Christmas Traditions

So here's a dump post about many of our Christmas traditions. 

We are still working on those by the way, and open to suggestions...

All of the boys are not quite to the age where they appreciate driving around aimlessly looking for lights.  Jamison is not a big fan of car riding, but we managed to drive over to a local neighborhood that has a few good houses for the older three.  This wasn't planned very well, as Maverick (like usual) didn't have on shoes, so when we made the impromptu decision to get out of the car to walk he had to be carried.  Oh well....

For the past several years, we have lighted the Advent wreath every night at dinner time (or PJ time if we weren't at home) and the big 3 take turns lighting it.  There are scripture verses to read each night, but I found a book that does a better job for where my boys are attention-span and understanding-wise, so we read from that.  That book is the Advent Storybook and is new for us this year.  

Growing up, I was allowed to open one present on Christmas Eve.  Our boys only get 3 presents from us: PJs, a toy, and something small.  This year, it was only PJs and a toy.  We decided to let them open up everything from mom and dad on Christmas Eve morning.  It lessened the craziness on Christmas Day.  Maverick got a shopping cart and pretend food.

Chandler got an FM radio.

Brighton got a craft set.  We also let them open up the gifts that my pen pal and her husband mailed to the boys.  They were super generous, like always, and our boys were spoiled with all the new toys they mailed.  Thank you all so much!

On Christmas Eve, we went to the family service at our church.  The kids dress up as angels, shepherds, or wise men (we had one wise man, two shepherds, and also a cow).  Maverick was the only cow and very cute, I might add.  I thought he went fine with the manger scene.  

After church we headed home, made Jamison take a quick nap, and then went to a friend's house for a party.  We made it home by 7:45 p.m., put Jamie to bed and let the boys put out cookies for Santa.  Amazingly, Maverick didn't have a meltdown over not getting to eat Santa's cookies.  Then it was off to bed for the kiddos and time to start waiting for Santa to arrive....