Santa

Today we picked up John for lunch and went to see Santa Claus.  Ben and Mollie were very excited.  Ben has asked a 1000 questions about Santa this year.  He had drawn a list, but then forgot to bring it.  He realized as we were leaving that he had forgotten to tell Santa one thing.  I told him we could write Santa a letter.  Ben responded, "We'll send him an e-mail.  Santa has a computer doesn't he?"

Mollie got a little shy when it was time to talk to Santa.  One day last week, she came running into the laundry room where I was and wanted me to come with her.  She led me to a picture of Ben sitting in Santa's lap from a couple of years ago.  She was so excited when she pointed to it and said, "Look, Santa!"

This is Ben's list:  a microphone, a jigsaw puzzle, Starburst candy, a racecar, and a Pluto costume.  The Pluto costume was added later and kind of came out of nowhere.  That's the one he forgot to tell Santa.

Another Week

 Early in the week, Ben built this stable for baby Jesus (we made the manger and baby last year).

Our week went way down hill on Tuesday evening when both John and I came down with the stomach virus.  Ben drew this lovely picture for me while I was laying on the floor in front of the bathroom door.  Thankfully, Ben and Mollie are old enough now to do some things for themselves.  John was able to make them sandwiches for supper before he got sick.  After supper Ben brought me Mollie's pjs to put on her and then Ben brushed her teeth.  They put themselves to bed.

 On Saturday, after all the germs were out of the house we made cinnamon bread for Sunday School teacher gifts.  They were both proud to make their own gifts.

 Ben and Mollie ready for church this morning.

Wrapping presents

 This morning we wrapped Christmas presents.

Mollie wanted to use the scissors just like Ben.  (Shhhhh. . . that's Zac's present she's wrapping.)

Christmas Tree

Saturday night we decorated our Christmas tree.

Ben put the star on top of the tree.

 I'm putting on my favorite ornament that I made in Sunday School when I was little.

Ben and Mollie really got into decorating the tree.  Most of our ornaments are around the middle of the tree because they liked climbing up on the step ladder.

 They had been to a birthday party Saturday evening and had their faces painted.  Mollie is a pink puppy dog.

 Ben is Simba.

 John helping Ben hang an ornament a little higher than he could reach from the step stool.

Mollie threw up a couple of times Sunday morning so she and John stayed home from church.  Sunday night we all stayed home and added a few more ornaments to the tree.

Last Week

 Ben drew this great Christmas tree.

Ben was very proud of himself for making the bed for us.

 I've done most of my Christmas shopping online.  Ben and Mollie haven't been able to look in many of the boxes but have been happy to pop the bubble wrap enclosed.

 Helping me finish Christmas cards by putting stickers on the envelopes.

 Ben designed and built this table himself.  I held the pieces steady for him, but he hammered all the nails in himself.

 After his table dried, Ben put it next to his bed to sit his monkey clock on.

Christmas Cheer

It's beginning to look like Christmas at our house.  We haven't put our tree up yet, but . . .

 Santa made an appearance bringing toys for Mollie and me.

 Santa trimming his beard.

During nap time Saturday afternoon, John hung lights on our house, while I assisted.  He started on the roof, but soon decided that the ladder would be safer.

 Do you think Ben was really napping while we hung up lights?

 Headed towards the highest peak over the garage.

 Our house lit up after dark.  It isn't the Griswald's but it's a major lighting success for us.

 Tonight was the White Gift Service at church.  This is the 4-year-old preschool choir.  Ben is on the far right.  They sang Away in a Manger and Mary Had a Baby.  After they performed, they went to sit with their parents while the older kids sang.

After the children's choirs sing, the congregation sings Christmas carols while everyone walks to the front of the church one row at a time.  Each family takes a white gift bag full of can goods to stock the church food pantry and receives a lit candle.  The lights are gradually dimmed as the sanctuary is lit by candle light.

My video is terrible because I was sitting too far back and because I realized half way through that I was holding up my camera but wasn't recording.  All I could see was Ben, Abby, and the backs of a lot of heads,  BUT you can hear them singing.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!  Ben says he's thankful for pictures to color, our house, his clothes, music and the sun.  Mollie is thankful for her Daddy, Blankie, bananas, juice, and Hal.