More Christmas Fun

Christmas is nearly here and we've been doing all we can in the few minutes we have between everyone's busy schedules. 6 more days!!

Bella, my mom, and I attended the Detroit Symphony's "Home for the Holidays" annual Christmas concert.  It was even better than last year, if that's even possible. Every time I attend a symphony concert, I feel so blessed to be able to listen to such incredible music live, played by people who have put so much time and work into crafting their talent into something so extraordinary.  It moves me to tears every time.  Plus, we got to take a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Doesn't get better than that.

Against my better judgement, we put up all our Christmas decorations several weeks before Christmas.  Peter immediately started breaking and losing multiple ornaments every day, but alas, it will stay up.  I really do love having it up a little longer than the two days I allowed when the others were his age.

Peter wanted to put the star on top, so I tried to let him, but it fell again and again. Finally he agreed to just supervise Christian doing it.

We also started a new tradition this year.  The 25 days of Christ.  We decorate our smaller tree with a new ornament every day representing an event from Christ's life.  We read that section of scripture together as Peter puts on the ornament and we talk about Christ.  It's been a great way to include Peter in scripture study and teach him about Jesus and the real meaning of Christmas.  I  put the Fisher Price nativity set under that tree so any time he's tempted to mess with the ornaments which Bella so carefully crafted and painted, he'll see the toys and play with them instead.  So far it's worked.  Hopefully this set will last for many years to come.

Peter's preschool had their annual Christmas party/Fundraiser.  The kids made shirts in class and then wore them while they sang jingle bells on stage.  This picture pretty accurately captures the chaos that it involved.  This was 1/3 of the kids and the rest were no different, but they were blocked from my view by the large reindeer antlers the director decided to don just as she stepped in front of the kids. (Really lady!?!?)  Luckily I could still see Peter.  He stood like a bell ringing robot, never changing facial expression or singing a single note, mechanically moving his arm up and down to shake the bell.  I still think he's adorable.

We also took our annual drive down Hines Drive to see the lights.  Peter thought sitting in front while driving was the best part and he's the perfect age to be absolutely charmed by all the amazing light displays.  It's always such a fun evening to pile into the car with hot chocolate and Christmas music and drive down the multiple mile stretch of beautiful lights.