An early present

Chris and I decided that it was important for the boys to understand why we have Christmas. Since I am a firm believer that young kids learn best through playing, I decided to invest in a nativity that the boys could love and play with. It was just suppose to be the basic nativity with the three kings. It turned out that the whole set was less expensive than the three king and creche set indiviually. So it was a little bigger than I was originally planning.This is the basic nativity set...This is the three Kings part...This is the Inn at Bethlehem part...I think we may have struck a cord, because after we talked to them about it this is what followed for the next hour and for at least thirty minutes a day for the past two weeks.

Who says miracles don't happen that often.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Zoo Lights

We went to the zoo lights this year. Grandma decided to join us and we had a very nice and fun evening. This is the train we got ride. It is the steam train and I love the lights they put on it. This was just a really pretty butterfly they had. I love butterflies so it was extra pretty to me.

The boys loved the train.

Of course, they went a little crazy at times...

Kasey enjoyed showing Grandma the hummingbirds (you can't tell that there wings are flapping in the picture, but he was fascinated by it)

This is Cameron being silly. I think he was whispering something about the elephants and how they needed lights on there backs so they could see. What can I say he is crazy.

Kasey got a little tired of being in the stroller so Grandma and Chris took turns running with him in the stroller.

Cameron had a great time (although I think Chris's back was a little tired by the time we left:)

Of course Cameron had to say hi to Rudolph.

Our Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is really important to me. I am not talking about all the ornaments being just so or it being just the right height. I am talking about the ornaments that I put on it. Chris and I started a tradition when we got married of getting one new ornament each year. It was suppose to represent something significant that happened that year. Sometimes it is serious, like this one...It is from our first year together. This next one is from the year we bought or house.This one is very special to me. I thought it was beautiful and when I saw the name of it was Eternal Hope, I had to get it. We got this the year that I was pregnant with Cameron and hope for a full term healthy baby was all that was on our minds.Not all of them are serious. I made this one.This one is from when we had Cameron. He slept in this position (even the same arm was up) so it was perfect.Kasey was a little cuddle bug who loved his blue blanket (it goes with him everywhere!) so this was the perfect one for him last Christmas.I just loved the picture so I made it into an ornament.My boys also get there own ornament each year. This year my boys are really into Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. I let Cameron pick out his. The store also had this Tigger ornament. Since he is all wrapped up in the ribbon and Kasey is into everything and is always jumping around; I figured it was a good choice for his ornament. Then there is the decorating of the tree. It always brings up so many memories and it is the perfect time to make new ones. It is my favorite part of the holidays.

Here it is all finished...

Gingerbread house

My mom bought this cute kit and brought it over for the boys to decorate. Kasey mainly ate a few pieces of candy then sat on Grandma's lap. Cameron got in the swing of things and insisted that there be a star on the top of the tree. We had a good time making it. Here is the final product...

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

We have had a ton of fun in the snow. We built a huge snowman. Kasey did some yard work. And the boys still had to go down the slide. This was Kasey's first snow and I think he is hooked!

Patty Cake

Who can resist a good game of Patty Cake with Grandpa?

There were some great giggles!

Reading

I guess I take it for granted that I know how to read, but now I am trying to teach a 4 year old how to read. Well I now realize that I know nothing about it. Do you realize how many rules there are to reading? And every rule has some sort of exception or a word that flat out breaks the rule. Luckily, we have educators to help us teach our kids how to read. Cameron is learning the basics at school and is really loving it. My brother and sister-in-law sent these Bob Books to Cameron now that Pauline is done with them. Cameron is working really hard and is starting to read them. He is has read 9 of the 12 books. He has struggled with some self confidence issues, but I don't think he realizes that most 4 year olds don't read. So any reading is a step in the right direction. I think once he gets his confidence all the way up he will be reading us out of house and home.

Alright, who did it?!?

These may look like innocent animals right?
The question becomes, where are these animals and who put them there?Well, no one wants to tell me who did it, they think I may be mad, but I think its funny....Until I walk up close and my sock is instantly soaked with ice cold water that is all over the floor from them sticking the animals in there:)You got to love kids imagination!

That poor cat!

Our cat is truly loved, but to him I think he thinks he is just being torture!