Seeing the Big Guy and Going for a Ride…

Today was a busy day!!

Brynn’s school holds a Santa Breakfast each year. The girls have a pancake breakfast, make crafts, and then the Big Guy himself arrives on the fire truck!! It is always fun {and you don’t have to wait in line at the mall all day to see Santa!}

That night we went with our friends {all 23 of us} to Fountain Inn to go on a carriage ride. There was so many of us, we had to split into 2 carriages – boys and girls of course :). The kids had fun looking for all the Grinches that were hide throughout the neighborhoods.

We had dinner and decided to head to a house that was not to far away that had been on the news several times.  The house has over 200,000 lights and displays. 

Two times in one day!!

A Trip to Bethlehem…

I wanted to go to a live nativity this year but was having trouble finding one in our area. When a friend told me she found one, I quickly switched the activity we had planned to this one!!

Brynn was so funny when she read we were going on a trip to Bethlehem. She thought we were REALLY going to Bethlehem. She insisted we pack our bags, wanted to know how long we were staying there, how long it took to fly there, and if the way were going was the way to the airport!

We meet some friends there and we W A I T E D for E V E R to walk through the town of Bethlehem. It was fun going to the different shops, paying our taxes, and finding no room to sleep just like Mary and Joseph.

At the end, we were treated with hot cocoa and cookies.

I was disappointed to hear it was the last year the church would be doing it.

Oops…

It appears I forgot to get a picture of the girls doing Day 8!!

Shame on me!!

The activity for today was making Christmas cards for the shut-ins at our church.

Brynn did most of the cards {she LOVES to craft especially making cards and books}.

A Trip to the Library…

After Brynn got out of school today, we stopped at the library. The girls each picked out a Christmas book. Brynn recently got her very own library card so she is excited to use it when we go.

I told the girls we were also going to something special for someone we didn’t know while we were there. The plan was to pay late fees for 5 people. Due to new privacy policies we were not able to do this. Instead, we left a donation. The librarian said when someone came in to pay their late fee she would take it out of our donation.

When It’s Cold Outside…

make a cup of homemade hot chocolate!!

That’s exactly what we did tonight. It was delicious but I’m not so sure that Addie should have had such a sweet treat right before bed!!

B&N

off to Barnes and Noble to get a new Christmas book.

Brynn has really taken to reading! I am so glad she enjoys to read and I take any chance I can to encourage her.

 

Once we were home, Brynn read both books to Addie:)

Giving Back…

Today we took the girls to Target. We told them they could pick out any toy they wanted and we would buy it. The only catch was that they could not keep it. They would have to give it away.

Brynn understood, Addie not so much. After a few more times of Brandon and I explaining she finally understood. 

Brynn picked out a horse that she wanted to go with her American girl doll. Addie chose a Tiana Barbie from Princess and the Frog {I think it is the only princess Barbie she doesn’t have}.

We let the girls pay then we headed to a drop of for Toys for Tots.

Serving Breakfast…

Our church serves breakfast at Miracle Hill Rescue Mission about once a month. A different Sunday school class usually sponsors each month. We decided to tag along with our friends’ class this month.

I have gone before but we have never gone as a family. {Probably because you have to be there EARLY and well lets face it our family are not morning people!}

The adults typically cook and the kids serve. It really is fun and a great teaching opportunity.

Brandon and Noah making eggs

Addie and Zoe passing out napkins – no job is too small ;)

I told you we aren’t morning people!!

Movie Night…

Brynn was asked to sleep over at a friend’s house during the planning stages of my calendar so I knew she wouldn’t be here for Day 2. I wanted to pick something that wouldn’t matter if she missed.

Movie night it was!

What movie might you ask??

This is one of Brandon’s favorite movies. He and Addie managed to make it to the end. Me…not so much. 

 

Day 1…

Day 1 actually took place on Day 3 due to a family birthday on Day 1 {and the fact that I just finished crafting the countdown today!}

I decided to hang our countdown on the Christmas tree – since we have no mantel and are limited for space at our house.

I explained to the girls about the countdown and they were VERY excited. They wanted to read all the envelopes tonight! After they opened the first envelope they seemed to forget about the others.

It was only appropriate to start with a letter to Santa. This year has been a little hard in deciding what to get the girls for Christmas. Neither one really needs anything and haven’t asked for anything. Brynn’s one request was to go to Africa but I explained to her she was too young to go just yet…that is another story in itself.

They both sat at the table and Brynn read the letter to Addie. She was sure to explain to Addie exactly what to do and not to do.Brynn asked for new earrings and new art stuff. I let Addie fill hers out herself. She asked for a new puppy {a toy one}, a candy cane {not sure where that came from}, and a letter back from Santa.If you zoom in on this picture you can see Addie’s “words” she wrote herself.

Once they were done we stuck the letters in the envelope. Brynn thought our elf, Wendy, could take their letter to Santa tonight – just to make sure he gets it!

A New Tradition…

We are attempting to do an Advent countdown!

I have wanted to do this for several years but I have a tendency to procrastinate {just a tiny bit} and well December sneaks up on me. This year I managed to get it done!! By done I mean – the activities are planned and on the calendar and I made a some what cute countdown {a few days late}.

Let’s see what fun stuff we can get in to and what life lessons my kiddos can learn:)