Polar Express Playdate

What's better than watching The Polar Express in your pajamas and drinking hot cocoa on a rainy December morning? 

Having your friends join in!

Christmas This Year

We had a lovely Christmas this year. Simple. And it turned out that was just what we needed. With the process of selling our home, we did not put up any Christmas decorations. However, on Christmas Eve, once the children were all "snug in their beds" Eric and I put up our tree and few other little items. Turns out that was a great surprise to them on Christmas morning! And it was really fun to do. 

Eleanor Jane received Bitty Twins this year by American Girl. I let her chose them online to ensure she would play with them. 

 Oh I love this little elf so! He was much more aware this year of all the happenings. 

 And super silly. This was taken right before we went to the candlelight service at our church on Christmas Eve. 

 Snow globes were a hit. 

 And on Christmas morning we ate the best monkey bread ever. It was gone by end of day. 

 Opening stockings which were full of candy, sugar cereal, and a toothbrush of course. 

 On to opening gifts! Eric and I got each big boy a Lego Creator set. I am so proud that they can now put those together completely on their own. 

 And this toddler boy loves anything cars and trucks. 

 Brothers giving each other a thank you hug. We added a new tradition this year where each child buys a gift for each other (at the Dollar Store). And Hampton and Everett, of course, got each other. 

 Everett giving his gift to Hampton. Just for memories sake: Hampton got Ev a Lisa figure (from the Simpsons-they don't watch this show of course but know most of the characters). Hampton got Everett a glow in the dark zombie that grows in water. Eleanor got Thatcher a small truck. And Thatcher got Eleanor a puzzle. Hampton and Eleanor picked out Daddy's gift-Pepto Bismol. Ha! And Everett and Thatcher got me some chapstick. This was so fun to do! And it was really wonderful to teach the children about giving to others. They were proud of what they had selected. 

 "Lipsticks" from Mommy and Daddy.

 And the best part was later in the day playing with all the new gifts! We ended the day with spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and a Christmas show. 

Gingerbread Party

We got together with our fellow homeschool friends this morning for a gingerbread-themed Christmas party. 

We started off with a craft where the children decorated foam gingerbread men with glitter glue, sprinkle glitter, markers, buttons, and goggly eyes. 

 The children then designed their own gingerbread houses using colored pencils and fuzzy gingerbread people stickers. 

We then played "hide the gingerbread man." Each child got a chance to hide the gingerbread man in the living room and then they would say, "Run run run as fast as you can! Who can find the gingerbread man?" They had a blast playing this game!

 It was then time for a tasty treat! My friend Jenny made yummy gingerbread cookies and the children had a wonderful time decorating them. 

 The first borns hard at work!

 At some point I read "Gingerbread Baby" by Jan Brett.

And then our final activity was "Pin the Button on the Gingerbread Man." 

 Everett got pretty close........

 And Hampton was way off!

GPI Gingerbread House Competition

We went on a very fun and festive field trip yesterday morning with our friends. Nothing says Christmas like going to visit the annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Grove Park Inn. Everyone was dressed in their Christmas best and we brought along a treat of mini frosted Gingerbread men cookies as a snack. And field trips are always more fun with our dear friends.

Here the children are in front of the grand prize. It is amazing to see the amount of detail and technique that goes into each creation. And the fact that it is all edible just is incredible. The other photos in the picture are of past year winners. 

 And the boys were excited about this Star Wars creation! This was done by a child.

 And a hot chocolate cafe in the lobby that was made of gingerbread! 

 Santa's sleigh

 Trying to capture a good photograph of four children is difficult! 

 The best I could get!

 The children were absolutely enthralled with the huge fireplace. And watching this attendant stoking the fire and adding logs was even better! It was quite mesmerizing. 

 And Eleanor absolutely loved this "girl tree." Beyond the actual gingerbread houses, there are a great deal of theme-decorated trees throughout the inn. Eleanor spotted this one and I had to tear her away. We may have to add her own girly tree to her room next year. 

 And this poor toddler had a difficult morning. He was grumpy the entire trip but being two is tough!

 This house was not one of the more elaborate creations, but for some reason was a favorite of mine.

 The Christmas group! All we are missing is sweet Abby (she was in preschool this morning). We are looking forward to getting together with our friends soon to make our own gingerbread houses!