We enjoyed Briggs's pre-school pajama party fundraiser (in cute, match-y Christmas pajamas from Uma.)
The kids met Santa, where Adelie told him she wanted a locket and Staley told him she wanted a wallet. Briggs wouldn't tell me what he was going to ask Santa for. He said it was a surprise. Since the kids all know that Santa is not real and "just a man in a costume" (as Briggs puts it), they don't get too hung up on what they are going to ask him for.
The kids then enjoyed cookie decorating, putting their raffle tickets into baskets, and listening to Christmas stories. There were plenty of friends to spend time with.
There was also face painting, and I was pleased that my kids saw the incredibly long, slow line and decided that it wasn't worth the wait. #gooddecision
The kids and Zach picked out a tree, and the kids all helped decorate the tree and put up the Christmas decorations. This is the first year where all 3 of them were truly helpful and they did a great job with getting the house ready for the Christmas season. And so far, Adelie is the only one who has pulled her stocking off the mantle and she's only done it once. #progress
The Christmas train has again been a seasonal highlight for Briggs. He has spent hours playing Christmas train.
The girls both sang in their school Christmas concert. As always, the gym was hot and packed full of people, but both girls still enjoyed singing their songs with their school friends.
And this year we were able to see both girls from where we were sitting. #winning
All 3 kids performed in the church Christmas program. Briggs and Adelie both sang and danced and said a poem with the pre-school and Kindergarten classes. This was Briggs's first experience performing on stage. I wasn't sure how he'd do, but he knew all his songs and did great!
Staley performed some songs and narration with the grade school group. She had a short solo in one of the songs and was also a narrator. Although the kids were able to just read their lines, Staley insisted on memorizing hers. Of course, she had no nerves or hesitation about singing or speaking in front of the church. She loved it and was especially excited about her solo!
The kids all enjoyed performing with their friends, and were pleased that both sets of grandparents came to see them.
And, of course, having treats after the program made it even better.
In between the performances and programs, we have been busy making Christmas gifts for people, listening to Christmas music, reading Christmas books, drawing Christmas pictures, opening the nightly advent calendar, driving around to look at Christmas lights, and we've even made our first trip over to see the Festival of Lights. (The kids all love doing that, so we generally go at least twice.) Staley has also been busy writing a Christmas play.
It has been a great start to our Christmas season.
