In the Christmas mood

Chris had to work on Friday after Thanksgiving, but was off Saturday and we had a fun family day. We decorated our tree and house. I always idealize the decorating and it was fun- but it is also a bit of a challenge to try to decorate as a family when certain little people want to open and pull apart everything they see in the decoration trunk. We all worked together for awhile and then later Chris played with the boys in the bedroom so I could finish in a little peace. Then we splurged and had a nice lunch at Peter's Tex-mex (I got pumpkin soup and a turkey sandwich. I wasn't really in the Tex-mex mood). Austin and Bennett have already watched the Charlie Brown Christmas video several times and Austin goes around quoting it. He loves to say "Hello in there" "Rats" "Lights please" and "Eeew! I've been kissed by a dog". Bennett is starting to say them now too.

In other news, we are trying to potty train Austin at night. He is pretty motivated and will go right before bed, often after going to bed and first thing in the morning...but still wakes up wet every night so far. I guess it is hard to learn something you are supposed to do when you are asleep. Oh well, I know it might take awhile but we are trying it (with Skittles as motivation). Here are some pix of the decorating.

There was lots of squealing and excitement when we got the "Little People" Nativity scene out . It is still the main attraction these days and sits out on the trunk for easy access. We went out the other day and Bennett said "Bye" to ...the donkey, the camel and Baby Jesus before we left. It is a great toy. I love Nativity scenes and have several sets- one from China, one from Kazakstan and one from...somewhere else in Asia.

Bennett "helping" to get the tree out. We have this fake tree and I still sigh sometimes when I think about not having a real one...however, it is not a bad tree for being a fake, China tree. So I am thankful.

Austin mostly just wanted to put the star on top. I tried to tell him we usually do that last...but it ended up being about the, oh fifth ornament we put on. It wasn't worth the whining and fight. He was pretty proud to get it on there (with a lot of Daddy's help).

Here is the nighttime look. I actually completely rearranged the living room on Friday night. I wasn't sure where I would fit the tree where it wouldn't look crowded the way it used to be. I split up the entertainment center pieces and put the love seat opposite the couch. I actually really like it this way- it opens up the room more. We will see if it stays this way in January or not.

Today we made "Christmas cards" or at least Austin wanted to. Hopefully we will get some of these mailed off soon. I went out of the room and came back to find Bennett coloring with my headband on...he loves that thing and puts it on whenever I happen to leave it out. Silly boy.