A Charlie Brown Christmas

I just picked up the cutest little Christmas tree at Walmart.  I was missing the smell of pine needles in the house this year.

Usually we have an artificial tree in the living room that I put all the really nice ornaments on that Dave has bought me throughout the years.  We then have a real Christmas tree in our family room where I put all the kids handmade ornaments and special ornaments they have received in their stockings each year. 

This year we just put all the ornaments on the fake tree in the living room.  Their is nothing for the first 18 inches because Amelia has taken everything off:)  So, we decided with a very active almost two year old running around just to have the one tree this year. 

But, that pine smell...........I was missing it.

I wandered into Walmart tonight (what was I thinking going on a weekend) and they had all their little tree's for $10.00.  What a deal!

I brought it home and Paige was so excited.  It was small enough she could carry it in herself and took it right to her Dad where she exclaimed, "Look Dad, mom bought us a Charlie Brown Christmas tree".

They couldn't have been more excited if it had been 8 feet tall.  So sweet.

So, tomorrow when they get up they can decorate their tree.  If Mia knocks it over, oh well.  The smell of pine will make it all worth it!

I'll post some pics when they get it done:)

The Gift I Always Wanted But Was Unaware Of.........

Dave and I took off for an overnight date last weekend.  It was fabulous.  We had 24 hours together alone.  I love our kids and would not wish for a life other than the one we have, but those 24 hours were so wonderful.  We had three meals together where we could just talk without someone interrupting us.  Pure joy!

Our awesome teens watched their little siblings and did an awesome job.  Samantha apparently really cracked the whip and we came home to a house that was almost cleaner than when we left.  Thanks so much Zach and Samantha, you are the best!

While we were off Christmas shopping together and just enjoying each others company Tyler went over to his Grandparents for his own 24 hour party.  My mom is 91 and she loves to play games.  Apparently Tyler played a dozen or more games of Backgammon with her and she wouldn't let him stop until she was ahead in the count.  That confirms it.  My family will never lose their competitive spirit:) Thanks so much Tyler for spending that special time with your grandparents.  I know Grandpa loved watching all those old war movies with you:)

When we were coming home from our date the car decided to over heat.  Great! Well, $700.00 later I have a new water pump and new belts on my Suburban.  Merry Christmas to me!

At first I was annoyed and then I was just thankful.  Thankful my husband was with me when this happened and I wasn't on the freeway with all the kids.  Thankful that we have the money to fix our car, and thankful that said car is paid for and works wonderfully almost all of the time.

So, thank you very much for my new water pump,  I will chose to be grateful instead of annoyed.  I am very very thankful for all of my many blessings. 

Jesus Is The Heart Of Christmas

We are trying to be better again this year about keeping the real spirit of Christmas in our home.  Less talk of presents, more talk of Jesus.

Over the last few years we have read an Advent story in the evenings and lit the advent candles which has become a wonderful tradition.  I will be honest here and say that having an almost two year old has made this very difficult this year.  She will not sit through the story and makes it very distracting for everyone. 

We are going to add ice skating to our tradition this year and head out to a local out door rink that has been made for the Christmas season.  I pray I don't break my neck. Ha.

Our little kids have always believed in Santa.  This is something I have been wrestling with lately.  I know many Christian families do not "do" Santa.  However, this is how Dave and I were raised and we kept that tradition going.  Levi did not know who Santa was so we thought hard about letting him know he is not real, it is all just pretend.  However, since Paige believes, and they are so close, we decided to let him believe.  Our children believe that Santa is a nice man who delivers gifts to celebrate the birth of Christ.  Each child gets three gifts from Santa just like Jesus got from the wise men when he was born. 

I am pretty sure this will be our last year with Santa.  Paige will be 8 next year and the secret is harder to keep.  I'm thinking we will skip the whole thing with Amelia.  I used to worry that they would hate me for not letting them have their childhood of believing.  However, after meeting many families that do not have their kids believe I do not think this anymore.  There kids are fine knowing that mom and Dad buy all the gifts and that Santa is just a fun added part of Christmas.

How has your family dealt with Santa at Christmas? Any advice?????

The Kid's Will Tell You............

that the best part of homeschooling is doing science experiments in your pajama's. 

I'm sure Samantha will be thrilled I have posted these pic's of her in her jammies:)

Friday's are our experiment days as Daddy is home on that day.  Something fun he gets to do with the kids.

Time to Make Candy Canes

Our family is going to Logan's candies tonight to make candy canes.  I love this candy store which happens to be owned by another homeschooling family.  If you live in So. Cal you must make this part of your holiday family traditions.  It is so much fun.

We had our first annual Thanksgiving party a few weeks ago.  We invited several other families over and we made crafts and cookies and talked about the first Thanksgiving.  I wanted to read the story of Squanto but we ran out of time.  Next year we will do that first:) I read it to our children the next day and I learned so much I never knew about our countries history.  This is one of the things I have loved about homeschooling.  I learn as much as my students!

We made turkey's using imprints of our hands and feet.  I love to save these crafts and look at them years down the road and marvel at how small their little hands were way back when. 

Samantha, on the left, and her peeps.  She is so blessed with sweet friends:)

We played musical chairs which was a big hit! They kept playing even after my few little meager prizes were gone.  Paige loved this! See how fast they are going? Crazy kids:)

A half completed turkey cookie.  I must have missed out on taking a picture of the finished product.  They were really cute though.  You'll have to take my word for it, I guess........

We have enjoyed decorating the house for Christmas.  I am so enjoying watching everything through Levi's eyes.  He is so enthusiastic about everything.  Love that kid!