Christmas Preparations

We've been busy getting ready for Christmas this month though I haven't blogged much about it. We've had a few personal projects that have taken up the spare free moments we've had, but I don't want to forget the holiday details of our schedule.

This was the first year the kids helped with Christmas cards. They were completely invested in that project when I explained that I couldn't do it without them. We didn't make it to everyone, so we'll need to do one smaller round of New Years cards which are just as fulfilling to send to our friends.

We had some of our favorite cookie-loving friends over to make gingerbread cookies. 

 At school we watched the annual fifth grade Sound-Light-Motion holiday parade on the last day before winter break, which also happened to be pajama day. Everyone loves this, but to the first graders these older students might as well be rockstars.

Classes in the K-2 wing joined together to watch the Polar Express.  It got choked up about twenty times, which is normal for this time of year, even during an animated fictional feature.

I made sure to snap a shot of two Washington State boys in front of the Washington tree when we made our trip to the Capital. This trip is going to be have to become tradition.

 The kids loved the advent countdown which we paired with our daily reading of Luke 2. We missed a few nights but our kids did a pretty good job at memorizing it on the side, even with the M&Ms that they consumed as we went along.

D has made sure there have been puzzles out and games played. He looks serious here, but everyone knows he's the fun one in this marriage.

We had new friends and our ward missionaries over for a veggie soup, clam chowder, and salad dinner tonight. Tonight we took our pajama photos which I'll edit together for tomorrow's post.

We also read Aunt Shannon's annual Christmas story for which the kids sat amazingly still. 

We opened up the Sees Candy just as soon as the kids were in bed. I love this yearly gift wrapping session we'll hold before tidying up the kitchen and heading to bad. All is calm, all is bright here in the Player home.