Christmas Book: Day 18

This was our business day so far this season, Anna had an early morning birthday party for one of her favorite friends, we went to the Nutcracker, opened all of the family presents, and we had a mock Christmas dinner. I took no photographs of the day ... rats. We ended the by reading My Penguin Osbert by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel.



Anna went to bed the happiest little cowgirl ever. She snuggled her new horse down for the night and forced Marisol to share her bed with the new doll Nicki. She placed her slippers and Hazel's matching slippers (& PJ's) together and hopped into bed.

Christmas Book: Day 17

Friday's book was Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett. For the past 16 nights, I attempt to get a photo of the kids with the book ... not sure what my reason was in the beginning, but now they like to fight over who HOLDS the book in the photo.

Christmas Book: Day 16

Tonight we read Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audry Wood. I like reading the Christmas books that focus on the theme of "better to give then receive."



Since it is Thursday, Henry came over for an art project. Anna and Henry decorated cookies. Sam ate the candy to put on the gingerbread people.

Christmas Book: Day 15

The book yesterday was Let It Snow by Holly Hobbie. This is the second Toot & Puddle Christmas book we have read this month ... those pigs are well liked in this house.



Anna and Sam worked on Christmas cards to send away. Lots of stickers and glitter were used, and an extra lot of glitter used just to be safe.

Christmas Book: Day 14

Today was Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas by Jane O'Conner. I am happy to report that Nancy's lesson's for a fabulous Christmas were discussed in great detail and taken under advisement ... However, we are still sticking with a Tinkerbell tree topper for this year.

Christmas Book: Day 13

We read The Snowglobe Family by Jane O'Conner tonight. A very sweet book were you get to experience snow with both a big an little family.



Sam painted, painted, and went to bed with green fingers and toes.

Christmas Book: Day 12

Today's book was How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. It was the first time either kid had hear the story ... fun to read it to a first time audience.



Sam wore his new Brazilian soccer uniform to his class this morning. He was super excited to match his dad.




Anna went to the Holiday Review with Nana and Pop pop's today and afterwards we had birthday cake for Pop pop's. Happy Birthday Dad!!



Anna and Sam showed off the shared love of the "Go Ducks" to Pop pop's.

Christmas Book: Day 11

Today's book was Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson. Everyone loves the bear, so it was a popular book.

Christmas Book: Day 10

Tonight we read Auntie Claus by Elise Primavera. This is a fun book with a little bit darker take on Christmas. Anna really got the book's message on the number one rule of Christmas. The idea of a naughty list was scary for both kids.



Sam is geared by for a Cowboy Christmas ... check out his new boots!



Since all cowboy's love to ride horses.



We walked around the Fremont Festival of Lights tonight. Both kids were a little over prepared for cold weather.



"Help me!"

Christmas Book: Day 9

Tonight we read It's Christmas, David! by David Shannon. It is a fun book and ... both kids did not know that coal was the preferred naughty list gift of Santa.



The Daddy is back home! First thing Anna wanted to do was to "walk on the ceiling."

Christmas Book: Day 8

Today's book was Tacky's Christmas by Helen Lester. Luckily for the penguin's of Icy Nice Land, Tacky was able to trick the mean old hunter's yet again. Lucky for us, this book came with a music cd of peguin Christmas songs.



Anna has been crazy for her winter boots this season ... loves them.

Christmas Book: Day 7

We read Stick Man by Julia Donaldson tonight. This was a fun book to read. We loved the sing-songy writing of the book.



It is always a good day when Sam see his Pop pop's ... even better when he bring him more "Go Ducks!" gear.

Christmas Book: Day 6

Today's book was Santa Claus the World's Number One Toy Expert by Marla Frazee. The kids really had fun with the book and really had fun getting their photo taken ... without the book tonight.

Christmas Book: Day 5

Today we read One Thousand Christmas Beards by Roger Duvoisin. I read about this book several years ago and finally ordered in on Alibis to add it to our collection. It is a fantastic classic, hard to find, Christmas story. In the book Santa is a little bit naughty and has to learn the meaning of sharing Christmas spirit.



Anna and Sam also tested out Santa beards ... the only one we had was Mr. Potato's. Lucky for us, that potato is a sharer.

Christmas Book: Day 4

Today's book was Toot & Puddle: I'll Be Home for Christmas by Holly Hobbie. The favorite part of this book was finding the cut out paper Christmas tree stars to add to our very own Christmas tree. Thanks for the little gift Toot & Puddle.

Christmas Book: Day 3

Today's book was Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas by Julia Rawlinson. This is a beautifully illustrated book. It has a very sweet and has little message to remind them about one of the most important aspects of the season ... friendship.



While Sam napped at Nana's house, Anna and Nana built a gingerbread house. I think more candy was eaten then stuck onto the house.



Ta da ...

Christmas Book: Day 2

Today's book was Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree by Robert Barry. This was a favorite book from last Christmas. Anna and Sam really like watching the tiny tree get even smaller and get passed on to ever-tinier families.



We had our art Thursday with Henry today. This week they made snowman winter pages. I really liked how Sam's artwork turned out this week. He finally got the idea of where/how to dress his snowman.



Anna had a hibernation party at school today. She has so much fun wear pj's to class and ringing her arm like a bell to "wake up, little brown bear!"

Christmas Book: Day 1

This year, I was able to find 25 Christmas books for our advent calendar. Today we read The Christmas Giant by Steve Light. This was a great book to start off the month. The book is very sweet and gentle, it captured the spirit of Christmas, of friendship, of hard work, and of resourcefulness. Both Anna and Sam were very excited to unwrap the book and listen to the story.



This is all the books, ready to be unwrapped and discovered. I am really excited to see if the books will help to build on all the great aspects of Christmas that I love.



We also had a impromptu little mustache party earlier on in the day .. woo hoo!

Two Penguins

Silly kids got out their penguin costumes again ... "penguin's love to eat breakfast for dinner."

Zoo Light & Trains

Nana and Pop pop's took us to the zoo lights this weekend.



We were ready for the weather and luckily it was not to cold or rainy. Both kids had a great time and especially liked riding the Max train to the zoo.

Hello

Camping With Marisol

Anna and her doll, Marisol, have pitched a "pupcake tent" and are camping out on the floor of her room tonight. she was really excited for me to leave her room and stop trying to take her photograph ...

Halloween Party Photo's

My friend Stephanie (http://stephaniebryanphotography.com/) is a fantastic photographer and she took amazing photographs at our Halloween party last month. These are my two favorites ... really beautiful photographs.