It all leads up to the big event...

This morning I work early from a dream & then could not get back to sleep because I have a mild headache (which hopefully will go away after coffee) and my mind was filled with everything I need to get done today. We don't have any shopping or wrapping left to do, it is just cooking & cleaning to get ready for our parents coming tonight after church. We go to the 4pm service which is completely geared to the kids & it is typically wild with chaos, but does give the kids a chance to again focus on why we actually have Christmas.

Again, I have been terrible at blogging. I really don't have time during the day with the kids to sit down at the computer & then at night I am either busy doing other things or don't feel like sitting at the computer. But there was a lot of activity over the last month that inevitably gets us prepared for the next few days. Here is a photo journal of our fun...

Breakfast with Santa

A new tradition started last year with the Bisbees.

Walk to get the Christmas Tree
This year the kids got an added bonus when we went to get the tree because Prancer & Dancer were at the nursery & they also had pony rides for the kids...pretty good idea!


Christmas Pageant at Church

Sydney keeps asking me why Jason did not get to pick what he wanted to be in the pageant. I was not so sure that Jason would "do" anything when put in front of the congregation, so I thought it best to put him in a role that kept him with his sister. Also, since his speech is still a little difficult for some to understand- best to keep his lines with a group. However he did do a great job with his "Fear Not!", so next year we will let him pick. Sydney says next year she wants to be a dove.

Our "angel" was not willing to wear his halo.
Hmm...not very angel-like.

Parades

This year we went to a plethora of parades. We went to the Hamilton one since Brad's work was putting in a float, but I don't think we will repeat that adventure next year. The Waterdown parade is a must because it is so pretty at night & the Burlington parade (below) is a must because I love to see the Teen Tour Band. I am good with seeing 2 parades, but three is just too much.

Decorating the Tree

Although we got the tree on the Saturday, we had so much going on that weekend that we did not have a chance to decorate it until the Monday. I am the tree light stringer & that is not a task that I choose to do with children. So I managed to get it done on Sunday night which left Monday for us to decorate. Jason didn't think he should go to school so that we could decorate. I told him that both him & Sydney would be going to school, the tree would wait.

Goodies, Goodies, Goodies

This year we made gingerbread men, sugar cookies (thanks Nana), gumdrop cookies, & turtles. It is amazing to me how little of it we have left, but by the time I send some with Sydney to Sparks, Jason to school, & give some as gifts- I guess it is not so surprising. This year Nana continued her house & train tradition with Sydney & Jason. However she made it extra special for Sydney by molding the house out of chocolate. She was thinking that we would use it for decoration, but I told her there is no way Sydney is going to make a house out of chocolate & candy & not want to eat it.

Mmm, mmm, gingerbread

The creators with their creations

Tearing down the house.
Sydney & Max were right into, Jason was not too sure
that this was the right thing to do.

Skating Christmas Party

For the last day of lessons they had a family skate, face painting, colouring, and Santa & Mrs. Clause. Sydney loved the skate, but Jason had enough after 20 minutes & chose to spend the rest of the time colouring. Sydney's lessons continue in the new year, but Jason is done. We will wait until next year to put him in again. I think we will just be spending time at the rink with him to work towards an improvement.

Christmas Concerts

At Sydney's school only the kindergarten classes do a "concert" at Christmas & it was only 2 classes and lasted 15 minutes with 4 songs. Jason's on the other hand combined 2 classes of 3 year olds & 1 JK class. This concert consisted of about 17 songs & was an hour long. Jason's part consisted of singing 3 group songs & putting garland on a "tree". He seemed to enjoy it, but I am sure his favourite part was Santa arriving at the end with presents.

Yes their concert was in French & I did not understand each word,
but I do know that Sydney was singing about Santa's black belt.

A couple of Sydney's giggly girlfriends

Jason does more actions than singing at school, but it is the complete opposite at home.

Sydney & Jason have been "playing" Santa all week.
I think they are very excited about his arrival tonight.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Friendly Beasts

This morning was our Christmas pageant "The Friendly Beasts" & this year I participated in the role of Director. It was chaotic, but fun and was the best way for me to get to know more of the kids in the church. Brad was my c0-director, but he doesn't think his part should have had mention in the bulletin. However, Lisa (the experienced coordinator of the event) said that without his help I would not have been as accessible to her. Check the pictures below to see if you can figure out who Brad was directing...

Yes, Brad was in the back with the angels to provide direction & hold the mike for them. So, he is crawling along inbetween the pews...well done!

Jason's line: Fear not!

Sydney: For behold I bring you good tidings of great joy; which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.