Christmas 2009

Before we hit the new year, I thought I better share a brief post on our Christmas. We did things a little differently this year, which made for the most relaxing Christmas we have shared since marriage. Though we were sad to not be able to make it to all of our usual stops, I think we were a happier family for it.....if you know what I mean.

Christmas Eve we spent with Jason's family, and though brief, was very fun. The kids did great, and each were so fun to watch. The next day was spent with my family, which was also very laid back. By only making two stops, the boys were able to actually spend time enjoying their news toys, rather then being tossed about, in and out of the car.

Both boys were so fun to watch this year, each with their own way of showing excitement and gratitude. Levin asked me the other day if we were going to have another Christmas, and when I said yes, but not till next year, he shouted out, "YEAH", and beamed a huge grin.




One last story to share, before closing this post. I must preface it, by saying that we have not taught our boys to believe in Santa, but have also not forbidden the knowledge of the jolly fellow either.

A few days before Christmas, Levin informed me that we could not have a fire in our fireplace on Christmas. I did not inquire as to why, but knew just what his little mind was putting together. So, then this week he told me that it would be alright for us to have a fire again. Funny what goes on inside a three year olds mind sometimes.

A First For Both Boys

This year, marked Levin's first Christmas program, of wearing his costume! For those who may not know or recall, last year, Levin did not wear his costume and thus stood out in all the pictures since he was all clad in red.

We were so surprised and shocked at how well Levin did. He not only wore the costume and stood on stage, but sang with motions and all! He is growing up and changing way too fast.

Philip, on the other hand, opted to enjoy his first shot at the church christmas program, from his seat in the front row. He did sit very well, and enjoyed every moment of watching. Next year we will try again.

New Found Joy in Giving to Others

This past Saturday, as I was wrapping up the last of the Christmas gifts, Levin finished helping daddy with a project and came to stand and watch. Standing may not exactly be the right word.

Maybe if we said watching, walking on wrapping paper, volunteering to help, walking on more paper, taking the scissors, grabbing the scotch tape and walking across more wrapping paper, you would get a better picture.

As we sat together, him looking for ways he could be involved, I remembered one of the chief blessings of being the daughter of a garbage collector. A large assortment of unsold, post Christmas wrapping paper. (His occupation being a driver of garbage trucks and only occasionally does that involve forays into the realm of a collector. My husband and father-in-law are more the types to retain and collect garbage as a hobby, but that's another story.)

So back to Levin and his desire to assist in the wrapping festivities. Levin and I went downstairs and picked out a roll of extra wrapping paper, just for him to use.

We found his scissors and he got to do with it as he pleased, whether just cutting up the paper or cutting and wrapping up some of his toys.

He was very taken by the idea of wrapping up some of his toys, and so quickly ran and picked out a favorite toy of Philip's. A special truck Great Grandma Van had given him a couple months ago.

With only a little help, his truck was hidden away beneath the several layers of wrapping and a measured amount of scotch tape.

Then comes the hard part! Waiting for the perfect time to give the perfect gift. In this case I made him wait about an hour until Philip woke up from his nap.

He was so proud of his work and was excited to share it with his brother. At the first sound coming from Philip's room, Levin bolted upstairs full of anticipation at what Philip would think.

He threw the present in Philip's crib as he was still rousing himself with instructions to open it at once. If only I could have caught this all on video, because both boys were so excited. Once Philip unveiled the gift, he seemed a little puzzled to be opening a truck just like the one he already had. But he was still excited to see his brother excited and to get something from him other than the usual assortment of bumps and bruises.

So for all our efforts at teaching our boys, sometimes lessons like the joy of giving come along so spontaneously. Isn't it amazing the lessons God sends our way!

Beep Beep!

I have memories from my childhood, of my mom taping down roads along the carpet for us to drive all of our (mostly my brothers) trucks and cars along, so today I finally pulled out the tape and set to work.

If you are looking for an indoor winter game to play with your young ones, here you go. All you need is some masking tape and a few cars and trucks...oh, and floor space large enough.

Just Missing the Hot Chocolate

Little Hands

Here it is, our project for December, which began as a group effort, but..well...you know how it goes with little ones.

Let the Baking Begin

Last week, the boys and I made sugar cookies together, and this week we plan on staying home to bake up some more yummy treats. I still have yet to come up with a fun little art project for us to work on together. Stay tuned to see what we think up.

This is Levin's old man that is "falling apart", and thus, using a cane.