Living Bethlehem

We were super excited to hear that our church moved the Living Bethlehem indoors!!! Today was rainy and cold. We headed out tonight to get it in before our busy week starts!
We've been reading a lot about the nativity story. Link is obsessed with Herrod. He has been asking about him a lot! His latest question is if he is alive or dead now. We had to have a discussion about how these people are just "pretending" to be the people in the story.
Nate held him while we saw Herrod, but he easily got down to let me "try" to take his picture in front of Jesus.
As you noticed above, he was not looking at the camera. He was looking at the pretty angels dancing for us.
Once we finished the tour, we walked out to see the animals. In past years, the tour has been outside and each "station" has animals beside it. They made a good decision to leave the animals outside!
We all had a great time. It was nice to put real people to the story they have been hearing so much about this season.

Today was a great day!

I must admit that we have a lot of GOOD days! Today, just happened to be a great day! Many of you are aware of Ethan's dental history. He fell at 18 months and almost lost a tooth. At four, he had EIGHT cavities at once (our dentist told us today that the enamel may have been damaged in utero? It was just a theory he had...but still interesting nonetheless)! Anyway, today was the first time in six years that Ethan has let a dentist clean his teeth. He didn't squirm, or cry, or make a fuss. He sat there like it was his job and did fantastic! I should mention that Lincoln was also great at the dentist.....but he always is. Our dentist actually told Nate that Link was the best three year old patient he had ever seen!
I took the day off and took the youngest mancub with me to run quite a few errands. He was also fantastic! We did not have one problem and we made it to three stores, the library, and lunch!
We went out for dinner tonight, and at the restaurant we saw Santa walking around. Once we finished, the boys wanted to go over to say hello. He talked to them for a few minutes and we left. As we were walking out, Link says, "That's not a real Santa. That's just a restaurant Santa."
I love those days when all goes to plan. There isn't a meltdown. There isn't a power struggle over something simple. Everything goes off without a hitch. BUT, the best part is I was able to sneak a nap in. Those are the days!

Christmas Spirit

Each night, before bed, we read two books. This Christmas season, we read one fun book like Cordoroy's Christmas and one book about the true meaning of Christmas. Lincoln is beginning to really understand what this season is about. Today, he told me that the bad mailman in a movie he watched does not have Jesus in his heart, but he does! I was so excited! I thought, he "gets it!" And then I said, "Yes, you are right. He doesn't have Jesus in his heart like we do." He then says, "Well, I have Jesus in my heart, so he can't be in yours!" So, we had another talk!!

Playing Santa

The boys have been playing Santa all week. They finally talked Nate and I into playing with them. I lucked out and was able to be the little girl who wanted a baby doll! I had to "sleep" on the couch!! Nate was not so lucky. He had to be a reindeer.
Lincoln wanted to be Santa so bad! But, I have to say, he was a bossy little Santa.They used Nate's sweatshirt as the "suit!"
My cushy job of being the little girl didn't last long. Ethan wanted to be the little boy. Nate had to continue to be the reindeer.
By the end of the night, the boys were super happy that we played and Nate's knees were sore!

Alone time

You might think from the title of this post that I want some alone time. Yes, this is true, but today this quote came from Ethan. On Saturdays, while Link is napping, Nate and I have been letting him stay downstairs to watch a movie. Nate and I are able to get in a nap as well. This Sunday, I told him Daddy was probably going to stay downstairs and watch football. Ethan looked at me and said, "Can't he watch it upstairs so I can have some alone time!" How can I argue with that???
When we came downstairs a few hours later, this is what we found!

The art of getting the perfect tree with two small kids!

We decided to get our tree Friday night and then spend Saturday morning decorating it. The temperature did a dive this week and it looks like it's not warming up anytime soon. The near freezing temperatures sped up our tree hunt significantly. We looked at approximately five trees and then just finally said, "This is FINE!"
Link stuck it out with us and watched the poor high school kid cut the excess branches on the bottom.
Big man watched from the truck.
The next morning, the boys were ready to decorate! Ethan helped Daddy put the star on the tree.
Luckily for Link, Nate had to trim a little off the top. He got to put the star back up on top!
Aren't those little legs adorable?? Unfortunately, those little legs are not helpful when putting ornaments up high.
Both boys were serious about their decorating this year. Nate and I really didn't have to do much except for the high ones.
This gave me plenty of time to make hot chocolate.
While he was drinking his hot chocolate, I moved a few up a little higher!

Overall, I think they did pretty darn good!!!

Mr. Kurland

Mr. Kurland's, Ethan's long-term sub, last day is tomorrow. It is going to be a sad day for Ethan. He loves him so!!! He spent tonight making him a book of all the things he is going to miss about him! I know it won't take long for him to fall in love with Ms. Phythyon, but he is going to miss Mr. Kurland!