Christmas Countdown 2018: 3, 2, 1...

Christmas Christmas time is near.... time for joy and time for cheer! ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT (technically, as I'm typing this, there's only a few hours until the big day arrives....)

Only 3 days until Christmas – it’s Mommy’s favorite night; grab some popcorn, put on pjs and under the tree we’ll sleep tonight!

This really is one of my absolute favorite nights of the season and honestly, I'm not sure how many more we have left. The kids are literally outgrowing the pallet on the floor all shoved together so I will cherish it as long as we can make it happen. 

And don't be fooled by these angelic faces... 

Radley's pjs were three sizes too small... but I still required coordinated pjs and big smiles in front of the tree while we try to master the self-timer as I say joy-filled things like, "can you just be normal?"... Seriously. Just. Sit. Still. And. Smile." and ... "We will sit here as long as it takes..."

This is me. Pretending to be a soft spoken mom-type that smiles all the time. 

But by 10pm when we've all fallen asleep next to a movie we have memorized, I look up and just cry.  Absolutely nothing sweeter!

Only 2 days until Christmas –  What’s something fun YOU want to do?? Kid’s choice!!

Y'all. This was THE MOST FUN. The kids have discovered "Minute to Win It" on Netflix so they organized a mini-competition between me and Gigi vs Ryan and Pops. Chaos ensued. Laughter was heard. Fun was had by all! You really just have to watch... 

Only 1 day until Christmas – Get dressed so we can get cooking! SANTA COMES TOMORROW! 

It's not Christmas until the meatballs are made... 

and it's a family tradition we are sure to keep alive for many years to come!

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Christmas Countdown 2018: 6, 5, 4...

It's funny how these activities hardly change each year but the kids still look forward to each and every one and I look forward to spending all this time with them. 

Only 6 days until Christmas – let’s eat popcorn for dinner and go see a movie!!!

This night is always one of my favorites because I love going to the movies and also popcorn for dinner is always a good idea. We were hoping Ryan could make it in time to join us but UPS is unpredictable so just the four of us got to enjoy a night out. We showered and bathed, threw on some pjs and headed to the theater!

I was a lot nervous about this whole "Mary Poppins Returns" things but it was so so so good and fun and charming and imaginative and colorful and happy and just so stinking great! 

Only 5 days until Christmas –  Let’s go see some lights!! 

We got bundled up and headed to a local park to walk around and enjoy their annual light display. The evening ended up being perfect for a little stroll and the chill that was in the air was easily kept at bay with all the ooey gooey warmth in my heart. 

These #wee3kings are just the ultimate gift each and every day and while I will never claim to be an easy going, go with the flow, all the time happy, Momma... I will never deny the blessings of time with them!

Only 4 days until Christmas – School is officially done, let’s go out to dinner for lots of fun!

Do you see a theme? As Christmas gets closer, I think of more and more excuses to not have to cook - ha! Ryan DID get to meet us for a quick dinner out at our favorite breakfast for dinner spot. The whole family ate for under $30 and we were home and in our pjs by 7:30pm! 

And just like that, there's only three days left... 

12 days countdown (3, 2, 1)...

The last three days of our countdown are always extra special, mainly because Christmas is getting closer which means we get to celebrate Christ's birth very soon!

Only 3 days until Christmas - Light 5 candles at church for people that need prayers

The kids LOVE lighting candles at church - they love deciding what person is getting our extra prayers and they really put thought into it. Radley and Emmy got to pick 2 people each and we picked one person as a family. 

Only 2 days until Christmas - Make indoor s'mores and stay warm

The funny thing about Texas - it's not really hard to stay warm. ;) But they did love getting to roast marshmallows inside and having Pops to help made it that much better.

 Only 1 day until Chrismtas - Make a birthday cake for Baby Jesus

I am always impressed with how much my kids actually HELP in the kitchen. They love cooking and baking and they even love cleaning up the mess! Win! They were extra excited to bake a cake for baby Jesus and even help with the icing and sprinkling!

Another countdown complete!

12 days countdown (6, 5, 4)...

The countdown continues...

