December... FINALLY!

To say that this post is over due would be an understatement, but I had to post some of the happenings from December because it is such a fun month. I love to try and get my shopping done early so that I can try and just enjoy the holiday season. (It is always a good solid effort, but I always manage to put off that really hard person on my list and I end up having to do the last minute shopping thing.)

Kids seem to make Christmas feels so much more exciting and magical; and I want nothing more than to make them realize that this holiday season means so much more than just "what am I going to get for Christmas?" So, we tried to do something special every night. We read Christmas stories, made a countdown chain, made cookies, took presents to neighbors, listened to Christmas music daily and of course watched tons of Christmas movies. (Hailey's favorite this year was the Grinch.)

Hailey also had her preschool Christmas performance. It was so cute, and I loved hearing the songs that she had been singing around the house all month long. (They even sang a pretty sweet hanukkah song.)

And of course, you always have to make a gingerbread house. (Costco had one that the house was already assembled, which I thought was a genius idea for kids since they are really only interested in the decorating part.)

Hailey was so excited when we finally had enough snow to make a snowman.

Christmas eve with the kids all in their pajamas. The picture was supposed to be in front of the tree, but this year the tree was just too much of a temptation for the boys. (And you will find out shortly what happens when I think that presents will distract them from the tree.)

Christmas loot!

Alright, so this is how Christmas morning went. After changing the boys, I made the kids stay upstairs while I put breakfast in the oven and Greg got the cameras ready. I went back up to find the boys had gotten into their lotion and spread it all over their carpet. After that mess was cleaned up we went downstairs and let the kids start opening presents. Hailey was all over it of course, and I thought the boys would be too. But they really didn't care too much about opening presents, instead they went right for the tree. Next thing we know at least 3 ornaments are broken on the floor and they are standing on boxes surrounded by broken glass. We managed to get them downstairs with Mason only getting a small cut on his foot.

So, Hailey actually unwrapped the majority of their presents. But they were really excited once the toys were set up and they could play with them.

New Years eve was spent at home (which actually works out really well with three kids.) We made homemade tomato soup and breadsticks. Then later we had sparkling cider with cream puffs. Hailey loved having the sparkling cider in a "special glass".

There you have it.

And although I love Christmas, it is nice to get back to normal. But not too normal because right after Christmas I had to start planning a birthday party. (I start after Christmas... Hailey has been planning since September.) That will be up next...