Christmas Comes Alive!

To start the weekend, we attended Emma Claire's gymnastics program....it was.... well, CUTE - let me just say this, Wilson headed out onto the floor and participated and nobody was the wiser. Sixty some odd preschoolers with hoola hoops and candy canes- not very organized, but super-cute! We then ate dinner with friends at Taco Casa and drove to Gordo for "Christmas Comes Alive". It's a hayride through the Christmas story. At one point we got off the wagon and walked into a barn where there were REAL animals - sheep, goats, donkey, dog - the children loved it and we climbed up on top of hay bales and listened to carolers and the Christmas Story while watching Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus. I highly recommend this every year. We, as a family will make it a tradition - fun, quality time, portraying the TRUE meaning of the season! Wilson never said a word the whole time, he was so in awe! Such fun!

Emma Claire with her "best buds"!

Yesterday we went to a friends house for a Christmas party and look who made an appearance! We weren't sure how Wilson would act towards the big man, but he actually sat and talked to him - maybe this is a step closer to touching Big Al! I was able to get a picture (1 out of 6) with all 3 children looking at me! It was a sweet party - the children played and made an ornament and had cookies!

At this point, right when Santa walked in the door, Wilson just looked at him, then laughed hysterically!

Emma Claire, of course, wanted to be front and center at all times - she isn't afraid of anyone!

Henderson had a good time with some "new" toys!

I told the children that Santa was coming and when we drove up, this was outside and they thought this was "it" - funny how they would have been satisfied with just this! Wilson didn't want to come inside b/c he wanted to stay with Santa. Maybe there's a lesson to be learned in that - God has much better things awaiting us, if we'll just "come inside" and see!

Saturday afternoon we attended our church's Christmas Program - it was FABULOUS! Emma Claire and Patton attended and did great!

All in All a BUSY weekend, but filled with fun, meaningful, family activities! Oh, and we also ALL attended the Alabama basketball game Saturday night - it was a disappointing loss, but we had a great time!

Christmas Happy

A certain little Stinker surprised me with a Christmas Happy today. I didn't check the mail b/c it was raining all day and then we went to Will's work party. When we got home, at about 8:30, I was exhausted and got the children and myself ready for bed and hit the sack...or so I thought. Will came in the room holding this package and I squealed with delight! I just KNEW!!!! I couldn't believe she selected ME!!!! The outfit is perfect - "Good Things Come In Small Packages" - and with our recent - "small boys" struggles - it just made my day. And she even remembered my other two with stickers - she must know children and how they get giddy over stickers!!!!! Thanks Becky!

We were forcasted to get SNOW today, but since that never happened, I decided to dress the children sans Christmas colors and go with snowmen for the Christmas Party!

Henderson doesn't have a snowman outfit, so he got to go in traditional Christmas attire!

My hands are FULL

They are all just "itching" to get into the presents!

But WHY can't I open it????

Henderson says, "I'm TRYING to get to the presents, mommy!"

This picture is from the Choir Program Sunday night - look on the second row behind Emma Claire and you will see her cousin Patton - they had just walked up onto the stage and he and the other boy had their hands on their ears b/c they thought the music was too loud - it was hilarious!

After school today, Emma Claire and I made our own Christmas Happy's for the childrens' classmates - I had a great helper! Maybe I have an INKLING of creativity in me!!!

Again, you're seeing finished product first, b/c I forget that blogger reverses the pictures!

Another hands over ears picture!

The patient 4 and 5 year olds, waiting to perform!

I've been Tagged!

I've been tagged by Rachel.


8 TV shows I watch:

(some of these I love, but b/c of recent convictions concerning some content, I have been watching them less and less)



1. Grey's Anatomy



2. Desperate Housewives



3. The Biggest Loser



4. Days of Our Lives



5. American Idol



6. House



7. Jon and Kate plus 8 (when I remember)



8. The Duggars



8 Favorite Restaurants:



1. Chic-Fil-A



2. Chuck's Fish



3. DePalma's



4. Outback



5. City Cafe



6. Cypress Inn



7. Taco Casa



8. Ruth's Chris



8 Things that happened this week:



1. Came back to work from 9:00 pm until 11:30 pm for a Christmas Open House last night, then back to work at 7:00 am this morning!!!!



