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!

12 days of Christmas (pt 1)...

Ryan and I discovered an advent calendar last year as we were sorting through Fely's belongings. It was definitely am item that we both wanted to keep and incorporate into our family traditions. Radley has loved moving the little partridge every morning as we count down the days. 

As over achieving as some believe me to be - I actually can not "do it all" so we are pretty minimal when it comes to the Elf on the Shelf and daily activities. BUT... we did want to do some stuff with the kids throughout the season that made our nights special. And since it's primarily me and my 3 bundles of joy - I was pretty strategic when it came to picking activities. 

(Read: I chose most things that we already do!)

Our activities started on December 13 - 12 days before Christmas (which I know the actual "days of Christmas" start on the 25 - but this is a countdown). Alfie our Elf was hanging from our calendar with a note to the kids that let them know he had discussed some things with us and told us about what they would enjoy doing and he left them notes on each of the remaining days. 

Side note - Radley thought that it was the coolest thing in the world that we got to talk to Alfie! Our entire morning ride to school was questions regarding this conversation. 

December 13:

 Only 12 days until Christmas – Write letters to Santa and bake cookies to celebrate!!!

Dear Santa -

 I have been a sweet girl all year. Please bring me a doll and some tasty treats. Love - Landry

(Rad and Emmy picked what Landry was asking for this year)

Dear Santa -

 I have been a sweet girl and big sister. Please bring me a bow and pink dress. I love you. Emmy

( I "dotted" her name and she did a really good job of tracing it!)

Dear Santa - 

I have been a sweet boy and big brother. Please bring me a star wars trashcan and movie. 

I love you. Radley

Sadly we did not get to bake cookies because I got hit by a migraine and was just trying to survive. 

December 14:

Only 11 days until Christmas – Be Santa’s elves and bring dinner to the UPS drivers and Daddy

They.{LOVED}this!

And so did the drivers. Gigi was the actual saint that made gravy for 65 - and we still had some left over! She is the best mom, MIL, and Gigi EVER. Ryan boiled the spaghetti in a crab boil pot and purchased 10 dozen bread sticks from Olive Garden. We had a slight issue of getting all that pasta made, but it turned out great!

The gratitude from the employees was so sincere and it was a nice way to spend time with Ryan when we don't get to see him often. 

Radley loves going to work with Ryan - the sights and sounds are just so fascinating to him. 

I was surprised how much she loved it, too! We had to keep her away from the "big tucks" though.

(Landry stayed in with Gigi and Pops). 

December 15:

Only 10 days until Christmas – Have a movie night and watch Polar Express and drink hot chocolate

(No pics. Fun times were had by all.)

December 16:

Only 9 days until Christmas – Light candles at church for 5 people that need prayers

 (Radley picked the following people to pray for: Lola, Gigi's Dog (Hooter died last year) and Uncle, Caroline's Papa Troy, Bok, and friends at school.)

 December 17:

Only 8 days until Christmas – Assemble gifts for friends and teachers at school

I try to stick with "edible" gifts for friends at school. My thought process is that other parents probably need toys and random stuff about as much as we do. Food can be eaten and is also biodegradable if thrown out.  

I found these adorable powdered donut snowmen on pinterest (duh) and the kids had so much fun assembling them! 

It was actually harder than it looks.

Lessons learned:

1. Don't buy generic powdered donuts (ehm, Ryan). They don't hold up as well. 

2. Freeze the mini chocolate chips before assembling. They are so small that they melt much too quickly and end up sticking to your hand.

3. Buy an extra bag (or 3) of donuts - for casualties and snacking. 

Ok. That was obnoxiously long. 

SorryNotSorry.

Hope your season is as full of fun as ours has been!