Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at the Irelands, I think the pictures speak for themselves!

"Beary" Important Person

Bailey has been the "Beary" Important Person all week at school. She brought home her bear to decorate with pictures over the weekend. Monday morning she held the flag in front of the entire school for the weekly assembly. She also got to bring some of her important people to listen to her explain her bear and her special treasures. She has been line leader all week among other responsibilities. She's been beaming ever since Friday afternoon when she brought home her bear!

Monday morning, in the front of the line
Holding the flag

The other important person in the other kindergarten class

Explaining her pictures on her bear

One of her treasures, her dance recital costume. She also brought her soccer trophy, her favorite Fancy Nancy book, and her first American Girl Doll

The important people she brought to class

Christmas Tree Shopping

There was a chill in the air last night, so the kids strapped on their hats and mittens and we went Christmas tree shopping!

Raif was all decked out for Christmas
Hello Bailey!

Ice Skating at Kaleidoscope

We had a great time "ice skating" at Kaleidoscope. Colby's brother was still in town so he got to join us as well.

Raif smelled the popcorn at the theatre and was focused on having some
Uncle Guyton with Raif

Daddy helping out Bailey

Blurry, I know, but it's still a picture

What is Christmas?

I have a plethora of Christmas books, and I mean a plethora. Let's just say we could read a book a day for the 24 days leading up the Christmas and still need about another month to go through all of them. But, most of my books are from my teaching days, and are secular.

I bought this book the other day to help explain Christmas to Bailey and Raif. Bailey has a lot more knowledge of it from attending a mom's group at a church. She also went to VBS for a week, and has retained more knowledge than I can believe. Raif on the other hand, is just learning it's Christmas time, but doesn't know what that means.

This book does a great job of explaining Christmas, while still understanding that they are KIDS. It goes through all of the FUN of Christmas, while reminding them what Christmas is really about: God's greatest gift of love, Jesus coming to save the world. It explains that it's OKAY to love the decorations, the trees, the presents, Santa, caroling, etc., but the REAL reason we celebrate is the birth of Jesus. So, it's okay to love ALL things about Christmas.

Happy Thanksgiving

This year we hosted Thanksgiving for my mom and dad, sister and her family, Colby's parents, and our neighbors. The Irelands stopped by before dinner for a glass of wine as well. I once again was not so good at taking pictures of everyone. When there are 19 people at your house you often forget to snap pictures. Here are just a few of a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Bailey worked hard making everyone a place card The kids table

Jaymee and Lexy

The Vega clan

A Thanksgiving must, squirting whipped cream from the can

I think Colby gave Eli a bit too much!

Soccer Party

Bailey's soccer team had their end of the season party at Cal Bowl (I was the team mom, can you tell?) The girls had a great time and Bailey got to have her first experience actually bowling. I know, pathetic, she's never bowled before. But, in my defense, she has actually never wanted to before this!

On the lanes ready to bowl.
50- not bad Bailey

Flowers and trophies!

Bailey and Reagan

Bailey and Reagan with Coaches Peter and Aaron