Christmas Celebrations!

Since putting up our Christmas tree the week of Thanksgiving, we’ve been asked, more times than I can count, “How long til Christmas?” We have a Christmas countdown Santa head, and without fail, Nate and I change it everyday. Still…the questions keep coming from the boys. In addition to “How long til Christmas?” there is “How will Santa bring us our presents when we don’t have a fireplace?” or “Can I get that toy?” My personal favorite is, “Does Jesus look like Santa?” I typically don’t mind a million questions. Usually, they’re the one thing in my sometimes running around like a chicken with my head cut off life, that remind me why I chose to stay home with my kids…so that I can be the one to answer those questions. And lets face it; Gabe’s questions and comments can sometimes be more comical than a stand up comedy show.

Every year, I do my best to remind the kids that although we’re exchanging presents and asking Santa for gifts, the real reason for our celebration should be because of Jesus. My grandpa’s birthday is also on Christmas and Nate asked me last year if Papaw was Jesus. I must not be doing a very good job of explaining things to him!

Two of the kids’ favorite books are “The Three Kings,” and “No Room at the Inn.” Those two books explain quite well, the real reason for Christmas. I also found a story online a few years back, explaining that Jesus received three gifts from The Three Kings…Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh, and giving your child three gifts is another way to illustrate why we really should be celebrating. I’m hoping that as each Christmas comes and goes, they’ll understand more and more.

I also hope the questions keep coming and the more difficult they get, the more I realize that my kids are growing up. Does this have to happen? I really enjoy this time of year and am anxious to spend more time together celebrating holidays!

This was me, trying to get a picture of all three kids in front of the Christmas Tree. Is it too much to ask for all three of them to look in the same direction and smile?

Last Friday was Gabe's Christmas program at school. He's a natural performer...although I'm a bit bias!

He held the letter K with such pride!

After we got home, he told me, "That sure was a lot of practicing for such a quick show. Good thing I did awesome!" I think he did pretty awesome!

We spent last Saturday having breakfast with Santa at Blu Falls Arts and Event Center. There was an all you could eat breakfast, face painting, cookie decorating, a visit with Santa, and a carriage ride (which we opted out of because it was so cold)!

Nate asked me yesterday if we could make a calendar of the stuff we wanted to do while he was on break. Included was seeing Yogi Bear in 3D, ice skating, seeing the Christmas lights in the big city (the ones right off the interstate on your way to Indy), visiting the train display at the Jorge Museum (Eiteljorg Museum) making gingerbread houses and more Christmas cookies, and playing some more in the snow. We’re going to do our best to make all of that happen! We will certainly be taking advantage of their time off school and Daddy’s time off work!

Merry Christmas, Friends!