Santa X 2

Naomi wanted nothing to do with the Santa at our town's tree lighting ceremony. James said that Santa's wife wasn't real (she is clearly too young) and he was slightly suspicious of Santa as well. After this failed attempt at a picture with Santa, I was hoping to find a Santa with a real beard to get our annual picture.


Our mall visit with Santa was a success. James was able to sit and tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, and Wesley was able to convince Naomi to sit on his lap without crying. She refused to look at me and the camera. I think she was just putting up with Santa long enough to get a candy cane.



Maybe next year we'll get a decent picture of both kids with Santa, but I think this one really shows their personalities. A very curious James and our sweet, sensitive Naomi.

Advent Activities-Part 2

We decorated the Christmas tree. James was very excited to open up the boxes of decorations and he was especially happy to put his ornaments on the tree.


Naomi tried her best to help, but mostly took ornaments off the tree and played with the bead garland.


The kids opened the Little People Nativity. We also read the story of Jesus' birth from several kids Bibles. They had lots of fun playing with the nativity throughout the month, and I think each year it will be something special to play with before Christmas.


James helped wrap Christmas gifts. We let him choose one gift for his sister, so he was very proud that he was able to cut the paper, wrap the present, and give it to his sister on Christmas.


Later in our trip to Illinois and Indiana, we forgot to do a few of our activities, but the kids were busy and happy with all of the Christmas preparations and family time. The advent chain was a great way for James especially to visualize the number days before Christmas. It was also great to have time set aside each night to do something fun as a family.

Advent Activities-Part 1

This year we counted down the days before Christmas with an advent chain. I saw tons of advent ideas on blogs and websites this year, and I thought nightly activities was a better way to celebrate the season than chocolates. Each night after dinner, James removed a link of the chain and we read the activity for the night. We had family game nights, watched Christmas movies on TV, and read Christmas books that had been packed away.



We took them to new places, like a new mall to ride on a carousel and jump in a bouncy house.



We had a dance party one night.


Some days we made Christmas crafts and ornaments for our tree.




One of the kids favorite activities was the town's holiday parade. It was a cold morning, but I think all the candy James and Naomi received made it enjoyable. It was fun to see the marching bands, boy scout troops, and decorated floats. Seeing Santa at the end was exciting as well.