It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

I have always loved Christmas, but it is true that it becomes even more fun once you have children.  This year, Collin really “gets it” and it has been so much fun to see it all through his eyes!

A few weekends ago we took them to see Santa.  I did not have very high expectations, considering that the only way I got a Santa picture last year was to sit in Santa’s lap myself, holding Collin, while 7 months pregnant…not fun.

However, I was thrilled with how the pictures turned out – I actually had 2 smiling children both looking at the camera…a true Christmas Miracle!! 

I will scan the picture and add it to the blog another day, but I am too lazy to go do it right now…in the meantime here is a picture of the 2 munchkins right after they saw Santa.

The preschool where Collin & Grace go a few days a week had the cutest little Christmas program, and Grace even had a little part as the cutest little lamb ever :)  She did great!  I was working helping the 4-year-olds, so I didn’t get a picture of the actual program, but here she is in her costume ready to go!

She really got into her role, and even tried to crawl like a sheep!

I would like to say that Collin James was as excited about the program as his sister, but unfortunately that was not the case.  Lets just say that he was crying so hard I was afraid he was going to throw-up on stage…Son had the video camera in the audience, but Collin was hiding behind his teacher sobbing the entire time, so we didn’t get a video.  I really think he was so upset because Son had come to his class for the Christmas Party before the program, but then left him to go sit in the audience.  I guess Collin didn’t understand how it was going to work because he kept telling me that daddy was supposed to go on stage with him.  Poor baby! 

Tonight we finally had a chance to go down to St. Augustine for the Nights of Lights there.  This is something that we have been doing since Collin was born, and is going to be one of our annual family traditions!  It was fun, we rode the big Red Train, and got to see Santa again.  I am so glad that our first Santa pictures went so well, because Grace was not as excited about sitting in his lap this time!

Grace & Daddy drinking some hot chocolate at Santa’s Village.

Collin LOVES snowmen, but was afraid to get any closer than this to frosty :)

I love this picture of Collin with hot chocolate all over his face…such a happy boy!

Our family of 4 on the train!  So excited that Grace enjoyed her 1st St. Augustine trip!

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Adventures in Babysitting

Somehow we had gone 2+ years without ever having to hire a “real” babysitter.  Thanks to sweet friends who love our children we have always seemed to make it work.  However, I knew it was just a matter of time, and during the busy Christmas Party season we decided to hire one.

Whenever we are doing something new or different I always try to talk to Collin about it in advance and explain exactly what is going to happen.  I have learned that he handles new situations much better that way!  That Saturday morning I told Collin that “Miss Candace” was coming over to play with him & Grace while mommy & daddy went to a party.  I was surprised with how quickly he warmed up to the idea, and he wanted to ask a million questions about her and what they were going to do…it was really cute.

The minute she rang the doorbell Collin was super excited, bouncing off the walls & doing everything imaginable to impress his new friend.  It was hilarious to see this side of him that rarely comes out.  Ya’ll, he was C.R.A.Z.Y!!  He was doing handstands with his feet up on the wall, he was jumping on & off his bed, throwing his stuffed animals at her, growling at her, running all over the place, hiding from her, quoting all his favorite Disney movies…it was hilarious!!

When I asked Collin that night if he liked her he said, “Candace played with me, built me a huge giant tower (Legos), and she has really long legs!”  I would say the night was a big success.

Grace was a huge stinker & refused to eat or drink hardly anything or go to bed, but I really wasn’t surprised considering she hardly ever drinks out of her bottle for anyone.  She also punished me for leaving her by staying up until 2am that night…not fun.

I wish I would have gotten a picture of Collin & Grace with Miss Candace, but I will have to remember to pull out my camera next time!

Our First Ever “First Day of School”

Collin & Grace have recently started attending the Jr. Academy preschool at our church MWF mornings, and I am working there also. 

It is pretty much the best of both worlds & a huge blessing for us to be involved with this amazing school.  I have wanted to get Collin into a preschool program for a while now, however it just wasn’t in the budget.  With me working there we are able to make it work, AND I am able to do something that I love while still only being right down the hall from Collin & Grace!

So here is their first official “First Day of School” picture…snapped as we were rushing out the door so we wouldn’t be late!

Grace’s Baby Dedication

We dedicated Grace at our church on November 11th.

Her Verse: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; no good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.” – Psalm 84:11

It was a sweet ceremony, and even Collin was on his best behavior.  When the camera put Grace on the big screens I could hear the whole sanctuary “oohhh” and “ahhhhh” at her.  But then I shouldn’t be surprised, I already knew she was adorable!  Even though our family was not able to be there in person my parents were able to watch live online, so I was happy to know they were there in spirit & praying for Grace right along with us!!

I was really looking forward to getting our picture, because the one from Collin’s dedication is still one of my all-time favorite pictures.  This one is okay, but poor Collin & Grace just didn’t want to smile.

When we got home I pulled out the DVD of Collin’s dedication service and let him watch it.  He really LOVED seeing “baby Collin” on TV.  Also, Collin’s favorite song right now is “Holy, Holy, Holy” and it was amazing to see that song sung by our choir during his dedication ceremony.  Collin was so excited they were playing “his song”!