'Twas the night before Christmas

...and all through the house,

not a creature was stirring,

not even a mouse.

The children were nestled 

all snug in their beds....it's true. 

They were. Normally at bedtime, there are serious negotiations that take place. First, there's always a big debate over who gets tucked in first. We have to be sure to take turns as it's always a treat to be tucked in last. Secondly, someone always needs a stuffed animal or three or four and that animal is usually tucked away in the last drawer or cabinet you check. Then someone usually needs to go to the bathroom one last time even though they've been 43 times before. Everybody always needs just one more sip of milk. You always think you're done but as soon as you begin walking back down the hallway, someone needs one last thing.  Last night, however, everyone was excited about Santa coming and nobody needed anything. I kissed Lauren goodnight and covered her up...silence. I kissed Anna goodnight and covered her up...silence. I couldn't believe it and began to walk down the hall to our room when I heard Anna say, "Mommy???" I thought, okay, here we go. "What is it?" I asked. She said, "Mommy, I already have visions of sugarplums dancing in my head!" I started laughing and waited for the requests that were sure to follow but there weren't any. They were both asleep in like 10 minutes time...surely a record in our house. They knew Santa was on his way and I guess they didn't want to do anything to mess it up!! :)

Speaking of sugarplums, I actually found a recipe for some the other day. The only thing I knew about them before was that there was a "Sugarplum Fairy" and that children dreamt about them on Christmas Eve. Apparently they're just a small round or oval fruit and nut confection dipped in sugar. I made a tray of them just for kicks and they were okay. The girls preferred Doug's Christmas cookies that they all put together last night. I must admit the Christmas cookies probably have my vote as well. It could have something to do with the 800 pounds of butter and sugar in them...but man, are they good!

Sugarplums

Anna, Lauren, and Tyler working on Christmas cookies

More Advent Activities

We've been having fun with our advent activities. Some have worked out better than others. We read "The Littlest Angel" and then made clothespin angels.  It was pretty funny. I used hot glue so everything would stick and so, the girls didn't get to participate as much as we would have liked. They did, however, draw the faces on. Anna gave her doll hair, makeup and a necklace. While Lauren gave hers "owies".
We read "Frosty the Snowman" and then made marshmallow snowmen and s'mores.
The girls really enjoyed Lois Lenski's book "I Like Winter". Our corresponding activity was making gumdrop trees. We ran out of gumdrops on the last row and had to pilfer some from the back to finish the top off. Anna and Lauren really had fun with this craft but wow, that sugar is messy!
We loved making these stacked Christmas trees. One of our favorite books this year has been "Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree". It's such a cute story about a Christmas tree that serves many different types of families