Preschool Happy Birthday Jesus Party

This was so cute! We had pizza, the kids decorated a Christmas Tree, we sang Happy Birthday Jesus and had a cupcake and played pin the star on the tree. The kids all wore their Happy Birthday Jesus crowns and they made us presents that we cant open til Christmas - not even a peek, they said! Fun times for some super cute kids!!

Justus' Christmas program

This had to be one of the cutest/funniest things Ive attended recently. These kids are hilarious. Justus got up there with his class. He didnt sing not one part of the song but instead waved to everyone, found himself on the big screen and starting dancing and pretty much distracted the boy on the side of him. How funny!! How cute!! Great memories. Gigi and Papa and Katie, Kaleigh and Ali were in there to support Justus as well as Neil, me and Haven.

So cute outfit

I had to pause and take some pictures of Havens so cute outfit I put her in today for church. So cute, so polka dot, so Haven!

Toddler Christmas Party

This year, I had grand ideas to throw a huge party for all the little ones I know. I was all ready to have fun stations and cute decorations that would be sure to be super magical for all the little eyes. But - no dice! To busy, all my resources were drained. However, there is always room for some friends, hot cider and a little cookie decorating.

I patterned this simple get together after my Halloween party. Friends come in, play, cut out cookie shapes to be decorated later, play some games (this time I added in the reading of the Christmas story with visual aids from the kids Little People nativity set) (oh, and we sung a few Christmas songs), then lunch, then decorate the cookies, eat a cookie, go home happy!

So thats what we did. Simple but fun. Always good memories, even if not as elaborate as I envisioned.

Where does the time go??

Ive decided that Christmas cards are not going to happen this year. Just to much else to do. I dont think our kids are getting a single present from Neil and me this year - oh, dont worry to much tho, between Gigi and Papa and Grammy and Grandad they will have more than enough. Oh, and not to mention from others like Aunts and Uncles and other unrelateds that love my children. But it just seems that Wow, time has gone.

I didnt even have time to search out an outfit for Neils work Christmas party. But thanks to friend Jo-linda, I will look rockin! Seriously, I called her with 20 minutes to spare and she so unselfishly shared her closet with me. Gotta love friends like that!! :)

Sweet, kind heart

Justus the other day was noticing the difference between his Little People nativity and mine. He noticed that mine did not have a camel, whereas his did, as well as all the other same animals. So he was so sweet and brought me his and put it up with the rest of mine. He is so sweet with such a kind heart!

For the birds

Just a little while ago I had an extreme battle of the will with Justus. He is normally a fairly easy child but when he chooses to be difficult, it can become extreme! Lately I have been having issues with him obeying in general. It may take me 3 or 4 times to get him to do what I want. Or even this morning I left him in his room to make his bed, only to come back 10 min later and he was playing. And he knows better.

So I put him in room time and he was not having it. He fussed and cried. I went in there to explain the rules to him yet again that he needs to play by himself quietly. If he needs help with a toy he will have to wait until later, put it aside. Usually he is really good. Not today. Fuss after fuss. Finally I went in there to tell him that if I came in there again we would put up his toys and he would have to lay in his bed. So I left, only to hear more crying. I waited hoping it would go away. NOPE. So in I went - I am one to do what I say. And in to bed I said for him to go. But he fought me and fought me on it. I think I punished him like 5 or 6 times. Finally I got him calm enough to sit quietly so I could explain to him that if he was quiet in his bed for a length of time, I would come back in and he could play. So he did as I said.

But my goodness! All that fighting and crying and punishing is for the birds!! Just obey already! :)