The Drew Crew: Getting Ready for Christmas

We have been having so much fun as a family this Christmas season. Mommy and Daddy are trying to start a lot of traditions and continue some that we have started in the past. Besides the visit from our elf friend, Buddy, here are some other things we have been doing...

Near the beginning of December, Mommy wrapped up a Christmas or winter book for each day until Christmas. In the morning time, Charley and I love picking out a book, and we take turns tearing the paper until we open our book. We have loved reading all about Christmas! Some of my favorites are: The Polar Express, Pippin the Christmas Pig, The Story of Christmas, The Berenstains Bears and the Joy of Giving, Arthur's Christmas, Merry Christmas, Splat, and Gingerbread Friends. It's been so fun to read our books over and over again.

Wrapped Up Christmas Books

Reading with Daddy

Gotta Have a Silly Picture

Another thing that we did was go to an Advent festival at a church with our friends, Jordan and Noelle. It was lots of fun- we got to decorate cookies, get our face/hands painted, use stickers to make the nativity picture, listen to Mrs. Claus tell the Christmas story, and sit with Santa. As you can tell from the picture, Charley wasn't a fan of sitting with Santa...or even by Santa! :)

Getting Frosty Painted on My Hand

Way too Close for Comfort

Santa is Funny

One of our favorite things to do was look at Christmas lights. Charley is completely in awe of lights and Christmas trees, and so we knew that she would love this too. Last night, we all went to Cafe Brazil and had pumpkin pancakes for dinner. Then, we put our pajamas on, and drove around looking at lights. It was extra fun because Mommy and Daddy packed us some snacks (pretzels, marshmallows, and goldfish) and some homemade hot chocolate. Anything with treats is extra fun! :)

I Got My Snacks :)

Daddy is Making Me Laugh

This Is Obviously My Favorite "Funny" Face :)

While all of these things have been great, one of our favorite things we have done this Christmas season is something called Truth in the Tinsel. Mommy heard about this book from a friend, and we all wanted to do something to really focus on the reason we celebrate Christmas---Jesus! Each day from December 1st through December 24th, we study a key word that is important in the Christmas story. Each day, we make an ornament, read from the Bible, and discuss the importance of that word. While Daddy reads from the Bible, Mommy and I listen carefully for him to say the key word, and then, we get to "quietly shout" the word. Mommy and Daddy are SO impressed with what I have learned about Jesus' birthday. I can't believe we only have one more ornament to make---I am already asking Mommy and Daddy what ornaments we can make next! :)

Here are our keywords, our ornaments, and some of the special things that I remember about making them.

Light- Jesus is the Light of the World

Kingdom- Jesus is the King of Kings

Zechariah- We had to button his nose, his eyes, and his mouth so he couldn't breathe! :) I had to gently remind him that his mouth was buttoned up, so he couldn't talk...but he could breathe! :)

Mary- We made her beautiful.

Light, Kingdom, Zechariah, Gabriel, Mary