Christmas Festivites

We had a wonderful month of December filled with family, friends, food and Christmas celebrations! I could easily do 5 or 6 posts on our adventures, but I will keep it short and sweet with a summary!

Since I am room mom for Brinley's class, I lived at her school the last week before Christmas break.  They had a polar express day where they wore their pajamas, watched the movie, drank hot cocoa, ate cookies and took pictures with Santa.  All of which I had to help coordinate and execute! Another day was party day where I had to get pizza, drinks, all the supplies for their craft (they made Christmas trees out of ice cream cones, green icing, and various candies to decorate) and wrap 22 "penny" presents for all her classmates. On this day, I was up at the school for 5 hours! I was one exhausted momma, but it was worth it when Brinley told me I was the best mom ever :-) After school that day, Brinley also her dance Christmas party. The girls got to watch the Nutcracker, sing Christmas songs, eat cupcakes, and had a visit with Santa! After the party, I dropped the kids off with the Smith's to see  Marian's Christmas concert because I had a coaches meeting for Brinley's softball this spring (I got suckered in!) I don't think I have ever slept as hard as I did that night.
Brinley and Clayton with Santa at the dance studio

On Clayton's actual birthday, we met up with the Smith's to head down to Moody Gardens Festival of Lights.  It was a perfect weather night, just cold enough to wear hats, but not so cold we were miserable.  Clayton loved the lights and ran the entire walk screaming "Look" "oooooh" "WOW". People were laughing at his enthusiasm.  The kids even got a chance to play in "snow" while we were there (aka-ice brought in).
My family in front of the big tree at Moody Gardens

Another night we made Gingerbread houses with the kids. Brinley was very meticulous with her house, making sure it looked just like the picture.  Jason had to do most of Clayton's because he just wanted to eat it. As soon as Jason gave him the ok, he dug in!!!

A few days before Christmas, we made and decorated our cookies for Santa.  We normally do sugar cookies because those are our Santa's favorite kind.  At Brinley's school, they read a book that said Santa loves chocolate chip cookies, so that is what we had to make....our Santa was a little disappointed ;-)

Christmas Eve we packed up all our presents and headed over to my parents house for our celebration.  Instead of doing the traditional Christmas dinner, we decided to do appetizers.  We had chick fil a nuggets, tamales, cheese dip, ham/cream cheese roll ups and plenty of desserts! It was wonderful to just stand and pick all day instead of one huge meal! It may have to become a tradition!!! After snacking, the kids opened their presents from Mamaw and Pops, or Mamaw Claus as we call her.  The room was filled and we came home with a car load of fun goodies to play with.  Brinley's favorite, her American Girl bed for her doll.  Clayton came home with a remote control Cars racetrack that takes up half his room!
The cousins- Reese, Brinley and Clayton

In the middle of the present opening chaos

Once we got home, we got in our Christmas pajamas, sprinkled reindeer food made at school on the lawn, and put out Santa's cookies and milk.

On Christmas morning, we had to wake the kids up to open presents.  We were on a tight schedule because we had mass at 9:30 and then had to be at the Smith's by noon and I had to cook my dishes to take over there.  The kids were so excited by all the presents left for them.  Brinley was especially excited that he left her a note on her new paint easel! Clayton really enjoyed his bat cave too!

I love this picture! Both of their expressions of finding socks and underwear in their stockings! Santa had to be practical this year!!!

The aftermath of present opening

We went to mass and enjoyed a beautiful Christmas service.  We were asked to bring the gifts down, at first we were hesitant, in fear of Clayton running down the aisle or something worse! But they gave the kids the collection basket to carry and Jason had a firm grip on the back of his collar ;-) and it all went great!

We headed over to Smith's for Christmas day lunch and more present opening.  After stuffing ourselves, the kids got even more presents!!! Brinley loved her Tinkerbell fairies and Clayton got a huge Lego ship complete with a shark and cage!

"WHAT?? Cars pajamas?!?!?!?!" BTW- he is pant less due to a diaper malfunction

After presents, Hannah wanted to sing Christmas carols around the neighborhood.  The girls made song list which consisted of:
We wish you a merry Christmas
Last Christmas by WHAM (Brinley absolute favorite Christmas song.....weird right?)
Jingle Bells
Feliz Navidad
We walked to 4 houses on their street and the kids belted out the songs.  It was quite hilarious to watch.  Everyone got quite a kick out of the kiddos, especially Clayton who was dancing and singing the last word of each line. 


As you can tell, we had quite a busy month! Which is probably why I have been stuck on the couch for the past 3 days with strep throat, sinus infection and double ear infection! But it let me catch up on blogging!

Now that I am caught up, my new years resolution is to stay up to date!