Even though I've already posted LOTS about our Christmas, I realized there was so much more that I enjoyed this season that I hadn't even touched on. So here is my Top 10 List of OTHER things I loved this year, in chronological order.
1. Getting most of the shopping done before Thanksgiving - This freed me up this year to really enjoy the season and not be living from event to event by staying up late to wrap the presents for the next "event." The shopping was done early and the gifts were wrapped and under the tree before the season really got busy! I need to remember this for the future!
2. Decorating the house - It was so much fun this year because Avery and Brynn really helped me a lot! They were so excited about getting the trees up and seeing all of the pretty decorations and animated toys. Asa loved playing those obnoxious toys at the same time...about 10 of them!
3. Celebrating Advent - Advent means "to come," and we used the advent wreath as a way to celebrate the coming of Christ at Christmas. We sang our Candle Song each week, which was fun. The kids always wanted to light the candles and sing it several times, so they could blow them out again. We talked about Love, Hope, Joy and Peace as we lit the candles each week. We also have a advent house that the kids opened each day in December. Each day had a prize and some kind of activity we had to do that focused on the true meaning of Christmas. The kids loved it!
4. Nattie, our Elf on the Shelf - We started this tradition this year, and it was a blast! He was a mischievous little elf though. He got into the candy jar, unrolled the toilet paper, dumped out the kids' toys, wrote in soap on the bathroom mirror, and lots of others. The kids loved finding him every morning.
5. Christmas Hope - It is always one of the busiest, yet most fulfilling weeks of December...when the Ingleside choir does their musical presentations. This year was no exception. We practiced LONG and HARD for 2 days prior, and then we had 5 performances in a row. It was an absolute joy to be a part of. I absolutely LOVE our choir, and it thrilled me to offer God these songs from our hearts! It was also special this year because Avery sang with the Xtreme Kids. How fun to be able to do that together with my daughter!
6. The Nutcracker - Grandmommy took Avery to see the Nutcracker Ballet for the first time this year! She was absolutely mesmerized by the whole thing. Chrissy and Allie Ann came all the way from Thomasville to go with us, which made it even more fun. The girls went backstage afterwards and met some of the ballerinas. Avery got to see Kayla and Catherine, the 2 ballerinas from her birthday party. The Macon production is amazing, and I am so glad that this will be something I can enjoy with the girls for years to come!
7. Bible Study Ornament Swap - On one Monday night in December, our Bible Study group has dinner and an ornament swap. Well, actually, it's done "Dirty Santa" style. The ornaments this year were spectacular. I love being able to look back and see all of the ones I've gotten over the years! This was the 8th year we have done it!
8. Doing crafts with the kids - since I am out of school for the holidays, I have lots of time to make things with the kids. We made lots of little crafts from Oriental Trading Company, made yummy treats, painted , made ornaments to give away, and made cards for people, to name a few. They always love it when I take the time to do arts and crafts with them, and they are so proud of the end product.
9. Breakfast with Santa - My friend, Beth McCart, puts on a big production for Breakfast with Santa. One morning, we went to her house, where we ate wonderful finger foods until Santa arrived on a fire truck! The kids, probably at least 75 of them, EACH got a gift from Santa. I don't know how she pulls this off, but it's AWESOME!
10. Fantasy in Lights at Calloway Gardens - This was a first for us, but I have always wanted to go. We went with the Abbotts and the (other) Scotts. It was rainy and cold, be we enjoyed every minute of it snuggled up together under a blanket in the trolley. Even Asa was enthralled by it! We will definitely want to go again in the future!
OK - so I know I said Top 10, but here is one last tradition that I just couldn't leave out because it's one of my absolute FAVORITES!
11. Family Night - This is our last big "event" of the season. The only decoration left up in the house is the Christmas tree, and we all sleep on the floor in the living room in front of the tree. This year, we watched a movie and ate popcorn. It was Asa's first year to be a part, and he did remarkably well. I love this family tradition! It's a great way to end the season.
So there you have it....December in a nutshell! Now it's time to start thinking about 2010!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Christmas = FAMILY
Christmas is such a special time of year, and it means so many things to me. First of all, it means JESUS...the reason we celebrate at all! But perhaps the second most important aspect of Christmas in my eyes is FAMILY. At this wonderful time of year, we get together with all of our family at different times. It's a great time for reconnecting with those who live far away, for enjoying the company of those we see all the time, for watching cousins play together, and for relishing old traditions as well as making new Christmas memories together. The family festivities, for us, began early in the month, when we got together with the Kitchings side at Mom and Papa's house. We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, a "Dirty Santa" game, gifts to kids from the grandparents, a birthday cake for Jesus, and a surprise visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Great photo op!!
