Lydia in Lights....

After finishing up a studio session with a client- I decided to try to get this shot and I was really happy with how it turned out! Lydia is all lit up!

Anderson's Christmas Party

I continue to feel totally blessed by Anderson's ability to attend his school. He has been there for almost two years now and we could not be happier. The teachers are so creative and patient with all of the children, and they always have some fun planned event going on- pony rides, visits from Big Al, Water days, pancake and PJ's days, etc...I swear I don't think I ever had this much fun in school! He is such a little sponge and is really soaking up every little lesson. I love that they learn by experience and are never made to "sit and do a worksheet".

For the Christmas party this year the teachers decided to work it into their regular "centers" time. Each center was a different activity that concerned cooking, counting, textures, etc...and they found a way to make each activity center around something fun and Christmas-related. Here are some photos from his Christmas Party:

Having calendar time

Reading "T'was the Night Before Christmas"

Making "reindeer food" with glitter and oatmeal

Holding up their reindeer food!

Playing Rudolph Golf

Sweet boy!!

Decorating his cupcake for dessert after lunch

Sprinkles, anyone??

Playing Snowman bingo with marshmallows

Playing Musical Chairs with friends

All of the boys brought a boy gift and all of the girls brought a girl gift. Anderson got this adorable book! He loves books and Dinosaurs- so he was super excited!!

Can you even stand that "cheese" grin! Ughhhh... we have hit the age of no fun for photography!

While we partied it up, Miss Lydia crashed the baby room and ate nearly an entire pizza herself! Ha!

Anderson's class in the commons are eating lunch

Anderson and Will

Some of the cute artwork they have been working on.

His favorite spot- "The book Nook"

Christmas with Nana and Pop

A few weeks before Christmas we headed up to Tennessee to visit with Jeff's family and celebrate Christmas. The ride up was NOT fun! Anderson was great and so was Lydia- right up until the last hour that is. She screamed the entire last hour of the car ride. It was rough. She actually cried so hard that she made herself throw- up. It was not pretty! I will be so glad when traveling (to the beach, to Jeff's parents, etc) isn't such an ordeal! This is just a hard age because you just can't reason with them and tell them- "Hey, we are almost there!"

Once we did get there though, Nana and Pop were there ready to spoil both kids for the weekend!

We had a great visit with Jeff's brother Scott and his wife Andrea and their children, Ethan and Anna.

Opening presents!

Feeding her new baby doll!

She LOVES this turtle from Jeff's parents!

Uncle Scotty getting some assistance from Miss Lydia!

Jeff's Parents

Anna got a new puppy and of course Anderson was in LOVE! That poor dog didn't get a seconds rest.

Hanging of the Greens...

Our church had a "Hanging of the Greens" Ceremony to kick- off the Advent season. The Wednesday night children's classes were asked to sing and her a story during the ceremony. Of course Jeff and I were nervous as a wreck- let's just say Anderson's track record for public performance is not stellar!

Well- he didn't disappoint! Someone thought it would be nice to light tiny little votive candles all along the banister- you know- right about eye level for a three year old. Then they decided to give them all a piece of hay while talking about Jesus in the manger. Now I don't know about you house, but at our house- Hay and fire are not a good combination...watch and learn!

I love how he slowly isolates himself and gets as close to the banister as he can before looking up right at us as if to think- "hmmm...can I do this before they can physically get to me?" I am pretty sure you can hear me in the background quietly saying- "no-no-no....." Luckily the teacher swoops in a blows out the candle before he had the chance to torch the place!

Neighborhood Party

Every year our neighborhood has a little Christmas party. They hire out a train that takes everyone for rides around the neighborhood and of course Santa makes an appearance. This year it was FREEZING outside, so we didn't stay out for too long, but both kids really enjoyed it!

Afterwards we came back home and enjoyed all of the outdoor decorations Jeff had put out that afternoon. I just love Christmas decorations!

Heelstretch anyone? Ha!!

Probably my all time favorite pick of her!

All lit up for the Holidays!

Just because I like their outfits! :-)