Christmas Eve

I just love Christmas Eve. We have such a great time. The evening starts with our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We have what Kevin grew up having but with our little twist. Meatballs, au gratin potatoes, vegetables and punch. This year I added funeral potatoes because Madison is not a fan of the meatballs so I wanted to make something special for her and I didn't mind either. After dinner was all cleaned up we drove around and looked at lights. I had heard of a neighborhood that had 6 houses that were synchronized to music. The girls have been patiently waiting to go see these since I told them about it. We found a few more houses that had music and then we were on our way home for the rest of our festivities.
Before we moved forward we thought it would be important to read the Christmas story and remind the girls of the reason for the season. It was nice to have a little reminder. By this time it was getting late so we needed to get onto opening that one gift that the girls look forward to each Christmas Eve. I love the hunt for their pajama's every year. I love to make them match but it is getting harder and harder every year. This year I wasn't sure that it was going to happen but thanks to Disney.com, I got my matching pajamas for the girls. To finish the night off we pulled out our candy tray and watched a movie. We really had a lot of fun tonight making special family memories. I hope that the girls always enjoy our Christmas Eve family traditions so it can always be magical and special. The girls had one last thing to do before they were off to bed and that was leaving cookies for Santa. Allison and Ashley decided to sleep in Madison's room so we will see if they sleep tonight and that they don't get me up to early in the morning.

Christmas baking

Today we had al ot to do and I knew that things needed to change in our house if we were going to get the things done that we needed. The girls have not been getting along very well lately and I have been quick to get upset and fly off the handle with them. I know that if I can stay calm things go a lot better so I woke up with the determination that I was going to make today a good day.
With Christmas approaching quickly there are many things to do. I am learning to involve the girls because they really enjoy it and we have a great time. Today was our Christmas goodies baking day. We had three projects so we split them up between us. Allison and Ashley were in charge of sugar cookies.
Madison was in charge of crackers and peanut butter dipped in chocolate. I told her to smile because I was blogging about it but she wasn't quite in the spirit of the day but I was not going to let it bother me. I then made fudge. We had a great time and eventually everyone got into the spirit.
Today went much better then the last few days have gone. I am going to continue to keep up my attitude. Kevin's always jokes that if mom isn't happy then no one is happy and I am beginning to see how that is true. My kids all had the same attitudes today but we had a better day because I chose to be different and they even had a different attitude by the end of the day.

Visiting Dad at work

Last year Ashley and I were able to go see Santa at Kevin's work. About a week ago she started asking if Santa was coming again and if she could come see him. Kevin and I were both amazed at her memory.

Today we went up and had lunch with Kevin and then got to see Santa. Ashley was so excited. Right now she is glued to Kevin and loves any time that she gets to spend with him. Eating lunch with him at work was just the best thing to her. She was his shadow the whole time we were there. When we were done with lunch we stopped by to say hello to Santa and Mrs. Claus. Ashley also got to check out Kevin's desk. She loved seeing all his pictures of her and the coloring pages of hers. I am sure it just reassured her that he misses her like she misses him while he is at work. She loves her daddy so much.

Allison's Music program

Today was Allison's music program at school. It is fun to watch Allison develop into a lovely young lady. The music teacher ask the kids to wear nice clothes. Allison really wanted to wear a dress but I knew she would freeze so I found her a nice pair of black slacks to wear with a festive blouse. She also wanted her hair just right. I love her enthusiasm to have things just right. She looked beautiful for the program. The program was very nice and I am so glad that I was able to go while Ashley was in preschool because it was so crowded.

Chistmas Program

Tonight we had the privilege of attending Ashley's Christmas Program at her school. She was very excited and has been talking about it for over a week. She has been singing her songs and practicing for weeks. When we arrived she knew just what to do. She headed back to the classrooms while we found seats. I wasn't sure how she was going to do. She is our most outgoing little girl but I wasn't sure if her shy side would show through or not. They sung several songs and had actions to go with each. Ashley sang along with them all and did the actions. She was so cute. During their final song a visitor came in. The kids were so surprised. To finish the performance off they took a bow. Ashley also made a gift for us that she gave us after the performance. She was so excited to give it to us but we have to wait to open it until Christmas Day. Before we left there was two things we had to do. First was stop by and see Santa. Last of all we had to stop and get a picture with Ashley's two wonderful teachers. Ashley and Miss Sam
Ashley and Miss Dani

Sundays

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. It is so relaxing and I love that we get to focus on our family. Lately I have felt that we have lost the spirit in our house with some of Sunday activities. Last Sunday I decided that changes needed to be made so we implemented them this week. The girls usually like to watch TV all day but I felt there were better things they could be doing with their Sundays so there was no TV today. It was a hard adjustment for them at first but I had a few projects that I needed to get done this Christmas season so we worked on them together. The girls and I all did our own little part and we got some ornaments made for Kevin's home teaching families and my visiting teaching sisters. As a reward for their willingness to be apart of this new change in our house we decorated a gingerbread house this evening. The girls were so excited because we haven't done one in many years and this was the first time to do it just with our family. Ashley has never done one so she was especially excited. Next year if we do this, there is one thing that I will do differently. I will get the girls each their own house. They worked really well together but I would love to see how each of them would do it differently.

I really enjoyed this Sunday. It will take some getting used to for the girls but I really think that we will be blessed for the changes. I also think that it will help Kevin with his new calling. Last week Kevin was set apart as the new Elders Quorum President in our ward. Anyone who knows Kevin's schedule would wonder how he could add something new to his hectic schedule but we know that through his service we will be blessed. Kevin is the hardest working man that I know and he is the best father and husband so I have no doubt he will do his best at everything and be able to keep us number one.

Madison turned 12

Today we celebrated Madison's 12th birthday. She has been waiting for this birthday for a long time. She has been waiting to advance to Young Women's at church. She has loved primary but is ready to advance and move on and be in with the older girls. Our nights celebration started with Young Women coming over and wishing Madison a Happy Birthday. Madison was delightfully surprised by their visit.
Next we were off to dinner. Madison' favorite restaurant is Cafe Ole. She has picked this place for the past several years. She was excited that she is finally too old for the kids menu. Once we ordered she opened her gifts. We got her her own phone so I had talked to my mom about calling her as she opened it. All afternoon Madison wondered my Grammy hadn't called to wish her a Happy Birthday and I would just tell her oh I don't know. I know it was also hard for my mom to wait because she loves to call her on her birthday. The timing was a little off so when she first opened it she ask why she had 2 missed calls and then it started to ring again. Madison was excited for the phone and happy to talk to Grammy.
I think the real reason that she goes to Cafe Ole is for the hat she gets to where while they sing to her and the fried ice cream that she gets. Isn't she cute.
After dinner we came home for birthday cake. When it comes to sweets Madison has different taste then the rest of the family. She is not a fan of chocolate. I am not sure why but it does make it hard to make her a cake for her birthday. I found an idea on the Internet here and I thought would be perfect. It would has a white cake for Madison but chocolate for the rest of the family. This is what it was supposed to look like but I didn't get the Graham cracker crisp enough so I couldn't take it off the pan so this is how Madison had to blow the candles out. She loved it and had a great birthday. Tomorrow she is off to her first mutual activity. Wow where has the time gone.