Christmas cookies

Sugar cookies, or "Christmas cookies" as Jeff calls them are his FAVORITE cookie. He wanted to pick some up at the store the other day, but I told him that I would make some for him at home. Afterall, I had all the ingredients and I knew that the kids would enjoy helping. Oh, boy. Yes, they sure did! We used Gaylynn's recipe and they turned out perfectly! Topped with a little white almond flavored frosting and some red and green sprinkles and I became the cookie hero of the world! I probably should have waited until closer to Christmas to make them, so I could've avoided the possibility of having to do this again, though!

Christmas Magic

When I peeked into the living room the other night to see what the kids were up to, I found this... all three of them voluntarily sitting next to each other without poking or irritating each other, snuggled up in their own blankets watching "The Polar Express" that was on tv that night. I love Christmas magic!

Concert

The kids had their Christmas concert last Tuesday. It's always fun to go n' listen to each grade do a couple of special numbers that they've been practicing for weeks and weeks. They both did very well. Jeff and I had to sit in pretty cruddy seats, though, so no real good pictures of them performing. Jessa sang a song about being the star of the Christmas show and being a little snowflake. Will sang a song about 'Joy to the World- my shopping's done!' and afterward we all enjoyed the cookie and brownie refreshments. Yum!

Sparkles

My picture doesn't do it justice in the least and I'm not an experienced enough photographer to be able to capture it appropriately, but my dear 3 year old was tickled pink when she noticed the "sparkles" in the grass one morning on our way home from taking the kids to school. It really was pretty and did my heart good that she appreciated God's winter art. ♥ When we got out of the van, (and it was COLD), she asked if she could touch some. Though I was looking forward to getting back in the house to warm up, I paused for a couple of minutes so she could explore these diamonds in the grass. Like trying to catch a rainbow, the minute she got close to a "sparkle", it was "gone". :) Such wonders! As long as I'm sharing an Emily story- I have to record Emily's word. Each of my kids has had a word that they have said kindof goofy when they were about Emily's age. Will called ketchup, "Chep-it". Jessa couldn't say her brother's name, Will, so she called him, "How" for quite awhile. Emily's word is "Poot-frints", (footprints). It just cracks me up. I probably should correct her, but it's just so darn cute that I'm not ready for her to say it right yet! :)

Visit with Santa

Merry Christmas Time! We asked Santa for a baby GIRL, (Emily), a violin, (Jessa) and a Nintendo DS, (Will) :)