Christmas (and baby) Countdown

Advents is really big here.  Here is an advents "circle" we made.  Every Sunday before Christmas, we get to light another candle.  Then, we enjoy something together as a family, like a special dinner, a Christmas poem or song, or playing games.  We also have a quote/scripture a day Advents calendar that Robyn made in her religion class at school, a matchbox house Advents calendar with a little surprise for every day, and a chocolate/coloring Advents calendar.  I think we're set!  Oh, yeah, and the kids all have one in their classrooms at school, too.  We still laugh about Carly coming home last year telling us that we needed to send her with matches to school.  Every kid got to light their own candle on their desk!

Here is a wreath Macy made and gave to her school teacher, which she hung on her classroom door.

Gingerbread house Hansel and Gretel style.

The girls with a couple friends who sang a song about a Christmas bakery for the Christmas party at our church.  They also sang Mele Kalikimaka and Six White Boomers.  (Myles' grandma is from Australia and taught us that one).

The girls are really good about letting me know that I'm getting bigger every day and are sure to document it with pics.  We'll be finding out soon if we'll be having a boy or another girl.  What's your guess?

Robyn caught this moment of pure concentration while we were making some Christmas cards.

The parents got to join the kids in Carly's class for their Christmas party.  It was really nice with the theme of peace and friendship.  They told a story, taught  about the Nobel Peace Prize, and shared what peace meant to each of them.  Hanging above them are socks they each brought for their Advents calendar, which included a friendship bracelet for each of them.