My Christmas Top 10ish List

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!