Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve FINALLY came! The kids were so excited [and so were Ryan and I]. 

We had LOTS to do to get ready for the Big Day!

First order of business was to check the Advent calendar. I LOVE this advent. Uncle Rich and Aunt Laureen gave it to us last Christmas, so this was the first time we used it. It's wooden and is beautifully painted with the Nativity scene. Inside each compartment was a Bible story to read in their Jesus Storybook Bible, a fun Christmas related activity we were going to do that day, and, best of all, a piece of candy or small toy for each of them.

 

 

Next, on the agenda was to make cookies for Santa [which just so happened to be our fun Christmas related activity from the Advent].

They climbed in the tower and were ready to start cooking!

  

They are both such great helpers.

 

 

The anticipation was killing them...

Finally! Cookie dough time!!

 

 

After the cookies finished baking and we put on some clothes it was time to feed the reindeer! Evidently, reindeer like to eat a mixture of rolled oats, dried fruit, and Christmas sprinkles. David's class mixed some up in school before getting out for break and we saved it for Christmas Eve. Thankfully, I had all of those ingredients and was able to mix up a bag for Rachael. 

They made sure to spread it all around the front yard.

 

 

It was so windy Rachael just decided it would be easier to turn her bag upside down and let the wind do all the work of spreading it around. 

 

That evening, after nap time, we went over to the kids' school [which is also a church] for a children's candlelight service. It was SOOOO great!!! It instantly became a Christmas Eve tradition for us. 

Any kids who wanted could dress up and be a part of the Christmas Story. They could choose to be an animal in the stable, an angel, or a shepherd.  The Children's Ministry Director read from the book of Luke and when it was their time to go up an adult with a sign reading, "All [animals, angels, shepherds] follow me". And slowly the kids became the Nativity. [There were already kids assigned to be Mary, Joseph, and the Wisemen. And a baby doll stood in for Jesus]

David and Rachael chose to be shepherds. 

David ready to go up on the stage.

When we saw the sign, "All shepherds follow me" David and Rachael got a little nervous about going up by themselves, so I went with them. It was dark in the worship center, so Ryan had a hard time getting any good pictures [next year we'll be bringing the good camera].

So, up we go...

 

David couldn't keep his costume on at first.

 

It was a very quick "service" which concluded with everyone singing "Silent Night" with little glow sticks instead of candles. So smart for a children's service! 

After the service, we went home and ate a quick dinner then drove around looking at all the beautiful Christmas lights [a Christmas Eve tradition from my childhood].

Once home it was time to get ready for bed and put out our delicious cookies for Santa! We moved the kids' little table close to the fireplace, so Santa wouldn't have to go very far to find them. 

 

I LOVE this picture. Two excited babies ready for Santa's arrival. 

 

Bogie was super excited too, he just was holding it in. 

 

They checked on the tree one last time to be sure Santa would like it. 

 

 

A little silliness before bedtime. 

 

 

We read "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" that night and put the kids right to bed. They were exhausted from all their Christmas Eve activities.