Bows for Activity Days

 I should have posted more about the different activities I have done in activity days so that I remember them for future references but here is an activity that we did this week. The girls got to put together felt bows. I printed off about 6 different patterns that the girls could use and they got to put them together to their hearts desire. I had lots of different colors of felt, some ribbon, and the hair clips. I limited it to four but the girls only got 1 or 2 done in the time that we had. The girls really enjoyed it and here are the examples that I showed and then I gave them to Paige.

 She really liked the bows!

The Christmas Miracle

 Nate has been growing his thick locks for almost a year and he knew that I was not a fan of the long hair but I dealt with it and had fun by braiding his hair and it was fun to watch Paige do her dad's hair. I knew he would cut it eventually but knew it had to be done on his time. He surprised me the day after Christmas telling me it was the day and we had lots of fun and laughs with the hair cutting process.

The before pictures

 Nate has incredibility thick hair. It was so hard to put all of it in a bun.

 Paige enjoyed the process just as much as I did and wanted to be in all the pictures.

 The fun began- we started with some cute bangs. This hair style made me laugh so hard and his hair looked fake like he had put a wig on.

 Then Paige got a turn doing some cutting.

 Next was the mullet- another style that got lots of laughs.

 Nate's favorite- I think he likes it so much because he looks like Lloyd on Dumb and Dumber.

 While Nate was doing the final cuts Paige did her hair in different ways and wanted me to take pictures of each hair style.

 She thought she was so funny with this one- I wonder where she gets that from. :)

 Look at all that hair!

 All done- He was not too happy with the loss of hair but I LOVE it! Happy wife, happy life! :)

Christmas Time is Here

 We had a great Christmas! The holidays are so much more fun when you have kids. Paige was so excited about everything.

Sunday before Christmas family photo

Christmas Eve- sandwich making.

 It was a great thing that Margaret invited some friends over for dinner or it would have been a really quiet Christmas Eve.

 When kept tradition alive and carried the sandwich around the house.

 Margaret had us all play this fun little game. We had to draw a Christmas scene on a paper plate that was on our heads.

 Then we all did the Nativity. It was fun to see all the grown-ups take part since there was only one little girl.

 We decided that the flash on the TV was the star leading to Christ. :)

 Paige got to open up her Christmas pajamas before going to bed.

 I love the excitement on her face in this picture.

 She was so excited to set everything up. We had made chocolate chip cookies earlier in the day because that is the type of cookie Santa likes according to Paige. She helped set out the cookies and milk and we leave out a magic key for Santa so he can come through the front door since we don't have a fire place. It took her awhile to settle down but soon she was dreaming of all the fun that was about to happen the next day.

 Santa spoiled her this year. All the presents got passed around and we took turns watching each other open all their gifts. Paige got doll stuff, craft things, and candy. She opened up a box full of barbie furniture which she loved but the best present was saved for last. After all the presents were opened we read a note from Santa that said to look on the front porch for her last present.....

 And she got her Christmas wish- a barbie dream house. She has played with it every day since and LOVES it!

 Nate got these slot machines- one for his parents and one for us. It came with some tokens and once you run out you have to open it up to gather them up again. All the kids have loved them!

She is definitely loved lots!

It was a really fun Christmas! Paige loved every minute of it and we are truly blessed with everything that we have.

Advent Calenders

 Paige has enjoyed numerous advent calendars for the month of December. Every morning and every night there was something to do. It was fun way to get more excited for Christmas!

The first advent calendar she opened for the day was the Christmas play mobile that it is the bathroom. Thanks Nona for this one!

 Next she would got downstairs and find all her chocolates for the right day. Every morning she would ask me what number the day was and open up this one from my mom.

 And then find the chocolate kiss in this one.

 Then every night before she went to bed she got to open up a Christmas book. Nona found 25 books for each of the families. That is a lot of books and a lot of wrapping. Thanks again Nona!

 And last we put together this chain and she got to cut a chain off every night or sometimes that next morning if we forgot the night before. :)

She loved all these daily doings!