At the start of December we got a new book called "The Giving Manger". The book came with a small wooden manger, a bundle of straw and a small carved baby Jesus.
We read the book and learned about how giving and making others happy is the best gift. Giving is what Christ did during his entire life and since we are trying to be more like Christ, giving is our new goal. We talked about how every time we do something nice for someone else, we can lay a piece of straw in the manger and make Jesus' bed softer for him for Christmas morning. On Christmas morning the baby Jesus is laid in the manger and depending on how many good deeds we did during the month, his bed would be that soft.
The kids loved the book and were immediately excited to start finding new ways to serve.
It's amazing to see them willingly serving each other.
On Dec. 4th, we got to go to the kids' school for their "Cookies with Santa" event. This is always a favorite of ours and this year was no exception.
The kids made reindeer food.
We decorated sugar cookies and then devoured them.
Then we wrote letters to Santa. Tanner asked for Star Wars Legos.
Bailey asked for an American Girl doll, a pet peacock and many other things.
She knows that Santa only brings her one thing, but she still likes to ask for everything she can think of. Then there is Tucker, he asked for everything PAW PATROL. He's completely obsessed.
Benson just colored a picture and put crayons up his nose.
Next we visited Santa. He was awesome and the kids loved getting to talk with him and give him hugs.
After visiting with Santa, we went to the gym for a wild and crazy "snowball" fight. It was seriously a madhouse and we only stayed for 15 minutes.
We had a great time and the kids were really well behaved.
Sometimes it gives me hope that maybe I can have four kids and a social life with them.
This is another one of my favorite Christmas scenes. I love finding Bailey around the tree or fireplace reading our Christmas books. She goes to the bookshelf directly after school each day. It's so cute.
Then yesterday we got to go to Tucker's preschool for "Breakfast with Santa".
This is his preschool's only fundraiser for the year and so we always try to go to it.
The kids love the pancakes and the Santa is our favorite.
Benson wasn't a huge fan, but the big kids definitely were.
Tucker loved seeing his preschool teachers and all the kids ate a great breakfast!
They also each got to make the crafts that were available and see some friends while we were there so it was lots of fun.
With only three weeks to Christmas, life is starting to get a bit more crazy!
But it's good stuff and I love it all.
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