Our Christmas: Part One

We enjoyed a lovely, white Christmas here at home. I love being in my own home for Christmas. Of course I miss seeing family, but there is something about creating those early Christmas memories for the kids in their own home that make them so special. Sleeping in our own beds, and starting a Christmas morning routine just the way we like it is something I really love. This year was another Christmas filled with happy kids and sweet memories. But we’ll get there. Let’s start a bit earlier in the season.

We managed to keep things festive this year despite my lack of energy.  I let the kids decorate their little Christmas tree the week of Thanksgiving because they wouldn’t stop asking to decorate. They got right into the Christmas spirit the moment those ornaments came out and sang carols as they adorned their little tree. I love having one for all their sweet ornaments from Christmases past.

I was so excited to take Ruby to the Nutcracker this year. A couple friends came with us and we made it a proper girls night with dinner and everything. We found an hour-long version that was just perfect for these little girls (and this pregnant mom). Fun night with my sweetie. I could tell the girls were a little start struck while taking pictures.

A friend of ours love the Santa at the Cherry Creek Mall, so we joined her. It’s not like me to fork over the money for these mall Santas, but there was a Frozen castle, fake snow and other fun things, so the kids really loved it.

Like last year, we opened a Christmas book every day in December leading up to the big day. It’s a fun little advent activity, and really gave the kids a good idea of the days left until Christmas. A calendar with their names on the day it was their turn to open helped too.

I didn’t bake nearly as much as past Christmas seasons, but I managed to squeeze in treat or two.

Costco is our usual go-to for our fresh Christmas tree, but they were sold our the weekend after Thanksgiving. Weird. But Lowes had a great supply, and the kids loved helping pick one out. Or play around in the trees. Either way, they had fun.

Our ward Christmas party was chaos as those parties tend to be with kids running wild. But it was fun nonetheless with a Santa, a talent show, and delicious food.

Decorating the big tree is always stressful for me. The kids are so excited with all the ornaments, etc. they just start going crazy throwing things on while I try to make sense of everything. Next year, they’re going to wake up to a decorated Christmas tree and be none the wiser.

Cookie decorating with the Charvats. So much sugar consumption. Not pictured is Alex’s “ninja-bread man”.

Gotta take the Sunday before Christmas pics, of course. Silly kids definitely make pictures interesting.

The phone had a couple more goodies. The kids even got one of us.

The kids loved wrapping “presents” and putting them under the tree. Sometimes it was for Blue Bird’s or another toy’s birthday. But this time, Alex arranged a Girl Play Date for Ruby and me, and wrapped these presets for us to open. We were spoiled that day. I love Alex’s surprises. He is full of them. Bennett joins sometimes too.

Bennett just doodling with the Wise Man hat on.

This is the first year we let the kids sleep by the tree. Usually KC and I set up a bed for us after the kids go to sleep. But needing my own bed these days, and the kids being older now, we decided to let them give it a try. They put a bunch of toys and other trinkets around them and settled in.  Only a few minutes had passed when Bennett got up and said, “Good night you two” and was off to his own bed. Within the hour Ruby did the same. When Alex woke up and found himself alone, he was a bit teary, but decided to be festive and stick it out. He slept there through the night by himself. We’ll see what happens next year.

There was much more fun with gingerbread houses/pajama days at school, sugar cone Christmas tree decorating with friends, work and neighbor parties galore, and many festive art projects that are hung all over the house. These kids definitely know how to embrace any holiday, but especially Christmas. Next up is the big day!