Only 6 days until Christmas - Be Santa's elves and bring treats to the UPS drivers

Last year we delivered spaghetti and gravy to the drivers (well, my mom made it) but this year, sadly, they are really too busy. The volume has increased by a ton because more and more people are shopping online - which is great for job security, but also means the men & women that are the real Santas helpers are working tons of extra hours. 

Radley really grasps that all this extra work means time away from family, mainly because Ryan is away from us, but he is so sensitive to this and prays nightly for all the UPS workers to be with their families. 

So we gathered our supplies, made some cards, and delivered some goodies in our Santa pjs!

(Even me!)

"We know its a circus this time of year, thanks for working hard to deliver holiday cheer!"

 They basically never wanted to leave - Landry tried her hardest to ride on the conveyer belt and Radley loves to sort packages. 

Only 5 days until Christmas - Paint some ornaments to hang on the tree

Radley and I bought ornaments in November on a Hobby Lobby run when he wouldn't quit begging me for some Christmas stuff. Luckily I knew that he would forget about them until I brought them back out and he was so excited to paint his bell. 

He went with silver and gold, Emmy went with green and red and they decided that Landry would do a combo of their colors - gold and red. 

It took nearly 12 hours for their layers and layers and layers of paint to dry... so the picture taking took place the next morning.

Only 4 days until Christmas - Take a picture in your Christmas pjs and sleep under the tree

This is my favorite one each year! The big kids LOVE sleeping under the tree! And I love having a picture of our family in front of the tree each year. Pretty good too, for a self-timed picture!

Silent night indeed...

12 days countdown (9. 8. 7)...

I love how excited the kids are every morning to go discover what our activity will be for that day! These tree days were especially fun...

Only 9 days until Christmas - Drive through the neighborhood and look at the lights with Hudson - bring a blanket!

So this was seriously cool. We have basically driven through every neighborhood imaginable already this year, but the kids still love looking at all the lights. They loved it even more since we got to take advantage of the Texas December and cruise around in this little number. 

Now aside from the jumping kids, delightful screaming caroling, and constant questions - it was great! Definitely a new holiday tradition! 

Only 8 days until Christmas - Go on a secret shopping trip with Mommy

This became a trip with Mommy and Gigi - and while I am sad that we don't have any pictures of that experience... we got so much accomplished! Two stores and dinner with enough time to assemble gifts for their friends and teachers after!

Three kids in and I must say that I am a bit "bah humbug" when it comes to class gifts. Not because I don't love the thoughtfulness, but because, honestly our kids need nothing and I bet all those parents could also use one less thing on their plates, too. ;) 

We went with store bought instead of home made like last year (because - well that turned out so sad) and they turned out pretty cute!

First the kids cut out strips of paper to make the tags. Emmy and Radley did great, we kept trying to distract Landry with other things but she would have none of it. We finally gave her some scissors and she actually cut the paper - and didn't cut herself so that's a win!

Third kids. 

;)

Radley's exterior teachers (music, art, librarian) etc... got his favorite snack - popcorn and m&ms. The label says "You are the secret to my success!" (Pop secret - get it?) They turned out super cute!

Emmy and Landry's friends got these choking hazards colored pencils that I love! Emmy wrote her name 19 times. And would have kept going if I let her - I sometimes forget that she is basically an entire year younger than Radley was at this stage (he is a September baby, she's June) and I am so proud of her!

Only 7 days until Christmas - Sort gifts for families in need at Church

This has been my favorite night this season... and I think it will be for years to come. Each year Ryan and I have signed up to help with the Giving Tree project at church. This usually just meant writing tags for the tree and going shopping with the kids for some gifts. 

Well, last year, the coordinator of the project asked if anyone would be interested in taking it over. Ryan and I had prayed about opportunities for us to get more involved in church and this seemed like the perfect fit for our family. (Except that whole part about it being his busy season). We loved that it was giving back to our community and that our kids could actually contribute to it. 

In October we put a call out to agencies for their gift requests and got over 1000 back. We then assigned people on the committee to write tags to be placed on the tree at our church and St. Mary's. Parishioners took tags, purchased gifts and then brought them back. 

All of that culminating with the sorting of the gifts... 

