It has been said that the only thing better than being a kid at Christmas is having kids at Christmas, and I totally agree. Christmas was so much fun this year with our three little crazies. The lead up was even better.
On the Sunday before Christmas, we started a secret service elf in our family. Lily took charge of the activity. She wrote down some detailed rules, wrote everyone's name on a paper and put them into a hat. Lily sat us all down explained the rules and had us draw names. It was so much fun. The person who Lily drew was the luckiest...she got so into it. It was magical to have everyone trying to give service secretly. The girls were so excited when they would get something from their secret elf.
Here is just one of the many surprised that Lily left for dad, who she had for secret elf.
On Monday night, we did our re-enactment of the very first Christmas night for Family Night. We were really lacking some key boy characters and one of our only boy actors-Will-refused to participate when it came time for the real performance. Once again, Lily got very into planning this production, we even had a dress rehearsal, in which Will sort of participated.
I really enjoyed the production, the girls were fantastic in their roles. The filled up our make shift stable with stuffed animals. Our manger we made a few weeks before and filled it with "hay" (dead palm tree leaves) as the girls did nice and obedient things all month. It's amazing how having this little empty cardboard manger in the corner of our lounge room being filled with good deeds added to the spirit of the season. I really miss it. Here is our swaddled baby Jesus in the manger.
The entire cast at dress rehearsal. Lily was Mary. Ava was the angel. And Will was supposed to be a wise man, but I think he preferred to be an angel with Ava. Ava also played a sheep and the star in the actual production.
Taking her part very seriously. This picture reminds me of the scripture in Luke 2:19 "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."
Our amazing angel who nailed her part, "Fear Not!" She said it perfectly!
The next day was Christmas Eve! I've decided that Christmas Eve is the longest day in a child's life. They woke up super early and asked right away, when is Santa coming? I think they failed to understand that they had all day long to wait. I think next year, I will have something specific planned for the kids to do all day long! To keep their minds off of the suspense. Because I had lots I needed to do, but they were going crazy. :)
We did make cookies for Santa in the afternoon.
That night we went to our very best friends, Shelece and Troy's house for a fondue party. Not sure why we said we would do fondue when had never done it before, but it was a success. Very good food and the very best company. I'm sad that I didn't take any pictures of the fondue fun. But I think that is because I was enjoying it too much to stop and take pictures.
After we ate, Shelece had some presents for the kids. She is the best pseudo aunt we could have ever asked for. So grateful we have these guys in our lives.
Here are the kids with their gifts.
And here is when the magic began! This was the first time that Will knew what to do with a wrapped present all by himself. It was so fun to watch him rip the paper off and then jump for joy about what was inside and shout gratefully, "Thank you much!" The magic continued all through Christmas day. Such a fun age!!! All the kids were amazing!
The girls got dolls.
And Will got a tool set. In that one moment, his Christmas was made! Shelece told him that Troy picked it out for him and Will just spontaneously ran and gave Troy a hug, still shouting, "Thank you much" Spontaneous hugs are very out of Will's character, but I think Troy and Will have a special bond. :)
These dolls came with millions of little accessories. That was Shelece's gift to Cory to drive him crazy. ;) If there is anything Cory hates, it's toys with lots of little pieces.
After that, we headed home so we could get to bed so Santa could deliver his presents. The kids were excited to be able to open another present when they got home from their Grandma Rowe.
It was pajamas that Grandma had made for all the grandkids. I was glad that my kids could still be included in this tradition even though they weren't there physically. It made family seem a little bit closer.
The kids put out Santa's cookies and sprinkled the reindeer food all over the lawn and went right to sleep. And Santa made his delivery shortly there after.
Not only did Santa make his delivery, but all day long Christmas eve we were visited by generous people dropping off gifts for our kids. Some we knew, others just did a drop and run. But we were very blessed this year by the generosity of others. We love our Kal family. We attempted to make an anonymous delivery to some friends of ours on our way home from our fondue party. I thought it was a success but then I got a message from my friend thanking us for the gifts. What??? I asked her how she knew and she said that her husband turned to her and said, "I think I just heard Bishop's car drive away." He recognized the sound of our car!! What the heck? That is nuts! So much for anonymity. :)
Next up, Christmas Day!!!
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