Advent 2015

Advent is always such a beautiful and joyful time of year, with all the preparations and excitement for Christmas coming, this year was no exception! We filled the four weeks with plenty of spiritual and physical preparations.  Again this year we utilized the Advent wreath, Advent calendar, good deeds manger, and the Jesse Tree to help prepare our hearts for Jesus.  The children all get really excited about these activities and we all found it helpful in keeping the right focus this season.  Nicholas, Grace and Henry each chose a toy of their own to donate.  They also each worked hard on making several lovely homemade Christmas cards, which they brought to a nursing home on Christmas Eve.  The kids all helped put up the decorations, including our new outdoor nativity scene, and helped bake Christmas cookies which we delivered to our neighbors (and enjoyed plenty ourselves too :-)  They each had a school party or play and we all went to a family work party of Shawn's that was super fun!  And of course, the annual Breakfast with Santa at our church is always a bit hit !   This year, for the first time, we even went Christmas caroling with several other families and a priest!  I'd say this Advent certainly was filled with much joy and anticipation and is one we will always remember fondly!

Cutting out gingerbread men

Decorating the cookies…the best part!

Grace played the part of Mary in her class nativity play!  Can you see how excited she was :-)

Grace visited St. George's Village, a nursing home, with her 4 year old class.  They sang Christmas carols and visited with the residents.  I was so proud of of how well she visited with them, even those who were quite ill.  She was not nearly as timid as she was when they went at Halloween time.  This is a picture of her there with two of her very best friends, Anna and Colin…and yes, she is taller than most all the kids in her class!

Henry performed 3 adorable little songs at his class Christmas party!

The annual visit with Santa……three out of four were happy this year, we were happy with that :-) Nicholas asked Santa for a Minecraft Lego set, Grace asked for a Frozen Lego set, and Henry asked for a wheelbarrow :-)

Fun at Breakfast With Santa

Spreading the joy of the season through Christmas carolling!!!

Shawn's work held a first ever family friendly holiday party at a downtown hotel this year.  They served a fabulous brunch and had several fun activities for the kids including a photo booth, gaming truck, crafts, blocks to play with and….a visit from Anna, Elsa, Cinderella and Tiana!!  Grace and Henry were both mesmerized by the princesses.  Nicholas said "I'm so embarrassed Elsa talked to me!"  Oh my!