2011 Christmas Memories - Day 8

For our eighth day of Christmas, we laid low since Harlee had been sick all night.  Praise the Lord she didn't get sick after 3:30 in the morning.  We all took it easy so that she could rest.  By the time we got in bed, she was back to her old self again.  It looks like all but Hallie Jo can make it to coop Friday.

Hallie Jo is still having some "tummy issues" as she would say and has now developed a rash on her booty from all the times she has gone potty.  Poor little thing, makes me so sad.  She will have to hang out with me away from all the rest of the coop so we don't take a chance of spreading anything to anyone else.

While we spent the day relaxing, we read two more books.  I am not sure how many more years the kids are going to allow me to read the "baby" book.  It had more about Elizabeth and John the Baptist preparing for Jesus so that is why I kept it in the selection again this year.  The Legend of the Christmas Rose is a sweet book about big brothers, little sisters and miracles.  

While laying low, we finished watching The Santa Clause trilogy.  We always enjoy watching these and Jordan belly laughs at any physical comedy so he had a grand time.  I am so thankful that our local library system has these so we can watch them for free.

Lastly, we found Gundy this morning lounging in a marshmallow bubble bath.  He really thought it was okay to use my crockpot insert for his bath.  Hmph!  I sure hope his buddy, Charlie over at The 4-Crow's isn't as ornery.

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 7

I feel like we have been lacking on our productivity lately in regards to school.  We were supposed to go to a bell ringers concert today but at first I thought Hannah had a babysitting job.  Then when that was cancelled, I decided our day would be best spent at home.

We got a lot of school work done so it ended up being a great day.  But things took a turn for the worse because I think our family might have the stomach virus that a lot of our coop have had since Saturday.  Hallie Jo has had some scary potty accidents and about bedtime Harlee started to puke.  I had been praying for the virus to stay away from our house or as some of my lovely friends like to say, "rebuke the puke."  I now pray that the virus does not go any further than these two.

When any kid is sick, I make a pallet in the living room to sleep on.  First, this allows me to hear them easier from my bedroom.  Second, if they do not make it to the bathroom or the bowl, then I can easily pick-up the blankets and throw them in the wash.  I don't have to worry about them getting it all over stuffed animals or down between their beds and walls.  Miss Claus the Cat thinks this is quite a warm spot to sleep tonight.

Before our day went downhill, we found Gundy in the Christmas tree.  I think he might have started sitting on a branch but some how got mixed up and ended up upside down.  Thank goodness he never fell.  Join us over at The 4-Crow's to see what Charlie the Elf did on Day 7.

We read an interactive book with Hallie Jo's help and then we read Santa's Favorite Story.  I love how the author had Santa retell the story of the birth of Jesus to the woodland animals.

We finished up our day watching two more Christmas dvds.  I am really surprised but Jordan enjoyed the Rockettes as much as the girls and I did.  

I think I might have a long night ahead of me and more movie watching in my future since we will stay home tomorrow as well.

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 6

Tuesdays happen to be our busiest afternoon/evening so the kids and I try to stay home the rest of the day.  

Today we got our school work done quickly and got to watch

We also opened our Christmas books and read

We finally found Gundy having a sugar fest in our refrigerator.

His pal, Charlie, was busy learning more about the true meaning of Christmas.  Why don't you link up with me at The 4-Crow's.  We would love to see more of their elf buddies and what they are up to this month.

The rest of the afternoon and evening was busy with dance classes and scout meetings.

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 5

Another day of Christmas-themed movies for our household.  We watched the newest Prep and Landing special after the annual A Charlie Brown Christmas aired.

We also read Mary's Baby and A Christmas Star.

This morning we woke up to find Gundy hanging out in the stairwell window.  His buddy, Charlie, over at The 4-Crow's was riding a green tractor.  You should link-up with us and let us know what your elf is doing.

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 4

Gundy got comfy last night in Hallie Jo's dresser drawer. We think the cat might have joined him because clothes were pushed to the side and things from the top of the dresser were in the drawer. Hallie Jo was full of joy to find him there because she has insisted since the day Gundy arrived that we would find him in her dresser drawer. Make sure to check out Charlie the Elf at The 4-Crow's and see what he has been up to at their house.


Sundays are almost always our busiest day of the week and today was no exception. We have been lax lately and only attending the second service at church but today we had to go to both services. I like that better anyways because I know the kids get more out of their experiences and they always have fun.

It was a big craft day in the preschool department and it was my idea so I needed to be there to direct both sessions. Normally when I do this particular craft I do both hand prints and one foot print but to save time we had a stencil of a foot and just did hand prints. The angels turned out as cute as usual. (As soon as we get them back next week, I will take a picture of Hallie Jo's and post it here.)

Meanwhile, Jordan and Harlee were making their own ornaments in the children's department. They painted ceramic trees. I just love homemade ornaments!

After church we read The Polar Express and Silent Night. We followed that up by watching The Polar Express movie.


Hannah and I had to go back to church for a youth event. I am looking forward to some craft and cooking days this upcoming week.

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 3

Today, our elf, Gundy, was comfortable on the couch reading a book. Please join Gundy's buddy, Charlie, over at The 4-Crow's to see more elf fun.


Our day was busy and started with Hannah at bowling league. Then we spent the afternoon reading these books and watching this movie.



That evening, Jimmy and I went to a homeschool couples Christmas party. This party was beyond fun! It is amazing how much fun we can have without our kids around. *Disclaimer: Don't be fooled by the shirts we are wearing. It was an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. We were going to wear OU but since it was Bedlam, we just could not do that so we decided this was the ugliest thing we could find to wear.*

2011 Christmas Memories - Day 2

We woke and found Gundy the Elf had landed on the dining room ceiling fan. Join me over at The 4-Crow's and let us know what your elf is up to.



Then we were off to our homeschool coop's annual Christmas Party.

During the afternoon we read two books about Christmas.



We finished off the day at Christview Christian Church's "Bethlehem Walk."