Our little elf friend returned!

This morning the kids woke up to see our little elf friend Snoop sitting by the star on top of our tree!  He left a note, and 2 gifts under the tree.  Brigs isn't old enough to get real excited about our elf friend, but the look on Boston's face was pure Christmas spirit!  Boston is looking forward to seeing what Snoop has up his sleeve for the next month!

 Snoop brought the boys matching Christmas pajama's! 

 He is loving his new pj's!  He thought it was pretty awesome that Snoop even knew what size he needed:)

 Brigs has the 'cheese' part down, he just isn't the best at looking at the camera!

 

Our kids are spoiled with gifts at Christmas time.  Santa even stops and spoils them some more.  I know there are some of you out there who don't teach your kids about Santa, and that's perfectly fine.  We do, and that's perfectly fine too!  Even though there are gifts and excitement about Santa on Christmas morning, we DO remember the real reason for the season and celebrations.  I saw this idea on Pinterest several months back and thought it was perfect for our boys this year.  We can have fun believing in a magical elf and remember Jesus at the same time!  

 

Dear Boston & Brigham,

First, I want to tell you that you are extra special little boys!  I know that you are filled with love for each other, your parents, friends and family, but most importantly, I know your hearts are full of love for Jesus!

I have to let you know something important.  You know that whole naughty and nice list that you hear everyone talking about?  Well, truth is, that’s not true.  Santa doesn’t have a naughty and nice list.  Santa knows Jesus, and he also knows a lot about grace and getting what we don’t deserve.  Like when you make the wrong choice and when you choose to sin, Jesus gives you grace and loves you anyway!  And sometimes I know that your parents even give you grace too…like when you lie or don’t obey, and they discipline you, but then give you another chance and love you anyway!

Santa knows that kids aren’t perfect.  Neither are moms and dads (or elves)!  But he knows that Jesus loves you all the time, and so does Santa.  So don’t you worry about being on his naughty or nice list.  If you believe that he comes to your house on Christmas Eve and leaves you a special present or two, then he will come!  You just have to believe!

I know last year I visited your house I was a bit naughty.  I have been hearing all about how to be a good elf, and make choices that God would be proud of.  I thought maybe that while I visit your house this year, you could teach me about the way Jesus loves us even when we sin.  I want to understand and believe Jesus and know that my heart can make good choices too, because Jesus loves me very much!

I am so excited that I get to spend another Holiday season at your house.  I had so much fun last year, and jumped up and down with excitement when Santa said it was time to visit you again!  Santa comes back to get me on Christmas Eve when he will drop off some presents for you.  I know there is one surprise that you are both going to love!

I love you boys so much!

Snoop

P.S.  That was me you saw on TV yesterday in the Thanksgiving Parade! 

 

 

 

 

A field trip to the Nursing Home!

Boston's Kindergarten class went on a field trip this morning to a local nursing home, and I got to go along!  They had 3 parents drive a car load of kids, so it was me and 4 boys!  They sang songs for the residents and then gave each one a Happy Thanksgiving picture that they had drawn, along with an apple.  The kids were told to chose a resident to give their gifts too, and then spend some time getting to know their new friend.  It was so cute to see all the little Kindergarten students visiting with the elderly people!  The residents had the biggest smiles!  Boston got to meet two new friends today. There weren't enough students in the class, so one little lady sat alone watching all the kids visit with other residents.  Boston split up his visiting time between the two ladies.  I was so proud.  The ladies just loved him!

The whole class.  The residents were just in awe that the kids could sing Jesus Loves Me in Spanish!

 Boston giving Dorothy her gift.

You can tell by the look on her face that it meant so much to her that the kids took the time to come!

Boston & Dorothy

All the kids visiting with their new friends.  

Boston and his friend Bearl.  It was so cute because she thought Boston's name was Austin, so we said 'Austin, bu with a B'.  Then we asked her what her name was. 

She replied 'Pearl, but with a B'.  :)

It was such a fun morning!  I LOVE being involved.  It makes me so appreciative for all the hard work my husband does so that I am able to be a stay-at-home mom.  The flexibility to volunteer for field trips, help in Boston's classroom and the school lunch room wouldn't be possible otherwise.  Also blessed with good friends willing to help out with Brigham so that I am able to get out and do special things with Boston.  So much to be thankful for today, and every day!      

We celebrated Halloween all week!

I love planning parties for kids, so this week I thought it would be fun to have dress up days & special food & snacks for some Halloween fun with the daycare kids!  My own kids love it too so it's a win-win.

Monday was pajama day! I may have enjoyed this more than the kids :)  I think we should do this again soon.

 

Derek stopped home for lunch so I had him take a picture of the whole group in their pj's!  

For lunch we had Pumpkin Fruit Cups, Pumpkin shaped bread & Halloween mac & cheese!

 For dessert we had Mummy Pops! 

 Frankenstein Craft!  The kids weren't really sure who Frankenstein was so I told them he was a nice monster looking guy who walked real stiff.  I did my best Frankenstein walk & talk and they all giggled :)

 

Tuesday was Halloween clothes day!  We spent a lot of time walking into dark rooms to watch the t-shirts glow in the dark!  I set the timer on my camera thinking it would be impossible to get all the kids to look at the camera...but it worked out perfectly!



 For lunch we had Pumpkin Cheeseburgers, corn  & Pumpkin Fruit Cups.  The kids loved that the stem on the pumpkin was a green skittle:)  They all ate the candy first :)

Miss Gracie is missing summer :)  She loves having her sunglasses on.

 Boston, Owen & Brigs

 Halloween Banner!

Ghost Craft!

 

Wednesday was actually Halloween so of course we had to wear costumes! We also celebrated Mason's 2nd Birthday a few days early! 

 

 It was just me and these 3 boys in the morning!  They have fun together!

We had Candy Corn Rice Krispy treast for snack & mummy wrapped juice boxes!

 I just love this picture of Mason!

The little munchkins.  Elmo, The Hulk, Princess Kinli & Pumpkin Bennett :)

After the daycare kids left yesterday, we dressed up the boys for a picture outside on the front step!  Bad Dog, Thor & The Hulk!  Boston really wanted Derek and I to dress up like Avengers too, but my idea for a home-made Black Widow costume just didn't come together.   

 Brigs hated his mask!

 

 Our first stop was Grandpa Ron & Grandma Lisa's. We could have just quit trick or treating right away because they walked away with plenty of goodies!

 Next we stopped by Grandma Glady's.

 And then it was door-to-door trick or treating in our neighborhood!  Both boys got a little spooked at a few houses.  A couple neighbors had awesome Halloween decor, spoke machines, spooky music and skeletons that moved & talked!   

 Derek loved telling Boston stories about him trick-or-treating as a kid.  He said he grabbed a pillow case and off he went with friends and his siblings.  He showed up 4 hours later with an entire bag full of candy!  

 

Hope you all had a wonderful Halloween with your little ones!