Christmas Cookies

With all the gifts taken care of, we set out to enjoy some other Christmas traditions on this weekend.

Amelia had earned a breakfast date, so she chose to go to Panera with Mom.

I wasn't sure if the kids could handle this craft project or not, but I pulled out all of our puff balls and thread. They were able to create strands of garland. Then we tied them together and added them to our tree. It was a fun project that we worked on and off all weekend. They both handled the sharper needles with ease. 

After completing our Dollar Tree shopping for their White Elephant gift exchange with cousins, we hit up Chick-fil-a.  

Post-rest time event = cookie cutting and baking 

 

 

 

 

 

Then on Sunday afternoon, we set out to decorate all the cookies we had baked. 

 

And later that evening, Ishita, Rohit & Viaan came for a visit. 

Christmas Preparations & the Nutcracker

December started off busy for us. We worked hard to get all of our Christmas gifts bought or made, then wrapped and shipped. Amelia worked on sewing one.

Austin was my wrapping helper one morning. We knocked out all of our wrapping in one session. When he got bored of taping, he found a paper punch and punched out dozens of circles. So if you receive a present with a punched out circle as a label, it was his grand idea. 

He took all the wrapping paper scraps and wrapped tissue boxes just for fun. 

This girl now insists on putting away the silverware, even if it's her siblings' turn. 

 

Our annual tradition of going to see the Nutcracker. This was a much later performance for us on a Friday night, but it was a 10minute drive, so we thought we'd try it this year. The kids were definitely zonked for the last third, but I was still impressed with how well they sat through and enjoyed the performance.

 

 

Christmastime is Here!

I set up Great Pappy's Nativity before the kids woke up. Colleen was so excited to run and get her baby Jesus to show me.

 

Fun with UV lights and his Kiwi Crate. Sweet sharing with his sister too.

 

I still require a rest time on the days that the big kids are home. Austin came out every 15min wanting to know when it was up. Then he fell asleep literally 5min before I was going to let them free. It's so hard to be 5!

This boy has his solid yellow belt now! We are so proud of how hard he's worked in the last 3 months. 

 

They did this puzzle together and then Austin offered to push her around.

"Mommy! Come eat with me!" 

Then she told me to pray for the food and insisted on refilling my water every single time I took a pretend sip. 

It's cold waiting on the school bus now! 

She must sleep with "Doggie" and "Baby". 

While Amelia had a pizza party at her social skills group, the younger 2 and I went to a Peruvian restaurant I found. The food was so yummy, and the kids were so into it. 

 

Let's build Mommy! 

 

Brief stop in to the kids' school winter craft morning.

 

Carla & Diogo had gifted the kids the chocolate advent calendars. They are THRILLED to start them. 

So excited to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas movie.