We ended up getting around 1200 gifts in total (lots of people donate extra) and it was INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

Radley was so much fun to watch. When he saw that children from his school district were some of the recipients of the gifts, his eyes lit up. He "got" it. He kept just pitching in where needed, made new friends and even spoke spanish with some of the other children helping. 

My little boy is growing up into a big kid. And I couldn't be more proud. 

(Emmy and Landry were at Emmy's gymnastics practice and since we had so many volunteers we finished before Miss Tori could bring them up there. Hopefully next year!)

12 days countdown (12. 11, 10...)

What good Aggie doesn't stick a tradition once it has been established? ;)

In keeping with tradition, we started our 12 days of Christmas activities, which may or may not be exactly the same extremely similar to last years.

Only 12 days until Christmas - Write letters to Santa and mail them to the North Pole!!

Emmy - Dear Santa, Please bring me a pink dress and a pincess microphone. (Because she needs help amplifying her voice). 

Landry - Dear Santa, Please bring me the love and joy of Christ all year long. (Ok, maybe she didn't write that).

Radley - Dear Santa, Please bring me a toy car. And a toy knife to sharpen my pencils. And a dump truck. And an iPad for my family. And a toy clock. And an iphone for my family. I love you. I love God. And please bring me a an Alfie that I can touch. I love God. (He did write that.) 

They all wanted to put their letter in our magical mail box and send them off to Santa!

I love this mailbox...probably one of my favorite decorations I own. I had decided that it wasn't a necessary purchase and Bonnie surprised me and bought it behind my back and I am so glad she did!

Only 11 days until Christmas - Pick a Christmas movie to watch and enjoy popcorn and M&Ms. 

No picture but if you don't eat M&Ms with your popcorn you are missing out! Trust me - throw some in there and you will be amazed!!

Only 10 days until Christmas - Go see the world's largest gingerbread house with the HMMs. 

Our morning started normal... we opened our surprise for the day and the kids were so excited to go the HMMs for their annual tea party and gingerbread house. 

We snapped a pic of some Sunday sweetness before church

(please note the stockings)...

followed by church, errands, and then I got to hang out with this cutie and snap a few pics for her baby announcement. 

And then things took a turn.

Those cute stockings in that picture? Well, they are usually not hanging there  because small hands can grab them and get injured. But we hung them up for the picture. And we forgot to take them down. And small hands grabbed the stockings. And then experienced her first trip to the ER.

(More for Daddy's nerves than anything else).

We left with a smiling baby and no stitches. (Thank you Lord). 

Then we got the call that one of the HMMs was also pretty sick, so our plans were altered and we colored gingerbread men, made cereal for dinner and took a tour of lights in a new neighborhood. 

Whew. WHAT.A.DAY. 

12 days of Christmas (pt 3)...

Only 3 days until Christmas - Drive through Santa's Wonderland

We had the best plan ever for this activity.

1. Bath and PJs - check.

2. Pick up dinner - check. 

3. Eat in car - check. 

4. Drive to Santa's Wonderland - check
5. Drive through park - ummm. No check.

This is the part where I learned that you should check the hours of operation online before making plans. The park isn't open to drive through traffic on Saturdays. It was one of those moments where Ryan and I looked at each other with the "oh no...we are about to break some hearts" look.

So we made up for it with froyo.

Then we headed to our neighborhood and sat and watched the 10 minute light show at a house down the street. It's the kind that is coordinated to music. Everyone got to sit in the front seat and we all danced along. (Ok, well me and the kids danced).

Only 2 days until Christmas – Smile for Miss Sarah

We were going to take Landry's nine month pics on Sunday but Sarah was able to do it on Saturday so I was out of a daily activity. I switched it to Radley's choice and he decided he wanted to make cookies and give them to the fire station down the street. 

We were going to make ginger bread men but well...a few things:
1. I didn't have any cookie cutters
2. I don't own a rolling pin
3. I'm not really that great of a baker.

Instead, they just got ginger snaps.

Radley was just super pumped to deliver them and the firemen were equally excited.

Emmy wasn't so into the generosity of spirit so I couldn't put her down.

(Good thing she is cute, huh?)

Radley got to sit in the firetruck, turn on the lights, look at all the gadgets and then we even got a grand tour of the place!!

