Advent Activities - December 4th

Tonight we watched the Christmas Devotional in the comfort of our own home, while drinking hot chocolate and eating freshly baked cookies.  It was a treat!

Happy Birthday to Luz!

Yesterday we celebrated Luz' 4th birthday.  I know, she is practically all grown up and saving China!  We had a pleasant morning.  Juan made breakfast burritos with eggs and stuff.  Then I left to do a couple of errands while she, Ezra, and Juan all played. 

We had her birthday party from 2-4.  It was a Dora theme.  All the local cousins came.  (I am thankful for the internet and people who post such fabulous and creative ideas for me to copy and/or modify!)  When they arrived they each got a Dora bag filled with necessities for the adventure and got right to work coloring a picture of Dora or one of her friends. (crayons were in the bag) Our next stop was the story blanket to read a Dora book.  Then we headed downstairs and had to blow bubbles to cross the train table that was in our way. (bubbles were in the bag)  Then there were some more obstacles in our way (the Dancing Forest) and we had to dance our way through. (instruments were in the bag)  Then we headed back upstairs to the blanket for a snack. (cup and plate were in the bag)  And learned an English/Spanish song.  And had cupcakes.  And opened presents.  It was a blast!

After the party we headed out to "The Birthday Place" for dinner.  Earlier in the week I had asked Luz what she wanted for her birthday dinner.  She replied very quickly, "I want to go to the birthday place, Mom."  Which birthday place?  Tucanos, of course.  We go there to celebrate Dad's birthday, and Mom's birthday, and now, Luz' birthday.  So cute!  She stood on my lap and shook the tambourine when they sang to her.  Oh, and she insisted that she needed to wear her new princess dress there.

My little Luz is growing up.  She has brought so much happiness into my life these past 4 years.  I seriously don't know what I would do without her.  I get her.  I mean even when I am frustrated with her, I [most of the time] understand what is going through her mind.  She is truly a mini me in so many ways.  I love, love, love her and can't wait for our next adventures together!

Advent Activities - December 2nd

Tonight I went with the Cub Scouts to the BYU Planetarium to see the "Star of Bethlehem" show.  It was pretty interesting.  Definitely not for my kids' ages yet.  We'll have to wait a few years to take them.

Advent Activities - December 1st

The Festival of Trees:
We have attended this event for several years now.  There is a special spirit when you enter an event where 100% of the proceeds from everything go to charity.  This year was even more special because my niece Victoria put together a tree to donate.  Hers received one of the highest bids for small trees.  We are so proud of her.  And it was fun to attend the event together.  The kids had a great time.  Unfortunately, Juan was not able to go with us this year.  He was at a presidency meeting the only evening we could attend.  The first picture is a giant bubble thing.  It was pretty cool!

Advent Activities

It takes me a while to get in the Christmas spirit.  I mean, like I start getting into it around December 20th every year.  I want to enjoy Christmas.  I think this is my year.  I have already been gearing up for some Christmas excitement for a few weeks now.  I was so excited that Juan put Christmas lights up on the house the day before Thanksgiving while I was out.  I came home to this:

Breathtakingly beautiful!  I put together a calendar of Christmas activities for our family, beginning December 1st.  I tried to include a variety of projects, service activities, musical events, etc.  We'll see how it goes.  Stay tuned!