Preparing for CHRISTmas

We're getting ready and it's so much fun! We've been trying to do our Advent wreath daily although I've been away a couple nights since we made it, had some sitters etc. The children saw Santa Saturday and everyone loved it except Hartley. When you asks her is she saw Santa she says "Cy!' Which means cry... I told her today Santa was coming to her house and she said "Cy! Cy!", I told her it was ok she'd be asleep. I tell ya, people get so upset about this Elf deal, Santa is just as bad, telling your kids a big guy is coming down the chimney while they sleep.. Really folks! We love all things Christmas, the Elf is a great opportunity to be intentional with the children through the season, remembering the wonder and excitement that the season brings. When you over think things like the Elf, or Santa you lose the wonder of Christmas from a child's perspective. We are also memorizing Luke 2 again and loving that. Tommy and I  attended his work Christmas dinner down at High Cotton Friday night. We had a lovely time and am so thankful for his job and the folks that he works with.

       Fun Christmas cookie decorating party at the Durkee's house. We pulled up and Thomas said he didn't feel well. As he got out of the car he started throwing up in the street. Tommy took him home and the little kids and I stayed. Hartley was really really into decorating the cookies. Dumping spoon fulls of icing on them and handfuls of sprinkles, painting herself and the table. You can see from the picture how beautiful they turned out. They were yummy though and are all gone already!