Our next celebration was with the Harrisons at Mom and Papa's for lunch. This gathering has truly grown over the years as we continue to add 3rd cousins to the mix. This year, Clark and Sara brought baby Harper. We had a wonderful meal, where the grandparents ate in a room with all of the little ones, and let our generation sit in the dining room at the "kids table." It was fun to catch up and have a "normal" conversation without any distractions. We have TERRIFIC parents, we know that! We also enjoyed a birthday cake for Jesus, a "Dirty Santa" game, a gift exchange with the grown ups who drew names, gifts for the kids from their grandparents, and another visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus. This particular time, Avery said, "I know you're not the REAL Santa." I asked her later why she said that, and she said it was because he didn't have a real beard. The evening ended with Grandpapa riding the kids around on his motor scooter, which was actally more exciting than SANTA....go figure!
On Christmas Eve, after going to the Family Service at Ingleside, where Avery sang with the Xtreme Praise kids, we went to Shirley and Al's with the entire "Scott" family. This is always a fun night, especially for the kids. After a wonderful dinner, the guys went downstairs to "prep," while the ladies were entertained by the children. They sang their favorite Christmas carols, acted out the Christmas story, and dramatized the 12 Days of Christmas. Then came the visit by Rock 'n' Roll Santa (played this year by Steve). He was one of the funniest ones in years with his crazy dance moves! The kids had a few wild moves of their own, especially Carson! We laughed so hard! The kids told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, and he gave out presents to the little ones, (Avery picking something we had never heard of...GREAT!) The adults exchanged their gifts as well, while trying to dodge the flying balls of wrapping paper being thrown by everyone. It's crazy with this crew, I'm tellin' ya!
On Christmas morning, Asa woke up first around 7:15, and the girls woke up around 7:45. Mom and Papa came over to watch the kids unwrap all of their stuff, and Shirley dropped by to join us for brunch as well. It was a fun Christmas for the kids, and they enjoyed opening their gifts and playing with them throughout the day. Bryan and I just enjoyed hanging out with them and watching them have fun! 
Granddad, Nonna, and Uncle Jeffrey came over to our house for dinner on the 26th. We ate a great dinner with Dad's favorite Blueberry Pie for dessert, and then we opened gifts with them. Avery and Brynn loved climbing in boxes and bags and letting themselves get "unwrapped." They all enjoyed their calendars that I made for this year. (I have been making one for about 6 years now).
Last, but not least, we celebrated at Dennis and Tina's on the 27th. Tina cooked a fantastic dinner, and then we opened presents. The kids opened all of theirs first. Asa was ill because he didn't want to take turns. He just wanted to be opening up one present after the next. I guess they have to learn somehow! The adults opened presents next - a bunch from Al and Shirley, and one from the person who drew their name. There were a lot of gag gifts given...Dennis' old Umbros, Bryan's law books, 2 Brut Bottles, a pair of regifted boxers, an old game button from Bryan and Shawn's baseball days, and Bryan's flyers from when he ran for SGA President at Mercer. No wonder it took us until 10:00 to finish opening gifts! It was a fun night though, and the kids enjoyed playing with each other and with their new toys. 
I am so blessed to have come from such a wonderful family, to have married into such a wonderful family, and to now have a wonderful family of my own. These people make Christmas my absolute favorite time of the year! After such a busy and fulfilling month, I feel like, "It's over...what do I do now?" But life will keep me busy enough, I'm sure.
Our next celebration was with the Harrisons at Mom and Papa's for lunch. This gathering has truly grown over the years as we continue to add 3rd cousins to the mix. This year, Clark and Sara brought baby Harper. We had a wonderful meal, where the grandparents ate in a room with all of the little ones, and let our generation sit in the dining room at the "kids table." It was fun to catch up and have a "normal" conversation without any distractions. We have TERRIFIC parents, we know that! We also enjoyed a birthday cake for Jesus, a "Dirty Santa" game, a gift exchange with the grown ups who drew names, gifts for the kids from their grandparents, and another visit by Santa and Mrs. Claus. This particular time, Avery said, "I know you're not the REAL Santa." I asked her later why she said that, and she said it was because he didn't have a real beard. The evening ended with Grandpapa riding the kids around on his motor scooter, which was actally more exciting than SANTA....go figure!
On Christmas Eve, after going to the Family Service at Ingleside, where Avery sang with the Xtreme Praise kids, we went to Shirley and Al's with the entire "Scott" family. This is always a fun night, especially for the kids. After a wonderful dinner, the guys went downstairs to "prep," while the ladies were entertained by the children. They sang their favorite Christmas carols, acted out the Christmas story, and dramatized the 12 Days of Christmas. Then came the visit by Rock 'n' Roll Santa (played this year by Steve). He was one of the funniest ones in years with his crazy dance moves! The kids had a few wild moves of their own, especially Carson! We laughed so hard! The kids told Santa what they wanted for Christmas, and he gave out presents to the little ones, (Avery picking something we had never heard of...GREAT!) The adults exchanged their gifts as well, while trying to dodge the flying balls of wrapping paper being thrown by everyone. It's crazy with this crew, I'm tellin' ya!
On Christmas morning, Asa woke up first around 7:15, and the girls woke up around 7:45. Mom and Papa came over to watch the kids unwrap all of their stuff, and Shirley dropped by to join us for brunch as well. It was a fun Christmas for the kids, and they enjoyed opening their gifts and playing with them throughout the day. Bryan and I just enjoyed hanging out with them and watching them have fun!
