It's beginning to look at lot like Advent...

I am so excited about counting down the days to Christmas this year.  I  love seeing the holidays through the eyes of a child so we are going to be doing lots of fun things together this holiday season.  I have been loving my Cricut because it makes it so easy to make fun things.  I made these numbers to number our advent days. I'm going to have them laminated so I can use them year after year.  I am just trying to decide how to set-up the calendar so that everyone at our house (Neil, Bennett, and Henry) are excited each day.  I already know I will be excited so no need to worry about me!

This is what I am hoping to do this year:

Thurs. December 1: Elf on the shelf

Friday, December 2: Christmas pjs

Saturday, December 3: make gingerbread house

Sunday, December 4: decorate cookies

Monday, December 5: pick out new Christmas book and read it

Tuesday, December 6: open Little People nativity and set it up

Wednesday, December 7: make special hot chocolate with marshmallows

Thurs. December 8: make "snowball" cookies

Friday, December 9: unwrap new ornament and put on the tree

Saturday, December 10: make snow angels

Sunday, December 11: celebrate Bennett's birthday

Monday, December 12: Christmas movie and popcorn

Tuesday, December 13: make fireplace s'mores

Wednesday, December 14: angel tree gifts for children

Thurs. December 15: RACK today

Friday, December 16: celebrate with friends today! (school and work)

Saturday, December 17: Drive Through Nativity

Sunday, December 18: drive around and look at Christmas lights

Monday, December 19: picture with santa (bass pro)

Tuesday, December 20: make a Christmas ornament

Wednesday, December 21: leave a "secret gift" for someone special

Thurs. December 22: make reindeer food

Friday, December 23: put out shoes for Christmas elf

Saturday, December 24: read Bible Christmas story and use nativity

Sunday, December 25: go to church and help with Love Feast

Grandparent's Day Luncheon at School

We've been looking forward to the Grandparent's Day Luncheon at school for months.  I was so excited for Bennett to have all of his grandparents at school.  He was so proud to show off his classroom and all the fun centers they have.  I just love the outfits that the boys are wearing.  Dad got them these before Henry was even born and it's hard to believe that he can fit into a 6 month outfit!!

I made these for the kids snacks today.  I started out trying to make 2 others, but this is the one that ended up working.  I see now that I put the Reese's cup on wrong!

Play-dough with Grandad

He loved showing off Henry!  One of the kids decided to suck on Henry's pacifier...ick!

The kids made this idea up on their own...a choo choo train!  How creative!

They did a lot of talking on cell phones.  Gammy, Bennett, Avery Ella, and Nana

Grandad is fun to talk to on the phone

Here is the "extended family tree" of the school.  They sent leaves home for us to decorate.  Here are ours.

Off to the book fair!!!  Erin's dad had it right when he said "what grandparent can deny buying their grandchild a book?"  This school has the right idea on how to raise money!

Bennett and Pops at the Book Fair.

Grandpas and their boys.

Grandad, Nana, Bennett, and Henry

Bennett with Henry and Pops

Gammy, Bennett, and Henry

I went because this is probably not something I will be able to attend in the future.  I am so glad I got to be a part of the day!

SS girls night

We had a good time at our Sunday School girls night.  Brooke hosted and it was so much fun.  We never have an agenda and I love that.  We usually just sit around eating and talking.  I look forward to these nights once a month.  This time we packed our boxes and wrapped them for our church's Christmas Connection.  Our class was responsible for 10 gifts for girls ages 2-4.  Thanks to Richard, my FIL for donating the wrapping paper from Lewis'.

This was totally staged with the gifts and self-timer. Love it.  

Science Lab

We went to Lowe's last Saturday for the fun Kid's Build and Grow class.  I think it is so cool that they offer these classes for FREE.  I really enjoy free.  I love seeing Neil and Bennett having fun together.  One day all 3 of my boys will be building things together.  For now, Henry and I just watch.  They made a Science Lab this time.  It was a little advanced for Bennett considering he doesn't really know what to do with the lab other than put his apples or other snacks in the test tubes.  He likes it so I guess that's all that matters.

We were glad that Tim, Lori Beth, and Houston met us.  Tim is going to be such a great step-dad!

Tim and Houston

Bennett and Houston

Henry looked so cute in the goggles!  He is my little sweetie!

Pre-School Book Fair Preview Party

They had a fun little preview party for the pre-schoolers on Wednesday.  It was complete with music by Ms. Cookie and plenty of books and toys.  I'm so glad I got to go with my boys!  I took these pictures from his school's Picasa album.  So fancy that they send us digital pictures to use how we want!

playing music!

The theme was "The Art of Reading" and I thought the decorations were so cute.

Oliver

I am sad to announce that my dad had to put Oliver to sleep yesterday.  Oliver has been in the family for about 15 years.  I am not really an animal  lover and don't have a connection to animals.  I don't understand the whole "my dogs are my kids" mentality.  But, my dad, mom, and brother do and I am sad for them.  I called the veterinarian office this morning to check on how everything went and the receptionist was so sweet.  I think that has to be a characteristic of a person that works at a vet's office.

She said "Oliver was a great dog and your dad made the right decision.  We will bury him by the horse barn and he will not be alone."  Awwwww...it was so sad and sweet all at the same time.

Bennett never really asks about Oliver and he decided to ask me a few questions about him today.

He said "what's 'Oviler' doing?"
Me: "Oliver was very sick and he went to heaven."
Bennett: "oh, did he go to the doctor and get a shot?"
Me: "yes, he didn't feel good so Pops had to take him to the doctor."
Bennett: "Pops took 'Oviler' to heaven?"
Me: (not knowing what to say) "yes."

He asked lots more questions that I did not know how to answer.

Also, here's the obituary that my brother wrote today for Oliver:

Painting with a Twist-Leslie Style!

We had a fun night of painting at Painting with a Twist on Friday night.  Leslie was the teacher!  This was her first time to teach in Shreveport so I wanted to be there.  She was an excellent teacher and I can't wait to go again!

Carol (Leslie's mom) and me