2. Went to 2 doctor's appointments with my children



3. Got my Christmas present (a coat I ordered online) in the mail!



4. Helped teach 3-year old choir



5. Watched Emma Claire perform in her Christmas program at church



6. Cheered on the TIDE in the SEC championship (so sad we lost)



7. Prayed for my youngest child to wake up in the night to eat!



8. Bought small presents for my children to give to their teachers and friends at school



8 Things I look forward to:



1. Heaven



2. A house that stays clean more than 30 minutes



3. Christmas Eve and morning



4. A vacation with my husband



5. Spending time with our families over the holidays



6. Watching my children play and laugh together



7. Checking the mail for more Christmas Cards/Greetings



8. A busy but fun-filled weekend of gymnastics recitals, church programs, hay rides, basketball games, birthday parties and neighborhood parties!



8 Things I wish for/pray for:



1. A vacation with my husband



2. To be more others-focused



3. For my children to come into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ



4. A housekeeper (or more time and energy to do it myself)



5. For my children to see each other as their "bestest" friends



6. For the health of my family



7. For my children to love others with a Christ-like love



8. For my dad to find a job again and my sister to find a job and move to Tuscaloosa (and hopefully get married)!



8 people I tag:



1. Katie



3. Becky



4. Lindsey



5. Tara



6. Abby



7. Darby



8. Andi

Santa vs Jesus and weight update

I realize that if I would post a picture of Henderson in just a diaper, you could get an idea of just how thin he is, but I haven't done that, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
The doctor's appointment went fine - he weighed 13# 14 oz, so he HAS gained 5 oz in the last month (at least we haven't lost weight - especially given his poor eating the last few days), good news (I guess) is that he checked out perfectly well - no ear infections, no sore throat... but i was kind of HOPING for some reason why he had just stopped eating. He did wake up in the middle of the night last night to eat - Don't think I'm crazy, but I actually have prayed for him to do this the last few nights - b/c usually those "drowsy" feedings are the best - and he drank 3 oz from a bottle and then woke up again 3 hours later and nursed great - I think my milk is even coming back!!!! So, maybe it was just the tooth breaking through that caused him to temporarily stop eating and hopefully he'll pick back up today! He has to stay at school all day today b/c I have to work a little late for an Open House then take Emma Claire to the eye doctor, so I'll have a good picture of how he's taken the bottles after today. We are to go back for a weight check again after Christmas (he's still at minus 7% on the growth chart). So all in all, not GREAT news, but certainly no bad news!

Now, I saw this copied on a friends' blog and it really spoke to me. I have had countless discussions with friends and family about the whole Santa vs the True meaning of Christmas and how to handle this with young children. While we do talk about Santa and he does bring them presents, I don't put too much emphasis on this - God is the One we strive to please and obey and He is always with us. I also try my best not to ever lie - Santa does come, I just never go into much detail about who Santa is =)!! Well, I'm not good at putting what I think into words, so this will help:

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.
Santa rides in a sleigh
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.
Santa comes but once a year
JESUS is an ever present help.
Santa fills your stockings with goodies
JESUS supplies all your needs.
Santa comes down your chimney uninvited
JESUS stands at your door and knocks.. and then enters your heart.
You have to stand in line to see Santa
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.
Santa lets you sit on his lap
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.
Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, What's your name?"
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.
Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly
JESUS has a heart full of love.
All Santa can offer is HO HO HO
JESUS offers health, help and hope.
Santa says "You better not cry"
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.
Santa's little helpers make toys
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.
Santa may make you chuckle but
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.
While Santa puts gifts under your tree
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.
It's obvious there is really no comparison.We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.We need to put Christ back in Christmas.
Jesus is still the reason for the season !

