Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Season Highlights

December is flying by as usual. I cannot believe we have less than 2 weeks until Christmas! My kids are counting down the days and we just keep inching closer to the big day and the end of the year. I am loving the Christmas season this year. Weston and Davin totally get it and totally love it. I love all of our decorations. I love the pine tree smell and the treats covering my kitchen counter. I love wrapping presents and listening to Christmas music. I love singing the beautiful music of Christmas. And I love the overwhelming love and peace I feel when I reflect on the gift of my Savior. I am so blessed.

Highlights of the last week or so include making our magic fireplace! The boys did all of the fire strips. I just manned the glue stick. I had to emphasize the magic of the fireplace this year because the day we went to the store to get the posterboard for our project Weston was questioning it's purpose. On our way to the car from school he said, "Mom, I wonder how Santa really gets in our house to leave presents cause that fireplace is totally fake!" I have a feeling his belief in Santa is not going to last much longer, but in my house growing up, if you didn't believe then you didn't get presents!
Last week I hosted a super fun cookie exchange/Bunko party. I participate in a ladies' bunko group that meets once a month to play, eat, and talk. I hosted this month and turned it into a cookie exchange as well. It was great fun! We might have to make it our December tradition. :)

Another highlight was our ward Christmas party. I say highlight because it took up a lot of my time and energy last week, not because it was my favorite part of my December. I made several Sam's Club trips buying pies, lasagna, and salad. I spent an evening with the bishopric putting together the gifts (a Jon Schmidt Christmas CD for each family and treat bags for the kids). I gathered decorations from ward members and went early to decorate the tables and the hall. While busy decorating I found out from my husband, who was the bishopric member in charge of the party, that the pianist who was supposed to play for the group caroling was not going to make it. So as soon as we were done decorating I snuck off to practice the piano.

It was a busy evening, but the party was a success. There was plenty of food, it looked nice, the singing was fun, the gifts were appreciated, and everyone had a nice time visiting. Oh, and the coloring was a big hit. We covered the tables with butcher paper and put out Christmas coloring pages, word searches, and crosswords and cups of crayons (Ian's idea). It was good to have something to keep the kids (and adults!) occupied during slower moments of the party, and to provide conversation starters. Ian and I came home afterwards and put our feet up! Whew!
Talia the day of the Christmas party
The other HUGE highlight of December so far was Talia's 1st birthday! We celebrated with friends last night, but that will be it's own post tomorrow. Hope you all are enjoying your Christmas season as much as I am!

5 comments:

Amanda said...

Sounds fun and busy! :)

My parents always told us that there were a lot of homes that don't have fireplaces, so Santa walks in the front door there. Have you seen "The Santa Clause"? It shows magic fireplaces appearing. May be worth a watch this season!

Tasha said...

Doesn't it feel so good when you are done planning a big event? Too bad with Relief Society as soon as you are done with one the next week you start into the next. No rest. :) I love what you did for your ward Christmas party. I will have to remember these ideas. You never know when I might need them ;) I adore that last picture of Talia. She is such a cutie.

Kate said...

Good job putting on a ward party all by yourself! Sheez! They are sure lucky to have you guys.

joyous said...

I'm so glad to hear that you survived your Christmas party!! It sounds like a major success. And I do love your magic fireplace. It's so sad that we have so much C&C in front of our real fireplace that you can't even get to the stockings!!!

And Rachel has that same jingle bell shirt this year too!!! Love it :)

J, J and B said...

I love your fake fireplace. Many...most homes in Australia don't have them. They don't need them obviously... but it's not the same without a place to hang your stockings! Looks like you're busy with the Christmas spirit! Fun!