The perfect gift

The doorbell rings....
Joseph (as he opens the door with the anticipation that it is a Christmas present for him): It's a box!
Me: Oh, it's just a pair of shoes.
Joseph (with EXTREME excitement): What?! It's a parachute?!
Henry: No, Joseph if it was a parachute it would be in a bag, not a box.


Duh, of course it would be in a bag.  

You're Awesome

Me: sighing as Henry asks for some milk, after already along with Joseph, asking for the umpteenth snack.
Henry:  Momma,  you're awesome!
Me:  Awww, thanks Henry.  
Henry: What does awesome mean?


He might not have known the exact definition, but he knew it was something good...I hope!

Cookie Making

Why do I always think that baking cookies with the boys will be like a commercial?  It ends up being more stressful than I bargained for; sprinkles EVERYWHERE (I am sweeping for days), fighting over who gets to decorate which shape, telling me that I am not "doing it right" etc.  In the end I am glad we did it but relieved that it's over!

Daybook

Outside my window... the rain has finally stopped but now the wind has arrived.  I am secretly wishing for snow, I would love if that storm would pass over here.
I am thinking...about all of the details I need to get worked out before January 4th.
I am thankful for...a renewed friendship, that my Christmas shopping is finished (except for one gift) and that my Christmas cards are in the mail.
I am listening to...the boys playing nicely, which hasn't been the norm lately.  Diana Krall Christmas Songs, I was able to download this for $2.99, can't beat that!
I am reading...Bringing up Geeks,   I can't wait to get through this book, I think it will be very helpful.
I am hoping... to get to confession this week and to get my school plans organized by the 4th.
I am pondering...the need to really prepare my heart for this Christmas, to fully immerse myself in the Advent season.
From the kitchen...more cookies and Christmas treats to make.  I am going to do this despite my husband telling me he is gaining weight! This will not stop me though, we can only do this once a year!
Around the house...we have gotten away from our chore chart, but I definitely need to make sure the boys do them on Saturday.
One of my favorite things...Oliver when he is happy, and boys playing peacefully.
Picture thoughts.... Christmas card outtakes.

1st Avocado

Christmas Movies

I really love Christmas movies, I always have.  Apparently my children do too, because I have to hide the movies 10 months out of the year so we are not watching The Polar Express in June!

I wanted to share a couple of movies that I have discovered in the past couple of years that have a great Christmas message.

My absolute favorite is The Very First Noel

This movie is funny and adorable but yet is able to tell the entire Nativity story in 30 minutes.  My boys really love it and I do too.

The next movie that I just discovered this year is Red Boots for Christmas.

Finally, the most recent Veggie Tales movie Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving 

is a, surprisingly historically correct, movie that incorporates the humor of Veggie Tales while teaching kids that Christmas is not just about what you get  under the tree.

I like to let the kids watch the holiday usuals: Rudolph, The Grinch, The Polar Express, Winnie the Pooh Christmas, but also incorporate these into the mix.