Some Quick Christmas Highlights

 Dressed up for church, I think this is the 2nd, maybe the 3rd in these dresses..

The Girls went on a Christmas eve scavenger hunt and part of it was opening gifts from my sister.  The main highlight were these mermaid tales that she made.  The girls love them.



Celia made many hats this year!  Audrey loved hers


Celia's big gift this year was a sewing machine.


Their twinny fox dresses

Santa

This is the first year that Audrey sat on his lap without freaking out.

Pete kept trying to get her to smile and I was right next to her hand saying, just take the picture, 

she is just about done!!

It was a pajama Christmas party if you are wondering about the outfits.

By the way this was Audrey last year



And the year before



She is really not sure about him.  She gets a little nervous if there is a discussion of Santa coming.
But that is okay because she has more exposure through school and Sunday school and home (hopefully) about the real reason for Christmas.  

Headboard fun

I ordered a headboard around Black Friday/Cyber Monday.  It was a great deal and the first head board that Pete and I have owned on our bed.  I guess it was about time.  To be honest, I was so sick of pillows falling behind the bed and the girls standing behind our mattress on top of the box spring and squishing the pillows even further down.  Anyhow it came in a huge box and Audrey was beside herself with delight.  First she found out that we could keep the itty bitty tools that came with the headboard and then she found the stupid styrofoam stuff inside the big box.  You know the stuff that gets everywhere.  She shredded it and made it into snow, I know, it clings to everything.  But it was too late once I got to her so for quite some time now the playroom is likely going to have styrofoam clinging to every crevice.

Not sure how the kitty hat fits in

Christmas Antics

I get frequent comments about how well behaved my girls are when we are out.

They are angels in school.

I asked them to please sit in front of our tree so I can snap one nice picture….

Not a one.  Our tree looks better in real life.  I guess we need garland or something to fill in the gaps.

Start of Advent

Tonight was the start of Advent.  The girls watched the candle being lit in church and then in their Sunday school classes.  I could hear Celia's class singing "light the advent candle" as I was sitting in my own Sunday School class.

Lighting the Advent candle was a welcome tradition in my house growing up.  I looked forward to it and I love that we are doing it for the girls.  We try to include a reading or talk about it.  This year I am using a mix of things.

http://www.clubhousejr.com/en/advent.aspx
http://www.thrivingfamily.com/advent

We also like the Charlie and Noel book.  It was mainly something that I did with Celia last year however we read the first chapter today and Audrey seemed interested in it.  Celia of course knows the story but it is fun.  Last year I found that I was curious as to what was going to happen next!

No clue why Audrey has that facial expression

Happy Thanksgiving

From our amazing pre-k teacher:

Dear Former Sonbeams and Summer Campers, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!   I miss you all and my prayer for you today is that you will enjoy this day with your family and friends! I pray that you will be ever mindful of all the blessings that God has showered down upon you.  It may be a new baby(ies), a new home, a great year at school and a new teacher, or a sports team or new activity that you really enjoy.  Whatever it is, God HAS blessed you with many things and in many ways! Please, take time to thank Him today for everything! It may also be that you are being challenged with something that you find difficult. God is right there beside you, helping you through and encouraging you to persevere in all things! Just listen with your heart! I am remembering all of the smiles you have brought me and the many learning experiences we have shared together! I also look forward to many more with you! May the love of God fill you today as you share with your family and enjoy the abundance that He alone has provided!  

Happy Birthday

 Miss Audrey is 5 today

I can believe it and I have enjoyed every minute of it (okay could have done with out the first year of screaming but it was worth it)

You are absolutely the funniest little kid I have ever met

You have a deep passion for animals

They can be real or pretend

You are quite the little swimmer

If given a choice you would move to the beach in an instant

Here's to another amazing year little one.

I can not wait to see what it brings

Update to show the Birthday Morning

A tea set, Princess Celestia pony, and 3 books were her gifts

Sisters eating pumpkin pancakes and little sis with a little bit of ice-cream

Princess Celestia (the white pony) with Celia's pony.