Christmas 2011

Just posting some video of Paul singing Christmas Carols this past Christmas. He had been preparing Away in a Manger and Joy to the World in preschool for their class "Christmas Sing", so he already knew the words. He froze in front of the huge crowd when it came time to sing at school, but with this smaller, more familiar crowd, Paul showed no hesitation in singing out. (He only got distracted by some of the goodies laying on a nearby table momentarily). Daddy has a really good voice, too, don't you think?

During the days leading up to Christmas, our family would sing Twelve Days of Christmas together - Paul was better at learning all the days than his mother! However, we developed an interesting habit of trying to sing through it rather quickly for fun (to cater to 4 year old humor, of course!).

Some other traditions started this year were leaving cookies out for Santa, sprinkling the front lawn with reindeer dust (containing oatmeal and glitter so the reindeer would know to come to our home first!), making 3 gingerbread houses, several handmade gingerbread man and woman ornaments, a Happy Birthday Cake for Jesus on Christmas, and playing Candyland together after dinner. This was also the first year Paul was able to pick out gifts to give to others. His preschool had sponsored a "Secret Shop" where Paul was able to bring a list of people to buy for and buy them in secret (without even mommy seeing). I think he really enjoyed giving his own gifts to others; however, by the time Christmas came around, he'd forgotten what he picked out for everyone. We also got to Skype Grandma and Grandpa in from Florida so they could watch Paul open presents on Christmas morning.

We hope you had a blessed Christmas and New Year. We are so grateful for all of you in our lives!