Christmas is in the Air!

When I first heard of "Elf on the Shelf", I held off for the longest time to start the tradition in our house.  I really didn't think our kids would get into the whole idea.  Last year, I finally caved in and bought one for our family....it is a decision I have never regretted!  I was SO wrong about our kids reactions, they are beyond excited about our elf, Jack and were really looking forward to his arrival.

Our elf always arrives on December 1st.  This year I didn't know if that was going to happen or not.  As most of you know, we moved to Korea this summer.  Not all of our things came with us.  As a matter of fact, most of it is in storage back in the US.  I was for certain that I remembered to pack Jack.  However, when I went to get all of our Christmas decorations out, he was not there.  This was 2 weeks ago.  What's a mom to do....hit up Amazon & pray that the little guy would arrive in time.  I did come up with an excuse in case he was "late".  I was going to have him write in his letter that he got lost coming from VA to Korea.  Thank goodness when I went to check our mail yesterday, Jack was there (well, not the original Jack, but he will do).

Every year when Jack arrives, he always write the kids a note, decorates the table, leaves them a yummy breakfast, and brings them a small gift ( new pj's).

This year he left them snow- covered doughnuts & floating glacier hot cocoa!

I so wish Josh was here to see the kids faces when they walked down and saw Jack was back (Josh is on a TDY trip). You might ask is it worth all the trouble of decorating, etc....YES! They were so excited they could hardly stand.  The funny thing is Ethan and Rachel know that Santa is not real, but they still believe.....I LOVE THAT!  They were just as excited, if not more, than the two little ones.

Rachel is reading Jack's letter to everyone....

After Rachel finished eating, she read the "Elf on the Shelf" story to the rest of us...

 Then it was time to open their gift.......PJ'S!!!!

They LOVED the fact that they had matching pj's.  Caleb kept saying "Look, look, me & Michael are twins!"

Another tradition we do is some type of Advent Calendar.  Ever since I saw this idea on pinterest last year, I couldn't wait to do it this Christmas!!  This year we are doing a book advent :) :).  I picked out 24 books about the holiday season.  It's a mixture of books about winter, Santa, and the birth of Jesus. I wrapped them all up and placed a number on them....then placed them under the tree.  Every day we will open one up and read it....the teacher in me LOVES, LOVES, LOVES this idea!!  Ethan was excited too and asked if he could read the first book to us......oh, how I love this time of year!!!

Until Next Time,
Michelle

Thanksgiving Weekend Tradition....

Several years ago, Josh & I started a tradition with our kids that they now look forward to every year (we do too).  The weekend after Thanksgiving we put up our Christmas tree.  Then later that night we  watch "The Polar Express", drink hot chocolate and the kids get to sleep under the tree.

This year ( thanks to this very creative mom here ) we added something new....their very own golden ticket!!!    We waited until the part of the movie when the conductor comes out and starts punching everyone's ticket.  I wish you could have seen the pure joy on their face when Josh brought the tickets out and started punching them.....priceless and SO worth it!!  They were so excited, even our oldest ( who I thought might think it was silly) thought it was super cool!

Towards the middle of the movie it was time to bring out the hot chocolate!!!  Another favorite!

Finally, it was time to go to bed....by the tree of course!

Until Next Time,

Michelle :)

Thanksgiving Week Pt. 2...

On Thanksgiving Day, Josh went into work earlier in the day to serve lunch to his airmen that were working, so we ended up celebrating Thanksgiving that night ( which was fine by us, we were just thankful to be together as a family!).  Our friends, the Lovegren's came over to celebrate with us!  It was nice to have another family here with us, especially since we were so far away from our family.

The only thing the kids asked for specifically for dinner was our family's punch.  Every year growing up my family served this drink around the holiday's. Everytime I make it, it brings back a lot of great memories!!

Rachel and the Lovegren girls....

Marcia and I split the cooking responsibilities, so I didn't have to cook a whole lot :).  Plus, we ate in the evening, so I had all day to get everything ready.  I really enjoyed that part.  It was strange, however, not to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving parade on Thanksgiving.  That is something I have done every year for as long as I can remember.  We did get to watch it the next day, but still....not the the same.

We are truly thankful for all that God has blessed us with, especially our family & friends!  

 Until Next Time,

Michelle :)

Thanksgiving Week Part 1........

Our week was full of so many activities I had to divide it up into two posts :).  Thanksgiving week began with several Thanksgiving feasts at school!  Of course, both of our boys feasts were on the same day, but thankfully within a hour of each other!

First up was Caleb's class.  His teacher, Mr. Hayden, uses music a lot in his classroom ( which I love) to teach the kids.  Before their feasts he had them put on a little program for us.  

The kids were so cute dressed up as pilgrims and indians.  As they marched in they were singing a song.  

Then they sang a couple of more songs for us.  I tried uploading one of them on here, but for some reason it will not let me do it :(. So pictures will have to do.

 Cutest little Indian I know!

His class had a feast right afterwards, but I was helping Michael's teacher set up for their celebration...so off I went!!

Isn't that a sweet looking turkey?

His class also sang for us!!! Michael was so happy to have me there to watch him...it was super sweet!

 Michael's teacher had the kids make their own placemats...this is what Michael said he was thankful for:

Then it was time to eat!!!

 As busy as it was, I am very thankful that I get the opportunity to be with my kids on these special days!  I was one proud Mama!

PS...for the grandparents sake I will try and upload the videos on Facebook, that seems to work better!

Until Next Time,
Michelle