cheese dip! It turned out to be such a nice day spent with my big six year old.  I just can’t believe that she has grown up so fast!

On Saturday, our family and some close friends came over to celebrate her birthday.  Mikayla, Matthew and Gavin were absolutely wild that night.  You could tell that Mikayla was super excited for her third day in a row of birthday celebrations! (Isn’t that how it should always be?!?!)

Apparantly, it does take three children to open the presents.

My in-laws got Mikayla this LSU shirt – her daddy has completely brainwashed her into being obsessed with this football team.  She makes her daddy so happy!

I love the look of pure joy that Mikayla gets sometimes.  She got a little penguin that makes sounds when you give it a bottle – she was absolutely thrilled with this (as you can see).

Mikayla blowing out her candle.  I’ve decided that I really like doing cupcakes for birthdays.  I know we won’t always do this, but whenever I can encourage it, I will.  It is so easy!

I hope Mikayla had as much fun celebrating her birthday as I did.  I just love sharing these moments with my children. 

Christmas programs

One thing I have learned since Mikayla has started Kindergarten is how much more hectic my schedule is now!  With two children in two schools, the weeks before holidays get pretty busy.  I can only imagine how crazy things will be once we add #3!

At Mikayla’s school, the entire Kindergarten sang a variety of Holiday songs.   I loved watching Mikayla actually participate – she is historically known for just sitting there during programs and not joining in too terribly much.

She was one happy little girl that Grandma was able to come.  Gavin came to this program, too.  I wizened up this time though!  The program was first thing in the morning in the cafeteria.  I opted to buy Gavin a breakfast (even thought he had already eaten at home) – it kept him quiet and occupied.

After the program, the children went back to the classroom for their little party and some crafts. 

I love that her teachers are always offering to take pictures of us together.  I don’t have too many of those!

The next morning, Gavin had his Christmas program.  Jeremy was able to join me for this one which was so nice for me!

My little angel did a great job singing.  I was a little worried at one point when he caught site of Jeremy and I.  I was just sure he was going to run from the stage to me.  He was satisfied with lots of smiles and waves, though.  (Thank goodness!)

Afterwards, the children returned to their classroom and did a little craft and then had some yummy treats.  Gavin did a great job on his gingerbread man – he insisted on doing it all by himself!

It’s always fun seeing my children with their peers and performing fun songs.  I just love it!

Nights of Lights

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is going to Lake Lanier to see “The Magical Nights of Lights” Christmas light display.  It is something that we all look forward to.

After we get through the gate, we let the kids sit in our laps while we drive through the park.  They love getting to do that!

We were able to get some pictures with the Coca-Cola bear – a true Atlanta Christmas icon!

After we picked out our family ornament (which I never took a picture of…grrr!), we went outside to the firepit to roast some marshmallows. 

Mikayla had a lot of fun stuffing her face full of “roasted” marshmallows.   Mikayla is not much of a true (in my eyes, at least) roaster.  She likes to stick it in the fire for about two seconds – I’m not sure it even warms it!  She likes there to be NO black on there ( in my opinion, the more charred the better!).  Oh well, she has fun and that is all that matters.

Now, Gavin LOVES to roast the marshmallows, but he will not eat them ( or much of anything else, for that matter! ).  Again, as long as he is having fun!

I love creating these kind of memories with our growing family – I hope this tradition is one that carries on for a long time.

Thanksgiving Programs and Feasts

Sorry I am still so behind – I am hoping to be caught up by the end of January!

I had so much fun watching both of my children in the Thanksgiving programs this year.

Gavin was a little turkey – and a very cute one at that!  This was his first official program at preschool.  He did such a great job!

Sorry for the less than stellar picture quality – it’s hard to get a really good picture in the Sanctuary at the preschool.

Afterwards the preschool had their traditional Thanksgiving “Feast”….at 10:00am!  They even had food for the parents – I didn’t think I could stomach chicken nuggets that early! Ha!

Me and my sweet little boy.

 

Later that week, Mikayla’s Kindergarten held their own Thanksgiving Feast and program.  Mikayla was dressed as an Indian.  I think by the end of the day she wished she had picked to be a Pilgrim.  She felt that the grocery bag vest was too uncomfortable – I thought she was cute!

Their feast was actually during their lunch time.   It was a good meal, too!  They had turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, plenty of veggies, bread and some very yummy desserts!  Gavin and I snacked on some bread and cookies.

Mikayla loved having her brother there at her feast – it was a little difficult on my end.  It is definitely much easier when I am able to leave him at home with Jeremy.  The room can get crowded pretty quickly and Gavin can be a little impatient at times. 

This is Mikayla with her classmates singing some Thanksgiving songs.  Doesn’t her teacher look fun?  Well, she is!

After their program, the children split up into groups and did some fall and Thanksgiving crafts.  We have some very creative and hardworking Room Moms.

Mikayla showing off some of her handiwork.

I’m so grateful that I am able to be at all of these school functions with my little ones – it definitely makes me a happy mommy!

First Field Trip!

Back at the beginning of November, Mikayla’s Kindergarten went on a field trip to the INK Children’s Museum.  I was so happy that I was able to chaperone and go with her.  It was so fun to see her with her friends and teachers.

Mikayla and a friend of hers milking a cow.

Mikayla and some of the other students cleaning their teacher, Mrs. Brown’s, teeth.

Mikayla getting a great hair style from a little boy in her class.

Playing with the musical instruments.

They had a very old (like probably early 20s) fire truck that had a little Dalmatian in the front.  Mikayla really enjoyed this.

Mikayla driving the police cruiser.

I was so grateful that I had the opportunity to share this “first” with Mikayla – I will never forget it!