Christmas Jammies and More Christmas Entertainment

The kids got to wear Christmas pajamas for their school program this year.  I found these ADORABLE jammies from Smocked Auctions.  Lucky me, the kids loved them as much as I did!

Awkward Posing.  Cute Jammies

Smile Big Everyone!

Nailed It

This one just makes me laugh.  Parker can't wait to get to hear classroom ....

... And Payton Can't Bear the Thought of Me Leaving Her

(Side note: She actually loves school.  Just not the idea of school)

The preschool teachers said that the twins automatically gravitated towards Barrett when they were practicing for their Christmas program.   You literally couldn't see the girls at all because they were standing behind some bigger kids.  But - I mean - how precious that they just assumed they were supposed to stay close to their big brother! (Extra bonus: The kids' cousin, Nathan, was standing right by us too!)

Nobody Cried!

And the kids had a good time!

Papa Came to See Us!

Most of us were happy about that.  One of us needed Mommy :)

Is She Still Taking Pictures?

There We Go!  Happy Girl With Her Papa

What's Happening? Why Are They Both Hugging Me?

Cookies with Uncle Thomas

This big guy has as the biggest heart when it comes to these kiddos. Love watching them together.

We spent the rest of the day in our jammies, and went out to celebrate a job well done during their  performance.  

As soon as I got the kids on these blocks ...

..... It Started "Snowing"

I love those little unplanned Christmas Magic Moments!

Our Favorite Entertainers :)

One last little Christmas surprise from the night: Gamma and Poppy stopped by on their way through town!  They literally pulled their car over on the side of the road, got out, took pictures with the kids, and got back in the car to go home! 

He Was SO EXCITED to See His Grandparents!

Chasing Lights at Gateway: We've never taken all the kids before.  Pretty sure this was the twins' first  live play, but they LOVED it! 

Watching with Daddy

Barrett and I loved it so much ...

... We Went Twice!

This Time We Brought Some Friends With US

And as if ALL that wasn't enough - we FINALLY made it to Christmas week. Where we could actually start celebrating with our family!

Candy Canes, Christmas Town, and the Spirit of Giving

One of my new favorite Christmas Traditions is growing Candy Canes.

Little Elves Reading With Mommy.

I love this story.  It brings Jesus into our conversation about Christmas - through candy canes.  Shows the kids that every aspect of Christmas revolves around God giving us the Most Precious Gift. 

Ready to Find Our Candy Cane Seeds

Magically Grows into a Candy Cane .... 

...With a Little Help from Some North Pole Snow

Unfortunately, minutes after planting our candy cane seeds, I was down for the count for several days. (That stomach bug came fast, and it kept me in bed for a few days).  So Matt was in charge of the big reveal.

Once we all got rid of the ickies - we all went out for a day of family fun!  The weather was GORGEOUS! So we headed out for lunch and to take pictures of alllll the fun Christmas things we could find.

Found Toys the Same Size as Him

We figured Barrett was old enough - not only understand that it's important to give back during Christmas - but to be a part of the process. We found a program where we would buy a pair of shoes for a little boy the same age as him.  One of the things I love most about my little buddy is his heart when picking out gifts for other people.  I mean, he definitely gest upset and doesn't understand why I don't buy him toys that he wants all the time.   But he has always done such a good job of thinking what his cousins, friends, and sisters would like as gifts.  And I feel like that's impressive for a little kid!  And I'm going to do everything I can to foster that spirit of giving he naturally has.

So - instead of picking out socks and shoes for this little boy on my own - Barrett came with me.  He picked out shoes that he thought were "really cool" and socks that he "would really really like."  And he was genuinely excited to put them in the bag and take them to the drop off ... he couldn't wait for the little boy to see the shoes that he picked out just for him.  (Disappointment came when he realized we didn't get to hand deliver the gift ourselves!) 

And, he told me all about the reason for the season: 

Our job is to show everybody how Jesus loves them. Whether they know it or not. 

(There's just something about hearing these words come out of the mouths of babes)

So Proud of This Kid

He doesn't completely understand it all, but we are starting to put the pieces together.

Since we had a little alone time, we headed to Starbucks for a Hot Chocolate Date!

Once it was dark, we picked up Daddy and sisters, and headed out to look at Christmas lights,

Christmas Light Glasses

And, since it's tradition, we visited Santa one more time.  We have seen Santa at the same place every year since Barrett was just a few weeks old.   The kids get to play and do Christmas crafts while we wait to see the big guy.  It was  a great way to fill a morning with some extra Christmas fun ... and boats.

Poor Pay

She cries every year.  Maybe NEXT year will be her year!