Merry Christmas!!

He came! He came!

Ty came bursting through our door with the rest of the littles hot on his heels. Oh, the joy of a first Christmas.

I forgot to get a before picture for the stockings. We were all so excited.

The boys could not wait to build their new Legos. So I let them build away while we waited for the Grandparents to arrive.

Breakfast with grandparents

It is our tradition to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus before opening gifts on Christmas Day. Everyone gets their own blueberry muffin "cupcake" to blow the candles out. Jacob asked for his cupcake all through the breakfast. We could not light the candle fast enough. He was so excited to sing.

We are so incredibly blessed.

Ty and Drew kept posing together. I think it was because they secretly wanted each other's gifts... or maybe they really are just sweet brothers who love each other.

We opened gifts for the new big brother on the way.

Even Bella got a Christmas present (a knuckle bone). Ty thought this was great.

In an effort to help Ty, Amber and Jacob with the overwhelming day we made this flexible "schedule" of events. Each time we moved on to another event one of the kids would get to pull off a card. The order of events could be changed and we included 2 wild cards for unexpected changes or needs. This way our sensitive kiddos could feel some control and be able to predict what was coming next and what was left in the day. The cards worked great.

We also planned frequent breaks and active or down time for each of the kids who would need it throughout the day. So after breakfast when the Grandparents left we went outside to get some wiggles out, ride bikes, and decompress before heading to Nana and Papa's house for more present opening with cousins.

Really? Didn't we just do this? Seriously, so blessed.

After lunch and presents we set up a new outdoor game for more wiggles and settling.

We then went home for naps and quiet activities before the big Christmas feast. I failed to get pictures of Christmas dinner. I was having so much fun with family the night just flew by. As I was getting Ty into bed he asked if we get to do Christmas again. I explained we celebrate Jesus birthday once a year, just like everyone else's birthday. 

Aside from some wild wiggles and reminders of manners at meal times, Ty did awesome. We know his coping will come later. Jacob still shows shadows of old coping behaviors and this day was hard for him. But he was so very excited and happy. Mom was up every hour on the hour all night with him trying to settle all of the over stimulation. And there were some lasting effects the day after Christmas. But overall it was a fantastic day for everyone.

I think I said the same thing last year, but this has been my favorite Christmas to date.

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve

Ty and Amber were so dang excited for all of the Christmas Eve preparations. Drew and Jacob had fun, but they were just along for the ride.

Dad and the kids washed our special snow man dishes and set the tables for our traditional Christmas breakfast with Grandparents.

Dad and Caity went to deliver gifts to needy families with Christmas Promise (a tradition we've continued for over 15 years). So I took the little 4 on a walk with Bella to see our neighborhood lights.

Amber let her brothers help her make the reindeer food (her own tradition).

Ty decided everyone's carrots needed to be organized. Perhaps the reindeer are as picky as he is...

Ty and Amber sprinkled Grinch Dust all over the lawn (tradition from Ty's first grade teacher).

The kids watched A Muppet Christmas Carol while I made dinner.

We ate dinner together by the fire.

And before bed we decorated Santa's cookies.

They were so excited to put the milk and cookies on the mantle.

Our last Christmas devotional was without Caity and Dad (my two best singers, because they can read the lyrics). So I turned all the lights out exept the Christmas tree and snuggled everyone into my lap. I sang along to a youtube video of O Holy Night. The littles tried to sing along, but they don't know the words, so by the end they were all just listening to me sing. It was very sweet.

Then everyone was off to bed and the shushing began. Ty kept asking why Santa will not come until we sleep. They finally gave in and Dad and I were able to wrap the last gifts and get everything set up.

Visions of sugar plums...

Sweet Release

I was counting down the days to Christmas break. I was hoping for some good old fashioned family time. A chance to re-connect. A chance to slow down. A chance to make some memories.

I got what I wanted.

Walks by the creek.

Quiet, content play time. Oh how I've missed this.

Ty marvels at all of the Christmas decorations at Nana's house. I love taking the time to just observe him.

I admit I am always grateful to go to the grocery store alone. But I missed these little faces enough that even grocery shopping with them was fun.

And, of course, making and frosting sugar cookies!

Oh, it feels so good to have my kids home!

Getting Ready for Christmas

This year amidst the crazy school parties and holiday bustle, I decided to try something new. Each night we read a single scripture and focused on one or two verses of a Christmas song. We covered the Christmas story from the prophesies of Jesus birth in Isaiah, Micah and Psalms, all the way through the story of the Wise Men visiting young Jesus in Nazareth in Mathew chapter 2.

In all I prepared 24 "Christmas Devotionals" to try and do one each night. Life happens, and we didn't get to do all 24 individually. In fact, we ended up having a caroling night with 5 songs and scriptures to catch up at the end. And there was at least one other night we did more than one song to keep up. But this is a tradition I look forward to keeping next year and beyond.

 We listened to Amy Grant's "Breath of Heaven" while coloring pictures of Mary riding the donkey.

The kids made paper animal hats to listen to Brian Stokes sing "The Friendly Beasts." When their animal sang they got to hold the phone. They were all so excited. It's the little things...

Jacob was a cow for the whole evening.

And we read this story about the wise men journeying to visit baby Jesus. We read by the light of the Christmas tree all cuddled up on the couch. This one was likely one of the kids' favorites.

I think one of my favorites was dancing along to this video on YouTube after reading the story of Elizabeth's baby jumping for joy inside her womb when Mary came (Luke 1:39-41 and 44). We will always remember Daddy's dance moves as he was "leaping for joy."

Of course, these 5 minute devotionals were not the only preparations for the holiday. School parties seemed to be never-ending. I was only able to attend two, since they all happen on the same day. But I did at least poke my head into Amber's class for a hug.

Ty's class was wild because their "elf applications" came back direct from the North Pole. They went a little wild with the elf dust.

Jacob was not amused.

The Christmas perparations went well. We are ready for Christmas...