Christmas 2013

I think Kevin and I have been more excited about this Christmas than any other.  One, our family is complete.  Anna Kate is with us.  No more buying Christmas gifts to put under her tree without her being able to open them.  Also, Bennett is at an age where he understands what is going on and can communicate with us. 

It was fun having the kids help us decorate the house and think about the traditions we want to set as a family.  We talked with the kids about what Christmas is about and why we celebrate Christmas.  We took Bennett to Zoolight Safari.  I have never been because it is usually too cold.  We were suppose to go with Kevin's family, but his sister's family had been sick and AK ended up sick too.  Since the weather was good, Kevin and I took Bennett.  It was good to give him some one-on-one time.  We all really enjoyed it. 

Christmas Eve, the kids helped build and decorate Mickey Mouse gingerbread house.  It was fun. I am glad it came with lots of extra decorations because AK liked to eat them.  Traditionally we go to our church's candlelight service and hope to get to do that in the future.  Unfortunately, this year they only had one service at 2:30 which is nap time for kids.  With so much going on and battling sickness, there was no way I was letting my kids skip nap time.  If you don't know what my children are like, then refer to the Thanksgiving post. 

Christmas Day finally came.  I think Bennett understood what we had been talking about because when I went to get him out of bed Christmas Day morning he said, "Is baby Jesus here?"  The kids got plate/cup, books, and a toy from us.  Santa brought an easel with paints, brushes, chalk, and letters.  Bennett said his favorite gift was his fire truck plate.  We had fun playing with them and seeing their excitement.  Later that morning, the kids decorated cupcakes for Jesus Birthday party.  They each got to blow out a candle after singing Happy Birthday.  That night, we took the kids to see Christmas lights around town.  They may have enjoyed it as much if not more than opening gifts.  We found this house in Peppertree that was amazing. 

My favorite part of Christmas came when I was cleaning up supper.  I knelt down to give Bennett a hug and he hugged me and said, "Thank you Mommy for my Christmas presents.  I love you."  What more could any mother want?