Tis the Season

Christmas is so much fun this year with the kids! They LOVE to learn about all of the things that make this time of year so special. We have been developing our own traditions, which has been a lot of fun. One tradition is the celebration of Advent. Last year, I made an advent wreath for our dining room table but this is the first the kids can really learn about what each candle symbolizes. It's too cute because as we light a new candle each week, they are able to remember what each one represents (hope, peace and joy are the three candles we've lit so far; love and the center 'Christ' candle are the final two we will light). When asked whose birthday it is on Christmas day, they will tell you 'Jesus' :)

I also made the kids an advent 'prize' calendar that is placed under the mistle toe. There is a new sticker for each day of December that they get in exchange for a kiss :)

























Here are a few of Tyce and Shay's favorite things this Christmas season:

*Singing many Christmas songs including Jingle Bells, Jingle Bell Rock and Frosty the Snowman
*Snowmen and reindeer
*Making Christmas crafts
*They are very intrigued by Santa Claus but haven't decided if they actually like him yet

Tyce and Shay are growing up SO fast! They are often talking in full sentences now and continue to get closer and closer to one another. They love being with each other, whether it be to play happily together or to pick on one another, they want the other one close by. 

This picture makes me laugh because they were both cracking up when I took it...

Tyce is just cruising on his bike these days....we have been letting him ride it in the house (I know, seems crazy, but it makes him so happy :) and he has really got the hang it with long stretches of balancing, quick maneuvering, sharp turns and sudden stops. He can also catch a ball now with both hands and is able to shoot a basket from a few feet away and make it!


Shay is getting more and more into her dolls lately. She loves to push them around in their stroller and makes sure they have a book, blankey, bottle and snack. She also likes to run with them in the stroller, just like her mommy does :) Shay has been into wearing her purse more and is often requesting to have 'the pink one' whether it be a bottle, binky, crayon, etc. Don't get me wrong, though, she is still very much into playing with tractors, trains, tools, and all the other 'boy' toys her brother likes to play with, too!

Isn't this hilarious?! What's even more funny is that he does this quite often...puts on his cape and upside down crown and plays his drum with his maracas; this boy has rhythm too! I just adore my little 'T-man'!!

I'm really praising God this Christmas season and feeling so blessed to be able to celebrate such an amazing event, the birth of our Messiah, with our children. They truly make you realize what this season is all about...hope, peace, joy and love. Merry CHRISTmas!