Christmas Day

This year we opted to do Christmas Day with just our little fam jam and it ended up being so lovely!

Not going to lie Christmas has always meant tons of family, visiting, games and laughs but we really felt like it was best for us to be together the four of us this year.  I still wanted it to be special so planned to do a nice dinner and cook a big ham then we could have left overs for a meal with my Hinko family a few days later.  I wanted it to be nice, so planned to use our good china.  The one other time we did Christmas alone I cried, yup totally had tears so although we chose to do Christmas this way I wanted to do a few things to make it special.  At about 3pm we were all still in pjs having sang 'Let it Go' on the karaoke machine a hundred times already.  I started to have a sad moment but sweet Mr. P told the ladies that we should all go get ready for our Princess Christmas Dinner and everyone snapped to it!!!!!  We all got spiffy and while Graham and I finished up the dinner prep the girls went and accessorized....for REAL they got all decked out in their rings and necklaces, it made this jewellery lovin momma smile!  When we sat down for our meal and said a dinner prayer it was so lovely.  So special to get to use our good dishes and have candles and be together, so nice!!

Of course after dinner there was more karaoke singing.

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Morning Magic

Christmas with kiddos ROCKS!!!!  There is such magic on Christmas morning.   

We are all so super lucky to have one another, the blessing of family has been on the forefront of my mind this year for many reasons.  I am grateful for my little family, the joy they bring to my life and truly wish that everyone. 

 The girls have been sleeping together (because that is what they like to do on non-school nights) but snuck into our bed in the early morning (because they do that every night :)  They weirdly slept in a little 7am - that is a sleep in for us!!!!!

Some serious excitement and smiles! Of course it makes us smile.

We kept it simple this year with our gifts for one another but Graham picked photos and did a picture frame gift for me, yup I teared up!
Also very sweet was watching the ladies open their gifts to one another. Giving, giving, giving oh how we want that joy to be equal to the getting, getting, getting. Gotta try right?!

Off to prepare our little family meal.  Ham and some Ukrainian dishes, yummy!!!!

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Day

My dear precious Jesus, I did not mean to take Your place;
I only bring toys and things, You bring love and grace.
People give me lists of wishes, and hope that they come true;
But You hear prayers of the heart, and promise Your will to do.
Children try to be good, and not cry, when I come to town;
But You love them unconditionally, with a love that will abound.
I leave only a bag of toys and temporary joy for a season;
But You leave a heart of love, full of purpose for permanent reasons.
I have a lot of believers and what one might call fame;
But I never healed the blind, or tried to help the lame.
I have rosy cheeks and a voice full of laughter;
But no nail-scarred hands or a promise of the hereafter.
You may find several of me in town, or even at the mall;
But there is only one omnipotent You, to answer a sinner’s call.
And so, my dear precious Jesus, I kneel here to humbly pray;
To worship and adore You on this, Your holy birthday.

 I saw this floating around facebook and LOVED it!!!!

I love the symbol of goodness that Santa is; gifts to all, laughter, jolly and happiness. Christmas trees and many of the other traditions of the season can help us cherish our family and if we allow it....draw us closer to Jesus Christ - the Reason for Season.

~ Mrs. P

Christmas Eve

Appetizers and Chocolate Fondue with the Bird crew!

 Some serious scrumptious food happened tonight.  It is our family tradition to do appetizers, sadly our poor Amelia still wasn't feeling very good and ended up falling asleep on the couch.   This year we made a conscious effort to have a slow pace, to seek the peace of the season and to focus on our little family. It has been a beautiful few weeks!!!

 After the birds went home we rolled into the other special traditions we have. Open a gift, which is ALWAYS new pajamas's.  Graham read the Christmas story to us from Luke and we ladies crafted :) Last year I had found a foam nativity to build and Amelia asked if we could do it again this year. Sadly, the lady had only a little spurt of energy and then ended up resting in the chair. Stella and I finished it up and then prepared the treat for Santa and the Reindeer.

Matching slippers!!!!! Matching Jammies for the girls!

 

We also did some Santa tracking! Kinda fun :)

It has been so special doing our advent bags this year.  I am a bit sad for it to be over.  Each bag contained a treat, a toy and an ornament with a different name for Jesus Christ and coinciding scripture.  Opening our daily advent bags and reading that scripture has perhaps become my most cherished tradition.  We usually open the bag in the morning, often nibbling on the candy canes or chocolates even before breakfast ha!  It has been such a great way for us to focus daily on the more spiritual part of Christmas.  It was cool when this morning Amelia woke with excitement and announced that tomorrow would be Jesus birthday.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peach." Isaiah 9:6

~ Mrs. P

Live Nativity

Last night we were fortunate to be able to watch the Live Nativity put on by our church in Spruce Grove.  We had gone as kids because my Grandma and Grandpa Hinko's farm is close. There are sweet childhood memories for us all bundling up warm to attend the Live Nativity.

As soon as the music started I had those little tingles.  It is a wonderful presentation and I am so glad that our ladies were able to watch it.  We have only been once since they were born.  It is absolutely a wonderful activity to make time to attend. We met up the Bird family and our friends the Whites, just a lovely evening.

~ Mrs. P

milk & cookies

We were able to see Santa this year but we didn't go visit the mall, 

we had milk and cookies with him!!!

 

The museum has Santa visit every year.  It was so cold, but so worth venturing out.  The log cabin was cozy and as we hung our coats up and walked in live Christmas music greeted us.  Seriously so wonderful!!! The local Historical Society had colouring sheets and some fun activities for the kiddos as they waited for the big guy to arrive. When he did, it was thrilling.  Santa came in and greeted the children and answered ALL of their questions, about everything.  He then read them a story and then each kiddo got to have time with Santa! It was pretty special.

A bunch of our buddies were there too! It was a pretty wonderful time.

~ Momma P

the magic of learning

I try not to be a pusher! I have tried not to push academics and let my girls move at their own pace, discover and have fun with literacy, numeracy but man oh man it is MAGIC!!!!!!!!! I snapped these sweet moments between Grandpa and Amelia. Pretty special, reading some Dr. Seuss together...classic.

~ Momma P