Christmas Toys

The children have been pretty much housebound since Christmas. We have just chosen to stay home and there are so many new fun toys to play with! The boys "big gift" this year was a Melissa and Doug train table, so they have definitely have already invested many hours of play on that. They have also had fun doing some new puzzles and playing with a few new games.

And these Mickey Mouse figurines they got from my mom have definitely been a hit.

 

And the art easel they got from Gigi. While my mom, aunt, and sister were here we broke it in. Hampton and Everett loved painting!
 

 

Funny the difference between how a 2 year old and a 4 year old paints. Everett was definitely more methodical. Today we painted as well and Everett painted letters, whereas Hampton had a more of an abstract art (ha) perspective!
 

And Sassy got this purse for Christmas and I just could have died today when I caught her walking around with it on her arm like a little lady on a shopping trip. Funny how these things don't have to be taught. It is just innate.
 

 

 

From Aunt Mary's Camera

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gingerbread Houses

My mom, aunt, and sister have been visiting this week. Today we went to the Grove Park Inn to see their gingerbread house competition. So fun! And we have visited the past couple years so it has become a tradition. Other than enjoying the beautiful and creative gingerbread houses, eating pastries and sipping hot chocolate, and admiring all the gorgeous Christmas decor-no meltdowns from any of the children! A success in my mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Merry Christmas

We've had a lovely Christmas. The past few years we've had our Christmas at home with just our little family. This year was another wonderful Christmas of a blend of eating good food, enjoying each other, and plenty of laying around. It is what we always need and anything goes. And today it involved plenty of Christmas movies. Funny side note-Hampton saw Ralphie from A Christmas Story today and said, "Look! It's Hampy!" Even he sees the resemblance. Such a fun day.

 

This year the boys got Annies fruit snacks and granola bars, a box of crayons, Hershey kisses, and M and Ms in their stockings. They loved it.
 

For breakfast we enjoyed sweet rolls and pigs in a blanket. Yum!
 

And each child got a new book. Everett got a new Bernstein Bear book, Hampton got Little Blue Truck Goes to the City, and Eleanor got an Eloise Wilkin storybook.
 

After breakfast the children opened their presents. The boys' big present this year was a new train table with trains. They loved it! Everett got a new board game, a puzzle, and a stamp set. Hampton got a peg board and a few puzzles as well. Eleanor received a baby carriage and some stacking letter blocks.
 

 

 

 

 

The boys have been playing with their new table non-stop. It was a hit!
 

We spent the rest of the day watching movies and playing with toys. After dinner we had a chocolate chip pound cake and sang "Happy Birthday Jesus." It was a fantastic day. 

Happy Christmas Eve!

The children at our candlelight service last night.........
 

 

 

Christmas Party with Gigi

Eric's mom came to visit a couple of days ago and the children were excited to celebrate Christmas with her! They opened some pretty fun presents including lots of Play Doh, puzzles, and some new bath towels.
 

 

And Eleanor got some pretty outfits.
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Gigi opening her new blanket from the children.
 

 

And a box full of K cups!
 

 

 

 

 

 

And the boys got an art easel from Gigi!