The Baden Family: December Catch Up

We really enjoyed the Christmas season this year. Last year was such a blur for me, because Lydia was a newborn. It was such a struggle to do anything, but this year was so much fun. Unfortunately, the kids have had one cold after another since Thanksgiving. All the illnesses slowed us down a little, but it actually wasn't a completely bad thing. I could definitely have done without the fevers, snots, and coughs, but it was nice to slow things down and not get too caught up in holiday busyness.

Rudolph's Mug Shot

Jacob made bird seed feeders for his teachers and our neighbors for Christmas presents. I have a new appreciation for his teachers. I can't imagine doing a messy craft with ten three year olds!

Lydia kept herself busy while we worked! She is such a climber. I remember Jacob climbing a lot, too, but not this early.

Lydia and I had a little extra time before picking Jacob up from school one day, so we went to the library, which is just across the parking lot. We were the only ones there, so I let her sit at the big kid table to color. She LOVED it. She also loved eating crayons!

We picked up Jacob and Ceci and headed back for a little more library time while we waited on Ceci's mom and little brother. Lydia was so proud to be sitting with the big kids!

Jacob's school Christmas program was so cute! He didn't sing, even though he knew all the words to his songs, but he played his jingle bells and waved at us in the audience. Even though he didn't really do much, I can't explain how proud I felt watching him. Big crowds and strangers have never really been his thing, but he did it and with no tears! He even said he had fun!

A few weeks ago we had a family picture made for my friend's BETA Club fundraiser. It actually didn't turn out nearly as bad as I expected. I think its actually kind of good, especially for us!

Christmas errands with these two takes about a thousand times longer than when I can go by myself. I wonder how long before they realize these little rides move and make noise?

We checked out a new cupcake place while out doing Christmas errands one weekend. Daddy's ice cream was very popular!

I think my absolute favorite day leading up to Christmas, was the Sunday before. It was cold and rainy, and the kids were sick, so we stayed home from church and spent the day together. We made more bird seed feeders for family, and that evening we had a special Polar Express movie night! We even let Jacob eat dinner in the living room while he watched.

I love Lydia's smile in the background!

On the Monday before Christmas we went to the Mills River Library for a special Christmas play, and the kids loved it! Poor Lydia wasn't feeling good, but she was still captivated by the silly elves in the play.

The actors asked for volunteers. Jacob raised his hand, and wasn't picked, but went up anyway! He's showing the audience his beloved snow globe!

I spy a curl!

I also spy a ham. Jacob loves my "boots," which are actually high heels.

Jacob loves helping me bake. We made lots of goodies to take to the farm for Christmas. He's holding his "constructions" (instructions/recipe)!

I would call our Santa visit a success this year. We went to the Cane Creek Community Center. Neither kid wanted to sit on his lap, but there were no tears. Jacob told Santa that he wanted a pizza, a book, and a Bible.