Our Little Corner: Christmas Eve

Saturday, December 29, 2007

Christmas Eve

We had a very special Christmas Eve. A few years ago we started the tradition of having a big supper & then staying at home and worshiping together. Having a little one for so many years one of us would always miss the evening service at church. We love the coziness of being together on this very special night.

The Table is Set

We ate by candlelight making the meal even more special.

Everyone is Ready!

We had a delicious meal of broccoli, marinated chicken breasts, rolls & Dave's scalloped potatoes. Scrumptious!

Pajama Photo

This year we renewed our tradition of getting the children Christmas pajamas. They were thrilled! I was excited that we were able to find matching p.j.'s for the boys AND the girls! How fun is that?!?!?

Photo #3

I took a few more but I'll spare you. *wink* As you can see Bugs is getting a little restless here. I was happy he sat still for a few. Lol.

Three Christmas Cuties

Bugs would not be coaxed back for this photo but that's okay. I love how this photo turned out!

Present Time!

Bugs poses with Boo as they wait to open their Christmas Eve gifts.

Special Ornaments

Each year we give the children a special ornament to hang on the tree. Part of the tradition is that we let them open these on Christmas Eve. Someday they will take these collections to use in their homes.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

Bugs received a Christmas cake ornament with "Happy Birthday, Jesus" inscribed on it. He said with excitement, "Brr-day cake! Brr-day cake!" over and over.

Here's E-boy's!

He also received the cake ornament & began singing happy birthday to Jesus. It was sweet.

Boo's Turn

Boo received a Precious Moment ornament of a little girl holding a cake. The words, "Happy Birthday, Jesus" are on the ornament. See a theme?

Last But Not Least

Sweet Pea received the same ornament as her sister. I wanted to focus more on Jesus this year and was very happy to find these ornaments for the children.

Tradition

Next..........in our Christmas Eve tradition is to give the children their special books. Every year since they were born I have selected a special book for them. It is either a special Christmas book or one suited to what I want them to heart-learn or a reflection of them.

Special Book

This is the book that E-boy received.

This is Bugsy's special book.

New Ornaments

Boo proudly hangs her new ornament on the tree.

Snuggling Up

Bugs & Daddy snuggle up for the reading of the Christmas story.

Jesus is the Reason

After singing many Christmas carols together Daddy read aloud from the Bible about Jesus' birth. It was wonderful to see how the children hung on every word.

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Soon after the children were tucked into bed. E-boy bunked with the girls as a special treat. It reminds me of the exciting Christmas Eve's we used to have as kids. My cousin Laura & I would whisper late into the evening too excited to sleep.

The girls received their special books on Christmas morning b/c I couldn't find them in the pile of presents in our room. Lol. They didn't mind though.

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SUMMERTIME 2012

2012

It was a year full of learning not only educational-wise but life lessons too. We have come to treasure those we love more than ever. Family time is to be savored and memories to be created and viewed as priceless. And our Lord is to be praised, trusted & loved.

We are enjoying our summer. It is full to overflowing with VBS volunteering & attending, Taekwondo, park playdates, gardening, Staycation, camp, birthday parties, visits from loved ones, adventures & day trips, friends, outdoor fun, swimming, summer treats, church & lots of trips to the library. It is wonderful to have some time to renew & relax.

OUR 12th YEAR

It is hard to believe we are in our 12th year of homeschooling. Where does the time go? It seems as if I should feel like an expert by now. But that's not the case. I learn more every year & always look forward to the opportunity to grow.

This year we have made some big changes. At first I was a little cautious wondering how we would handle this. But God has been amazingly gracious. We have made many new & wonderful friends. Even with cutting back our schedule is full to overflowing with fantastic & fun opportunities & experiences.

I look forward to seeing what more God has in store for us this year and sharing it with you, our friends & family.

Summer, Here We Come!

We are winding down our school year. We've finished our co-op studies & had our last classes of the year. AWANA is almost over as well as TKD. The spring soccer season is in full swing. Soon summer will be here. Swimming, park days, field trips, VBS, popsicles, gardening, bike rides & fun with friends are things we are all looking forward to. We will be doing some fun studies over the summer as well. Some we have already begun!
As always our days are full to the brim. Many like to comment that Dave & I have our hands full. I agree. Our hands & lives are full of fun, laughter, learning & growing. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

A New School Year

School has begun! It isn't officially fall here yet but our fall activities have started. We are now back in AWANA, Wednesday night groups, Sunday school, soccer, homeschool & 2 family learning co-ops. This week we have added Taekwando to our schedule. Yes, we are busy! On top it all off I am co-leading our large, church homeschool support group. We kicked off the new school year with a picnic. It was an amazing time & lots of fun was had though the weather tried it's best to ruin it. God prevailed!

This year we have a 9th grader (How did we get to high school already?), a 6th grader, a 3rd grader and one in Kindergarten. And don't forget our little toddler!!!! As many like to comment yes, we have our hands full. Our hands are full of blessings, of life and of love. Some days bring more challenges & tough times but through it all we grow stronger & closer.

Announcement *

She is here! Safe & sound & BEAUTIFUL! We are all wrapped around her little fingers. Our little princess arrived on
April 6 at 8:06a.m. by C-section. She surprised us all by weighing only 7lbs. 9oz. We had expected her to be at least 9lbs. based on the ultrasounds. She is also 19.5 inches long. A little peanut!
As you can see from some of her hospital photos she is already learning to accessorize. Lol. The nursery nurses at the hospital stuck a pink bow in her hair. I love it!
I will not be publishing her real name on my blog due to safety reasons, (just like I have done for my older children), but if you'd like to know feel free to email me privately and I'd be happy to share.