More Christmas Activities

In terms of our 25 days of Christmas activities things went a little wonky this last week as I was sick for the first part of the week and then the boys caught the cold the last part of the week and are still getting over the runny nose, cough, cold. But we pushed through and tried to do somethings. Not many pictures were taken but here is what we did.

Day 8 - Letter to Santa. Well we attempted this. Jack was not too interested, perhaps when he can write it will be more fun. He drew on the page for a few seconds and then was done and I didn't push the activity. So poor Santa will have no letter from the boys but at least the boys saw Santa at the mall!

Day 9 - Make a Christmas Craft. What we actually did: Drove in a snow storm to Cross Iron Mall to see cousins and Grandma. Played there for the afternoon. Drove Home in a Blizzard. Left the mall at 3:30 and arrived home at 8 p.m. due to traffic.....THAT WAS FUN! NOT!

Day 10 - Make cards for cousins. We did start these but Jack was more interested in putting the stickers and stuff in his coloring book than what I had planned so we went with that!

As you can see the week wasn't going as planned! But I knew all 25 days would not get accomplished!

Day 11: Shop for a toy for Grayson. On Friday morning we ventured out to Zellers where Jack was to pick out a toy to give to Grayson for Christmas. He was more interested in playing with toys then getting something for Grayson but he did eventually pick something out for Grayson which he was excited about! Although we did not leave the store without Jack having a tantrum and lying down on the floor by the enterance not wanting to leave. But I am pretty used to that! I think I bribed with him McDonalds if he would get up! What a great mom eh?!

Day 12: Make Gingerbread House. Okay well we didn't actually get that done but we did make a christmas craft for a couple of his cousins which Jack was very into and had fun and grayson was happy to hang out and watch! (see pics below).

Day 13: Nativity Lesson. Well I wasn't able to get the nativity for this lesson but that was okay we had the missionaries come over and give a little lesson on what the meaning of all the Christmas things are like the meaning of the tree, candy cane, presents, star, etc. Jack was actually pretty interested and listened well.

Day 14: Christmas Mom and Tots: Today we just went to the church and played with his nursery friends. Jack did not end up going to bed until midnight last night and woke up at 7:30 so I was a little terrified to see how he would behave at the play group but he had fun. Only melt down was that he didn't want to leave. But he was so tired and needed bed! He fell fast asleep as soon as he got home - so did Grayson. Love the afternoon naps!

I promise more fun things are planned for this and next week.......and I will take pics but that summarizes this last week.

Birthday Party and Christmas Day 7

Christmas Day 7: Visit Santa at the Mall

Today, we got bundled up and trekked to the mall even though it was freezing outside. Jack was very exicted to see Santa and tell him what he wanted for Christmas. Grayson on the other hand was not so excited to see Santa, as you can see from the photo. But I think this is a typical Santa photo. Surprisingly Jack smiled so easily not like family photos the other day where he cried the whole time. Grayson is just at that phase where all he wants is his mom no one else.

Jack is totally getting into our Christmas countdown. Every morning he starts off with a chocolate from his advent calendar and then asks where the envelope is. So that is nice that its not just me enjoying it.

Jack turns 3!

Jack is now a BIG BOY! As I repeatedly tell him. Big boys dont whine or fight and they listen to their moms! I think he had a good birthday. I hope he did anyway. He got to spend it with grandparents, lots of cousins and a NEW cousin!!!! (Jody you know what I am talking about!!!shocker!!!) Auntie Lisa made him a cake which was very impressive and it was a lot of playing and having fun! In the morning Jack woke up to balloons at his table for breakfast and presents. He got a submarine which he was eyeing at Walmart for a long time and he was so excited to get it!

I am so grateful for Jack in our family. He is really just a good boy! What an easy easy baby he was. Just played and slept and didnt really fuss! Loves to play! Loves his brother! Loves to sing. We sing all the time as we drive around town doing errands. We love him!

25 Days of Christmas.

So I thought I'd do something fun with Jack and Grayson this year or maybe it will turn out to just be fun for me but we'll see how it goes. We are doing an activity advent. There are so many ideas out there to do this but this is what I came up with. Something easy for me to put together. I came up with 25 activities for me and the boys to do each day for 25 days! I put each activity in an envelope and then in this vase I had. Each day, Jack takes out the envelope for that day and there is an activity listed inside. Things like bake cookies, visit Santa, write a letter to Santa, buy a toy to give away, etc. Hopefully, I will capture lots of those activities on film and post them here. So is what we did for December 1 and 2, 2009.

December 1 - Put up the Christmas Tree and Decorate.

Today, December 2 - was nothing too Christmasy - it was to go to the church mom and tots group christmas party. Jack was very excited to find out he got to go to the church and play!

Jack is getting very excited for Christmas - it makes me so happy - the other day we were walking through Michaels and i could here him singing "Santa Claus is coming to town" The Polar Express movie has really got him excited for Christmas. All he wanted to do while setting up the Christmas tree besides sit in the tree box (he loved that - it was his train) was play with the bells and he wanted me to be Santa and I would give him the FIRST GIFT OF CHRISTMAS. So cute! Grayson - well all he wanted to do was tear the tree down. Our tree is very light and pretty small. He could easily with one hand pull that tree down so after the kids went to bed we had to baricade the tree. Ottoman, exercauser and toy bin are now surrounding the tree - it seems to work!

Off to wake the kids from naps - or else they'll never go to bed tonight!

Robin.