Silver Oak Children's Cookie Party

The Sunday before Christmas, Silver Oak hosted a Children's Christmas party. The highlights of the party were decorating (and eating) cookies and a visit from Santa Claus. It was a great party and I totally enjoyed. It was nice to have something for the children to do that they really liked and didn't require too much supervision. It was a very low-keyed, relaxing party.

Each of the kids made cookies. Cooper tried to just lick the frosting and eat the decorations.

Grace was thrilled to sit on Santa's lap and tell him how all she wanted for Christmas was a Barbie doll.

Emma Jo didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but she really wanted one of the Target gift cards that he was giving away.

Cooper was terrified from the moment Santa walked into the room.

Mommy was the mean one who forced him to sit on Santa's lap (just for one second).

What a Week!

This whole Christmas season is tough! Not only is work crazy with so many people buying gifts they want shipped to arrive before Christmas, we've also had holiday events every night for the past week.

It started with the Silver Oak Christmas party last Saturday. For the first time it was an adults-only party which meant we left the kids with a babysitter overnight for the first time ever! They've only ever spent the night with their grandparents. Cynthia has been babysitting them since Grace was a baby, so I wasn't really worried about it. Jason and I had a good time watching everyone in their 70s outfits for the Disco themed party.

Sunday was the Christmas party at church. We started with getting our Christmas tree in the afternoon, then had dinner with Grammie and Grampa. After dinner we headed to Church for carols and cookies.
Monday evening Jason and Emma had a father-daughter date. They did their Christmas shopping and then went to Applebee's for dinner.

Tuesday Emma Jo's Girl Scout troop had their Cookie-Making Holiday event. All the girls and their families were invited to decorate and bake cookies. Emma Jo and Grace had a great time covering their creations with as much sugar as possible.

Wednesday is Awana night and this week was caroling for the big kids and movies for the little ones. We didn't get home until after 8:30 that night.

Thursday was Windsor Christian Academy's school Christmas play. Emma Jo was the reporter on camera and a member of the chorus. She did a fantastic job!

Friday was Pina Napa Valley's holiday party. I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Casino night. Katherine made a great meal and it was fun playing Blackjack with Jason, Mom and Dad.

Saturday Grammie and Grampa were nice enough to watch the kids while Jason and I finished our Christmas shopping. We finished quickly after just three stores, so we went to John Ash for dinner to finish off the night.

Today was church and the Silver Oak kids party. Thankfully it was at Twomey West and was a low key cookie decorating party. The kids enjoyed putting as much frosting and sprinkles as possible on their cookies and then eating as many as possible. Santa came to the party and each child got to sit on his lap. Emma Jo was "too old" but relented when she realized it was the only way to get one of the $25 Target gift cards he was passing out. Grace eagerly told Santa how she wanted a Barbie for Christmas. Cooper was terrified and wanted Grampa to save him. The longer Santa was there the more relaxed Cooper became, but he still definitely did not want to sit on his lap. Finally after everyone else had a turn, I took Cooper and plopped him on Santa's lap. He only hesitated a moment before he was all out crying trying to throw himself at papa. Jason said it was torture, but I'm sure we have pictures of all the other kids crying on Santa's lap, it wouldn't be right to deprive Cooper of his opportunity. Later on tonight Cooper was telling us that he sat on Santa's lap and told him that we wanted a race car.

Christmas Tree - 2009

Last Sunday we finally got our Christmas tree. Every year it seems as if it is really late before we get our tree, but I think Jason actually likes it that way. One reason is that way we don't have it in the house too long and it doesn't dry out and become as big of a fire hazard. I think the other reason is that Jason would prefer that we don't get the tree until after his birthday.

Grammie and Grampa came with us on the great tree hunt. We each picked the "perfect" trees very quickly and then it was off to dinner.

Pictures

I thought these were random pictures from November until I just realized it is actually December! Where does the time go?!?

This morning the family got to light the Advent candle at Church. We dressed the kids up in their Christmas finest.

Then we stopped at the new Tractor Supply and they got hats which made them look even cuter!

Yesterday the Girl Scouts hosted their annual Elves Workshop. This was the first year that Grace got to attend since she is now a Daisy. Both girls had fun working on crafts with their friends.

Last weekend the kids helped Jason pick persimmons off of the backyard tree. They spend about 15 minutes and picked over 10 gallons of fruit. The tree is still overloaded, but we just don't know what to do with the fruit...

Thanksgiving 2009

Sixteen of us gathered at Grammie and Grampa's house for Thanksgiving this year. It was great to have all of the Gimme Five together, along with the rest of the family.

I love to watch these kids and see their personalities shining through. Grace is almost always happy and smiling (except when she is throwing a fit).

Emma Jo loves to be the oldest and the big helper. She adores her little cousins and her little brother. It was fun to watch the interactions between Emma Jo and Mays. Those two have a very special relationship. Mays even insisted that he needed to sit next to Emma at dinner.

Dallas is a sweetheart. He very definitely has opinions about what he wants, and what he often wants is Daddy. Dallas had a great time throwing the balls into the pool, just as quickly as the rest of the kids could fish them out. Cooper kept a close eye on him to try to learn a few tricks.

Grampa once again spoiled the Grandkids by purchasing an arcade-style basketball game. The little kids weren't quite sure how to play with it, but the big kids sure liked it.

After dinner the little kids were tired and decided to relax on Grammie's bed with a little Blues Clues.

Happy Birthday, Little Dude

Cooper's birthday cake, as captured by Grampa.

Do you see my cake…big breath…they went out…

Salt Dough Ornaments

What to do with three children at home for a five-day weekend? That was my dilemma yesterday and it was only day 3. We were bored by 7:30 in the morning and trying to decide what to do with ourselves. I wanted something cheap (preferable free) and easier to do with a wide range of ages. I thought about going to the pottery studio to paint ornaments for Christmas. Then I realized that is neither cheap nor an easy place to supervise a 2-year old. Then I had my great idea, Salt Dough Ornaments. I vaguely remember making them as a child, so I pulled up Google and searched for recipes. We spent two hours yesterday morning making the ornaments. Each of the kids had a blast rolling, cutting and playing with the dough. I even made a couple of special ones. Then we got to extend the fun yesterday afternoon with painting the dried and cooled ornaments.

I think this is a project that we will definitely engage in again this holiday season.