Misc. Monday Part 2: Gingerbread Houses

 

We have made gingerbread houses every year since Lilly was born. We have made little ones, big ones, men with no homes, Hello Kitty ones... And this year, we made two! It's always a messy blast, but we love it. Henry got into the act this year, and kept trying to hand the girls the sprinkles. 

Misc. Monday: Holly Jolly Christmas

 

 I made our advent calendar many years ago. We read a verse from the Bible each night describing the miraculous birth of Jesus, and there is a little card in each pockets that lists an activity we are going to do that day. Some are as simple as "celebrate Lilly's birthday" or "draw 5 special things we have done this month," while with others I have to be sure we can accomplish the task on that specific day, like "go for a drive and look at Christmas lights" or "visit Sea World" can not happen on school nights. I wrote them all out in my calendar so I knew what was coming up, and even wound up switching a few. This has been our most fun December to date. I never felt stressed and the kids were excited and happy every day.

 

The girls and I have been having a lot of fun with my mom the last few weekends. Sea World in December is so much fun! They have snow the kids can play in, and a very handsome Santa to visit. We also went to Disney on Ice. Grandma spoiled the girls with treats and we danced, laughed, and clapped our hearts out. The show was so good. And who knows, maybe the boy can come with us next year!

Sew Crafty Saturday: Sleepy Pillows

It wouldn't be Christmas if I didn't make some of our gifts. My time was limited this year, but I was able to make these sweet, sleepy car pillows for my sister's and my kiddos. They were pretty simple and I did them in an assembly line fashion, so they came together  pretty quickly. I stuffed each one with lavender and can't wait to hand them out Christmas morning! 

Wee-Ones Wednesday: Our Little Mary

 

Seriously, could this little girl be any cuter? I know she is mine, and I'm completely biased, but... sheesh, she is adorable. When you're a mommy, there's this little bit of pride that swells up inside of you when both your daughters have been chosen to play Mary (the mother of Jesus!!!!!!!) in the preschool play. I realize, I should be ashamed for saying it, but there it is. Judge away. 
To say Iris was excited would be an understatement. The girl could not stop smiling! I kept tearing up. And our beast of a boy was good! That's a Christmas miracle right there. He walked back and forth between us and Lilly, and never forgot to clap. Adorable, I tell you!  These kids may drive me bonkers sometimes, but man do I LOVE them. I just wish they would grow up a little slower.

Misc. Monday: December Love

December is my favorite month. Report cards and parent conferences are over at school, and I get to focus on having fun with my students. Days and nights at home are filled with games, reading holiday books, driving around looking at lights, crafts, hot cocoa, Christmas carols, dancing, great food, singing & laughter, and celebrating Jesus' birthday. The kids get along surprisingly well. Buddy's magic is in full swing. Everyone is joyful and excited. It seems like every day this month holds some sort of adventure.

Sew Crafty Saturday: Happy Bday, Daddy!

 

poor boy was pretty sick the whole day, but managed a few bites before passing out early with fever cheeks.

Dan's birthday was Wednesday, and the girls and I decided to make him an ice cream sandwich cake we saw on Pinterest. They used stacks of three, but it looked to small to me, so we stacked up four ice cream bricks. Then I covered it with cool whip. I squeezed some hot fudge into a ziploc bag, cut off the tip, and did the writing. The girls added guitars and "rockstars," of course. We all loved it and gobbled it up! Yum.

Misc. Monday: Oh Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree yesterday, and decorated it tonight. I'm loving the decision to put only homemade ornaments on the tree. We made quite a few already, and I encouraged the girls to make more as time goes on to add to the tree. We talked about how the Christmas tree is forever green and alive, just like those are who believe in Christ Jesus. He is truly the reason of the season. We love Santa, and know that Santa owes it all to a savior baby who was born in a manger in a little town called Bethlehem.