WHEW!

Our first day of Christmas vacation! I thought it would never come! The month of December has been so busy I almost forgot I had a blog. Now we are out until January 8th so I can finally breathe. Rather than bore everyone with minute by minute details of the past three weeks, I thought I would hit the highlights starting with the Christmas parade.

Beechwood did "Peace Love and Christmas" for the city's Christmas Around the World Parade. We came in third in best in show. The first trailer featured different countries. Trevor dressed as a French boy with the Eiffel Tower. We have some very talented dads who built the tower, Big Ben, and a windmill! The second trailer was filled with hippies followed by a Volkswagon Beetle and lots more hippies carrying signs of the the word peace in different languages! It was so much fun!

Then the boys participated in the school Reading Fair. Mom helped Peyton with his board and I helped Trevor. They worked very hard and their efforts paid off! Trevor won first place in the first grade category and Peyton (one of only two pre-K to participate) won second place in the K-3 family category. Both boys will get to go to the district Reading Fair in January. I am so proud of them!

Peyton chose "No David" by David Shannon

Trevor chose "Pirates Don't Change Diapers" by Melinda Long and Illus. by David Shannon

Our Christmas Angel who insisted on wearing the beads to church despite my attempt to convince her they didn't match her pretty dress. If you look close at the tree you can tell that the kids decorated it! The ornaments are clumped together and mostly on the bottom. I think Morgan's branch has six ornaments! I wouldn't dare move them though. It's more special the way it is! Besides, when Gene did try to move one Morgan spazzed out!

Our next endevour was making cinnamon ornaments using cinnamon and applesauce. The house smelled delicious! Then we moved into sugar cookies and frosting! I think in all I (the kids gave up after about 2 dozen) mixed, cut, baked, and decorated almost a hundred homemade cookies for the kids classes. They were so yummy that the kid's classes have requested them for the next holiday! Maybe by then all the flour will be out of my hair!

Saturday was Christmas at my MawMaw's house. We had a great time visiting with everyone! I didn't take many picture but here is one of my family that my Aunt snapped for us.

Yesterday was the kids Christmas program at church. It was too cute! Trevor played King Herrod and I must say he got his Dad's acting ability! Peyton was the cutest Joseph I have ever seen! He was so sweet with his little wife. All of the children did a great job! Last night we Had Christmas here with Gene's Mom and sister. It went well and the kids had a great time playing with their cousins!

Now we are anxiously awaiting Santa! Gene has gone hunting and the kids have, until this second, done a great job of entertaining themselves. They have been bobbing for plastic food in one of my mixing bowls filled with water. Amazingly they thought to put towels down and have been careful to keep it off the carpet! Very creative I thought! Now they are ready to play with Moon Sand as they wait for Daddy to return so we can make a last minute visit to see Santa at the Bass Pro Shop! If I don't post again before Thursday, May you all have a blessed Christmas!