'Tis the season for festive parties

We had our first 2 Christmas parties this weekend. Todd's company sponsored a fun party at a Medieval Times dinner & show. The kids were so cute. (Oh...You may notice that Panda has clothes now. For Christmas, Grammy Claire made him a few really cute capes and Zachary LOVES them for Panda. SO FUN!)

Todd's client, who is also Santa during December, actually got Zach to sit on his lap. We were really surprised Zachary decided to do this. Allie, however, wouldn't even consider it.

She looks super cute, though...doesn't she?

Because we'd heard that the show was super loud, we found some ear plugs for Zachary. He doesn't enjoy loud noise....

...And spent a good 30 minutes like this:

Allie wasn't bothered by the noise, the people or the darkness. She enjoyed the show. More proof that kids are born with unique temperaments.

After some convincing, Zachary finally realized it was ok...and he started clapping & laughing. He REALLY enjoyed the part where the Falcon flew all over the place.

The kids also got to fly some flags, which were a huge hit.

Like Momma

Allie loves to put anyone & everyone's shoes on her feet. She is so funny. She'll change shoes many times in a day and just walk around in them, telling you whose shoes they are. "Daddy shoooosss," "Mommy, shooooossss..." etc... SO cute. I honestly think she can walk in these dress shoes better than I can!

I just can't help myself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Healthy Coping Skills are Learned

Recent exchange between Zach & Allie:

Allie crying angrily & writhing around on the floor after being redirected.

Zachary: "Allie, it's ok, you don't have to cry."

Allie arching her back & continuing to cry.

Zachary: "Allie, do you want your blankie? That will help you feel better." Zachary goes & gets her blankie.

Allie kicking her feet & continuing to cry until he returns.

Zachary: "Allie, here's your blankie. Put your thumb in your mouth & hold your blankie."

Allie sits up, sucks her thumb & holds her blankie to her cheek. Crying subsides.

Zachary: "Allie, if you take deep breaths it will help you feel better when you're crying."

Allie pops her thumb out of her mouth and starts taking loud exaggerated breaths, her cheeks still pink & blotchy from crying.

Zachary: "There you go. See, now you feel better."

A Trip to Bethlehem

I have been very busy working on my favorite preschool activity at our church. It is called "The Road to Bethlehem" and it is a tactile experience for little children as they conceptualize what Bethlehem was like on the night of Jesus' birth. I LOVE this idea and have enjoyed the many hours of work that goes into an event like this. Here are my sweet little ones enjoying the final product!!
Zachary was a wiseman:

Allie was a shepherd:

Here they are kneading dough at the "Bread of Life" bakery:

Listening to stories at Simeon's fire pit:

Washing baby Jesus, wrapping him in swaddling clothes & laying him in the manger:

Zachary & Emma having fun together:

Playing musical instruments to celebrate Jesus' birth:

The kids really enjoyed the well of living water:

It was a fun morning. Zachary kept asking if we could go back to "The Bethlehem Party" when we finally got home.