Christmas Eve Eve and Christmas Eve

Peyton is finally fever free, but Hunter woke with a croupy cough.  AWESOME!  It's not the holidays if we can't have someone ill!  Haven't missed a day of school this year for illness, so I guess we saved it all for Christmas.  Since we can't get out and about too much, we have had to find holiday projects and activities at home.

Here are a few from Peter's work Santa party- poor Peyton had to miss. :(

Paige was the only child who helped the firemen load the donated toys

 Elfie has to do this one at least once a year.  Peyton especially thought this was hysterical this year.

just love this sweet smile

 We went to see Frozen after Peyton was fever free for 24 hours.  Unbelievable movie.  I would go and see it again by myself, it was that good.  And the kids were amazing!  Hunter stayed in the theater for the entire movie!  I had talked to the theater director prior to the movie starting (since it was 9:40 AM- we were some of the only people in there) and told him about Hunter's sensitivity to noise, and he immediately radioed to the operator and he turned the volume down for us.  Tis the season!

 Christmas Eve!  Growing up, my dad was the music director at our church, so he played Mass for the children's liturgy as well as the midnight Mass.  We opened all of our presents in between services on Christmas Eve, and Peter opened one gift that day as well.  So we have carried over the tradition for our kids.  However, today we started a new tradition.  Prior to opening one gift, we sat down and read the Christmas Story- the true meaning of Christmas.  I wanted to make sure everyone understood the real reason for the season...and I was pleasantly surprised with all of their answers.  Even Peyton knew about the Shepherds and the Wise men, and Paige could recite the entire story with full details.  Makes my heart happy to hear them speak about Jesus.

So after "passing the test," they were allowed to open one gift.  Everyone was pretty excited.

 Wolverine!

 Hunter opened CARS easy readers

 And an American Girl Bowling outfit for Paige

 After the present, we had the kids watch their "portable north pole" personalized messages.  If you haven't done this before, the website will allow you to upload pictures and information about your child, and Santa will email you a message about each child.  After their videos, we tracked Santa's journey on the NORAD Santa Tracker.  Such a great site- shows how many gifts he has delivered and where he is headed next.  Pretty fun technology!

Paige made snowflakes to decorate the house and to leave as a present for Santa.

 

Cookie making time!!  Kids unwrapping the little Hershey kisses.

 This kid doesn't like frosting at all.

 

 

Before climbing into bed, we had them bathed, jammied up, and cozy by the fire for a few Christmas stories.  Paige is at the age where she can read stories to the rest of us- love it!

 

Then it was time to set up Santa's treats.  Only our children think Santa can eat this many cookies at every house.  Paige wanted to leave carrots for the right reindeer, and cheese for Santa Mouse (if you don't have that Christmas book, it's a classic for us now!)

 Paige even wrapped up her snowflakes as a present for Santa, and labeled all of the food so there was no confusion.

She requested a reply note...so headed to disguise my handwriting now.  And maybe snack on a few carrots and cookies.  ;)  Merry Christmas, y'all!