Countdown -- Part 2

December 9th -- Celebrate Beck's 1/2 birthday.
In our family, a 1/2 birthday gets you a trip to the dollar store where you get to pick out something just for you and a treat to share with the family (believe it or not, 1/2 birthdays are a BIG deal around here). Happy 3 1/2 birthday Beckam! It's a privilege to spend every day with you!

December 10th -- Church Christmas party.
I couldn't help but make Jilli a Christmas candy cane tutu to wear to the party. According to me, she was the hit of the party :)


December 11th -- Drink hot cocoa.
Who knew that such an "ordinary" thing as hot cocoa could be so "extraordinary" when you add some Christmas marshmallows and a candy cane to it!

December 12th and carried over to the 13th -- Delivering goodies and Christmas caroling.
The kids had so much fun with this on Sunday, that we decided to continue it the next evening as well. My children have never shied away from being the center of attention or performing, so you can imagine how thrilled they were to have a captive audience as they sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" at each home.

December 14th -- Celebrate Jaxton's 5th Birthday!
Jaxton turned 5 years old and I can hardly believe it! We celebrated by opening presents, going to McDonald's for a play date with some friends, playing arcade games, eating at a pizza restaurant, going shopping with birthday money, eating cake and ice cream, and finishing off the festivities by taking cookies to school the next day.
Jaxton is a champ in every way. He brightens each day with his contagious giggle and the sweet way he goes about life. We are SO grateful for him and the joy he brings to our family. We love you Jaxton, to the moon and back!




December 15th -- Make paper snowflakes.
I wasn't sure how excited my boys were going to be about this, but I was happy to find that they LOVED making paper snowflakes and hanging them in the windows. There's just something magical about unfolding a cut up piece of paper to discover your snowy masterpiece!

December 16th -- Play outside in the snow/sleet. Today's plan was actually to attend Jaxton's preschool Christmas program, but since school was cancelled today because of the weather, we had to improvise.

Stay tuned for Part 3, the Final Countdown to Christmas . . .