T'was the week before Christmas

It's the week before Christmas and we are busy with all sorts of Christmas fun. We got to do one of our favorite things this week- the minivan express. The kids were so excited. They had been waiting to see when the golden tickets would arrive on their pillows. They were so thrilled when they found them.
We had a great time. We did something a little different this year. Before leaving, we printed off some thank you cards. Then as we drove around and saw all the gorgeous homes, we were able to ding dong ditch our thank you cards and show our appreciation for the hard work they put into their gorgeous light displays. The kids loved sneaking up to the doors, leaving the notes and then running back to the car. They were so cute about it. This is definitely one of our new favorites. 

I also made the rounds to all the class Christmas parties this week.
Tucker's was first. It was pretty much adorable in the way that only preschool parties can be.
He laced a jingle bell necklace, which he then wore the rest of the week.

He played "pin the nose on the snowman"

Oh and he loved playing Christmas BINGO. 

Even Benson sat down and watched a round or two. 

He also got to make some reindeer food and play a cup staking game. 

His party ended with one of the kid's dads reading a Christmas story. Tucker happily held Benson in his lap while they listened to the story. 

Next up, Tanner and Bailey's parties. I am one of Tanner's room mom so I always help with his class parties. This was was lots of fun, with tons of games and cookie decorating. 

He loved making these ornaments from this scratch and reveal craft. 

He dominated the straw sucking M&M game. 

And he came in second during the candy cane transfer relay. 

Tanner had so much fun and I love to watch him interact with his friends. 

I also got to sneak over to Bailey's party and spend some time with her.
She was thrilled that I was able to come and gave me tons of hugs. 

They ate their snacks first and then her class also decorated cookies. She loved it and stacked hers with all the toppings she could fit on it. 

She had a great time and we are all anxious for Christmas break. 

There was one day of school left after the parties, and Bailey got a surprise visit from her favorite teacher of all time, Miss. Brown- now Mrs. Galloway.  Her teacher got married over the summer and moved to Texas, so she doesn't get to see her at school anymore. But Mrs. Galloway was home for Christmas visiting and made time to come visit some of her students. Bailey was over the moon when she saw her and these pictures definitely show her excitement. I love that her teacher took pictures and sent them to me. She really was the best. She's still our favorite of all Bailey's teacher. 

Then tonight, we had some friends over. The Fuhrimans came over so we could watch the kids while Jess and Dave celebrated Jessica's birthday with a rare date night. 

We baked some pizzas, watched a movie in our pjs and then decorated some cookies. 

We just love the Fuhriman kids so this was a huge treat for our kids and they had a wonderful date night so it was a win for everyone.
I can hardly believe that now school is out for Christmas break and Christmas is just a few short days away.

Stay tuned for our Christmas Train ride tomorrow. We are all so excited.