Picture a Christmas

I made an effort to learn more Christ-centered children's songs for Christmas this year.  I sang them around the house and asked Ethan to join me.  He rarely did, so I was pleasantly surprised when he was able to sing this with me last minute at a Christmas Eve program at Mike's sister Miriam's house.  (Excuse the coughing breaks.)

Picture a stable in Judea.
Picture a sacred, silent night.
And can you hear
The angels near
And see the star so bright?

Picture the little baby Jesus.
Think of his life and words so dear.
Sing praise to him;
Remember him,
As you picture Christmas this year.

Picture the kind and gentle Joseph.
Picture the mother, Mary, fair.
And can you see
So rev’rently
The shepherds kneeling there?

Picture the little baby Jesus.
Think of his life and words so dear.
Sing praise to him;
Remember him,
As you picture Christmas this year.

Memories

As I close up the house for the night I sometimes observe a moment of quiet calmness with the only the Christmas lights on. It always reminds me of getting up to feed my babies at night. With fall babies, I've always spent their first December getting up at night to the light of the tree. While I am glad I get to sleep through the night most of the time now, those are fond memories of a quiet house and my lit tree. I want to record this memory now, so I don't forget.
Sent from my BlackBerry, please excuse any brevity or typos.

Date Day

On Saturday Mike and I went out on a date day.  We were gone for 9.5-10 hours.  It was a lot of fun to get to spend such a big chunk of time away and together.  Here's what we did:

ZPizza lunch (bogo free coupon): This was my first time eating here.  It was delicious and they threw in a free small pizza that they had made incorrectly for someone else.  I'm not sure why they decided to give it to us.

Lincoln matinee: we both loved it.

Cold Stone (bogo free coupon):  We had a coupon and it was right outside the theatre, so why not?

See's:  Mike got me a gift certificate for my birthday.  I got to go choose a pound of candy!  I've never chosen each piece individually in a See's box before, but it makes my favorite candy extra delicious.  I'm eating them WAY too fast and have thought several times how awesome it would be if life were like this box of chocolates (tailored to my favorite choices).

Arizona Mills mall:  We went to get clothes for the boys (which we'll be returning because we found what we needed later at a thrift store) and ended up with some great clothes for Mike.  There is also a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory here and we have some bogo free coupons that will be expiring at the end of the month so we got apples (my very favorite dessert).  And, yes, I REALLY need to exercise now.

Tempe Boat Show: There was a show of boats covered in Christmas lights going down Tempe Towne Lake.  We actually got there after it ended because of all the shopping, but we got a glimpse of the boats (and the enormous crowds I was glad to have missed).

Tempe Marketplace:  Listened to a live country band, Mike bought dinner (I ate zpizza leftovers), and I spent some birthday money at Downeast.

It was a really fun day, with, unfortunately, no pictures as documentation.  I think I'd rather do this every other week than a short date every week.  It felt so leisurely.  Thanks to Mike for planning an awesome date!

Figuring Things Out

2 funny conversations with Ethan lately.

Mom:  Ethan, if I wrap up your presents and put them under the tree, will you leave them wrapped?
Ethan: Yes.
Mom:  Will you unwrap them to see what they are?
Ethan: No.  Maybe I can go with you to the store to buy them!
Mom:  I already have your presents.  They're just hiding.
Ethan:  Can I see them?!?
Mom:  No.
Ethan: Crying, sulking, etc.
Mom:  Trying to explain the concept of waiting until Christmas (Lisa-Llama Llama Holidrama was used here).
I thought it was funny that it had never occured to Ethan that we may already have gifts and the fact that we had them made it unacceptable to wait until Christmas.  Although, I guess many adults share that sentiment as I see many kids already paying with their "early Christmas presents." You know who you are! ;)


Ethan: Pointing to England on a map Who lives there?
Mom: That's England.  The Queen lives there.
Ethan: Oh no!  Then we don't want to go there!  The Queen won't let us pray to Heavenly Father!
(In November we learned about Pilgrims...)

Fork!

Look who is starting to use a fork!

Every time he noticed me taking a picture he's make this silly smiley face.
Sent from my BlackBerry, please excuse any brevity or typos.

Dear Santa

Ethan has no interest in writing, but this year I took advantage of his interest in gifts and we've spent a week and a half writing this letter to Santa, a few words each day. We took it slow to minimize frustration for both of us and I would say it was successful. Ethan has improved his writing a lot!

This is what we teachers call authentic writing, and is an example of why I am very wary of literacy programs that center on workbooks. But, my education philosophies aren't what this post is supposed to be about...
Sent from my BlackBerry, please excuse any brevity or typos.

Oh, Christmas Tree

While Mom and Gary were here we picked out a tree and got it set up. We got a little one this year since we will only have it for just under 3 weeks and not on Christmas Day.  I also put our Christmas decorations up around the house. Grammy and Art gave us some fun new decorations this year which made it even more exciting!
Sent from my BlackBerry, please excuse any brevity or typos.

Most Exciting Thing in His Whole Life

I think that is how Ethan described going on the Polar Express with Nana and Papa this weekend.  It  was probably his first train ride (excluding amusement park and light rails).

Nana and Papa came in from Kansas on Friday.  They went with us to see the house we are working on buying, and then we met up with Grammy and Art for dinner.  

The next day we did some playing and shopping and went to our ward Christmas Party.  

On Sunday we drove up to Williams, AZ for the Polar Express.  While Nana and Papa and Ethan and Mike explored, I stayed in the hotel room for Benton to nap.  

Nana and Papa  got him this adorable conductor hat.  He kept holding it up and yelling, "All Aboard!"

 After a yummy dinner at the hotel buffet, we got in our jammies and boarded the Polar Express!

 Yay!

 Nana and Papa also got Ethan this toy pocket watch.  Ethan would look at it and say, "Right on time!"

 The read the story of the Polar Express on the train.

 Ready for the many faces of Ethan on the train?  Here are tons of pictures for you Nana!

 They served hot chocolate and cookies and sang carols.  All the men were asked to stand and do this for "Five Golden Rings."  Our men played along.

 On our way back from "The North Pole", Santa came!

 Watch the video below to see Ethan try really hard to give Santa back his bell.  He was saying, "I don't want the bell, I want..."  Santa told him it was loud and to come see him at the depot later.  Ethan almost started crying when Santa left and he thought his gift for the year was a bell and not Trackmaster Henry and Trackmaster Blue Mountain Mystery.

Sorry, I didn't even think about not being able to flip these videos.  One shows Ethan with Santa, and the other shows Ethan bouncing with excitement on the train.  

Thanks Nana and Papa!!!  Let me know which pictures are your favorite and I will get them to you!