Granddad, Nonna, and Uncle Jeffrey came over to our house for dinner on the 26th. We ate a great dinner with Dad's favorite Blueberry Pie for dessert, and then we opened gifts with them. Avery and Brynn loved climbing in boxes and bags and letting themselves get "unwrapped." They all enjoyed their calendars that I made for this year. (I have been making one for about 6 years now).
Last, but not least, we celebrated at Dennis and Tina's on the 27th. Tina cooked a fantastic dinner, and then we opened presents. The kids opened all of theirs first. Asa was ill because he didn't want to take turns. He just wanted to be opening up one present after the next. I guess they have to learn somehow! The adults opened presents next - a bunch from Al and Shirley, and one from the person who drew their name. There were a lot of gag gifts given...Dennis' old Umbros, Bryan's law books, 2 Brut Bottles, a pair of regifted boxers, an old game button from Bryan and Shawn's baseball days, and Bryan's flyers from when he ran for SGA President at Mercer. No wonder it took us until 10:00 to finish opening gifts! It was a fun night though, and the kids enjoyed playing with each other and with their new toys.
I am so blessed to have come from such a wonderful family, to have married into such a wonderful family, and to now have a wonderful family of my own. These people make Christmas my absolute favorite time of the year! After such a busy and fulfilling month, I feel like, "It's over...what do I do now?" But life will keep me busy enough, I'm sure.
Monday, December 21, 2009
That's My Boy!
I had just put Asa to bed the other night, and he was calling, "Mommy, Mommy" in the way he does when he has attempted to climb out of the bed but has gotten stuck on the rail. He wants me to come get him down, or he'll fall! Well, this time when I went in there, I nearly fell over laughing. My little man was naked as a jay bird on that bed rail. The camera just happened to be in the next room, so I ran and snapped this picture (though I have censored certain parts, obviously). He had taken off his zippered PJ's and his diaper, and I soon realized that he tinkled right through the crib slats onto the floor! I LOVE that little guy! For some odd reason, I just coudn't be mad at him! I mean, look at this face! Can you blame me?
Celebrating at School
Every year, at Tattnall, my SOOOO TALENTED mom writes up an unbelievable program for Kids Yule Love. This year was particularly special because Avery was there to be a part of it. The K5 traditionally sings several carols during the program, dressed up in their handmade reindeer antlers. They always get a ton of laughs as they sing and dramatize the 12 Days of Christmas. Avery was ALL into it! At one point during the program, Santa makes an appearance and passes out gag gifts to some lucky students. The younger students go absolutely WILD when he arrives in his sleigh, pulled by 8 reindeer, and of course Rudolph out front. Avery was right there to shake his hand as he made his way down to the floor. Mom dresses up like Mrs. Claus and reads the script. You almost can't recognize her! At the end of the program, the faculty children/grandchildren get to be a part of the Nativity Story. Avery was an angel and did her part beautifully. Kids Yule Love has been a special part of Tattnall for years - I remember participating when I was there. It is such a sweet reminder of what a joy it is to GIVE to others. I am so proud of all that my mom does to make this one of Tattnall's greatest events all year!
At Ingleside, I was one of the mamas in charge of the "Happy Birthday Jesus" Party for Brynn's class. I used the same cake as I did for Avery's party last year, which was a huge hit. Before eating it, we talked about the colors of Christmas (red and green cake inside) and the meaning of the star and the holly. Then each child was given a candle to put around the Jesus candle in the middle, showing how our lives are centered around Christ and how His Light helps us be lights in our world. We sang Happy Birthday and the kids blew them out. It was cute. I got the idea from a FANTASTIC book called The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Welchel. It talks about the truths and meanings behind so many of our Christmas traditions. It's a great resource for moms!
Asa's class had a party the same day, but unfortunately, I couldn't clone myself! I am so thankful that all 3 of the kids are able to celebrate Jesus at their schools. It was a blessing to me to see all of the wonderful crafts they made and hear them talk about all they were learning about the true meaning of Christmas.
At Ingleside, I was one of the mamas in charge of the "Happy Birthday Jesus" Party for Brynn's class. I used the same cake as I did for Avery's party last year, which was a huge hit. Before eating it, we talked about the colors of Christmas (red and green cake inside) and the meaning of the star and the holly. Then each child was given a candle to put around the Jesus candle in the middle, showing how our lives are centered around Christ and how His Light helps us be lights in our world. We sang Happy Birthday and the kids blew them out. It was cute. I got the idea from a FANTASTIC book called The ADVENTure of Christmas by Lisa Welchel. It talks about the truths and meanings behind so many of our Christmas traditions. It's a great resource for moms!
Asa's class had a party the same day, but unfortunately, I couldn't clone myself! I am so thankful that all 3 of the kids are able to celebrate Jesus at their schools. It was a blessing to me to see all of the wonderful crafts they made and hear them talk about all they were learning about the true meaning of Christmas.
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