Snow Angel...

Sparkle found some snow in our kitchen.  She made a snow angel and was even nice enough to do it on a foil lined pan for easy clean up.  Sparks sure is a thoughtful gal.

The Better to Lick You With...

I snapped this picture of Mae this morning.  She had just run completely around the inside of the house at top speed.  I think she made 2 or 3 laps.  She was panting and I thought her tongue looked especially long this morning.  I've never noticed it before.  Just a little something I threw on the blog because it cracked me up!  It's just one more thing about this dog that Tommy would say is weird!

 

I Love Christmas...

Sparkle watched the movie Elf last night.  We found her this morning acting out one of the funniest parts of the movie. 

Erin is with Gram and Pawpaw, but I sent her a picture.  Mom said she loved it.

Chistmas Program...Joy to the World

Last night was the Gateway to Learning Christmas Program.  Jake wasn't in it this year since he's in real school, but Luke and Erin performed.  Since they're in the same class, it's hard to watch both of them at the same time. They're usually together up on stage, but this time they weren't close.  I got one picture of Luke when he was walking out, but the rest are pictures of Erin.

In her little section, she was the only kid really singing and doing the gestures that go with it.  We were so proud of her.  She was just beaming.  Tommy did the video and I worked the camera.  She didn't jump around and act crazy.  She just stood there smiling and singing.  (Ignore the kid that keeps falling down.  He was being very bad...he's on red now according to Erin.)

They sang an abbreviated version of Joy to the World.  It was super cute.  They were told to wear Christmas pajamas and the theme of the show was grandparents reading the real Christmas story to their grandkids via the internet.

And yes, both of the Mize kids had on their boots with their pajamas...again.

 

 

 

 

Advent Calendar...

Years ago I bought a Fisher Price Advent calendar as Christmas decoration.  It was before Erin, but I thought it was too cute. I bought it even w/o a kiddo.  I'm so glad did. 

This year, Erin is really into the calendar.  She reminds me every morning that we need to add a day.  I've been teaching her that Baby Jesus goes in the middle and every day we have a little lesson about the countdown to Jesus's birthday. 

Not only is the calendar cute, but Erin's decision process on where to place the day's character is great too.  She really thinks it through and has to find just the right spot for the animals and shepherds.  I've taught her that the angels go on top and the place in the middle is especially for baby Jesus.  She reminds me every morning that the spot in the middle is for Jesus.

BTW, this is a religious Advent calendar with a scene from the night of Jesus's birth in the manger.  It's got animals and shepherds, and of course the angels and wise men.  They're all Fisher Price looking Little People and it's super cute.  It's made of padded nylon and Velcro so the kids can easily put it up.  (I highly recommend this for my friends with little kids!)

I took this picture before Erin came downstairs.  As soon as we found Sparkle, we changed the calendar!