More Christmas ADVENTures!

 

It took Sam less than two minutes to select his shiny glass airplane. It took Henry at least 20 minutes to select his ornament, which he describes as "half reindeer, half robot". After Hobby Lobby, we traipsed across the parking lot to the "chicken nugget place" to expend as much energy as possible (fingers crossed) before the 8:00 men's basketball game. Of course, the boys wanted to take their new ornaments with them to Chick-fil-A. And, of course, while Wade was ordering dinner for everyone, Sam decided to see how far his plane could fly...only to see it crash into a thousand pieces on Chick-fil-A tile. Sigh. At least the ornaments were 1/2 off.

 

 

We love to read at our house. So, for Christmas, the boys always receive lots of new books to fill their shelves. This year, I wrapped all of the books early and placed them in a basket under the tree. There are several advent days the boys get to 'Unwrap a new book to read'...this just happened to be the first.

 

Henry unwrapped "My Bear Griz", which Wade and I found during our Montana vacation. It's perfect as the boys are very into bears right now. The new movie "Brave" has a lot to do with that.

 

 

 

Sam unwrapped "Charlie the Ranch Dog" by Ree Drummond. This has been Henry's book of choice before bed for several nights in a row.

 

 

The boys spent Friday night with Papa and Grandma, so on Saturday afternoon, they got to pull two Christmas surprises from the calendar.

 

With new pajamas, a new movie on the tube, AND popcorn, it was MOVIE NIGHT at the Shaw house. What fun we had!

 

The new pajamas also came from Montana. Henry is slightly obsessed with moose and it was love at first sight when he opened his PJ's.

 

 

I've started catching some grief from my family for always being the photographer and never posting photos of myself. So, the below photo of Sam and I cuddling on movie night...and the fact that I'm in pajamas too, with wet hair and no makeup...should cover me for awhile.

 

 

 

Dear Santa,

 

Today Henry wrote to Santa asking for a dragon (see flying red dragon below) and a blue robot.

 

Henry was careful to sign the back of his letter so that Santa would know he wrote it himself.

Let the Countdown Begin!

This Christmas the Shaw family started a new tradition. One that involves an advent calendar and 25 days of family fun...or, adventure of some kind. Welcome our family calendar...

 

Saturday morning, on December 1, Henry drew the first card - "Decorate our family Christmas tree". Now, partly because the tree had been lit and standing in our living room since last weekend, and partly because the breakable ornaments (the ones the boys really wanted to get their hands on) were already hanging on the tallest branches, decorating the tree was fairly anticlimactic. In fact, I think Henry lost interest altogether after hanging two bulbs.

 

That's okay though...the goal is for excitement to build over the next 25 days.

 

Our fully decorated family Christmas tree

 

 

On Sunday, Wade took Henry shopping for a CASA angel. Henry was proud of all his angel purchases, but was probably most excited about the new superhero underwear he selected. Underwear wasn't on our angel's list, but what 6 year old boy wouldn't be excited about sporting superheros on his dairy aire?!

 

For more information about CASA, visit their website at www.casaforkids.com.

 

Tonight, the boys visited Santa...well, sort of.

 

You can tell how thrilled Henry was when we finally arrived. The closer we got to Jolly Saint Nick, the tighter Henry gripped Daddy's hand.

 

This was the point when I knew we were in trouble. And that Santa was not going to happen.

 

Although he refused to get within six feet of Santa, Henry did ask that I tell Santa he wanted a dragon, a dinosaur, and a robot for Christmas...and in that order.

 

As you can clearly see, Sam was also a big fan of Saint Nick. Not.

 

Sam was proud of his Santa ornament though. It was a peace offering from Santa himself.

 

At least Olivia was there to put a smile on Henry's face.

 

Henry was much too distracted with Olivia and the dog to notice that Sam had helped himself to Henry's cookie. Henry's expression is classic.

 

 

Sam had food, and Henry had the company of a friend and a new ornament. Santa may have gone over like a lead balloon, but we left with smiles on our faces.

 

Stay tuned for more...the advent fun has only begun.

 

Trick-or-Treat

A recap from a very big Halloween night...

Sam in his adorable (yes, I picked it out) owl costume. Can I get a "WHOO, WHOO"...if only he would have kept his owl beak on.

 

Henry had to practice his Puss In Boots moves again before trick-or-treating.

 

 

Check out that facial expression! He was very much 'in character'.

 

 

 

He calls this one 'Puss In Boots saves the day'.

 

 

Sam could not have cared less about being dressed up...as long as he had his milk in hand, he was happy.

 

 

Not so for Henry. He was ALL about his costume AND the candy. Halloween might just be his favorite holiday. Except that he's been asking, "Is it Christmas yet?" since Halloween ended.

 

 

 

 

It took some major effort to get our little owl strapped in.

 

 

After a trip across town to Pete and Linda's house (our old neighbors who we ADORE), the boys got busy in our new neighborhood. Our biggest challenge was getting Sam to hit the door bell only once.

 

 

 

 

On our way to the Yellow Brick House.

 

 

 

 

One of my favorite costumes of the evening.

 

 

The cutest Mickey I've ever laid eyes on.