Christmas Mission Update #1

The Christmas Mission assigned by Aunt Mo is underway!  The first stop was to The Salvation Army's Red Kettle.  Luckily, they aren't too hard to locate.

Putting money in the kettle is not just about putting money in a big red pot.  We explained to our children exactly what The Salvation Army does and why it is important to help.  Cassidy is still a little young to grasp the whole concept but Stetson understood.  I don't think he ever thought about people not even having enough money to eat.  Lesson learned.

BALANCE:  $9

Primrose Holiday Program

Tonight was the Primrose Holiday Program.  The kids have been practicing for about two weeks, and I think they did a great job!  It's always so fun to see them in action.

First up was Stetson singing "Must Be Santa".  He is still a little shy on stage, but does very well.

Then came Cassidy!  This was the first time we got to see how she reacts in front of a crowd.  She sang her little heart out.

She even helped her teacher hold the "north pole or bust" sign.

J captured the whole program on video, but I got a glimpse of things on my camera.  Look for Cassidy in the pink pajamas.  She hopped like this the whole time!  The whole audience couldn't help but laugh at her throughout.  It's a shame she has so much stage fright.  ;o)

Stetson came back to sing "Silver Bells".  The kids got a little bored with this one...the ones singing that is!

Mama Bear and Papa Bear were sweet enough to come watch the kids perform as well.  While watching the other classes perform, Cassidy still couldn't sit still.  Her favorite song right now is "Jingle Bells".

Great job, guys!!

Friday News

It's been a while since I have posted one of these, but I still love them.  As previously said, Primrose sends a report and pictures every Friday of what Cassidy has done that week.  Here are this week's pictures!

Wordless Wednesday

A Christmas Mission

A package arrived today for Stetson and Cassidy from Aunt Mo.  We found it on the front porch when we got home this evening.  It wasn't like any package they had ever received.  They just knew this one was special for some reason.  The stickers, maybe?

There was a message on the outside.  Now that Stetson can read, he knew THIS package didn't have to wait until Christmas Day!

 So he and his little sister sat down to "Open at Once".

Oh!  Another message on the back.  What could this mean?

Once opened, it all became clear.  First, they received "The Night Before Christmas"... a must have for every family.

Aunt Mo made this copy super special by writing a note on the inside.

They also received a copy of "The Littlest Angel", a package of Snow in Seconds (instant snow explosion!  Just add water) and a big red envelope. The envelope contained the best gift of all.

The big red envelope contained a Christmas card and two smaller envelopes, one for each of them.

The Christmas card had the following message inside:

Dear Stetson and Cassidy,


We love Christmas in our family, maybe more than any other family!  We have lots and lots of Christmas Magic.  We get to decorate with all the pretty lights, hang beautiful ornaments, sing Christmas songs and drink hot chocolate with blums-blums, whipped cream and maybe sprinkles.  We get to unwrap presents and imagine what Santa will bring us.  Christmas is just so fun!


But...we are a very lucky and blessed family. Sometimes, not everybody is as lucky as we are, so I want to ask you a favor and give you a Christmas mission.  I need you both to help me celebrate the true meaning of Christmas:  bringing joy to others, especially those that might need a little bit of help.  You each have an envelope that has ten $1 bills.  I want you to give these away to people you think might need help finding Christmas Magic.  You might want to buy a little toy for a child that needs one or give a dollar to the Salvation Army bucket or anything else you can think of.  Mommy and Daddy can help.  The second part of your Christmas Mission is to draw a picture of how your dollars helped someone with Christmas Magic.  We are going to make this an annual tradition and save these pictures year after year so that we can always keep the true spirit of Christmas Magic close to our hearts.


I love you and I can't wait to spend Christmas Eve at your house.


Merry Christmas!


Love,
Aunt Mo

Aunt Mo, you are amazing.  I have no other words to explain just how special you are.  Thank you for helping to teach my children the true spirit of Christmas, and reminding me.  I hope you don't mind that I posted all of this, but we all need a little reminder and maybe you can inspire more than just my family.  Share the magic!

Stay tuned for updates on our now annual Christmas Mission!

O Christmas Tree

Well, our tree decorating this year has been a week long process.  We have had so much going on that it has been hard to devote a single block of time to get it done.  So, we did a little bit each night until it was just the way we like it.

Stetson and Cassidy had the all important job of testing each strand of lights before it was placed on the tree.  Stetson plugged it in while Cassidy held it and made sure they all turned on.  I think she liked her job.

Once kid-tested and approved, they were ready for the tree!  They both did a great job "feeding" the lights to Daddy.

As you can tell from the change of clothing in the next picture, the lights were all that got completed that night.  Next came the ornaments. Cassidy was proud to hang her new elf ornament on the tree.  She hung it low enough where she could see it and goes and talks to it all the time.

Stetson is a pro at hanging ornaments!  This was the first year he remembered our ornaments and was looking for specific ones, which was really fun for me.

He even asked for help hanging some of them up high.  Who needs a ladder when you have a Daddy?!

Once again, the ornaments were all that got done that night.  The next night was the tinsel, aka our favorite part. Cassidy placed each strand just perfectly on the branches as her brother tossed a handful over her head.

Ta-Da!!  Our tree is complete!

Tonight the kids and I got to enjoy our first cups of hot chocolate next to the tree.  This is Cassidy's first year to join Stetson and me, and we love having her!

Wordless Wednesday