I felt like I shouldn't take pictures since they "live" there but it was pretty awesome! Each shift has their own pantry and fridge, their living room was huge, their back deck was amazing and the living quarters weren't too shabby either. They showed us their new alarm system which includes a special message when the door bell rings. 

Someone was in heaven. 

(So what if it was me - I am a tax payer, right?)

;)

Before we left Radley requested a quick picture with the trucks that had newly installed "5s" on them...a kid after my own heart.

Only 1 day until Christmas – Bake a cake for baby Jesus

My two little elves were pretty pumped to help with the last Christmas activity.

Until it came to the part where we had to wait.
;)

 I looked up to check on Landry and I guess all the excitement just took its toll.

Face down. I tried to move her and she wouldn't budge. Little bean was exhausted!

We of course also made some cookies for Santa...

and then Radley put the finishing touches on the cake for baby Jesus!!!

12 Days of Christmas (pt 2)...

Our celebration of the 12 days of Christmas continue...

December 19

Only 6 days until Christmas – Spread holiday cheer with the HMMs

The year Caroline was born, Cindy and I decided that we wouldn't trade Christmas presents between the kids. We knew that we loved each others' kid(s) and that they loved each other, too. (Plus we both already have lots to take care of during the holidays and need another toy like a hole in our head).

Instead, the first few years we donated to the charity of our choosing. Then we decided that we wanted the kids to actually see and participate in an activity that gave back to our own community so we decided to donate food to the Brazos Valley Food Bank. We started this tradition last year and the bigs seemed to "get" it.

This year we met at "Old MacDonald's" to eat pre-shopping (because what really says "stop hunger" more than eating at a multi-billion dollar fast food chain) then headed to the HEB to do some shopping.

We let the kids pick out some items that they liked to eat to donate but also purchased staples like rice and tuna fish that the Food Bank needs year round.

(I love how Caro photo bombed this pic as they were "driving" by!)

Please note that Millicent is 16 months younger than Emersyn but her head is about 3 inches higher. 

:)

This has become one of my favorite holiday activities. I think next year we will try to spend an evening at the Food Bank so the kids can see how much food they have but how much more they even need. 

I look at our kids and I see health and happiness. We don't exchange gifts because they really don't need one single thing. We bought baby food and diapers to donate as well. Can you imagine not having anything to feed your infant child? 

It makes me cry to just think about it and I hope that we are teaching our kids about what needing something really looks like.

Only 5 days until Christmas – Make new ornaments for Alfie’s tree

A few weeks ago we came back into town from Waco to find that Alfie, our Elf, had left the kids a tree. (Now before I go any further, I feel the need to clarify that we aren't really one of those families that gets crazy with the Elf. He typically just moves from living room to kitchen but he has left them a few fun things. I think we are a good happy medium. Ok - I feel better).

I found this felt Christmas tree on Pinterest and it has been one of my FAVORITE projects and activities for the kids. Super easy, super cheap, super FUN! Last week we decided that it needed more ornaments so away we went.

The kids picked out the shapes they wanted me to draw (so no judging - I made one B in my entire life. It was in art) (Well, except college, but let's not discuss those grades) and then cut away.

Using scissors is definitely a favorite activity of theirs. 

She wanted "pul-ple hawts and staws".

Landry provided great support!

Emmy actually did really well. I would move the felt around and she just cut away.

(Photo cred below belongs to Radley)

Not too bad.

Then she wanted to do it "all by myself."

This seriously kept us busy and happy for over an hour. 

Radley insisted on having a picture of me by the tree too since I helped so much. Isn't he the sweetest?

Only 4 days until Christmas – Sleep under the Christmas tree

I was looking forward to this activity the most on our countdown. I knew that Radley would be over-the-top excited and well, I obviously wanted to take a picture.

I enlisted the help of a former student/current photog to get the Fstop, ISO, shutter speed, etc.. all ready to go. We did a few practice shots while they were watching a movie and then all we had to do was wait.

I'm pretty sure I took 100 pictures of the tree like this.

And when it was time for them to sleep, wouldn't you know that they INSISTED on turning it off because it was so bright? HA!

So at 2:30am we woke up, plugged it in and snapped this picture above. The lights made Radley sit up, but he fell right back asleep and woke up so happy the next day!