Christmas Eve

Today was a day full of Home Alone, games, and eager anticipation.

Working on Christmas puzzles while waiting for dinner:

The traditional Christmas Eve nachos:

This guy enjoying his guacamole:

Calvin wanted to play the candy bar game--where you have to roll doubles, pull on the socks, scarf, and hat before trying to unwrap the chocolate with knives--so we did it Christmas Eve style:

The game didn't go very well. The kids were fighting and sad that it was taking so long, so we just threw in the towel and let them rip the thing open:

After a bath, they were excited to open their new Christmas books and p.j.s.

Awaiting the big reveal:

Opening the presents:

And ta-da! New pajamas:

 (I love these pjs so much. They say "Bedtime Bandit: Sneaky cute." Somehow appropriate for this mischievous little munchkin.)

Fresh family fuzziness:

Our friends gave us magic reindeer food, so right before bed, we all went onto the grass and sprinkled the food all over the front lawn to attract Santa's reindeer:

Autumn helped me put clean sheets on all of the beds, so that we could have fresh beds with our fresh pajamas:

 The kids laid out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer:

Then they went to bed surprisingly well. Right before Andy and I went to sleep, we noticed that Santa had made an appearance:

Counting Down

We're all on break from work and school, just hanging out and waiting for the big day. 

Eating noodles:

Making arm extenders with empty wrapping paper rolls:

Hiding with oven mitts (and watching One Magic Christmas in the background):

Throwing nativity parties with loads of celebrities in attendance:

And after the kids were nestled all snug in their beds, Dad and Mom stayed up late to wrap presents:

 

 It's been a very good day.

Santa's Reindeer and Christmas Lights

Every year Thanksgiving Point helps take care of some of Santa's reindeer while they rest up for their big night. Tonight we went to see them. Calvin and Autumn decided that they were Dasher and Prancer.

 

Kids petting the reindeer:

We went inside for a minute to warm up, and a nice stranger snapped a picture of us all.

After the reindeer, we piled into the truck, and I drove while Andy and the kids sat in the bed of the truck and enjoyed the lights and music. It was FREEZING, but it was a lot of fun, and it helped get us a bit more into the Christmas spirit.

We grabbed dinner at Texas Roadhouse, where we ran into Santa, then headed home for hot chocolate. Such a great night!

Underwear Kids

Calvin and Autumn thought it was hilarious when they wore their underwear as hats tonight.

I thought it was hilarious that they kept them on until they went to bed, completely oblivious as they went on with their evening.   

1/3/14

Bonding and Sitting

Sometimes the kids are indifferent to each other or at each others' throats, so I love those quiet moments when they sit together, shoulders touching, and enjoying each others' company. Even if it's doing something simple, like watching TV.

Nicky's sitting on his own! He's not completely stable yet, so he's practicing with Dad, but he's getting lots better!

He was fascinated by the wooden beads!

1/2/14

Autumn's Busy Day

After school today, Autumn was a busy girl.

She put together EIGHT puzzles (I didn't take pictures of the other two):

 Put on a concert where she sang and danced with her little brother:

Played diner and served me dinner:

And this amazing dessert:

Life is busy when you're Autumn Nelson.

Rocket Ship

Autumn found a box. She colored the inside to look like a rocket ship and took her brother to the moon. They came back from the moon sooner than their mother would have liked.

Creative Dance--Parent Day

This year Autumn is in a new dance class called Creative Dance, which focuses on the body's movements and rhythms of different types of music. They do a lot with letters and stories and other fun things that help them learn academic skills along with the coordination and flexibility of dance. We love it.

Every few months, they do a parents' day where we get to stay and watch what they've learned. Here are a few pics and a video from today: