OK, so I'm contemplating getting Christmas 2015 decorations going this weekend, so I guess it's about time I finished up this post from 2014 (which has been in progress for literally 10 months!) Resolved: Take LESS pictures! If I take
less, it won't be so hard, right?! Nevertheless, I've sorted through the nearly 600 holiday photos and managed to put together a synopsis of the Christmas Season from 2014. Yes, 2014!
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I'm not sure if the feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed during the holidays is just par for the course as a parent, but I can't seem to figure out how to do the holidays in a way that eliminates that feeling. I tried very hard to lower my expectations for the holidays this year; choosing not to fret over what I didn't complete or accomplish. It helped. A lot. In fact, I remarked to Vance that this was one of my most favorite and best Christmas' ever!
We kicked off the Christmas season early with the annual picking of the Christmas tree. It was so cold on this day that the kids were anxious to pick the first one they saw so they could run back inside to the warmth! We frosted it this year in hopes of a slightly less mess.
{Advent Traditions - Old & New}
Advent Wreath
I can say that we officially lit all of the candles at least once!
That is an accomplishment in and of itself!
Jesse Tree & Unwrapping the Greatest Gift Book
This was a new tradition and while we started off great, we didn't finish strong. The kids enjoyed the stories and fought over who colored the ornament each night. We only got through about 15 of the stories... but there is always next year!
Acts of Kindness
This is something we decided to do instead of the Thankful Tags we have done the past years. Each night at dinner, we shared something kind that we did that day and wrote it on a card. These cards were to be wrapped up as a gift to Jesus on Christmas Day. They never made it to that wrapped box, but again, there's always next year!
Wise men Journey & Jesus Wrapped
This was something the kids initiated based on the learning they received at school. The wise men from our nativity journeyed their way throughout our house until they arrived at the manger on Christmas. It was an attempt to remind them that Christmas hadn't happened yet! We also covered our Baby Jesus and unwrapped Him on Christmas Day.
Little Nicky; the Mission Elf
Little Nicky, our Mission Elf, returned on the Feast of St. Nicholas. The kids were thrilled! They woke each morning SO excited to see where Little Nicky had moved and whether or not he had left them with a Mission to help them prepare their hearts for the birth of Jesus. He pulled some silly pranks this year too! He left on Epiphany and gave us a suggestion for a "Family Verse" for 2015 as well as a suggestion to choose a patron saint for our family in 2015. We chose St. John Paul II!
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| {Candy Cane Hunt} |
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| {Verse memorization & Advent wreath lighting of a new candle} |
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| {Pray an After Dinner Decade & Remember to let Christ's "light" shine in you} |
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| {Use these boxes to share some of your toys & Sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on Christmas Day} |
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| {Go to confession or say "I'm sorry" to someone you hurt & Make a donation to the food pantry} |
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| {Little Nicky packed the big kids' lunches} |
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| {Pranks! Toilet Paper hanging from chandelier & green toilet water} |
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{Goodbye note and 2015 Family verse reveal}
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{Fun Holiday Outings}
Painting Ornaments
Illuminations at Botanica
The Nutcracker
This was Molly's first time and Emily's second. They both really enjoyed it; especially since they watched the Barbie Nutcracker movie in advance and understood the story! It turns out that one of Molly's most favorite gifts was her Nutcracker! I hope to continue this tradition with the girls every year. It's a favorite, for sure!
{Household Decor}
For the first time in years, I purchased some new holiday decor. It was fun to mix things up a bit and try out some new vignettes.
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| {dining room table - new woodland theme} |
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| {kitchen} |
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{hearth room - new vintage theme}
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| {girls' gingerbread houses: molly, emily, abby} |
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| {kid ornaments on the basement tree} |
{Celebrations}
Christmas Eve Mass
Tradition: New PJs for Christmas Eve gift openings
Favorite Gifts & Moments from Christmas Eve
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| {1st year for sibling gifts...they were a hit!} |
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| {Molly was by far the most excited this year...literally squealing with delight after opening every gift!} |
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| {Abby: Teepee and a Riding Horsie} |
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| {Emily: Isabel (American Doll), Taylor Swift CD & Doll accessories} |
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| {Molly: Teepee, Cowgirl boots and hat, and Frozen accessories} |
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{Noah: Ping Pong table, golf wear, and KU gloves}
And then they played!
The kids were sufficiently spoiled...as usual! After sorting through their stocking treasures, they wasted no time playing with their new loot! The girls even talked me into letting them have their first ever "sister sleepover" in their new teepees!
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Merry Christmas to all...
and to all a good night!