{copied}

Have a wonderful day and Merry Christmas!

A weight check and a flu shot

So, many of you out there probably aren't familiar with weight checks...Well, they are a regular occurence around here. I think we went to the doctor every 4 weeks for a whole year with Wilson. We go today for Henderson's weight check and second flu shot. Why a weight check? To make sure he's not losing weight since he was not even on the growth chart at his 6 month check up. The ironic thing is, the last 4 days, he's averaged about 10 ounces of formula or breast milk per DAY!!! He's just stopped eating - his first tooth broke through 2 nights ago, so I'm blaming it on that, but oh golly, we're in trouble! He's eating babyfood fine - 3 jars a day, but WILL NOT TAKE A BOTTLE OR NURSE, so my milk is drying up and he is probably losing weight - I'm glad the doctor will check him out though, just to make sure there is not something else going on, but it is never-ending around here! And to add to that, Wilson threw up last night - no virus here, he was eating a piece of cake and dropped his (my) drink, got so upset and started gagging and finally threw up - luckily I knew it was coming and had him leaning over the kitchen sink - that boy can throw up on command I tell you!

Well, enough about those fun topics - we have a BUSY week. I have to work extra for some Christmas parties we are having around here, and we have church and Will's work party, EC's gymnastics program, a church program, a basketball game, a neighborhood party... and on and on. - Next week, though - only 1 thing (as of now)! I guess everyone had the same idea of planning the parties and events NOT the week before Christmas!

We are still having a blast with our elf friends, though they didn't do anything CRAZY last night - WHY???/ B/c we had some serious whiners yesterday and the elves were too tired from telling Santa all they did wrong, by the time they got back to our house, they fell fast asleep!

I forgot to mention - Emma Claire had her choir program at church on Sunday night - it was too cute! Such a wonderful group of children and teachers!

Enjoying the wonderful CHRISTmas season!

Kellie

The Nutcracker

Last night I took Emma Claire to the Nutcracker with some dear friends of mine and hers. WE went out to dinner first, of course, b/c that's what girls LOVE to do! The pictures are in reverse order, b/c I forget that blogger puts them in reverse of what I put in. So AFTER the Nutcracker we took the girls upstairs and the got to see some of the dancers and the costumes.... They were sooo excited to get to look at all the costumes and it made me think of them in about 20 years going to pick out wedding dresses together.... okay back to the present!

All the girls were GREAT during dinner and the ballet, they asked lots of questions, b/c it's a hard story to follow with no words - but a good time was had by all!

They loved playing with the "snow" during intermission - or half-time as we called it!

Now, I have my SIL's 4 children coming over in about 4 hours and 2 babysitters, so we can go watch the BIG game at a friends' house while our husbands are fortunate enough to be at the game in person! I was going to clean house, but what's the point? A 7 year old, two-4 year olds, two-2 year olds and two- 7 month olds - the house will look like a tornado came through when we get back, but it's all good for the sake of some fun!

ROLL TIDE

School Pictures

School pictures finally came in this week, I don't have a scanner, so I just took pictures of the pictures. Overall they turned out great and I am very pleased, but keep looking and you'll see a classic "Wilson" - the happiest little kid ever, and the most stubborn!

I think there were 5 shots of all 3 of them together and this is the best one of Wilson - some others were even worse, if you can imagne! I was told by someone, just to not order it - but I couldn't do that - it's a memory and you better believe I'll show this to him many times in his life! Henderson was "flirting with the camera" in all shots, there wasn't a bad one of him! Emma Claire actually managed to produce a "real" smile, instead of the fake ones I see so much! Enjoy -

I'm doing some much needed housework after a BAD week of laying on the couch 2 days and getting ready to go to dinner and the Nutcracker with Emma Claire and some of my friends and their daughters! What fun!!!!