Jesse Tree

The Jesse Tree is quickly becoming one of my favorite traditions at our house.  We started it last year, the boys love to hear the story and hang the ornament on the tree.  It's been a good way to talk about many people in the bible and give us something to discuss during meals.  Last night was day 14, I would say they both know more than half of the ornaments and who they represent by heart.

The Nativity Story

We've been trying to do lots of family activities during advent; last night we acted out The Nativity Story with our fisher-price nativity set.  The boys thought is was great!  We did it 3 times, each time playing different parts.  Ed or I read the story and told the boys what to say when it was time for their line.  It was not only fun but also meaningful.  I'm sure we will be doing this a few more times before Christmas.

 When Emmeric played the Angel he flew around the whole living room before telling Mary she'd have a baby.

 They liked to bring all the animals to the stable.

Max was a wonderful Mary.  He would yell "I'm scared" when the angel came and loved to make her ride the donkey all the way to the stable.  

30 Weeks

Hard to believe I'm 30 weeks.  Baby boy seems to have grown a lot in the last couple of weeks.  I'm feeling really good except for being tired in the afternoon but it usually works out that I can lay down when the oldest 2 lay down.  I did have one kidney stone a couple of weeks ago, I hope that is the only one this pregnancy.  Baby is great, measuring perfect and heartbeat is strong.  He is a mover, he loves to hear music or when Eddie talks right to my tummy.  The boys are getting excited, although I don't think they know exactly what will happen when the baby comes.  They like to lay and kiss my tummy and shine flashlights on the outside hoping he will move.  Usually, he does!  10 weeks left and we are getting more and more excited.

Christmas Train

Wednesday night we rode on the Christmas train in Boone.  We met my parents, boarded the train and off we went to the "North Pole."  Along the way we listened to a story, sang carols, ate cookies and drank hot chocolate.  The boys really enjoyed the train.

 It was really warm inside with extra lights for Christmas fun.

The boys wore their pajamas and pretty much watched out the window the whole time.  

St. Nicholas Day

December 6th, it's St. Nicholas Day.  The boys set their shoes out last night and St. Nick visited our house bringing treats, books, games and puzzles.  The boys loved to see full shoes and we loved to see the look on their faces this morning when they saw them.

Aren't those little shoes so cute.  

 Of course, we had to play the game right away!  It's pretty fun, St. Nick knows just what the boys would like.

Max and his puzzle, he thought it was great that the bears had different emotions. 

In a box...

Enjoy the video.

Botanical Gardens

This morning we went to the Des Moines Botanical Gardens for their monthly toddler time.  We listened to stories, made music, danced had looked all around the center.  The boys had lots of fun seeing the fish, all the plants and trees and running around.  

 It was warm inside and full of great paths.

It was decorated for Christmas with lights, ornaments, wreaths and even a leafy snowman.  

Thankful Tree

November seems like the time to talk about what it means to be thankful.  To help with the concept I made a "tree" out of paper and bought some leaves at the Dollar Tree to write down what we are thankful for.  We didn't do it everyday but most days at breakfast or supper we talked about how things you love, really enjoy, people or necessities are always something to be thankful for.  Then I would write down what they said and they could hang it on our tree.  It was fun and a tangible way to show them of all they things they have to be thankful for.  

 Our tree got full really fast, the boys loved putting up their leaves and having Ed & I read what they say.  

The boys came up with lots of things, some days it was a struggle.  Lots of their leaves revolved around things or toys which is what I knew would happen and that was perfect because they should be thankful for their toys or movies.  This is definitely something we will continue to do year and year.  It will be fun to look back and see how their answers evolve.  

Thankful...

As you can see we have some local celebrities in our home.  Max and Ed made the cover of the Pleasant Hill Living magazine.  It was quite the shock to get the mail and see them on the front.  Back in October Ed & Max said they had got their picture taken by the local magazine but we never thought they would be on the cover.  When asked what Ed was thankful for he said "For a new job in Des Moines."   We are thankful for that and so many other things.  If you want to see it online (Ed's answer is on Page 7)  just click on: http://www.iowalivingmagazines.com/pleasant_hill/ 

Cookies

Saturday night Sarah brought over the ingredients to make cookies.  Of course Max was all over that, so while Sarah mixed the dough, Max took a bath then they got to work rolling out the dough and cutting the shapes.  Max was a great helps, he loved the tree cutter the best.  Thanks Aunt Sarah for a fun project. 

 By the end he was covered in flour, but he loved every minute.

Everyone got to enjoy them with homemade hot cocoa.