Baking and Beds for Kids Concert

Yesterday we was our baking day.  It was kind of a crazy day because I also was helping out with the Beds for Kids benefit concert so I had to run out from baking once but we still got it done.  We didn’t make as many things this year with everyone being so busy and short on time, but it was still fun.  Always is with these ladies.  do you like my mom and my aprons?  Those were my grandma and great grandma’s.  They were two huge and wonderful bakers. 

 

   

   

Mom had dough ready for the kids to make cut outs and decorate.  They all did a few, but didn’t stick with it too long.  Lucas however, was a baking machine.  He definitely was grandma’s right hand man this year.  I’m sure it will be someone different every year. :)

    

 

 

After baking, Connor and I went to go help with the BFK benefit concert and Matt and the other boys joined us for the concert later.  For King and Country put the concert on and it was really awesome.  They played some amazing renditions of Christmas songs and some of their own songs.  One that the boys and I really like is Baby Boy (click on it to listen).  Seriously my new favorite Christmas song.  I am so amazed by my friend Sara and her husband who started BFK and love what they are doing.  Truly truly serving.  I enjoy doing any part that I can.  It’s been special having Connor help out as well.  This night always gets me into the true Christmas spirit.

 

 

 

Connor made it through the whole concert, but the younger three didn’t. ;)

 

I was in charge of “band hospitality” – meaning good and drink and requests of the band for the day.  It was fun getting to meet them and learn their story.  Very humble and gracious men. 

Star Student and a Milestone

Nolan was star student of the week.  We got to make a really cool poster all about him.  He did an awesome job with it and his brothers even helped him.  He brought in some things that are all about him as well and he got to have visitors during the week for lunch and my mom went in to read a book to his class, and I got to go hang out for a little as well.  He was pretty lucky.  He had a guest come eat lunch with him EVERY day.  Lucky little guy.  We are blessed.  (A big thanks to those of you for taking time out of your day to go have lunch with him).  Last week Mrs.. L was the star student as the example on what students can all do.  One of the days she must of have told the class she brought a special snack in because she was star student.  Well, Nolan then decided that he was going to bring in a snack, a special snack mind you.  He came home Tuesday night and told me that he told Mrs. L he was bringing in a snack for the next day.  Well, this was around 7pm and I didn’t have anything to bring in for a special snack, and Matt has been gone all week so there was no way it was getting done.  I called Mrs.. L just to be sure she made other plans for snack the next day.  Nolan picked out what he wanted to bring and Wednesday after school we went shopping for the stuff.  That night we made these cute little reindeer cupcakes that he chose for his snack.  I could have just said let’s pick out some crackers or something, but the kid was so excited and so proud to be able to bring in a special snack I just couldn’t say no.  It was a late night and early morning, but we got it done and he was pumped.

 

 

The boys had their concert this week.  It’s nice having all three of them in the same one.  Nolan had been singing up a storm at home and practicing his songs with Jacob and Connor.  However, the last couple of days he would say that he didn’t want to do his concert.  I couldn’t tell how serious he was and with him not doing either of the programs last year in preschool, I didn’t know what to expect.  I could tell he was anxious and nervous as we were getting ready, but boy oh boy the kid wanted to look sharp.  He wanted to wear his shirt and tie.  I took that as a good sign.  I dropped him off at his class and Lucas and I went to sit down by mom and dad.  As the students came walking in to find their seats I looked for Nolan, when I finally spotted him the poor boy looked really scared.  His face was red and he was pulling on sleeves.  I don’t think he expected to see so many people.  The gym was packed, absolutely pack.  I  have never seen it so full.  He didn’t see us which maybe was a good thing.  He sat down in the front with his class and happened to look back as I was still watching him.  He saw us and he had a huge smile on his face. This mama let out a sigh of relief.  He was going to make it through. ;)    He did awesome!  They all did.  Jacob and Nolan sang together which was fun.  It was kind of cute, not that we encourage girls or girlfriends because that will come soon enough.  However, boys being boys and brothers…they like to give each other a hard time and tease about girls (not that dad doesn’t enjoy being in the middle of it as well).  All three boys stood very close to the “girl” that their brothers tease them about.   Jacob’s was to the right of him and Nolan’s was diagonally in front of him with the dress and headband bow.

 

Connor’s was behind him on his right.

 

 

Nolan was so proud that he came running up to me afterwards and jumped into my arms.  He was so proud of himself and relieved I think.  Connor loves to sing and isn’t afraid of singing at the top of his lungs. I can always hear him.  Jacob is doing awesome as well, he’s just a little more shy.  They sure are growing up though. Don’t they look sharp?

 

Hometown Holiday Weekend

Another one of our traditions is partaking in the Hometown Holiday weekend.  I can’t really explain why but I really enjoy this weekend.  Maybe because it means Christmas is coming.  Thursday night we meet up at the Kitchen (a hometown ma and pa restaurant) and decorate cookies, eat dinner, and then head out to see the light parade.  Every year this parade keeps getting bigger and better.  It’s short and sweet which is nice with the cold, but it’s so much fun. 

 

   

 

  

 

Even Santa and Mrs. Claus are able to make it to the parade.

  

 

Friday night is Christmas in the Village.  We have this little Village of Yesteryear that is full of history and during the Hometown Holiday they light the walkways with luminaries and have some of the different buildings open. 

There were carolers, Santa, crafts, more cookie decorating and eating, getting sprinkled with Santa’s Secret Blend by Mrs. Claus, and some caroling of our own.

 

 

   

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

Today I attempted our Christmas picture of the boy and actually only had to take two of them.

 

I suppose it helps that I get to bribe them with being able to do a silly one as soon as I get a good one. ;)

 

I got this idea from a coworker and plan on it being a tradition.  I wrapped all of our Christmas books and every night until Christmas the boys take turns opening one and we read it.  They have really enjoyed it.  It’s a little opening presents which is always a hit and reading a book which we all love.  A win –win if you ask me.